Fiction: Group 4
“Ladies! Come on! Let’s go!”
Bridgette says “Why? We were looking at those stalls, we were thinking of buying some things to bring
back to England! Right, Cindy?”
“Yep!” replies Cindy.
I always wondered if Bridgette was bipolar, one moment she’s saying, ‘What do you think honey?’ and then
another moment she’s saying ‘I don’t care! Do whatever you want!’. I know we’re supposed to keep up
appearances but it’s very exhausting with her acting like that. I focus back on the map and and I look ahead
and see the sign ‘Zhou’s Fabrics’.
We walk in and we’re immediately greeted by the store owner, he speaks good English and he starts
introducing the process of how the fabrics are made and I’m immediately fascinated by this village’s history
and culture. He excuses himself and soon appears with a young woman next to him carrying a tray with
cups of tea.
This must be his daughter, what a pretty girl I thought. She looked at us with an emotionless expression but
I could see the hint of boredom in her face. She serves Bridgette and Cindy tea and they’re both laughing
about something. She then moves on to serve tea to James and I could see that he was very interested in her
by the way his gaze followed her around. When she looked at him I could see the terror in her eyes. She
took a long look at me and served me tea. I hastily look through my book filled with Chinese language and
tried to thank her in Chinese. She nodded at me and quickly walked away.
Mei Ling
It had been a few days since I saw those westerners. I was just thinking about going to the library, when my
father walks over with the nice westerner man following behind him, he smiles at me and I feel my heart
quicken again.
“Mei Ling, I need you to take Mr. Nathan to the library, he wants to learn more about our business so he
would like to know more about our culture and see what they have in the library. I can't take him, so you
will." my father says interrupting my thoughts. He gives me his typical stern ' you will do what I say young
lady' look. He turns to Mr. Nathan and tells him that I will take him there. He says something to me that I
can't understand so I answer with a nod.
***
I walk down the familiar path with Mr. Nathan trailing behind, he was looking at all the stalls and shops.
We arrive at the library and I guided him through the endless book shelves. I point to the bookshelf filled
with what’s looking for and I let him go through it by himself. I grab a seat against the wall and leave him to
his exploring.
Nathan
I am greeted by Mr. Zhou and I asked “Mr. Zhou, I hope you don’t mind but I would like to know more
about how your fabrics are made, is there someplace I could learn more or perhaps you wouldn’t mind
telling about it yourself?”
Mr. Zhou looked apologetic “I’m so sorry Mr. Nathan, I can’t leave my store unattended...why don’t I have
my daughter take you to the library?”
***
