Serving the Meal for the First Time

"Yeah, in this heat, if the master can't handle the temperature, he'll fall ill. You fanned him with just the right strength; the young master's order was correct."

Mam let out a sigh, fussed with her collar scarf, and prepared to step out of the kitchen.

Thus, only Lua and Aunt Bay were left to manage the kitchen for the afternoon.

When it came time to serve the meal for the main house, Aunt Bay arranged each bowl and pair of chopsticks, then turned to look at her:

"You carry the tray today. I'll follow behind."

"Me...?"

"Who else but you? Whoever is free in the kitchen carries it. Mam is already on duty up there, so who else is left?"

She swallowed hard and nodded. Sliding her hands beneath the large wooden tray, she lifted it, taking slow steps as if carrying a ceremonial offering.

The sun outside was scorching, her footsteps echoing on the brick path leading to the main house.

The wooden door was slightly ajar. Inside, the light was dimmer and cooler, but no less suffocating.

Just as they reached the veranda, Aunt Bay reached out and gently pushed the door open.

She stepped inside, her eyes fixed on the floor, her hands tightly gripping the tray to keep it steady.

The master was already seated on the wooden platform near the window. Beside him, Nhat Khang was also present.

Still in his white shirt with neatly rolled sleeves, he sat with a straight back, his hand resting on the table, his gaze as still as stagnant water.

Lua did not raise her head. She stepped forward and placed the tray on the small table exactly where Mam had shown her.

Just as she withdrew her hands, the master's voice sounded slowly:

"Is this girl Lua?"

Aunt Bay answered from behind on her behalf:

"Yes, master, it is her. She is my biological niece, she has only been here for nearly two weeks."

Lua could clearly feel a gaze resting upon her—silent, motionless, but as sharp as a blade sweeping across the back of her neck.

She bowed her head even lower, her voice trembling slightly:

"Ye... yes, greetings, master... greetings, young master."

A second later, the master gave a grunt of acknowledgment, and Nhat Khang turned his face away.

Aunt Bay gave a slight nod, gesturing for her to withdraw.

She took three steps backward, turned, and left the room, the door closing behind her with a click.

Her heart was still pounding wildly in her chest.

That evening, everyone took turns bathing. With the summer heat blazing, everyone was exhausted after a day of laboring under the scorching sun.

Lua bathed last, the cool well water making her shiver.

She quickly scrubbed away the kitchen soot, splashed a few ladles of water over her hair, and hurriedly put on her nightshirt to go outside.

It was a simple white nightshirt made of thin, light fabric, almost translucent under the light of the oil lamp.

Because it was too hot, she and Mam, as usual, did not wear any undergarments beneath.

With Aunt Bay sleeping in the middle and Ty tucked away in the corner, the two girls felt safe.

Her hair was still wet, clinging in strands to her neck, dripping water onto her collar.