Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 91

Zhang Wun smiled at us in greeting, before his eyes widened and adjusted to Chen Guang’s gross scent.
Chen Guang’s eyes bore into mine; her dark orbs contained so much hatred that my oncoming grin had faltered.
“Zhan Ping decided to prank me, and now we need new shampoo,” she said sickly sweetly, her tone
light and humorous. She pulled her hair up to show her slightly stained skin.
Zhang Wun glanced between the two of us, as thick silence coated the room.
Chen Guang’s expression was smug.
After another heartbeat, he convulsed with laughter, “You used toilet water again? That's so uncreative,
Zhang Ping.”
It wasn't long before I joined in on the guffaw. Chen Guang's shrill cackles soon followed, louder than
the both of ours combined.
6.
The flashing eyes of the terrified man sprinting for his life kept me awake. There was something this
neighbourhood was hiding.
The last time I was this unsettled, Zhang Wun had told me he loved Cheng Guang.
7.
Chen Guang wasn’t there the next morning, although Zhang Wun didn't seem too worried. He assured
me that it wasn't because of my prank and that she was probably talking a stroll around town, "She would've
have been honest with me if she were upset."
I held my tongue; she hadn't left the house since they had gotten married, and she had seemed anything
but happy before he returned home. The bowls of congee waiting for us in Chen Guang's wake were cold and
lumpy, although neither of us commented on it.
8.
When Zhang Wun suggested that I buy new shampoo to make up for my prank, I wasn't prepared to
catch another glimpse of the guards marching past the little shop I was in.
I proceeded to the counter, "Excuse me, sir? Is there a reason why such a large sum of guards are
parading around this part of the city?"
The man by the counter smiled kindly, the wrinkles by his eyes pulling his face taut, "I'm sorry, son, I
have no clue. I hadn't dared to ask, in case they decided to search my pockets, too.
I frowned, "So they've been searching everyone? They aren't looking for anyone specific?"
He shrugged in response, "It seems like it, boy. If you're curious, you could always ask them yourself."
9.
I advanced them tentatively, "Sorr-"
The base of my wrists were grappled immediately. They spun me around so quickly that my mind went
hazy, with my arms held tight behind my back, "You have any on you? Turn it in now and we'll be merciful."
I struggled slightly, "Have any what? What have you been looking for?"
The guard's grip loosened, "Opium, young man. Do you have any opium on you?"