Chapter Two Cruel Reality

She finally understood how this adorable little girl died.

The answer caused her to become speechless. That’s right, she died of starvation. One character, cruel!

Her mother was just the servant girl of a manor who had been stained by the master of the manor when he was under the influence. After becoming pregnant, she was bullied by the several madams of the manor. Then, she had a complicated birth and died in the process. So, the child was entrusted to a close friend. This close friend was Aunt Qing, the servant girl who looked after her (the main character), and up until now, she still hadn’t been given a name. Aunt Qing called her Miss and others called her Za Zhong [1]. She was frequently humiliated and destitute. Being beaten or cursed was a common occurrence. It was no wonder that her white and tender skin was filled with bruises. What a pitiful child, your death freed you. But, you’ve added more hardship to my, Gu Weiyi’s, life, ah…….

Now, one could only keep moving forward, the situation had already started.

Aunt Qing was third madam’s maid. Third madam’s personality was crafty and harsh, she would beat and scold subordinates. Only after the noon and evening meal would Aunt Qing have a chance of seeing her (Gu Weiyi) and giving her food. This time wasn’t always accurate either, some days, she (Aunt Qing) wouldn’t come to see her at all. Just like now, she had already been starved for an entire day. It’s no wonder this body died of starvation.

Rubbing her stomach, it had already begun grumbling again. Letting out a resigned sigh, she began to look for more food.

Raising her small body up, she began to sneak her way towards the kitchen.

By now, the evening meal had ended a while ago and the kitchen staff were no longer busy. She was only going to try her luck and see whether or not there were any leftovers.

They were truly worthy to be called a rich and honorable household, even their kitchen was big enough to intimidate people. She tiptoed inside and climbed on top of the kitchen stove, then with great effort, she opened the enormous pot.

Wu wu wu wu, unexpectedly, it was a pot of boiling water!

Don’t worry, don’t worry. Don’t be discouraged, continue looking…….

Oh, there were three leftover steamed buns that were still warm! There was also a small bowl of chicken soup. Tonight, she finally didn’t have to go hungry.

She quickly decided to eat two steamed buns and leave one for Aunt Qing. She was also frequently hungry, ah. Presently, it was time for the bowl of chicken soup. She, Gu Weiyi, had stayed here for the greater part of a month. At last, she could eat meat again.

She had just brought the bowl to her lips when she heard someone loudly suck in their breath. “Who!”

“Pu tong [1]…..”

A voice able to shatter pottery and porcelain sounded out. The little bowl dropped on the floor, breaking into thousands of pieces and juice spilled everywhere.

Wu wu wu, her chicken soup, ah……

A large red lantern lit up and a plump dashen [2] appeared in front of her. She recognized this person because she had already explored around the kitchen for numerous days, this was the main cook, Fu Ma. One time, she was fortunate enough to be able to steal some braised lion’s head pork meatballs that Fu Ma had made– – the remainders. That flavor was something one never forgot in their lifetime, ah.

Fu Ma was a good-natured person, this could be seen from her interactions with her (Gu Weiyi) and other subordinates. Nothing could be done, now, she had to make use of her adorable doll face and act pitiful.

“Wu wu wu wu, so hungry, want to eat food……”

Forgive her for using this childish method to win sympathy. In this world, the thing that didn’t allow people to set defenses against was precisely a child’s tears.

Over the past few days, Fu Ma discovered that the food had been decreasing. Thus, she began to suspect that someone was stealing it, so tonight she had been in the kitchen, waiting all along. But, she never would’ve thought that the thief was a child who was approximately five years old. Upon seeing the child’s mournful tears, she panicked and promptly went over and carried her (Gu Weiyi) into her (Fu Ma’s) embrace.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Ai you [3], where did this child come from, how could she be starved to this extent? Truly sinful, ah! Where is your mom?”

She blinked her big, watery eyes and mournfully sobbed, “No mother, so hungry, wu wu wu wu….”

Distressed, Fu Ma brought the jia huo [4] even closer. “Don’t cry, Fu Ma will find food for you, be good.” After saying that, she stood up and took out two baked sesame seed coated cakes from the top level of one of the cupboards. Gu Weiyi wasn’t polite, taking the cakes, she devoured them.

“Yes, eat slowly. Drink some water, don’t choke.” Fu Ma’s soft voice sounded in her ear. Gu Weiyi’s heart was grieved and her tears dropped down.

“Ai you, how come you’re crying again?” Fu Ma was bewildered, how could such an adorable child cry so much her appearance caused one’s heart to hurt.

“No, nobody has treated me as good as Fu Ma…….” Choked with emotion, Gu Weiyi cried even louder.

Fu Ma hurriedly gathered her little body closer and comforted her, “Don’t cry. In the future, ah, Fu Ma will be good to you. Following this, you ah, come to Fu Ma’s place and eat good food every day.”

“Really?” Gu Weiyi’s tears turned into laughter. Out of excitement, she loudly kissed Fu Ma’s face with two “pu pu” sounds, causing Fu Ma to joyously laugh. “Really is a good child.”

[1] Za Zhong – this can be loosely translated to ‘mixed breed’
[2] Pu tong – the sound of an object falling into water
[3] dashen – the wife of her father’s older brother
[4] Ai you – similar to “Oh my”
[5] jia huo – could be loosely translated to either fellow or child