13 years old Han Xue Qin stared blinkly ahead. Her mind couldn't process what had happen. The people around her are crying, some yelling, some like her only to have no emotion. The hospital corridor is flooded with noise.
The next thing she know is that she had just buried her parents, older brother and grandma. She is the only survivor in the deadly car accident. She sits on the usual spot on the sofar. Even though the midnight moonlit lit the living room up, in her mind she see her dead family members doing what they will do when they are alive.
"Miss you must go wash up and sleep." The oldest maid, madam Yeong speaks softy to her young owner. Gently she pick up the young hand and help the child up. Together they walk slowly up the stairs to the bedroom. The rest of the servants who are all hidding watch the scene with an aching hearts.one of those whisper "what will happen to our poor missy? Her life have just begin now she is alone." She wipe her fallen tears.
"I think someone will come to help. She is too young to managed the company." The butler step out while his eyes keep watching his young miss disappear behind the corridor upstairs. "She is not totally alone. She have us."
"Butler Yin what about our monthly salary? You have to be realistic! I have a family with bills to pay..."
"The lawyers will work it out. For now we have to go to bed. Everything have to be as usual like another day. Go now! To bed!"
The next two days, a lawyer drop by. He had contacted the board members and had sorted out the shares that her parents are holding. "So in this case. Miss Han is too young to be on board as member. However the shares percentage between your parents of 40 percent will be under her name. She only can exercise her rights at the lawful age of 21."
"What about those under my older brother?"
"It will be given to Mr Gu, your uncle. He agree to step in to help if some percentage is given to him, the board members all agree that 3 percentage is sufficient to him. Which i contacted him and he agreed to it. "
"Therefore the total percentage shares will be 42 percentage for Miss Han."
"Mr lawyer what about this house and us? Will we all be dismissed?"
"No Mr Gu will be taking over temporarily the ownership of the mansion and every servant. In addition his family will move in here as well. The salary of everyone here will be paid every month as usual. No changes. I will continue to serve till Miss Han comes of age. Is there any other questions?"
"When will the Gu family move in? We need to prepare."
"Mr Gu will be arriving soon. I am told to wait for him and his family."
At late noon, the Gu family arrived . Han Xu Qin is given a warm hug from her uncle. She remembered him from the family gathering. Her aunt and a young girl stands side by side away from Xu Qin and her uncle. While an older boy is seen lifting up big luggages out of the car trunk.
"Xue Qin I have just visited sister and brother in law's grave site. I promised them to take care of you and the company. I can't come in time to have the funeral arrangements. Will you forgive this uncle?" Silently she node her head and hug him. "We are now your family. Come meet them."
"I am your aunt. This is your young cousin, Gu Mei Qin. That is..."
"I am Gu Nan Qin. Call me Nan ger!" He smile mildly yet his long dimples are showing.
"Xue Qin, you will attend school together with Mei Qin. She is two years younger than you. While Nan Qin is going to college soon. Get along well with Mei Mei, ok?" Her aunt talks sweetly with a smile.
Later in the mansion, Mrs Gu directed the servants to clean out the master bedroom. Everything is to be thrown and removed. Xue Qin who see this. Runs off the back yard to retrieve all the items she wants. While the lawyer had the jewellery taken away as to keep safe in the bank. Mrs Gu is seen arguing with the lawyer to keep the jewellery in the mansion. The servants starts to whisper and gudge the characters of the new owners.
Evening comes quietly. Dinner is served. They eat in silence with occasional questions asked.
"Xue Qin, so you don't mind Mei Mei occupied the bedroom? It's big enough for both you girls"
"Im used to sleep alone and I like the third floor at the back with the long winding stairs. Plus the garden is there too. I can see the sea over the other side."
"Darling if she have no complain, why are you fussing about? Is not like we chased her out of the room. Besides the room on the third floor is so much bigger and longer. She can be alone all day without anyone disturbing. Am I right, Xue Qin?"
That night she sits alone in the new room that her servant clean during the day. She look outside the window. The moonlight shines gently as if to comfort her. The wind blows and the leaves ruffle. Xue Qin sigh softly. She looks at the family photo she is holding. "I will live my life with good intention everyday as grandma said. I will smile everyday without a complaint. I will live my life with honesty."