Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 165

His train of thought was abruptly cut off by Commander Zhou, “I will be evaluating you for the first round of
interviews, one-on-one, in the order you are currently lined up in. Please wait patiently for your turn.” After the final
word, he turned on his heel and opened the door to yet another room, this time much smaller and simplistic than the
other rooms. The guard ushered for the first in Yong Zhi’s row to go inside the room, and swiftly closed the door
behind him.
After zoning out for a few minutes, Yong Zhi was ushered into the room. He quickly bowed towards Commander
Zhou and stood in front of him, hoping for the best. He could now take a clear look at the commander’s face, and saw
a much younger and youthful face looking at him. There were visible signs of faded scars, most likely from strenuous
training over long periods of time. There were dark bags under his eyes, sullen and evidently tired from a clear lack of
rest.
“What is your name?”
Yong Zhi was pulled out of his reverie by the question. “My name is Yong Zhi, Commander Zhou.”
“Age?”
“18 years old, commander.”
“Do you have any prior experience with physical combat?”
“No, Commander Zhou.”
“Then why do you want to join the Treasure Fleet?”
“With all due respect, I want to prove my worth to both my family, and my peers who have shunned me for being
weak and scrawny, by representing our country in this plan to give, rather than receive as is custom on the seas. I find
this to be a good and rewarding cause, as we may also encounter dangerous people that we either defeat or die trying
to.”
“Very well, please go wait back in the main hall, while we finish screening the rest of the potential members of the fleet
and announce the results afterwards. It was nice meeting you, Yong Zhi.”
“You too, Commander Zhou.”
Yong Zhi walks out of the room, feeling a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders. He returned to the main hall, picking a
place to sit and rest against. ‘A little nap wouldn’t hurt,’ thought Yong Zhi as he closed his eyes.
He woke up to a hand shaking him awake. He looked up to see who it was, and to his shock, it was Commander
Zhou. “Wake up Yong Zhi. You’re the only one that has made it through and into the fleet out of this group.”
“Wait, what? I’m the only one that got in the fleet, but why?”
“I’ll explain to you in my personal quarters. I also hope you don’t have any important things at your residence, as
starting from today you will be staying with me in my quarters as my personal assistant, until the end of the entire Fleet
is over and done with. Clothes shall not be of any concern, as you will be measured by the royal tailor once we get
there, and they will be made as soon as possible.”