I have been teaching Li Chiao how to write and read. She doesn't understand it well. Just like any other day, I make more dishes for the customers to eat during their stay. And I see that Chun Jiao came to visit my diner.
I am surprised that she didn't bring her boyfriend over here. She looks around and raise her hand to order. She already decided to order. Fried Rice. I prepared the big portion of fried rice ahead of time so I only had to put the serving on a bowl and place them above the wooden tray.
Li Chiao suddenly approaches me. "Can... I... Help...?" Li Chiao said while looking at the food. I think that I can trust Li Chiao for this since she has become stronger from her sickness. I gently gave her the tray and this is how I ordered her to do. "Give this food to the lady near the left wall over there. Becareful carrying the food." Li Chiao nods and did exactly what I said.
Chun Jiao is surprised to see Li Chiao bringing her order to her table. Li Chiao tip-toes with her feet and place the entire tray with her small hands. It is kinda cute to see how this child do work. Another one ordered more food and Li Chiao quickly comes back to me. "Again..." She said while raising both of her small hands. I then see that her hands are rough for a small child.
Someone orders Tofu Lo Mein. I served it in a bowl and and place them on top of the tray before giving it to Li Chiao. She leaves as she got the food without me saying who got the order. I got worried for a while but she approached the right customer and delivered the Lo Mein. "Thank you dear." The customer said smiling at Li Chiao.
There are other people watching little Li Chiao do her work. They look at me with eyes of doubt, thinking that I hired a minor. I nervously laughed as Li Chiao keeps coming back and keeps delivering the food. "Hey cook. Why is a little girl working for you?" Chun Jiao asked while observing Li Chiao.
I gave an answer. "I don't know. Maybe she got bored." Everyone watches Li Chiao doing a wonderful job delivering the food. She is used of the smell of sweat and she actually smiles at them. I never seen Li Chiao smiled before. "This kid is young. You better make her happy or else I will end your diner." Chun Jiao said before she leaves with her payment on the table.
She payed more than the cost of the dish. Maybe the extra money is for Li Chiao. I look at Li Chiao and observe her for a while. She doesn't speak a single word at the strangers she just met, but she captivated their hearts just by smiling at them. There is one time where she almost stumble on the floor, but after that she doesn't repeat the same mistake. After day ends and my diner finally closes, Li Chiao insisted that she wants to clean the tables.
There is more to this little child. Why is she working so hard when I didn't even ask for it. I think that she got bored because she have stayed inside my room for a long time cultivating, reading, writing, and nothing else. I walk in front of Li Chiao and asked why she wants to help me. She simply says, "Bored..." with her normal face.
Her hands become more rough. I wanted to ask how she lived but she looks away, not answering my question. She trusts me but she is trying real hard hiding her secret. I am worried for her so I decided to pat her head and said, "Good work today, Little Xiao."
I realized that I said her name wrong but she suddenly smiles and is very happy for the compliment. "Xiao... Happy..." Li Chiao said happily. I feel comfortable when I am with Li Chiao. I wanted to her to grow strong and healthy. I feel like a mother raising her daughter. I close my eyes as I remember doing the same thing back at home.
I work hard to the farm without having someone's approval and when my mother learns about it, she also pats my head and said "Good Work, my Cheng Cheng." I feel nostalgic and that thought made me wanna take care of Li Chiao for now on.
The next day, I treated her some Hawthorn Candy as her motivation to study. But I am shocked when she said, "No... Study... Brain... Hurts..." She actually said that she doesn't want to study because she cannot learn it. I suddenly feel fire burning in my heart.
Mom... I now know how you feel about me back then... when I refused to study just to help...