Fiction: Group 4
The Unsung Hero of the Pearl River Delta
West Island School, Ng, Debbie - 15, Fiction: Group 4
Chapter 1
Guangzhou, 2014
he was like the wind – strong and steadfast in her resolve but delicate and intricate at heart.
Nonetheless, she was as stubborn as a bull and when she came to a conclusion, she would stick
to it. I guess that’s one of the things that I both loved and hated about her. It’s also one of her
oddities that allowed million others and my life to be saved. We owe the world, the stars, and our
prospective children to her. A eulogy is hardly going to do her justice but in this fleeting moment, it’s all I
can do to honor her existence. My name is Yan, and I am proud to say that Scarlett was my sister.”
Chapter 2
Hong Kong, 2013
Scarlett giggled to herself as she deftly scaled the walls of the alleyway, the hazel strands of her hair cascading
behind her.
“There’s no way that Yan can find me from all the way up here.” She thought to herself. Content with the
distance she had covered, she carefully perched onto the side of the wall, swinging her feet to and fro. A
slight breeze could be felt; the bristle of tree leaves creating a placid-like tempo. From her vantage point
Scarlett could discern the typical houses - mortar bricks with the traditional gabled roof - of the Tai Tseng
village and the intricate passages snaking in & out throughout the whole district. She could faintly make out
the tiny figures of children playing badminton, along with the exuberant screams and cackles of laughter. An
inviting whiff of Grandma’s renowned dumpling recipe wafted into her nose, causing her stomach to growl.
That was the only indication she needed to know she should be heading back. Taking a last wavering look
at the ancestral kingdom that she called home, she started to set back with the soothing hum of the city
alongside her. Hong Kong had never felt better.
“Where’d you go? I was trying to find you for 10 minutes!” Asked Yan, spotting Scarlett and running up to
her. Both Yan and Scarlett were orphans – their parents had died in a car crash. Grandma Wei had therefore
taken them in as sisters; they found consolation in meeting each other and bonded almost instantly. At the
ripe age of nineteen, both Scarlett and Yan were maturing into responsible individuals. As the elders liked to
say, they were attached at the hip, making even the most resemblant of twins look mediocre in comparison.
“You’re just incredibly bad at hide and seek… Plus, you won the last time we played so it’s a fair win. But
man, who knew a round of hide and seek could actually fare as exercise – I’m starving!” Scarlett grimaced as
her stomach rumbled once more, sending bouts of emptiness up her body.
“You can smell the dumplings too, can’t you? Come on, let’s go. Wouldn’t want Grandma Wei to start
reprimanding us about the Chinese protocols for dinner would we? Oh god, even thinking about it makes
me want to doze off. The Chinese Gods will strike down on us? Pfft, what a load of malarkey!” Hand in
hand, Yan and Scarlett headed towards their house and down the footpath they had grown so accustomed to
as kids.
By the time they arrived home Grandma Wei was already setting out the customary Chinese plates, with
engravings of exquisitely meticulous flower patterns etched onto them. Sunlight showered the room;
accentuating the harsh lines of her forehead and her grey, silver even, tendrils of hair.
“It’s about time you arrived! The jiaozi (
Chinese dumplings
) were getting cold. You know how much I
hate tardiness. Both of you go fetch the dumplings, I expect you to carry your weight in this family.”
“Mmm…. This has got to be the best batch of dumplings you’ve ever made.” Scarlett licked her lips,
savoring the delectable flavor of the vinaigrette, a perfect mixture of sweet and sour. Sitting across from her
on their round, wooden table, Yan nodded her agreement, too engrossed with the soap opera playing on the
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