Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 156

Treasure
St. Mary's Canossian College, Chu, Nicole - 15
‘W
u, you should probably start working on drafting the new plan now. I
don’t think the boss would like to see you checking your phone during
office hours. ’
Rolling her eyes, Wu looked up from her phone to her co-worker. ‘I’m taking a break.
Do you have a problem with that?’
‘Well, you haven’t been typing anything for more than half an hour– ’
‘Just so you know, I was the one who proposed the solutions to the problems of the
previous project while the rest of you had no idea what to do. So, I was the one who has
raised the company profits, and thus your salary.’
‘Yes, we’re grateful for your skills, but… ’
‘ So clearly, I deserve a nice long break. Don’t you think so? Don’t worry. I’ll work on
the new plan a little later.’
Wu’s co-worker gave a long sigh and returned to her desk. Turning back to her phone,
Wu saw an email notification popping up on her screen. She clicked on it and read the
message:
Dear Wu,
It has been such a long time since your university graduation. I still remember you as one
of my brightest students – intelligent and quick to learn, though a little troublesome.
I moved to India some years ago, and I was wondering if you would want to come for a
visit this summer. If you would come, please send an email telling me when and I will
give you a map on how to go to our meeting place. With you being one of my best
students, I will give you something valuable when you arrive. I would be delighted if you
promise to meet me, and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Professor Zhang
Wu was curious about what exactly ‘Old Monk’ Zhang (a nickname given by students
because of his bald head) meant by ‘something valuable’. It would probably be like an
antique vase or painting , or anything that was worth a lot of money. Deciding to find out
for herself, she began to type a reply agreeing to his request. Also, she could miss a week
of work, so the visit would be worth it.
Dragging her luggage behind her, Wu scanned the hall of the New Delhi aiport for an
exit sign, eager to get to a hotel. She couldn’t sleep, though she had wanted to, because
the cramped plane seat was too uncomfortable, and the passengers beside her were either
crying children or loudly quarreling couples.
But Old Monk had told her to board a bus immediately after landing. He also mentioned
the ride would be a couple of hours long… Wu gave a huff of disappointment. She would
have to take a nap in another cramped seat again instead of on a large soft hotel bed.
As she looked for the bus stop, she saw a person munching through a giant bag of chips,
with another on top of his suitcase. She took a few steps closer, and her eyes brightened.