"Here's an advance of fifty thousand, the password is six eights. There's an ATM outside, you can change the password when you go out."
In the coffee shop that, despite its small size, was distinctively elegant and quietly pleasant, an exquisite European-style wall clock showed it was not even half past ten in the morning. Sunshine penetrated through the glass window, scattering lavishly over the golden sunflowers in the vase on the table, making them even more radiant.
There were not many customers. At the window-side couple table, a middle-aged woman, meticulously dressed in a sharp business suit with her hair neatly coiled, placed a bank card on the table and gently pushed it towards the girl sitting opposite her. Her expression was solemn, the look one would have when discussing business.
However, the girl facing her, clad in blue and white high school uniform, kept her head low. Her long hair covered her face so her features could not be seen clearly. However, her round shoulders trembled slightly.
"Are you regretting it? It's not too late," the middle-aged woman asked with raised eyebrows.
"No!" The girl suddenly raised her head upon hearing this; her tone was firm. Her facial features were radiantly gorgeous, commanding attention, but her eyes that were already large, were wide open, allowing one to clearly see that she was barely holding back her tears.
The girl only uttered that single word before swiftly picking up the two documents on the table. She quickly flipped through to the last page without any hesitation and signed her name, almost as if she feared that she might regret her decision. She was so fast that she didn't bother to read any content of the three-page A4 paper form.
The middle-aged woman watched her, a faint sigh in her heart, but she didn't betray any of her thoughts on her face, retrieving one of the documents and placing it into her briefcase.
"Now that the contract is signed, you can straight away return to the school to handle the procedures, and finish other matters today. At six in the afternoon, someone will come to pick you up. After that, you will live in the house we arranged for you. Except for visiting your mother once a week, you are not allowed to contact anyone without permission. As for other matters, just do as we just discussed."
"I understand. Thank you. I'll return to the school first." The two had been talking for half an hour. In fact, the girl had been silent all along, only listening to the middle-aged woman. But everything was very clear. After replying and giving a slight bow, she walked out of the coffee shop as if in a daze.
South of the city, a villa district by the lake, where stand-alone two-story villas with their white walls and red tiles were not luxurious, but were steeped in an intense British style aura. Each villa had a green lawn and garden, adorned with light purple and pink roses.
It was a beautiful place, this kind of house was the dream of many people, but Tong Yao never fantasized about such a thing. She and her mother were accustomed to their simple life. But now she was standing in front of such a small building, a place where she would live for the next year.
"Come in, everything here is arranged. There are two workers who will take care of your daily life."
The middle-aged woman who made the agreement with Tong Yao was surnamed Qiao. She asked Tong Yao to call her Secretary Bai. She personally opened the door and invited Tong Yao into the house, appearing kindly.
Tong Yao looked back at the middle-aged driver who drove her here. The man was silent the entire time. After he silently passed her luggage, he returned to the car without entering the house.
"This is Miss Tong." Inside the room, two capable maids stood side by side, introduced simply by Secretary Bai.
Perhaps before her arrival, Secretary Bai may have already informed them. The two girls were deferential, perhaps taking her for a real young lady. One is named Chen, in her early forties, slightly plump, a big round face, smiling warmly; the other one less than thirty years old with a darker complexion, slightly awkward, appearing like a newcomer from the countryside seeking work.
"Aunt Chen, Sister Zhou," Tong Yao politely called out. She fleetingly glanced at them then lowered her head, in her mind, what she was set to do next would make her even more humble than the two maids.
However, seeing her manners, the two maids seemed even more reverent. Aunt Chen especially quickly took the small luggage from Tong Yao's hand.
Secretary Bai continued, "Sister Chen, you and Zhou Qin need to take good care of Miss Tong."
"Yes, Secretary Bai."
"Miss Tong, settle in your room for now, get familiar with the place at your own pace, and call me if you need anything."
Tong Yao nodded slightly, not uttering a word.
Understanding her anxiety, Secretary Bai did not say much more. He gave a few instructions and then left the villa.
"A driver will come to take you to the hospital tomorrow. Have a good rest tonight."
Those were Secretary Bai's parting words. Tong Yao sat alone in the room upstairs, thinking about the things to happen next, she still felt a chill all over.
Late summer, early autumn; the sun beat down hotly, the weather was slightly sultry, but Tong Yao wrapped her arms around herself tightly and shivered slightly. Tears, as always, quietly fell when she was alone.