The New Tales of Old Shanghai
Harrow Beijing , Liu , Cat – 16
A
ll they asked for was a name . A name . The disgust and contempt in their tired and hoarsened voices as they demanded on a chilly Saturday morning which apartment that woman lived in . Few white and blue uniforms was occasional , but few white and blue uniforms with curiosity of where someone lived and a van parted in the main courtyard on ground floor ? That was very very rare . Everybody , Young and old , tall and short , men and women all piled towards their dirt stained windows , ones at the front being squished against the chilling glass for a peak of who these people came for .
At first , the screech of a young girl echoed from the apartment near the staircase on level 3 . People rushed from the apartments to the ledge where they hung their undergarments , socks , occasionally bed sheets of the outdoor corridor outside on levels above and below level 3 , for a view of what was causing all this ruckus , a chance to find the epicentre of all this drama like one of those Hong Kong soap operas that they deprived in their very ordinary lives in this old and worn out apartment block . It was 6 in the morning and everybody was ready for the grand reveal .
‘ Ping Ann . You have to take a trip with us to the station .’ This man in his mid 30s , demanded . His communist pin shone in the dusk as the soft rays of light hit the polished outlines of the flags as he turned to issued with his hands for the help of another officer as they slowly approached awkwardly that woman . Ping Ann slouched on the small wooden stool which was a wedding present from when she and Zhou got married . Seems like centuries ago as the stool ’ s surface was now smoothed by the endless times she sat there every morning looking out her dusty window at the array of apartments , all like tofu blocks aligned together . She sat there every day of the year while her husband was still dreaming , and little Mei snoring quietly on the inflatable bed she bought with money nor from her or zhou ’ s standard salary . Cigarette hanging from her mouth , she was always afraid that Zhou will creek open his eyes , march over and yank it out of her mouth like how does when he is awake , telling her only ‘ bad woman ’ smoke .
Today was a bit different . Zhou didn ’ t come home yesterday so it was only her and little Mei with these two strangers in their uniform the probably cost the amount of Zhou ’ s standard salary for a month . Their hands eventually grabbed her by her thin and slender arms , first pulling her gently out the door as she turned again and again for a glimpse of her daughter . Little Mei grabbed on to Ping Ann ’ s trembling limb as her hands hit the polished leather shoes of the officers who started to grip for her mother ’ s arms even harder when Ping Ann started to yank with all the strength a slender woman who held the wok everyday and hand washed everyone ’ s clothes in the family had . She broke free and her knees hit the warm concrete floor to her daughter , who ’ s tears have rushed down her red chubby cheeks like the Huangpu river which she cupped maybe the last time . ‘ I ’ m sorry . I ’ m sorry alright ? Be good , listen to your father . I will be back in no time . I promise .’ She ushered the words out desperately , then stuffing the cigarette back into her mouth as the stranger ’ s hands found her . She also wanted to remind Little Mei to brush her teeth before bed every night and always eat with your mouth closed but there was no time .
Down the walk of shame she went , neighbours crowded in the corridors , knocking over pans , basins , and other bits and pieces , the hissing and whispering grew louder and louder . Stares of confusion , surprise and even disgust showered Ping Ann , just like how she imagined getting arrested was like in her nightmares . The nightmares where the white and blue uniforms saw through her web of lies , her carefully constructed façade , and her sharp thinking that made many people ’ s money disappear into the rusty soap tin she kept in the back of the closet , all stacked , counted , and arranged .