Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 619

“I think the beautiful thing is that there’s still so much more that we haven’t seen yet. We haven’t
really travelled much, so what do you think about going on another trip somewhere next summer? Well,
assuming your mother’s free.”
Rina pondered this for a while. “Yes, I would like to, but I think I’m also very attached to Hong
Kong. It’s my home, so I don’t think I want to leave it. In the end, I would rather stay in the place I am
most familiar with.”
“That’s fair. Let’s come cycle around here more often, yeah? There are also many other places in
Hong Kong where we can cycle. I don’t know them all, but we can certainly explore!” In between the
cycling path they were currently on and the next section was a pedestrian crossing. Both got off their
respective bikes and walked over to the traffic light.
“I’d love that.” They stopped in front of the traffic light and Rina let out a dreamy sigh. “It’ll bring
more enjoyment to my life right now.”
“Same here. It’ll be good, I assure you. Just as long as we don’t get lost.” With his mind filled with
thoughts of being able to cycle regularly with his daughter to see various parts of Hong Kong, Lewis
laughed.
By the time they boarded the bus once more to go back home, it was already dark. Rina fell asleep
almost instantly. Holding her small hand in his, Lewis stared outside for the whole journey, taking in all of
the twinkling city lights. No matter the name, this was home to them.
When she returned from Guangzhou the following night, Eileen was disappointed to learn that
Lewis and Rina had spent almost the entire day outside cycling and visiting some areas that Lewis had
frequented as a child. She expressed this to Lewis when the two of them were alone.
Lewis.
“Why didn’t you let her study?” Eileen asked, her hands on her hips as her gaze tore through
“She can’t keep doing that all the time,” Lewis replied. It was true. Rina deserved to have some
rest and it bothered him that Eileen didn’t agree with that.
mood.”
Eileen sighed, shaking her head. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter now. I can’t let it dampen my
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know how I told you about the Greater Bay Area offering better opportunities for
education?” Eileen didn’t stop to allow Lewis to respond before moving on. “Well, I found out some more
about that these last few days. They’re rolling out a very enriching education offer for students around
Rina’s age very soon, and starting from the next academic year, it’ll allow them to receive a comprehensive
education over in various Chinese cities and automatically enters them into a top university afterwards. This
initiative is perfect for Rina.”
“So you’re saying we’re going to send her off?” Almost instantly, Lewis felt as if all his hopes and
dreams got crushed right in front of him.
serious.
“We can’t miss this chance.” Eileen looked Lewis in the eye, her expression cold and deadly
“What about what she wants?” Lewis tried to reason. He’d known something like this was
eventually going to happen, but not this soon. “She’s twelve. I’m sure she should have a say in something
that’s going to affect her for many years to come.”