Stephan inhaled one last breath in the shop , took in the musky scent of the tea leaves , then took off to follow his companion out the door .
The two , drowned in silence , continued to walk down the unusually quiet street , their shoulders back , chins high up , as if they wanted to prove something with their posture . Hidden beneath the demeanor however , was stiffness and awkwardness neither can dispose of . Out of hopelessness , Yao struck up a purposeless conversation .
“ It ’ s unsettling how quiet it is , knowing that the Chinese are more often than not , too loud for their own good .” Stephan gave a breathless laugh , not as a sign of mockery , but as a silent agreement to the slightly comic statement .
“ If you haven ’ t noticed , Mr Wang , most people prefer not to parade around during a time of war , when thousands of their own are perishing .” The sentence could have conveyed a more solemn tone , if not for the slight smirk appearing at the corner of Stephan ’ s lips .
“ Us Brits are at war as well , never seen a single one of them turn down a pint of beer though .” The two shared a laugh , knowing that the statement was doubtlessly true . Had they not been so distracted , they would have noticed the side glances shot towards them , low murmurs of disdain filling the air .
" Mài guó zéi !" An abrupt shout doused in hostility rang through the streets , and the once quiet neighbourhood was now completely silenced . The two turned their heads towards the voice and there stood a group of crooks . Stephan did not speak Chinese , but the phrase was evidently offensive . It was directed towards Yao , who did nothing to retaliate , though he was conspicuously agitated . The perpetrators only stared at him , with their slitted , snake-like eyes , just like the cold-blooded predators , waiting for the right moment to strike . Their ice-cold stares prompted the pair to leave , as they felt the chilling stares that sent involuntary shivers their spine .
" What did they say ?" Stephan asked when they were far enough , out of genuine curiosity .
" They called me a traitor to this country . Do they not understand what the word ' traitor ' means ? That would imply that I- ” He cut himself off with a deep breath , a means to calm down . “ But it is very typical of peasants , to accuse people out of jealousy , while transferring their rage , induced by their own inability to succeed , unto the successful .”
“ And that is why we are different .” Stephan concluded . He made a mental remark that by then , the sky had gone completely dark .
“ Exactly . Our religions say God is equal . I don ’ t buy into that ,” Yao said . “ You look at me , and then you look at them . Yes we are all yellow-skinned , but I live outside these walls , they don ’ t . Trapped behind this barricade , they will never able to reach as far as I have .” Stephan didn ’ t reply , he just listened .
“ That is why we are- ” Stephan wished he had heard the last word , but Yao was cut off by the sound of breaking china . Again they turned their heads towards the sound . The same bunch of crooks , but with weapons , knives and broken shards of china . Which ones blunt or sharp did not matter , they all hurt the same . Stephan was frozen in fear . He saw the looks on their faces ; they had come to cause pain .