Hidden

2025 5th-6th Grade Prose Winner

Shanghai
1995

Sunday, September 14: 9:23 A.M.

   "Minli."
   Xuefei's voice cut into Minli's focus like a knife through paper.
   The book Minli held, although it seemed new, was actually years old. She was reading them again for the eighth time. Lucky number; she thought.
   A shadow blocked the sunlight.
   "Minli!" Xuefei huffed, arms crossed. "Are you even listening?"
   Minli sighed, finally looking up. Xuefei stood in front of her.
   “Yeah?" Minli said, blinking.
   Xuefei rolled her eyes. “Sure you were." She plopped down beside Minli. "Seriously, you better stop reading that book. It's not for twelve-year-olds. More like fifteen."
   Minli kept a straight face. "I'm just smart like that." She flicked her hair behind her shoulder sarcastically.
   Xuefei snorted. "Ho-ho. Very funny, Minli." She leaned back on her palms, tilting her face toward the sky. She paused, then smiled. "Oh, by the way, did you know the Mid-Autumn Festival is today?"
   “Today?" Minli groaned. "Seriously? And I thought the last day of summer break would be enjoyable. I'd definitely rather read."
   "Can't you come? Just this year?" asked Xuefei.
   "No way. I'm staying home," said Minli.
   Xuefei sighed, then remembered. "I heard we're celebrating it in the Chenhuang Temple this year."
   Minli's fingers tightened around her book.
   The Chenhuang Temple. My least favorite holiday in my favorite place, thought Minli.
   Minli never cared much for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but she loved the Chenhuang Temple. That was her favorite place in the world.
   She let out a sigh and snapped her book shut.
   After a long hesitation, she said, “...Okay, fine. Only this year.”
   Xuefei let out a cheer. "Finally! The Mid-Autumn Festival is so boring without a friend." She hopped to her feet, brushing off her tunic."See you at six!"
   Sighing, Minli walked into her room and waited for the dreadful festival.

5:56 P.M.

   Minli and her 9-year-old sister Yueqi, who was holding her unicorn plushie, walked up to the gates of the Chenhuang Temple. The tall crimson gates stood proud against the sky, with golden dragons coiling around the pillars. Red lanterns were everywhere. Although Minli had been here many times, the Chenhuang Temple never looked so beautiful and decorated.
   “You're here!" called a voice from behind. Minli looked back to see Xuefei run up to her. She was wearing a pink Hanfu dress and Minli was wearing a blue one. “You look stunning!"
   "Thanks, you too," said Minli.
   "Let's go,” said Xuefei, pointing to the entrance.
   Inside, Minli walked to the seat she took whenever she came to the Chenhuang Temple. She found a red envelope on the velvet seat.
   She smiled. Money! Everyone opened theirs and found money. She opened hers.
   "I got 700 yuan!" said Yueqi, jumping.
   "I got a piece of paper...” said Minli, disappointed. "How come everyone else got money?"
   "Read it," said Xuefei.

A shadow hides within paper; yet it is not from the sun or moon.
Four sides stand guard, but the door has no key. 
Half open, half closed, the treasure stays unseen.

   "What's this?" thought Minli.
   Before she could think, a high-pitched voice interrupted. 
   “Jiejie! What did you get?"
   Minli turned to see Yueqi bouncing on her heels. "Did you get a lot of money? Can I have some?”
   Minli rolled her eyes. “No, it's just a riddle."
   “A riddle? Ooooh, let me see!" Yueqi snatched the paper and squinted at it. "Shadow on paper... like a ghost?”
   Minli shook her head but couldn't help smiling. "Probably not." 
   "I'm gonna go with the others, okay?" Xuefei waved and left.
   Yueqi gasped dramatically. "Wait! What if it's—an invisible secret?” 
   Minli paused. That wasn't a bad guess. Maybe...
   She held the paper up to a lantern. Nothing.
   "Jiejie, I learned in school from the second grade science teacher, Mr. Wong, that hidden ink appears when warmed." said Yueqi.
   "Here, want to try? Breathe on it," said Minli, handing the paper over to Yueqi.
   Yueqi jumped up and breathed on it. Slowly, words started to appear.

Fold, and the door will appear.

   "A door?!" Yueqi gasped. "Where? Where?!"
   Minli frowned, running her fingers over the page. It felt... uneven. She folded along the creases carefully.
   A shape formed. Box-like…
   Minli's heart skipped. The paper formed a cube with an opening. There were four sides, but it didn't need a key.
   Yueqi lit up. “YES!"
   "What is it?" Minli asked.
   "The donation box at the eastern side looks like that,”  said Yueqi.
   “Oh! Let's go,” said Minli. "Come on."
   Wherever they went they saw festival lights and laughter, but Minli and Yueqi slipped away to the eastern hall.
   The donation box sat grandly on the wooden shelf.
   "A door that isn't a door,” Minli murmured. "It's half open, half closed, for the money slot."
   Yueqi poked it. "Maybe we have to say some magic words?"
   Minli laughed. "Or maybe..." She ran her hands along the frame. Her fingers brushed against something—a tiny piece of folded paper, wedged into the carved wood.
   Her heart pounded as she pulled it out.
   She unfolded the note, Yueqi pressing close to see. The message was simple:

You followed not for gold, but for enjoyment.
And that is the greatest treasure of all.

   For a moment, Yueqi was silent. Then she groaned. "Wait... NO TREASURE?!"
   Minli thought, then smiled. "This was the treasure, silly. We solved a mystery! And we did it together."
   Yueqi pouted. "Hmmm. I guess that was fun." Then she grinned. "Next year, let's make our own riddle and hide it!"
   Minli blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Yeah. Let's do that."
   As they walked back to the festival, lanterns glowing all around them, Minli realized something.
   Tonight, she had found more than an answer—she had found a new adventure with her sister.
   And that was the hidden treasure worth more than any gold.