"Food is love.
Anyone who disagrees has lived a life of privilege since the moment they were born. They won't understand the little things that can make a person happy, they'll never be satisfied in life." Mama Qiu glanced at her daughter as she kneaded the dough.
"Hmm, hmm..." She was humming a song as she made heart-shaped cut-outs of the cookie dough.
"Mercredi."
"Hmm?"
"Are you listening to me?"
The child sighed. "Yes, mama. Food is love. We must be grateful for the little things in life and not get greedy. Right?"
Silence.
Her mother looked put out, as if robbed of her thunder. She cleared her throat and continued.
"When you get older someday, find a man who can be satisfied with you as you are."
The child blinked at her mother, nodded, but then tilted her head, her silky black pigtails dangling to the side as she did.
"Mama."
"Hmm?"
"Is food really enough?"
"...Huh?"
"If food is enough, then why is Daddy not-
"EDDDIEEEEEE!"
Mercredi jolted awake at the sound of Claudia's voice.
She had returned from a show, Mercredi remembered sitting on the guest room bed for a second before unpacking but the rest was a blank. Why did she have to dream of the past like that? Annoying.
"EDDIE?"
Why was she calling for her so loudly?!
Claudia stumbled into the room, her eyes shooting conplaints. "What is it?"
"I got you an investor!"
Eddie blinked.
"I... don't really need one at this point."
"Now, now, these kind of things are important! You should meet with them!"
"I'll pass." Mercredi yawned. Sleep was more important.
Little did she know the following day she would hear some bad news.
"Excuse me? What do you mean you're no longer selling the building?"
"I'm sorry, the owner changed their mind. They decided to sell to someone else. As for your refund-
"Is it possible that I could meet them?"
The broker looked hesitant.
"Missy, I know this is unfair so I won't lie to you. It's like this, someone paid twice the price in full. Even if you had triple the money...this sort of person isn't someone one can afford to offend.They're the missus of someone who holds a lot of weight in this industry."
"..."
"Your money was refunded to you. Here's the confirmation..."
From the walk to the bus stop she turned over his words. Over and over.
She can't believe how stupid she was. The price and location was perfect. In an old area with lots of redevelopment. It was too good to be true.
Just like that her home and business robbed from her. So easily.
Living with Mademoiselle Zhu made her forget how hard and unfair life could be. How could she left forget the harsh lessons she learned while attending the Academy?
Her phone buzzed. Claudia sent her an address on google maps to summon her.
She didn't think too much on it and went. There were a lot of people casually dressed in clothing from designer brands. Mercredi didn't mind them. She was wearing a lilac romper over a turtle neck she ordered offline from an indie fashion designer, it may not have been that expensive but it was eye-catching enough to make her feel like she belonged.
Among the sea of people she made out Claudia who hurried over to escort her.
"You won't believe who else came back! All of block Twelve!"
"It's a reunion?" She felt self-conscious then.
Sitting at the table were two familiar faces. Huang Mei Ling and Sa Jisoo.
The girls stood as the two approached. Smiles stretching, they all opened their mouths at the same time and spoke out of sheer excitement.
Afterward, they laughed at this and banded together into a group hug.
Jisoo was part of a famous girl group in South Korea these days, trying to see her was even more difficult than trying to book an appointment with the president.
Mei Ling used the money she earned from years of modeling to start a convenience store franchise, famous for its cute pastel colors, stationery, and packaging called, "Perennial Love." Pictures are widely shared of weibo and Douban recently.
Then there was Claudia, the supermodel-turned rapper. Famous for being the gorgeous daughter of the popular fast-food chicken franchise, Bye Bye Chicken. And well known for actively reviewing and promoting different businesses. Over time she became famous for her upbeat personality and frankness when reviewing food and these days can be spotted on TV as a judge on food competition shows.
It feels like back then the declarations they all made back in their Academy dorm had all been manifested. Mercredi felt a bit sheepish listening to their good reports.
Once it was her turn, Claudia announced instead. "Eddie is opening a bakery!"
She was met with a chorus of surprised hums and raised eyebrows.
Mei Ling's mouth formed an 'O'. "Eh... And here I thought you'd be working for the headmaster's house for life!"
"Right? I never even thought I'd see you again!" Jisoo added.
They make it sound as if the Mademoiselle was a goblin that spirited her away into another world... well thinking on it, from their point of view that's exactly what happened.
Mercredi tilted her head. "Your assumptions are ...interesting." She's happy they're not looking down on her, now she felt bad for doubting her tribe and for forgetting her own blessing. That's right, she's had a lucrative career for a decade!
"Everyone knows you won the REAL prize at the talent show. The headmaster took a liking to you because you look EXACTLY like her when she was young."
Jisoo squinted. "Seriously, is the headmaster well? Like I seriously didn't think she'd ever let you go. I thought she'd adopt you as her daughter or something. It's actually suspicious."
"Erm..."
Mercredi also thought it suspicious at the time. She was working per usual when the Mademoiselle suddenly announced it after dinner.
"I'd hate to see you rot here single alongside me. Go spread your wings and meet new people. I'd like to see your Grandbabies before I die."
She had gotten content living and working there, and interacting with the Mademoiselle. It actually took her a while to mentally prepare herself to return back to normal society. She didn't want to think about the what-ifs and variables otherwise she'd probably break down and want to go back.
"She's fine. Don't talk about such things I don't want to manifest it."
"Right." Jisoo slapped her lips. "May Headmaster live to see many more years!"
Everyone at the table clasped their hands in prayer.
"Mmmm!"
"Amen!"
The last voice came from behind them.
Standing behind them were two beautiful girls.
Seeing them Mercredi's smile faded.