Chapter 3: EXPULSION.
Hua Rong stood inside the cozy bakery, surrounded by the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. Her mother had been working here for the past eight years, becoming an invaluable employee. The shop's owner was kind, treating her mother with the respect she deserved.
Outside, a delivery truck had just arrived, and Hua Rong was busy unloading boxes and stacking them neatly inside the shop.
"You've been really helpful today," said Liu Haofeng, a middle-aged coworker who had started working at the bakery around the same time as Hua Rong's mother. Having watched Hua Rong grow up, he often treated her like his own child.
"Yeah, make sure to give Hua Rong today's treat!" Liu Meiling, the cafeteria head's wife, called out from behind the counter.
"No need for that," Hua Rong replied, brushing off the offer with a small smile. "Just make sure you all finish up and get home early."
Stepping outside, she spotted her mother, Hua Yuxi, checking the last of the supplies to ensure everything had arrived. Her mother's dark, short hair fell just past her neck, slightly wavy, with a few strands of gray showing through. The soft wrinkles on her face hinted at her age, but to Hua Rong, she had never looked stronger.
Without a word, Hua Rong stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her mother's shoulders in a firm side hug. "Mama, I'm going now," she murmured.
Her mother closed her eyes briefly, pressing a gentle hand against Hua Rong's arm. "Make sure to eat before going to school," she reminded her, her voice filled with quiet warmth.
"I will," Hua Rong promised before pulling away.
Dressed in a simple pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a shrug thrown over it, she made her way home. Their house sat on an elevated area, making the walk a bit challenging uphill, but coming back down always felt refreshing. The night was calm, the streets quiet except for the occasional rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Upon reaching home, she reheated dinner, ate quickly, and then settled down to finish her homework. As she lay in bed, she closed her eyes, hoping that tomorrow would be better than today.