Fiction: Group 3
Tales of the Pearl River Delta
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Lai, Jane-Marie - 13, Fiction: Group 3
1968, summer
ll Joanne Li-Wilson remembered doing the past months was running away from the Government.
Framed for hijacking the government’s system and without sufficient evidence to prove her
innocence, Joanne had to run away. With a ten thousand dollar price on her head, Joanne fled from
Tianjin to Guangdong.
1969, fall
Joanne walked briskly in an alley of Guangzhou. Two women goggled at her un-ladylike attire of worn out
pants and large bat like cloak, totally different from the elegant dresses of the current style. Turning to a dark
alley, Joanne tucked her hood over her head, concealing her face. Her bright sapphire blue eyes glinted in
the darkness. Shifting her body just in time, Joanne hid behind a post box and the patrolling policemen
walked past her, not knowing that there was a wanted criminal next to them.
Joanne walked into a hidden back alley and turned to see if she was being followed. Once clear, she
knocked on the walls of the alley in a unique pattern of rhythm. There was a shuffling, then the walls spilt
into two and allowed a gap thick enough for a slim athletic person like Joanne to slip through.
“Joanne Li-Wilson.”
The blue eyed girl squinted her eyes against the abnormally dim room. “Lo Zheng.”
“What the hell are you doing here? You’re a wanted criminal, if anyone finds you here, I’ll get caught too!
You better have a good explanation for why you’re here.”
Joanne sighed, “Zheng, first, you know I didn’t hijack the government’s system, second, I’m on the run. I
need a way out of this country. I need to go to Hong Kong, it’s a British colony, and I’m half British from
dad’s side, I’ll be safe there.”
Zheng backed away, shaking with fear, “I can’t help you, I’ll get caught.”
Joanne grew angry, “Zheng, you owe me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here now! Please, you owe
me. Help me get to Hong Kong without getting caught by the government and ensure my stay. That’s the
least you can do.”
Zheng sighed, “Okay, you need someone in Hong Kong to ensure your stay, who - ?”
“My cousin from my dad’s side, he’s easy to find, he’s the most respected lawyer in Hong Kong – James
Wilson. But I’m half British, why –?”
“Umhmm…you can travel using the Pearl River, take a raft with you, something that’s not eye catching.
Here – I’ll show you.”
Zheng led Joanne into another room so bright that it made her black hair look brown. A flimsy yellow
rubber raft and two wooden paddles were laid out in a corner. Joanne walked closer to inspect the raft.
“Here.” Joanne shoved a stack of cash into Zheng’s hands.
“Wha – ?
“Thank you for your help. Contact my cousin. I’ll be safe in Hong Kong. Farewell.”
~~~
A
