She had barely slept. Every time her eyes closed, she saw Gu Xuelan's cold smile, heard her sharp voice hissing threats that coiled like snakes around her chest.
Her family's faces rose up after that, her mother's tired smile, her brother's wide-eyed excitement and the guilt strangled her.
By 4:30 a.m., she was sitting on the edge of her mat, braiding her hair with trembling hands. She slipped on her faded blouse, patched more times than she could count, and tucked the hem neatly into her skirt.
There was no time for breakfast; the last bowl of rice had gone to her brother the night before.
I have to get this job. I have to.
Her feet carried her through the empty streets, dew dampening the hem of her skirt as the city slowly stirred awake.
Vendors began lifting shutters, pushing carts, shouting greetings to one another. But Xiao Lian didn't stop, didn't let her mind wander.
By the time she reached the restaurant, the sky was only just beginning to blush with light.
