Fiction: Group 4
New Tales of the Pearl River Delta
The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, Lam, Si Yan Grace - 16, Fiction: Group 4
an’t believe we’re in Macau! I’m so excited!” I had always wanted to go to Macau, and the
excitement of having the opportunity to come here made me stay awake the whole night.
“I know! This year’s class field trip is gonna be a blast!” said Sharon.
“Students, gather around here please!” Squeaked Ms. Poon as she raised her arm up high to catch
our attention. “Now, remember, remember, remember—never, ever leave this group, unless with
permission. By that I mean permission from me, not from your friends or yourself. If you’re lost, don’t
panic. Stay right where you are, and we’ll come to get you. Lastly, don’t talk or follow any strangers.
Understand?”
“Yes, Ms. Poon.” The whole class replied in unison.
“Lovely! Let’s get started then! Firstly we will be going to visit Ruins of St. Paul’s, one of Macau’s
best-known landmarks. Everyone get on the bus now! Follow me!” All of us quickened our pace to keep
up with Ms. Poon.
As we got off the bus, everyone was amazed by the sights and sounds in Macau. “Students, we’re
gonna walk up this street and Ruins of St. Paul’s will just be up top. Stay close, guys! There are a lot of
people here!” We stopped at a food stall after walking for a while and Ms. Poon allowed us to try some of
Macau’s renowned food—pork chop bun, Portuguese egg tarts, etc. As I took out my wallet to pay for my
food, a 20-Patacas coin slipped between my fingers and started rolling down the street.
“Crap!” I gave a small shriek and started chasing the coin. I managed to keep my eye on the coin
and ran through the crowds at the same time. The coin seemed to have legs as it still hadn’t stopped
“running”. When I was almost exhausted from chasing the coin, it finally stopped at a person’s foot.
“Whew!” Right before I was about to bend down, that person already picked up the coin for me.
“Here you go.” She was quite tall, and good looking too—blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a
beautiful smile.
“Thank you.” Said I as I was still trying to catch my breath.
“You seemed… exhausted.”
“Yeah. I just ran down the street chasing this coin.” I said. “Wait, you speak Cantonese? I thought
you’re American.”
“Well, I
am
American, but I’ve worked here for over four years—as a tour guide. I got a day off
today and I’m just wandering around.”
“Really? That’s cool! You speak Cantonese really well. Um, it’s nice to meet you, and thank you
for stopping this coin. But I’d better go back to my group.” I pointed towards my back and took a look.
Then, my jaws dropped. “Where are they? Oh no! I must’ve run too far away! What should I do? I’d really
better go look for them now. Bye!”
“Wait!” She stopped me. “You’re a tourist, right? Do you know the roads well? I can take you
back to your group if you want.” She suggested.
“Umm, I guess you’re right. Yeah, I would love that! But would it cause any trouble to you? I
don’t want to take your time away from your break.”
“Of course not! I don’t have anything to do at the moment anyway. I would be glad to help you.”
“Oh, thank you so much! You are so nice. I’m Kris. And you are…?”
“Alice.” She said. “Well, we had better get going before they are too far away from us.”
“Yup. Let’s go then. I don’t know exactly where they are now, but I do know they’ll be going to
Ruins of St. Paul’s.”
“Oooh. Ruins of St. Paul’s. A beautiful place. Come with me.”
“Sweet pork jerky! Yummy sweet pork jerky! They’re on big sale! Come try one!” A salesperson
yelled as he held a plate with sweet pork jerky cut into bite-sized ones.
“They’re
always
on big sales. Not a day off.” Alice said sarcastically as she giggled. “Have you tried
sweet pork jerky before? They’re really good.
And
they’re free.”
“C
