After finishing with the laundry, Diwa picked up the remaining soap and handed it to Zhan, who was still sitting where she had told him to stay.
"When you go into the living room, you'll see a door. Go inside and keep this soap there. And arrange things properly...I want everything exactly the way I left it."
Zhan stood up, took the soap, and walked inside.
He paused at the kitchen doorway for almost a minute, peeking into the living room. Lihua was still there.
From where he sat, Yibo had already noticed him. Their eyes met briefly before Yibo looked away.
After a moment, Lihua stood up and said,
"I'm going upstairs to rest."
"Alright," Yibo replied.
Only then did Zhan quietly step into the living room. Moving cautiously, he entered the room Diwa had pointed out.
He looked around in amazement. The room was spotless...too neat to even look like a housemaid's room. There was even a bed inside.
Zhan placed the soap in the middle of the room, then turned and walked out.
He went straight to Yibo and stood beside him, watching the laptop on his lap.
"Do you know something?" he said.
Yibo didn't even look at him, his eyes fixed on the screen.
"I also have a laptop… my father bought it for me…"
Zhan paused, looking up as if trying to remember something.
"Maybe it was from Italy… and I know how to use it. But my uncle took it away."
His voice softened slightly at the end, almost like he was about to cry.
Yibo finally looked up at him.
"Did I ask you?"
Zhan laughed, covering his face a little.
"No… I was just telling you."
"Then turn around and leave." Yibo said.
Just then, Diwa entered the living room. Seeing Yibo, she lowered her head respectfully.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Good afternoon," he replied.
Diwa went into her room.
Yibo glanced at Zhan again.
"Leave."
Zhan blinked.
"Okay…"
He followed Diwa into her room.
Diwa was arranging the soap Zhan had left in the middle of the room.
When she saw him enter and close the door, she grabbed his ear.
"Didn't I tell you to stop interfering with people in this house? What is wrong with you? What business do you have with the doctor that you went to stand be side of him?"
Zhan pouted slightly.
"I was just telling him about my laptop."
Diwa stared at him in disbelief.
Then she nudged him.
"Look at you...talking like some foreign boy. 'Telling him about your laptop.' Where are your parents?"
Zhan's voice dropped.
"They're dead."
Diwa's expression changed slightly.
"Then who brought you here?"
"A woman… she's very wicked."
Diwa held her head for a moment, staring at him.
Just then, Mrs. Wang's voice called from the living room.
Diwa quickly opened the door and stepped out, with Zhan following behind her.
Mrs. Wang stood there giving instructions.
"For lunch, just prepare white rice and side dishes. The pepper soup is for dinner. If you can make it now, fine...if not, leave it for later."
"Yes, Ma'am," Diwa replied respectfully.
Mrs. Wang turned and went upstairs.
Yibo, who was still in the living room, asked,
"Aren't you going to work today?"
"No, tomorrow," she replied before leaving.
Diwa entered the kitchen, with Zhan trailing closely behind her.
She placed water on the gas to cook rice. Everywhere she moved, Zhan followed.
Finally, she got tired of bumping into him and pulled him aside, pointing to the kitchen door.
"Go out. You're completely useless here."
Zhan quickly stepped out.
Seeing the living room empty, he immediately grabbed the remote and switched to a cartoon. Curling up on the floor beside the couch, he began watching happily.
Before 1 p.m., Diwa finished cooking and came into the living room...just as Lihua was coming downstairs.
From the staircase, Lihua froze, staring at Zhan, whose full attention was glued to the TV.
Diwa saw her and lowered her head, about to return to the kitchen when Lihua called out sharply.
That was when Zhan quickly stood up.
Lihua spoke with authority.
"Didn't you explain the rules of this house to him, Diwa?"
Diwa replied quickly,
"I haven't had the chance yet, Ma'am. I was in the kitchen. If I had known he was here watching, I wouldn't have allowed it. Please forgive me."
Lihua turned to Zhan, her face cold.
"Were you told this is your father's house? You just arrived today as a worker, yet you're already sitting comfortably in the living room watching TV?"
Zhan remained silent.
Her voice rose sharply.
"I'm talking to you...why are you staring at me like that?"
Diwa quickly intervened.
"Please forgive him, Ma'am. It won't happen again."
Lihua looked at her critically.
"So you don't even realize he was brought here to work as well? Why are you doing everything alone while he sits around? Shouldn't both of you be working together?"
Diwa bowed her head.
"I thought he was just a child…"
Lihua gave her a sharp look.
"A child? His parents knew he was a child when they brought him here to work. Give him something to do immediately. From now on, I don't want to see you working while he's idle."
"Yes, Ma'am," Diwa replied quickly.
She turned and walked away, with Zhan following behind her.
"Stop."
Zhan paused.
Lihua's voice came again, cold and threatening.
"If I ever see you sitting in this living room again, I promise you...you will regret it."
Zhan lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am…"
Then he quickly followed Diwa into the kitchen.
The moment they entered, Diwa grabbed his ear again.
"So you've started causing trouble for me already? When I told you to leave the kitchen, did I ask you to go and watch TV?"
Zhan shook his head quickly, almost in tears.
Diwa pointed to a corner.
"Go and sit there, you foolish boy. You must watch TV at all costs, right? Now that woman will start insulting me. She doesn't even understand that sometimes circumstances force people into situations. Otherwise, what would bring us into this kind of life or forced crayfish to bend?"
Zhan suddenly burst into laughter.
"Aunty… is crayfish really bent?"
Diwa shot him a sharp glare and ignored him, continuing her work.
At the dining area, Diwa arranged the lunch so anyone who wanted to eat could serve themselves.
Then she filled a large container almost to the top with rice and added pieces of meat. She stepped into the living room briefly, looked around, then rushed back and handed it to Zhan.
"Quickly, take this to my room. Leave it behind the door and close it."
Zhan stood up, took the food, and hurried off.
As he was about to enter the room, he saw Yibo.
He paused… then walked toward him instead.
Standing near the stairs, he showed him the container and said with a small pout,
"The cook Aunty said I should quickly take this to her room… maybe she took all the food. You might not even get any, because there's nothing left in the pot. I even saw her adding water to it."
Yibo folded his arms, his expression darkening.
"Where did you know me from?"
Zhan blinked innocently.
"Here in this house, I..."
Before he could finish, Yibo pushed him back.
Zhan stumbled, nearly falling. In the process, the container slipped from his hands...
Rice, stew, and meat scattered all over the tiled floor and even onto the stairs.
Zhan's eyes widened in shock. He covered his mouth, on the verge of tears.
"You spilled it… it wasn't me, it was you! You spilled the food meant for the cook Aunty!"
Diwa came rushing out of the kitchen, trembling from the noise.
She froze when she saw the mess on the floor.
Then she turned...and her eyes met Yibo's.
Panic filled her face.
"Oh no… he spilled it… I didn't know he couldn't carry it. That was my portion, him… and Han's too…"
Zhan quickly raised his hand.
"No! It wasn't me...he pushed me, and the food fell!"
Yibo stepped over the mess and walked away without saying a word.
Diwa ran back to the kitchen, grabbed a smaller container, and returned.
She hurriedly gathered the rice from the floor, packing it back into the container.
Zhan stared at her in disbelief.
"You're not going to eat that… right?"
She ignored him completely.
After gathering everything, she rushed to her room, then came back, grabbed a broom, and cleaned the entire area thoroughly.
Only then did she stand up, glaring at him.
"So today, you will go hungry in this house. Were you trying to ruin me? If that woman had come down instead of him, what would I have done?"
Zhan spoke softly,
"I'm sorry…"
She pulled his ear again.
"I'm not forgiving you. Go and tell your hunger story to your people. Silly boy."
Then she stormed back into the kitchen.
Zhan lowered his head and watched her quietly.
:
:
Later, Zhan struggled to eat the rice she gave him, carefully checking it as if expecting to find dirt in it.
Diwa kept glaring at him while eating comfortably herself.
Zhan spoke again,
"But… why didn't you serve fresh food for us cook aunty?"
Diwa snapped immediately,
"If you call me 'cook aunty' again, I'll slap you. Do I look like the cook in your house? If you don't want to eat it, take the meat and leave....I can finish it myself. Maybe in your house you don't even get food like this, yet you're here acting proud."
Zhan blinked.
"At home, the woman there always cooks strange food… I've never eaten anything like this."
Diwa glared at him.
"Just be quiet and eat. The children will be back from school soon."
"Okay…"
A car pulled in.
Diwa immediately stood up.
"They're here. Finish your food and bring the container back to the kitchen."
She left quickly.
Three children entered the living room in their school uniforms.
One looked about Zhan's age, another older, and the eldest even more mature.
Zhan stepped out of the kitchen holding his food, standing by the doorway as he watched them.
They all went straight to the dining area, greeting Yibo respectfully.
None of them greeted Diwa, even though she welcomed them warmly. They all went upstairs...except the youngest.
Diwa smiled brightly.
"Welcome, how was school?"
The girl nodded.
"It was fine. Diwa… who is that boy staring at us?"
Before Diwa could respond, Zhan frowned slightly.
"I'm not staring at you…"
Then he walked into the kitchen with his container.
All of this was being watched quietly by Yibo from the dining area.
The girl turned to him.
"Yibo-ge, who is he?"
Yibo held her hand lightly.
"Ask Mum."
"Okay."
She ran upstairs.
Diwa called after her, telling her to change and come back for food.
Then Diwa followed Zhan into the kitchen, her face stern.
"Listen carefully...you are not to get involved with the children in this house. I can already see you trying to act familiar with them. Stay in your place. Otherwise, that woman alone is enough to deal with you."
By four in the afternoon, all the children in the house had finished preparing to leave for their traditional lessons. Diwa gathered their socks together along with Baby's uniform...Baby being what Mrs. Wang fondly called her daughter because her name was Lihua too....so she could wash them later.
She turned to look at Zhan, who was standing idly nearby, and said,
"Why are you standing there like a guard? Go to the dining area and collect all the plates. And move slowly."
Zhan nodded. "Alright."
He walked into the dining area. No one was there...just scattered plates and leftover rice messily spread across the table. The moment he noticed elder Lihua sitting in the living room, helping Baby adjust her clothes, he quickly lowered his gaze and began gathering the plates.
From the living room, one of the girls asked,
"Auntie Lihua, who is that boy?"
Lihua clicked her tongue. "The new house help."
Baby widened her eyes. "Is Diwa leaving?"
"No, she isn't," Lihua replied.
Baby sighed in relief. "Good… because I don't think I like that boy. He can go back to his home for all I care."
At that moment, the driver honked outside. Siya and Anie picked up their bags, said goodbye to Lihua, and left.
Lihua added dismissively,
"He's not even worth talking about. Stay away from him...he's just a house boy."
Baby nodded. "Sure."
Zhan puffed his cheeks slightly, clearly annoyed, but said nothing.
Baby shot him a glare before leaving.
He abandoned the plates and rushed back to the kitchen, visibly upset.
"Where are the plates?" Diwa asked.
Zhan burst into tears.
"Auntie cook… that girl insulted me. She said I should go back to my home, even though she was the one staring at me first. And Ms. Lihua called me a house boy."
Diwa clicked her tongue and pointed to a nearby stool.
"Go and sit there. That's your business. If you keep staring at the family members, they'll deal with you themselves. You think anyone spared me when I came here? At least that girl is even better than the others. You were brought here to work...why are you getting upset over being called a house boy?"
Zhan pouted but kept quiet.
Diwa finished washing, went to clear the dining area herself, and arranged everything neatly. Meanwhile, Zhan carried the dirty dishes outside to wash them near the tap so he wouldn't make a mess in the kitchen.
Diwa, however, noticed he wasn't doing it properly. She eventually dragged him aside and took over, grumbling angrily as she washed everything herself.
Zhan covered his mouth, trying not to laugh when she muttered insults like "lazy boy" under her breath.
By around 6 p.m., Zhan remained beside Diwa in the kitchen. Every time she stirred food from the stove, he stretched out his hand, hoping to taste it. At first, she annoyed him by lightly hitting his hand with a spoon, but eventually she got tired and started giving him small portions in a tiny plate.
Later, she packed a large amount of pepper soup into a container and said,
"Go check who is in the living room."
Zhan returned shortly. "No one is there."
Diwa quickly stepped out, placed the food inside her room behind the door, then came back and arranged dinner on the dining table. She also gave Zhan some food to take to Han.
After finishing the kitchen work, they both went to the room. Zhan had just sat down when Mrs. Wang called out.
Diwa immediately stood up and went to her, with Zhan following behind.
"Serve Yibo his food...he's about to leave for work. Have you both eaten?"
She asked.
Diwa lowered her head respectfully.
"I'll serve him now, Ma'am. We'll eat afterward."
"Make sure you include some chicken stew as well," Mrs. Wang added.
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you."
Mrs. Wang then glanced at Zhan.
"Is he trying to work properly?"
"Yes, Ma'am. He's trying," Diwa replied.
"Alright then."
In the dining area, Diwa served Yibo his meal carefully, adding chicken stew since she knew he wouldn't eat without it. She carried the tray upstairs, with Zhan following closely behind.
She knocked, and after a short moment, Yibo opened the door while buttoning his shirt.
"Your food, sir," Diwa said.
He gave them a brief look, took the tray, and said, "Thank you."
Zhan spoke up softly,
"So… this is your room?"
Yibo said nothing and shut the door.
Diwa immediately pulled Zhan away and dragged him downstairs into the room.
She crossed her arms and glared at him.
"What is your problem? Why are you always involving yourself with him? Do you know him from before?"
"I'm sorry…" Zhan said quietly.
She pinched his lips and knocked his head lightly.
"If you talk to anyone in this house again, I'll deal with you. Remove that curious habit of yours."
Zhan nodded, his eyes filled with tears.
Diwa left the room after hearing Baby and the others return from lesson. Before she came back, Zhan had already fallen asleep.
Later, she woke him up to eat, but he was too drowsy, mumbling, "Mommy… I'm full…"
Annoyed, she splashed water on his face. He woke up immediately, but after she placed the food before him and went to bathe, he fell asleep again without eating.
When she returned and saw the untouched food, she muttered,
"That's your problem."
She moved him properly onto the bed and sat down to eat instead.
****
The next morning, Diwa went to prepare breakfast. She had just finished peeling Irish potatoes when Lihua entered the kitchen, looking around.
"Where is that boy?" she asked.
"Good morning, Aunt," Diwa greeted.
"I'm fine. Where is the boy?" Lihua repeated.
"I sent him to the room to rest quietly," Diwa replied.
Lihua walked out immediately and went to the room. She opened the door and found Zhan sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Her face darkened.
She stepped forward and struck him twice on the back.
Zhan jolted awake in panic.
Lihua grabbed him roughly.
"Everyone in this house is already awake, and you're still sleeping? You think you can work like this? You've barely spent a day here and you're already acting lazy, sleeping on the bed like you belong here?"
Tears filled Zhan's eyes as he got down from the bed.
"I'm sorry, Aunt…"
She pushed him harshly toward the door.
"Go and help Diwa. Or is she your servant? You're being paid just like her!"
Zhan rushed to the kitchen, tears streaming down his face.
Lihua followed him and added sharply,
"Finish the washing dishes and go outside to do it properly!"
Zhan hurriedly picked up some cups and stepped outside to wash them, crying silently.
Diwa said nothing until Lihua left the kitchen. Then she clicked her tongue and muttered under her breath,
"That woman refused to remarry and now she's here disturbing everyone… and you...see what sleeping like the dead has caused you."
Zhan didn't say anything. He quietly walked away.
Diwa finished the washing after sending the children off to school, while Zhan helped her hang the clothes.
Around 9:30 a.m., Mrs. Wang came downstairs, ready to leave for work. After Diwa greets her, who was preparing her breakfast in the dining area, she asked,
"Where is Zhan?"
"He's over there sweeping, Ma'am," Diwa replied.
"Alright," she said.
Diwa returned to the kitchen after finishing Mrs. Wang's tea, knowing that Lihua was still upstairs, fast asleep.
She glanced at Zhan, who had potatoes, eggs, and tea in front of him but wasn't eating.
"You're not going to eat?" she asked.
"I am," Zhan replied...but suddenly, he burst into tears.
Diwa frowned.
"So even with all this good food in front of you, you're crying? Maybe you never even had food like this where you came from."
Zhan stood up, crying harder. He lifted his shirt slightly, showing his back.
"Auntie cook… it still hurts where she hit me."
Diwa's eyes widened when she saw the clear marks of Lihua's hand on his back.
She clicked her tongue.
"May heaven's deal with her. And one day, she'll face her own consequences. As for me, I could leave this house today and still find a husband. But her? She'll only watch others live their lives. I even heard she left her own children somewhere...may they never be treated the way she treats others."
She pulled Zhan's shirt back down.
"Anyway, that's your own matter. Tomorrow, don't wait for anyone to wake you up."
Then she continued with her work.
Diwa quickly stepped out when she noticed Mrs. Wang was about to leave. After listening carefully to her instructions, she bowed slightly.
"Yes, Ma'am. May your journey be safe."
As Mrs. Wang stood at the door, she noticed Zhan standing nearby.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Good morning, Ma'am," Zhan replied softly.
She turned to Diwa.
"Are you sure you're not overworking this boy?"
Diwa quickly shook her head.
"Not at all, Ma'am. You can ask him."
"Alright," Mrs. Wang said.
Then she looked at Zhan again.
"I'm heading to work. Have you eaten breakfast?"
Zhan nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Good."
She left, and Diwa saw her off before returning to the kitchen. She gathered the remaining dishes and went outside to wash them.
Zhan remained standing at the kitchen entrance.
A moment later, Yibo entered the house. Zhan looked at him once and quickly looked away. Yibo went upstairs without a word.
About twenty minutes later, he came back down. Zhan was still standing in the same spot.
Yibo entered the kitchen, prepared something in a cup, and walked past him. Then he paused, turned back, and said coldly,
"Don't you know how to greet?"
Zhan pouted slightly. "Good morning sir."
Then he turned and walked outside to where Diwa was.
Yibo stood there for a few seconds before heading back upstairs.
Later, after they returned to the room, Diwa prepared bath water for Zhan.
"Auntie cook… I didn't brush my teeth before eating," Zhan said.
"Did I stop you from brushing?" she replied.
He lowered his head.
"They took my toothbrush at that house… I lost it."
Diwa shrugged.
"I don't know about that. Just go and bathe."
After his bath, she gave him Vaseline and one of his clothes she had folded earlier.
"Auntie cook, do you know who bought me these new pants?" Zhan asked.
"I don't," she replied.
"My lovely mommy," he said with a small smile.
Diwa ignored him, dragged him closer, and applied thick black liner to his eyes and face, finishing with powder.
"I'm not a girl to do make up" He said with a pout.
"Go outside and sit. Don't come inside unless I call you. I'm tired of your talking."
"Alright," he said and left.
Zhan went to his usual spot and sat down. He picked some flowers and began weaving them into a small hand bag, just like he had learned long ago in school.
As if someone had called him, he looked up...and met Yibo's gaze from the balcony.
He quickly looked away and continued what he was doing.
After a while, he looked up again, but Yibo was gone.
Tired, Zhan went back inside. He quietly opened Diwa's door and found her asleep. He lay down beside her...and soon fell asleep too.
:
:
That evening, Mrs. Wang was sitting in the living room with Lihua, who had returned earlier.
Zhan came out after putting away the clothes Diwa had given him.
"Zhan," Mrs. Wang called.
He walked over and knelt slightly. "Ma'am?"
"What are you missing among your belongings?" she asked.
Zhan thought for a moment, counting on his fingers.
"I don't have a toothbrush or toothpaste. I don't have a towel. I only have six pants my mommy bought for me...the others were taken. I don't even have body cream… or anything for my hair."
Mrs. Wang smiled gently.
Lihua, however, sat there with a stiff, displeased expression.
Yibo, who was eating at the dining table, simply glanced over without saying anything.
"Let me see your hair," Mrs. Wang said.
Zhan removed his cap. Lihua stole a glance at his long hair.
"Wow, you had a long hair? Alright," Mrs. Wang said. "On Saturday, you'll go with Siya and the others to the salon."
Zhan quickly shook his head nervously.
"My mommy already fixed it recently… she just took me to the salon."
"In that case," Mrs. Wang continued, "the driver will get everything you need later. Do you have shoes?"
"Yes… but they're almost torn. They used wear them," Zhan replied.
"Then you'll get new ones," she said.
Zhan smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Ma'am. I like you."
Then he ran off happily to the kitchen to find Diwa.
Mrs. Wang watched him go, then turned to Lihua.
"I'm thinking of enrolling him in lessons with the others in the evenings. Anyone can tell he comes from a good background....it's just circumstances…"
Lihua cut her off sharply.
"Jie, stay out of it. I've told you many times...leave things as they are. The people who brought him here know about school. Why are you looking for trouble? These workers only need a little kindness before they start taking advantage. What exactly is your connection to that boy?"
Mrs. Wang turned to Yibo.
"Bobo, is it wrong if I enroll him in lessons?"
Yibo stood up calmly.
"No, Mom. It's not wrong. In fact, it's a good thing."
He walked upstairs.
Lihua watched him with irritation.
Mrs. Wang sighed.
"You don't know what the future holds. That boy said he's an orphan...why shouldn't we show compassion? Anyone can see he wasn't raised in poverty. Imagine if Baby Lihua were in his place… how would you feel?"
She shook her head.
"I can afford his lessons, so I don't understand your problem, Lihua."
Lihua scoffed and walked toward the stairs.
"You'll regret this one day, Jie. And Yibo can keep supporting you. From the look of that boy, you're already treating him like family...for what reason? He was brought here to work."
Mrs. Wang muttered under her breath,
"Your attitude is exactly why you have problems with everyone. You're nothing like our parents… not even like me. Shame on you Lihua."
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