Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 385

“You knew.” my aunt said, “But you must know that I do not enjoy this work. I only do this for the high income. With the
money, I can buy food, good food, and you can have an enjoyable life. You can have as much soup dumplings as you want.”
“But I don’t want soup dumplings! I would rather have sweet potatoes, if I can have my aunt back!”
“Dear, I am your aunt. I still love you very much, more than ever, more than anyone. It doesn’t matter what I do, whether you
live a good life is all that matters.”
“Those men who pay you, your customers, they don’t respect you, they humiliate you, isn’t that right? I won’t be happy if you
are not, Aunt Yan.”
“Whether I am happy is not important. There is no other thing I can do, dear. I have tried other jobs, but I failed. Our fate is not
in our hands, when you are born poor, you are deemed to suffer. I care about the income I can earn, and with the money, you
will not need to suffer anymore.”
“Study hard, walk step by step on the rough road of life and eventually you will reach the stars. All that I have done will be
worth it, and I believe that you will achieve great things. Be hardworking.” Aunt Yan patted my head, and went into her room.
I had never forgotten what Aunt Yan said to me. She used the money she earned to apply me into a well-known school. I dared
not idle or waste any money, and I pursue my dream with perseverance. I strived to succeed, and all the hard work paid off, I
became the magistrate of Shanghai.
I worked on eliminating the disparity between the rich and poor, and people in Shanghai would not suffer like my aunt did
anymore.
I believed that our fate is in our hands, and the future is ours to shape.
Sorry, Aunt Yan, that I do not agree with you. Yet you had taught me a lot, and you helped me transform to who I am now. I am
no longer a sparrow that cannot fly high, but a phoenix that rises from the ashes, and soars.
Rest in peace, my dear aunt, and see the city of Shanghai sprout in my nurture.