Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 36

"No, I don't know you. Anyways, I'm escorting you home. By the looks of your attire, you live in the Chinese city,
right?" replied Nathan, trying to sound dismissive.
Being curious, Ke Rou prodded him with a question. "Clearly, you knew I wasn't Du Yue Sheng's daughter, so why did
you help me?"
After sending a few glances at the girl, Nathan replied in a firm voice, “As a supporter of Voltaire, I, too, believe men are
born equal. Thus, I would stand up for those being mistreated at any cost."
" Given that both of us are strange beings, I guess we could be friends," said Ke Rou as she held out her hand. The soldier
took her hand, chuckling and shaking his head.
When they arrived at Ke Rou’s home, she found herself standing in front of the exact same store. Leaning out of the
doorway was an old granny who looked just like the shop owner.
"Po Po?!" exclaimed Ke Rou, as she stood dazed at the doorway.
"Don't look so surprised, my dear, "said the kind-hearted granny. "Did you take the shortcut again?"
"Phew. At least my persona did the same thing, it wasn't that unforgivable,"
thought Ke Rou.
After numerous failed attempts of time travelling, she gave up on going back to the modern times. She became a girl who
lived with her granny and as the successor of the weaving shop.
"What is taking him so long?" sighed Ke Rou exasperatedly as she paced along the border of the Chinese city and the
French Concession. When she stared down, Ke Rou caught sight of her battered straw slippers. "It's been two years since I
travelled back time," thought Ke Rou.
A shriek escaped from her mouth as she was wrapped into a hug. A series of chuckles rang from behind. Ke Rou turned
around to see the French boy with a wide grin plastered on his face. "Stop daydreaming. Aren't we going to the Cheng
Huang Temple Bazaar today?"
Every week, Ke Rou would take Nathan to different parts of Shanghai, introducing him to "Paris of the Orient". On that
very day, they visited the Cheng Huang Temple Bazaar. The streets were lined with hawkers selling different types of
scrumptious snacks, such as fried river snails, shengjian buns and even ningbo dumplings.
Ke Rou showed him round the temple, pointing at the intricate architectural designs and telling him the buildings' history
and even gesturing him to try some of the delicacies.
Yet, even with the vibrant decorations hanging down from the buildings and the energetic city life around him, Nathan
kept his eyes on the strange yet fascinating girl in front of him. Sensing his gaze, nervousness gathered in Ke Rou.
With her cheeks blushing, Ke Rou mustered her courage, cleared her throat and said," Let's go to the small world theatre
at the northern part of Cheng Huang Temple " Without receiving an answer, she reached for his hand and tugged him
towards the theatre. There, they watched magic performances, Kun Operas and even movies.