10 First Things Firs (1/2)
The knocking on her door came just past nine, like every other morning so far.
Also, like every other morning, a slightly familiar voice called from the outside of her bedroom, asking if she was feeling well enough to have breakfast with her elder sister and brother today.
As usual, Sam pretended not to listen a single word, barely moving from her place by the desk and simply waving a hand dismissively in Ah Mei's direction. The message was clear.
'Just say I can't and make them go away'.
Ah Mei was not a Lady's Maid. She had never been trained, nor did she know the codes and behavior protocols that were expected. However, since Wu Xiaojie had been, eh, dragged back to the Jiang Manor and decided not to meet anyone, she had been slowly assuming the tasks of her personal maid.
The poor girl wasn't familiar enough with her mistress ”new personality”, nor did she have the guts yet to try and change her mind, like other might do. So, instead of reminding Sam that she couldn't keep her family away for much longer and that postponing their meeting would just feed all the talking and gossiping going around, she simply curtseyed, walked out of the room to the large visiting area and explained – once again – to a very uneasy Third Young Miss that her sister wasn't feeling well enough that morning to entertain.
She could almost see the indignation burning on Zi Zhu's eyes as she knocked the food tray on a nearby table and crossed her arms. The maid seemed about to vent some anger when Qing Shan stopped her.
”Zi Zhu, that's enough” she asked in a gentle tone ”I understand this is all very difficult to Yue'er right now. Remember what Doctor Li said, she might need some time to adapt”.
”Bu Miss, she is clearly looking down on you! Look how much miss already did for Wu Xiaojie... How can she be so ungrateful?”
Qing Shan sighed, closing her beautiful, dark eyes for a few seconds, as if trying to recollect herself. Just after the Doctor had confirmed Yue'er's amnesia, she and her uncle had sat down and talked for a long time, trying to decide what to do to ease the girls life and help her remember who she was.
On the first days, as she seemed adamant about not meeting anyone, they decided the best approach was giving her the most space they could, and then slowly start interacting again. Maybe doing things she used to like together, eating her favorite food...
It had been five days ago. Now, they understood that the idea that seemed so good on theory was met with unforeseen problema: Ying Yue's unwillingness to meet them.
'Forget it' she told herself yet again, trying not to feel completely disheartened 'I just have to come back tomorrow. Maybe she will want to see me then'. Out loud she said:
”Zi Zhu, we are living”.
”But, Xiaojie...”.
”Go back first” she interrupted her, giving Zi Zhu a stern look ”tell my brother I'll meet him soon”. She waited until her unwilling maid be some distance away before turning once again to a very fidgety Li Mei.
”You are Li Mei, right?” Qing Shan asked ”the girl that used to kelp with the knitting?”
Li Mei lowered her head, answering in such a small voice she herself could barely hear it.
”Actually, I'm happy there's someone beside Yue'er” the third miss continued to a bewildered Ah Mei.
'Ah?! She is not going to send me back to be a knitting maid?!' she thought in amazement 'This miss is really kind'.
”Since she woke up we're all so worried for her... She seems to not want any of us close, so we can't do much to help her”.
”San Xiaojie, Wu Xiaojie is just a little confused” Ah Mei said quickly, trying to comfort the sweet looking girl ”Miss has been a bit down this last few days, but she is definitely recovering. Xiaojie, just bear with it for a bit longer, Wu Xiaojie will certainly come around”.
Qing Shan breathed deeply in sign of relief, her smile brightening a bit while looking at the young maid.
”I know nothing will happen to her, and still I worry” she said in a self deprecating way ”Ah Mei, if anything happens to my sister, if she need anything... Just ask Zi Zhu directly, so that I can help you”.
Ah Mei bowed again.
”This servant understands. This servant will not disappoint you”.
Qing Shan nodded lightly, giving one last look at the closed door before finally turning to leave.
'Yue'er, please don't have me anymore... Your sister is sorry'.
Once back inside the room, Ah Mei walked straight to Sam's side, looking at her with an annoyed expression.
”Did they leave already?” Sam asked in a matter-of-factly voice.
”San Xiaojie just left” she confirmed, adding ”She seemed very sad”.
Sam lifted her head. ”Sad?” she asked, a deep frown marring her white skin. ”Why would she be sad?”
”Xiaojie, third miss loves you very much!” she said, a bit exasperated ”She was worried for your health”.
”Well... I'm completely fine” she retorted, still a bit confused ”Was she really that bad because of me?”.
It was never her intention to hurt anyone. Sam actually felt a bit of sympathy for Qing Shan. She remember from those days she stayed in a coma that the girl used to talk and even play to her. At the same time, Sam simply didn't know how to face those people!
She still remembered with painful clarity the look on Ah Mei's face the first time she saw her eating. It seemed like her eyes could fall out at any moment. And then, when she asked for a fork and knife instead of those hellish hashis...
Ah, disastrous!
If she couldn't even manage a meal, imagine being expected to interact and talk with her supposed family?! They might end up committing her!
So she decided to stall. It was just a temporary fix, just till she could put her head in order and learn a bit about that place she had landed without parachutes.
”If it is like this... Maybe I should eat with them tomorrow” she decided, going back to what she had been doing all morning.
Ah Mei followed her moves with curiosity.
”Eh?!” she exclaimed, coming closer to the desk ”Xiaojie... What exactly are those?” the maid asked, her eyes examining the careful, if a bit blotched, lines of words Sam had written on a piece of thin paper.