Chapter 9
Ming Lan parked her Audi in the garage behind the house. As she picked up her bag and looked up, she saw Zhang Jufang’s room, with its light still on, and she could vaguely hear bits of chatter and laughter.
Ming Lan gracefully walked toward her own room in her high heels. The courtyard was very calm and quiet, just the way it had been every day for the past few years. The room beside hers belonged to her younger sister Ming Yue. Faint sounds floated out from the room as she taught her son how to read. Zhao Xia was probably in bed already, her room entirely silent, but because of her husband, she did not dare close the lights yet.
Music sounded from Chen Mei’s room. Chen Mei was also someone who made her worry. But Ming Lan did not regret letting her husband marry her. Otherwise, who would fight against Zhang Jufang for her?
Ming Lan drank some water as the servant, Tong Jie, brought the warmed dinner to the table. Actually, if one looked at their ages, Tong Jie was not much older than Ming Lan; only, she hadn’t taken care of herself as well.
Ming Lan ate her meal under the light. When she lifted her head, she saw Tong Jie’s stooped silhouette. Ming Lan said nastily, “Go away! You made Old Third mad again today? All of you cause me so much trouble.” As she finished speaking, she reached out her hand and pinched Tong Jie. Her pinch was pretty harsh, and Tong Jie let out a moan. Ming Lan then reached out her hand to caress her face. She smiled, “This face doesn’t look that old, and you’re one of the only servants who has actually worked here for a long while. You’re just greedy for the wages, eh? Where else are you going to earn a few thousand a month with no educational background and your old age?”
The servant lowered her head and began retreating outside. “Missus, I’m going.”
Ming Lan smiled, and didn’t pay any more attention to her.
This night, seemed to last forever.
Ming Lan lay on the bed for a little bit, listening to pop music, then lifted her head to gaze outside the window. Outside was a quiet and peaceful field, and in it there was a lone-standing little house. The bright full moon hung in the sky making everything feel extremely lonely.