Chapter 49- Dire State
In the busy street of the impoverished town of Country X, a food stall is active with many people gather to have lunch. Laborer, construction worker and students, often visit the area because of the cheap food and convenient location.
The heat coming from the mid-day sun and the polluted air doesn't hinder the customer from enjoying their food.
However, since the food is cheap, the owner of the store does not get enough income and often has to break a fight because of some drunk customer.
Vera is standing on the shop opposite to the food cart where her grandparents are working. She intentionally didn't bring a car so as not to get too much unwanted attention. At the moment, she looks like an ordinary civilian with her casual attire.
Wanting to observe her grandparents more, she decided to find a spot directly opposite to them. She had been seating in the same place for 3 hours, but the shop owner didn't mind since she keeps ordering some food to eat.
Focusing back to the food cart in front, she could see the vast changes in her grandparent's appearance after many years of not seeing them. The proud look of her grandfather that always mesmerizes Vera is nowhere. Instead, desperation and complete defeat are evident on his old face.
Her grandmother looks sick and is about to pass out. Vera is worried that the intense heat is not suitable for her health. She shouldn't be in this place, she thought. She tightly clenched the napkin she is holding to prevent herself from throwing something.
Also, her keen eye didn't miss to notice that the woman who is cramming to cook at the back of the cart is her aunt. Fragments of her memory rush to her upon seeing her aunt's posture. She remembers that she always has a dignified body posture when she was a kid. Every time she visited the house, she would prepare her favorite food and play with her. She was very close to her mother since they both live together in high school.
When her uncle and aunt announce that they will marry, their families celebrated. There was a big feast to celebrate the two's union. Who would have thought, that her aunt would suffer like this for many years?
Vera stayed rotted to her spot and is considering if she should approach them now. In the end, she decided to wait for the perfect time.
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Lu Ming Rong is busy running around to serve food, not caring the seat soaking his back. Today their food business is more active than usual because the construction workers have come to work. It not often that they have a large amount of costumer, so today they are going to earn some extra.
Though his knees are killing him, he ignores the pain and keeps on doing what he usually does to help his daughter-in-law.
Life had been cruel for their family for the past years. After his son was scam by his cousin, their family lost everything and leave with no option; they have to move out of their house.
They settled into this neighborhood after their Butler let them stay in his ancestor's house. Their life situation didn't improve until two years ago until Mira gathered enough money to open her business. To earn more, they all agreed to help.
It is a challenge considering their old age, but Lu Ming Rong didn't have a choice. He already loses many things in life, including her only daughter. He only has his son left. He needs to contribute and help him before he dies.
A big crashing sound got his attention to see his wife being pushed by a customer. He hurriedly comes to her side and supports her. Angry but didn't want to escalate the situation, he tried to reason out the drunk customer. However, his effort is useless. The man is belligerent and is making havoc on their stall. He rushes to stop the man from smashing their tables but was hit by him instead. The impact caused him to feel dizzy, and he unconsciously touches his head that is now bleeding.
A faint flicker of light is playing in his eyes, and before he passed out, he could only see his family running towards his direction. However, before he closes his eyes, he saw his daughter's face dashing towards him. Though he felt pain, he couldn't help but smile. "My daughter, you are here," He said hoarsely before he succumbs to complete darkness.