Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 164

The boys backed the two strange men out of the room with smooth sword work, then locked them in the stairwell.
One of the men bolted out the front door of the mansion to get more men and weapons. In the meantime,
Madam Wong was still sitting at the breakfast table, sipping her congee and Peace was standing at the back wall,
changjon at the ready.
Ah Yin was annoyed: ‘This was obviously your plan to kidnap Peace.
Give us one reason now why we shouldn’t kill you.’
You never think about the safety of others.
‘Children, children. I am like a mother to Peace, I want to take good care of her…and we never asked for any
money. This is all a big misunderstanding,’ replied Madam Wong.
Peace was touched by Madam Wong’s words, but couldn’t erase the memory of two large men demanding 600 taels,
just seven minutes ago. And these men were surely coming back.
‘Madam Wong, now I think it’s time for you to call your mother. We want 200 taels – now - or we will chop off
your fingers. Listen to us. There is no one in this house to help you.’ stated Peace, who used her training to force
a determined look, even though she secretly wanted to run.
Madam Wong started to look upset, but she didn’t seem at all regretful. She started to weep false tears and said that
she only wanted companionship, not silver. The boys were surprised for a moment, but Sanmao made the demand
once again: ‘You are a con woman, famous all over town for terrifying good people. The time for tears has
passed. Get 200 taels from the safe. This is officially a RAID. Do it NOW !’
Madam Wong walked slowly to a jade carving in the corner of the room, opened a door in its base, and took out a
leather purse. She turned to face the trio that had thwarted her plan: ‘Children, don’t become thieves. Please
don’t be like me. Just leave now and walk away from this life, become honest citizens.’ Madam Wong said, clasping
the red leather purse with her long, painted nails.
‘Don’t listen to her. She’s stalling. Grab it!’ shouted Sanmao, taking the bag.
The children debated whether or not to harm Madam Wong and finally decided that they would simply break her
jade bangle. They agreed to do this instead of harming her body.
Madam Wong was made to hold her hand out flat on the table while Ah Yin smashed the flat of his blade onto the
crystal green-white jade. It cracked and split into two. When the jade broke, Madam Wong turned ash grey and
crumpled into a pile of tears. The children then rushed through the back window and ran down the alley at
speed.