Chapter 5 - All An Act

As soon as the car got away from Sunflower House, Mrs. Zhang took out a handkerchief and wiped her hands roughly.

"Absolutely disgusting. I'm going to throw out these clothes, urgh."

"Yes, honey, anything you want."

"Did you see the state of that place? Horrendous."

"I know, I know, you worked hard my love."

"Hmph, it was only because Father told me that this was the best way."

"He is a wise man."

Mrs. Zhang's father, Old Man Ma was the CEO of Dream Entertainment and ran his company with an iron fist with a splash of sleazy methods to get his artists' contracts and sponsors. A typical sleazy old man. He had two daughters from two different women and many more children out of wedlock. He especially doted on Sunmei Zhang because she was the daughter of his first love and wife.

He had suggested to her to adopt a child who'll grow up with the kids and help with chores too. A live-in servant but cheaper because they wouldn't have to pay for her.

Hua's eyes hurt from crying so much and she just sat still in the car. Her ears picked up a little of what the couple said. Her heart sank to the bottom and she knew that they weren't as nice and kind as they made themselves to be.

Mrs. Zhang turned around and looked at Hua's face.

"Well, at least she's a bit pretty. Not as pretty as our Mingmei."

"Of course, our daughter is beautiful as you."

"Didn't the orphanage director say that she can't hear or speak? At least she will be quiet and not find out the family secrets."

"Exactly why I picked her. She also helps with the chores when she was at the orphanage so she's experienced."

Hua focused on the scenery outside as the buildings and houses started getting more complex and bigger as they left the little town, she lived in most of her life. She was leaving behind her town of Jiaju. The only place she knew.

The car drove for miles and miles and made a couple of stops. The couple went to eat but didn't buy her anything while she sat in the car. Hua mustered her strength and got out of the car.

She wanted to run away from the Zhangs. She got out of the car and looked around. Her bag was in the trunk. She tried to open the trunk but it was locked. Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind her and it was Mrs. Zhang who had come out to get her purse from the car.

Hua turned around to see who it was but was met with a slap across her face.

Mrs. Zhang looked at her with disgust, "Such a misbehaving child. Get inside and don't come out."

Hua was stunned but didn't cry. She looked at Mrs. Zhang and signed, "Bathroom, food."

"What? I don't understand your weird hand signs."

Hua went to the car and grabbed her notebook and wrote it down. Mrs. Zhang roughly grabbed the book and wrote back.

"Go to the store there and use the bathroom. Take this 10 yuan and get a bun from that food stall. Get inside the car and don't come out. If I come back and don't see you in the car, I'll call the cops on your little orphanage and tell him they are selling children."

Hua's heart lurched and she felt fear. She shook her head as if to say she won't run away.

"Hmph!"

Mrs. Zhang got her purse and walked back into the restaurant. Hua quickly went to the bathroom. She went over to the small food stall to buy one bun.

"Aww, you're such a cute child. Here, I'll give you one more bun."

The sweet grandmother who ran the stall gave her an extra bun. She kept that safely in her pocket for later. She had a feeling that this adoptive family will never care about her well-being.

After traveling for almost 6 hours, they finally arrived at the city. Hua spotted a sign that said, "Welcome to Suzhou."

It was a hundred times bigger than her small town of Jiaju. She wondered why people liked to live in cities. Many of her townspeople were older people whose younger children moved to the city. Much more traffic on the roads and everyone just seemed busy going somewhere.

Finally, the car made its way to an underground parking structure. The building was a high-rise building.

Mr. Zhang gestured for Hua to get out of the car. He opened the trunk and Hua grabbed her little duffle bag of everything she owned.

Hua thought of something and took off her necklace and put it inside her bag. She hesitantly walked behind the couple who entered the building's elevator. Hua looked around with curiosity and anxiety.

"Looks like she's been in an elevator before."

Mrs. Zhang looked at Hua with undisguised scorn, "I don't like this dirty thing to be in our house, Honey."

"I know, I know. Just bear with it. She can't even hear properly. She has no choice but to obey us and, she has nowhere to go."

They made their way to the apartment on the 14th floor, 1411. They rang the bell and the door opened in a few seconds.

"Daddy! Mommy!"

"Mingmei, oh my baby girl!"

Mr. Zhang grabbed his daughter and hoisted her up.

"What did you get me, Daddy?"

"I got you a new sister!"

Mingmei screamed in delight and looked around. She spotted Hua and froze.

"Eww, why is she so dirty!"

Mingmei was Zhang's spoiled mean daughter. She was a bully at her school and hated any girl who was remotely prettier than her. She had short shoulder-length hair, almond-shaped eyes, a chubby face, a big nose, and very thin lips. She looked very much like her father.

Hua didn't pay attention to her and just looked around trying to take in her surroundings. The apartment was bigger than the entire orphanage and quite lavishly decorated.

Walking in, she noticed a young boy playing video games on a very large TV.

Mr. Zhang grumbled, "The least you can do is greet your parents when they come home, Fang."

"It's okay, it's okay, don't get angry. He's going through the teenage blues now that he's 13. Let him be," Mrs. Zhang placated his anger.

"Okay, kids, go sit on the couch. Your mom and I have something to tell you."

Fang, 13, is tall for his age but shorter than her brother, Sheng. He looked exactly like Mrs. Zhang.

Hua stood awkwardly near the entrance of the living room looking at the family of four. The boy looked at Hua with disdainful eyes.

"Who's that?"

"That's what we have to talk to you about."

The two kids settled down on the couch staring at Hua. The couple sat down too and started in on the story of adopting Hua.

"I don't want a little sister! One annoying one is enough!" Fang muttered.

"Mom! Fang is being mean again!"

"Fang, stop talking nonsense."

"She's not your sister. Outside this house, if anyone asks, just say she's a distant cousin." Mr. Zhang said.

Mrs. Zhang looked at Hua with scorn, "Auntie Deng will help with cooking food till Li Hua can learn how to do everything."

Hua closed her eyes and tried not to cry. She must not show her weakness. She has to be strong. Her brother promised her that he would find her. She was going to live with that promise in mind from now on.

MAID. Her fate was sealed.

Written by Uner90 (R.R.)