Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 165

When they reached Master Zhou’s studio, they finally dared to peek inside the red purse. It contained 80 gold
taels! Truly a fortune. In handing it over, Madam Wong must have been convinced that she would get it back.
The following day, the children were training with Master Zhou when the news came out that Madam Wong had
passed away. Peace felt an instant wave of shame and regret, and told the boys that breaking her jade wasn’t
necessary.
Ah Yin simply stared at the celing and then asked Peace if she’d like to get kidnapped again. After all, with Madam
Wong gone, Shanghai would be a safer place.
Later that afternoon, Peace’s mother sent a message to Master Zhou’s studio: she was been released from all debt
upon Madam Wong’s passing, as it had been Madam Wong who had credited the brothel.
And so, soon after the summer of 1921, Peace’s mother was able to open a small business in Master Zhou’s building,
mainly serving noodles and steamed bread. There would be no more need for Peace to walk to the corner in the
early morning hours. Eventually, Peace’s mother gave out so much free, delicious steamed bread to the orphans
from The Home For Poor Children that the steamed bread stand on the corner had to pick up and move to a
different part of the city.
The summer of 1921 was not the first, nor was it the last time that Peace got kidnapped in Shanghai. However, it
was the most memorable kidnapping and formed one of the most treasured memories of her youth.
Twelve O'Clock
Dulwidh College Shanghai, Zhong, Emily
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