Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 296

a dancing dragon. I lifted up my arms and touched my hair. It was well made, with lots of pins and dangling
accessories. My foot though, was a true nightmare. I looked down and saw a child’s foot, probably a size four.
I glanced around. I was in an arbour. Surrounded by flowers, ponds, singing creatures. It was all so, so lovely. I
took off those fetus shoes and began walking around what I heard someone call the Yu Yuan Garden. I didn’t
think much at that point – I wasn’t even sure if I was asleep or awake. Well, I was still going to enjoy this
enchanting garden anyway.
“Miss Eva,” someone said gently.
I shivered and slowly turned my head around. No one was there.
“Miss Eva!” This time more loudly.
I wasn’t sure if someone was calling me, or my hearing problem had become worse. I looked around in great
detail and still, nobody.
Moments later, there was this elegant woman approaching me. Yelling, “Miss Eva! Miss Eva!”
“Who are you? And why that name? Stop it, I don’t like it.”
“Oh, Miss Eva. Are you playing with me again? I’m your maid, Ting,” laughed the maid.
“What on earth are you talking about? What year is it?” I asked.
“What do you mean by what year? It’s the Qing Dynasty. Please stop teasing with me, Miss Eva. We will be
greeting the emperor soon,” said Ting with a straight face.
What? It was the only thing echoing on my mind. All of these unsolved mysteries, and strange people. Is this real
life? Or is this just fantasy?
We were walking in the corridor to the hall, when she suddenly screamed, “Miss Eva! Where are your shoes?
You were walking bare feet this whole time? I’m so sorry, it’s my fault. I’m going to get a new one for you. Wait
here.”
“I don’t” I sighed, “need shoes.” I paused. “Pray to God she will bring the right shoes.”
Marching sounds. I heard loads of foot steps. I stared and saw an army of soldiers coming from ahead. Their
footsteps were synchronized, which were oddly satisfying. “Morning, Miss Eva.” said the leader.
“Good morning?” I mumbled.
“This is Soldier Wong, Miss Eva. You two have met before.” Said Ting, panting.
“Oh, I don’t reckon we did,” I said, as the soldiers were marching away.
“Your shoes,” she said, still panting.
She gestured me to sit down and put on my shoes. They were still too small. However, the back part of the shoe
was soft, so I just stepped on it and continued walking.
The hall looked grand on the outside. Red walls and green ceilings, typical Chinese architectures I saw the hall
reflected on the pond surface, with lotus and fishes dancing and swirling together.
I walked into the room. I felt tense. I saw a man sitting on the gold couch, who looked at me with a death stare,
just like my mom. I stood there, shaking. Ting whispered “Greet him! What are you doing?”
“Good Morning, Emperor” I said, with a shaking voice.
Then suddenly, he showed a big smile on his face and said in excitement, “Have a seat Eva. The food is on its
way!”
The servants brought out a massive amount of food, with dim sums like xiao mai and dumplings. I instantly
thought of that Chinese restaurant, and how much I disliked it.
“Why aren’t you eating? It’s delicious!” Asked the emperor.
“I don’t like it,” I said, without doubt.
Horrified looks from everyone in the room, all eyes on me.
“I’m sorry, what? This is just too distracting! Look at it! I don’t get why you’re not eating?” Mumbled the
emperor with a full mouth of food.
“Oh, nothing. I was just daydreaming.” I responded.
I sighed, well, I guess this day has come… I gently lifted up the chopstick and took a dumpling from the plate. I
put the dumpling into my mouth as slowly as possible, with my shaking hands. It was the first time in ten years
since I ate Chinese food. It felt…… extraordinary. I took another one, another one, another one, and another
one. A different one each time. The texture and taste, I couldn’t put it into words, it was like, I was in a different
dimension, a whole new experience.
I was surprised that the whole table of food was finished, not a single thing was left. And I did that. Yes. I
actually did, I liked it, no. I loved it. It’s hard to admit but I indeed truly admire Chinese food.
“Did you like the meal, Eva?” asked the emperor.
“Sure I did! Thank you so much.”
He then requested for a walk with me. He told me that the Yuyuan Garden was divided into 5 areas, Each area
was separated from the others by dragon walls with undulating gray tiled ridges, and the mighty dragon head. He
continued to ramble about how prideful he was of the garden, as I was lured into this stunning scenery. Cheerful
blue skies with floating pure marshmallows, wait no, is that a shrimp? Cha Siu Bao? Or a Siu Mai?
“...isn't it? Eva?” I was interrupted by his voice.