Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 497

The New Tales of Old Shanghai
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy, Wong, Tin Yan – 11
I
yawn as I wake up to a dog’s bark. “Good morning sir” My shoe shiner muttered as she slowly entered my room, not knowing
if I was awake or not. “I’m awake” I exclaimed, “good morning” She replied.
I slowly headed to the roadside, where my wife was playing peek a boo with my son, Ming Zhi. I sit on a wooden chair and pick
up this week’s issue of the Shanghai Times. My shoe shiner grabs her brush and starts brushing my shoes. “Anything interesting
happening in the news?” My wife asks, “No, not much” I reply back. “I hear there’s a new restaurant downtown,” My wife
remarked, “Really, do you want to go eat there for lunch?” I asked her, with a smile on my face, she nodded and continued playing
peek a boo with Ming.
I heard my stomach gurgle, I jumped onto my bike and I headed to the bakery. “Good morning Mrs. Wong”
I said as I stare at boxes filled with pastry. “Why Good morning Mr. Zhi!” She said in shock. “What brings you here so early?” she
asked, “I just wanted to get an early breakfast, so I could have a big lunch.” I replied I followed up with “The usual please”. Mrs.
Wong grabbed three bean pastries and placed it on the counter, “that will be 7 dollars” I took out my wallet and pulled five dollars
out. “Thank you, Mrs. Wong!” I responded as I opened the shop doors and left the bakery.
I hopped onto my bike and started to cycle home. “Hi, Liu Hi Ming” I said to wife and son, “Yo… you are b..back papa!” My son
laughed, “Yes Ming I’m back, and I got your favorite bean bun.” I exclaimed. My son started clapping hysterically and screaming
“Bean bun! Bean bun!”. I took out the three bean buns from by bag and handed one to my wife and son.
I sat back down on my little wooden chair I took a bite out of the bean bun and sighed. “Such a beautiful day, isn’t it?” I asked my
wife. “I agree, the clouds are spread around the sky, the sun is shining whilst cool breezes brush past.” I nod, Ming picked up his
hacky sack and started pressing and tossing it.Ming was a playful child, he always wished for a brother, sadly Zheng died at a young
age and never saw Ming’s Joyous smile.
I walked towards a old restaurant with a smile across my face.