Xia Yao Xing waited for him... She believed that he would come again to console her, but he didn't. Days went on and on as she waited for him and her family...
It was again a normal day for Xia Yao Xing as she woke up, took a bath and went downstairs to have breakfast. She went straight to the kitchen, "Give me something to have." Xia Yao Xing said as she asked for food holding a plate in her hand, to the maid present.
The maid frowned and gave her two sandwiches.
It was like this from the day her grand father became bed ridden. She would not get food the whole day if she wouldn't ask for it. Her so called real mother had given orders to every maid in the house, "This beggar girl is not supposed to have any food." she looked at each and every girl in the hall with chilling gaze saying, " She would only get food is she asked for it holding a plate in her hand."
She paused for a second and then shouted "UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes... Madam." Everyone said simultaneously in a low voice.
"SAY IT LOUD." Jiang Ai shouted again.
"YES MADAM!" everyone said again but this time they shouted with all their might and determination written on their faces, clearly!
Xia Yao Xing refused to ask for food and went on hunger strike. But! How much can a 10 years old child endure. She eventually gave up and begged for food.
That day she didn't eat till night and then again the next day she endured till evening but couldn't endure any more as she took a plate and begged for food hanging her head low, looking at the floor all the time.
Xia Yao Xing couldn't forget that day till now.
Thereafter everyday she has to beg all three times for food.
There are sometimes when her food would accidentally fell on the floor and get wasted due to her rush or due to some servant girls. Once the food got wasted, she would not get another portion even if it was not her fault. She would have to starve the entire time and wait for the next meal. She would cry under her quilt due to hunger every time it happens.
Sometime, her younger brother Xia Nan Sheng would come and give her food saying, "Sister, have this fast and give the dishes to me. Mom will scold me if she sees this." He would say this with his cute and over-concerned voice. Xia Yao Xing would always feel good around her younger brother.
Today also she asked for food and then was about to go up to eat in the room when someone suddenly came and dashed her with the object in her hand. Xia Yao Xing looked at the spilled food on the floor while that maid looked at her frowning angrily. The maid held Xia Yao Xing's hand and shook her angrily saying, "What the Hell are you doing here in the middle of the way? Can't you see we are preparing for young miss Xia's birthday?"
When Xia Yao Xing heard that it was her sisters birthday she freed herself from the maids grip and went straight to look for Xia Xiang in her room.
When Xia Yao Xing reached Xia Xiang's room she knocked on the door three times and went inside when she heard Xia Xiang, saying, "Come in."
Xia Xiang looked at Xia Yao Xing, turning her head from her dressing table and gave a smile while saying with a tender smile, "Xiao Xing, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to knock on my door. You can enter here anytime."
Xia Yao Xing knew this too but she got orders from her mother, OH! Sorry, Madam Xia that she shouldn't enter any room except her own, without knocking thrice. Xia Yao Xing said with a meek smile, "It doesn't matter sister. As long as I'm welcome." she paused and said, "Happy birthday Sister. May you get everything you wish for in this life."
Xia Xiang got up and went near Xia Yao Xing. She placed a hand on Xia Yao Xing's shoulder and said sweetly, "Xiao Xing, thank you." she paused some some time showing a puzzled expression as if she was very confused about something and said again, "Xiao Xing, I want to ask you something."
Xia Yao Xing noticed her sisters confusion and said with a happy face, "Sister, don't be shy ask anything that I can help you with." She lowered her eyes and said with a little sorrow in her voice, "I can't prepare a gift for you any way." she looked up and said with the same previous happy expression, "Take it as my gift to you."
Xia Xiang looked at her with full concern in her eyes and said with a low voice, "Xiao Xing, don't come downstairs during the party time." She looked at Xia Yao Xing's shocked expression as she said, "It's not as you think! Xiao Xing, It's just that I don't want mom to make things hard for you inthe party."
Xia Yao Xing was utterly shocked to hear her sister at first but after listening her explanation she thought it was not her sisters fault and said, "It's OK sister, I won't come." with a happy smile on her face all the time. She said goodbye to her sister and went to her room. She went under the quilt and cried very hard.
She couldn't understand why this so called mother of hers treat her this way, why would she treated her own daughter like this? Why would she treated her this way when they were the ones that brought her here. Why? Xia Yao Xing could never understand and continued crying.
The arrangements for the party were finished till evening and guests started coming in. Everything was bright and merry except for the darkly lit room where Xia Yao Xing was crying under the quilt making muffled sounds.