Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 563
The only difference was the natural terrain and the culture. Each city had its unique
culture. When the Cultural Department decided early on in the formation of the Greater
Bay Area that the culture of the cities and special administrative regions had to be
maintained, it was a significant move. The Cantonese dialect, being the dominant dialect
in the Greater Canton Area was and still is the main dialect. Even more so than 50 years
ago, it was encouraged to be used and even the migrants from outside Greater Canton
have to use it to get by in daily life.
Shenzhen is the main city. It is futuristic and modern, and home to the tech
entrepreneurs. It surpassed Silicon Valley decades ago in terms of size, innovation,
investment and bright minds. There are tech entrepreneurs in Shenzhen from all over the
world. This is the place to be. Flashy drones, nice houses with wonderful fresh air.
Schools and medical facilities are the best in the whole of the Greater Canton area.
“I’ve got to go now. I’m preparing to go to my Uncle Shek’s tonight,” said Xiao Lu.
“Alright. See you in two weeks’ time!”
Xiao Lu used her left-hand gesture again and out popped the main menu in front of her.
“Drone instructions: Uncle Shek, Foshan.” A robotic voice blared out. “The address has
been programmed in. Departure in 1 hours’ time”. Good. That was enough time to get
ready and dressed.
-1 hour later-
Xiao Lu’s drone appeared parked by her 15 th floor window bay. Xiao Lu emerged from
the balcony door and stepped into her drone. The drone sped away as Xiao Lu waved
another shape to lock the balcony door. She was thinking back to her review today of old
houses and apartments and residents fumbling for their keys. She didn’t quite understand
why metal keys were a necessity in those days. If you lost your key you needed to locate
a locksmith. Well, there aren’t many houses that use keys nor are there any locksmiths
these days. Today’s apartments are impervious to burglars, unless they kidnap you and
force you to wave your secret wave codes.
“Time to Foshan 12 minutes.” In the old days by road it would have taken hours. Now
drone travel saves a lot of time for a lot of people.
Xiao Lu continued her review of the old cities in the drone and requested the 3D images
of historical Foshan. An old city, it still had its culture of Cantonese opera and Southern
Martial Arts. Famous Martial artists originated from Foshan. Cantonese opera had seen a
revival in the past 30 years. Xiao Lu thought that these cultural aspects had been kept
alive by those that had the vision to keep handing down these skills and knowledge to the
next generation. With technology advancements, this should even be easier but you
never knew what the masters took to their graves.
Xiao Lu’s drone stopped outside Uncle Shek’s house. Her Uncle Shek used to live in the
old house with a bit of farmland, and later it had been converted into a modern house
with a garden.
“Leave the drone in the garden!” greeted Uncle Shek. They embraced.
“You are getting more beautiful every time I see you, my favourite niece,” he teased
her. “Come. Let’s go to the ancestral temple and pray to your ancestors before we eat.”
Uncle Shek was a traditionalist. Even in the modern times. Joss sticks still were the norm
here at our ancestral temple, about 50 yards from Shek’s house. His children (Xiao Lu’s
cousins) were studying in Europe. “When do Ah Bo and Ah Loong come back?”
“Oh, not for another month. They need to finish their term exams first.” replied Uncle
Shek as we walked into the ancestral hall.