New Tales of Old Shanghai
Island School , Cheung , Janice - 15
“ T
he old Shanghai was a rich and cosmopolitan mixture of East and West that exuded luxury , style and excitement .” This is what Mr Tyson said when he is giving each of us a copy of the book “ Tales of Old Shanghai : The Glorious Past of China ’ s Greatest City ” so that we can read it and learn more about the old Shanghai .
It ’ s finally the last lesson of the day . I usually walk to the library with my best friend , Bella , every day to do our homework and do some revisions , but she got into some kind of trouble earlier , plus I am exhausted today , I walked home alone and I was reading the book the Mr Tyson gave me just now .
There is no one at home , both my parents went to work so I went straight up to my bedroom and lay on my soft , comfortable bed . It just feels so great after such a long day .
I woke up , got up , I am about to leave the room but then I notice something different . I heard music playing from somewhere , but I remember that I did not play any music before I went to bed . I listen carefully , and realise it is not the kind of music I usually listen to , it is some Chinese song . Everything just looked different and it feels so weird . I don ’ t know where I am , I have no idea how or why I ended up in this place but I guess I am going find out . I took a look at the mirror before leaving the room and found myself in an old fashioned , classic vintage silk dress . It is so tight and I just don ’ t like the dress because it makes me so uncomfortable .
I left the room and walked down the stairs . On the street , I see men wearing Chinese long-sleeve jackets and some other women are wearing similar dresses to the one I am wearing . This place starts to look familiar , it ’ s like I have seen photos of this place but still I don ’ t know where I am . I hear someone speaking English , one of the only two languages I speak , and I walked towards that direction . I see a man , wearing a Chinese Jacket just like some other men around , talking to a beautiful lady and I walked up to them and ask them where I am and then figure out what I can do .
“ Excuse me , sir ? May I ask you where am I ?” I asked the man . “ I just woke up in a room I have never been to before and I have no clue where I am .”
“ You are in Shanghai right now .” He said . “ And I am Brandon . You can call me Brandy if you want . And this is Leila . You are …”
“ I am Kristen . You can call me Kris .” I answered with a little grin on my face since I finally know where I am . I knew this place looked familiar , I am reading a book about Old Shanghai on my way home a few hours ago . “ Do you mind if I join you ?” I ask them again .
“ Sure .” They answered with a friendly smile on their faces .
I am so glad I don ’ t have to be alone in somewhere I have never been to before . I am just following them around . Suddenly , I heard a loud bang , like a gunshot , somewhere near . We walk towards the crowd , wanting to know what just happened . I see a man lying on the floor , unconscious . I stood there , frozen , not knowing what I should do , I don ’ t have a phone and I don ’ t speak Chinese so I cannot call the police for help . I hear Leila screaming the moment she saw blood on the floor . She immediately covered her mouth ; she doesn ’ t want to draw any attention to her . The man with the gun started screaming , in Chinese which I do not understand , pointing the gun at random people . I am still processing what just happened . I have never come across any kind of major accidents before . I see Brandon taking out his phone from his pocket from the corner of my eye .