Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
She stopped and entered.
It was a boutique. The notice says it was recruiting. She was not sure if she could do it; she had never sold anything. Yet, she was willing to work hard.
“Are you here to buy something?” The boss asked curiously as he looked up and saw a woman shivering in the cold. There was no clothing for sale, except for a few trinkets.
“May I know if you are recruiting?” she asked cautiously, hoping that he would not reject her. She did not have the slightest idea about what she should do next, and she was cold and hungry.
“Are you looking for a job?” The boss gave her a once-over. She didn’t look well, but she had nice features. “We don’t pay much here. Are you sure you are interested?” he asked again. He wondered if a pretty woman like her would accept it.
Xia Ruoxin shook her head quickly. “No, no. I don’t mind.” How could she reject anything in her current state? She only needed a place to stay and keep herself from hunger. She could go without food, but her child couldn’t.
“All right then. You…” Before he could finish, they heard loud footsteps, followed by a woman’s voice in rage.
“No, I forbade it. How could such a woman stay?” The woman ran in front of the man in a hurry and shoved Xia Ruoxin. She glared at the man. “Where are your eyes? Don’t you recognize her? She is that Xia Ruoxin. The slut who was caught committing adultery. Look at her clothing; it was obvious she was the one. Who would wear such little clothes in this cold weather?”
The woman finished speaking while the man ran his hand into his hair awkwardly, before giving Xia Ruoxin a serious look. This time, his eyes were filled with despise.
“Go. Leave. We are not hiring.”
Xia Ruoxin bit her greenish lips, lowering her eyelashes helplessly. She then turned around and walked away.
It wasn’t because she didn’t want to wear any clothes. She wanted to—she was also feeling cold. She did not have much. In fact, she had none.
She cowered in the corner and rubbed her hands constantly. She could feel her hunger for it has been a day since she last ate. Those who knew her avoided her like the plague. No one wanted to help her. Everyone thought she was cheap, and she deserved it.
She had no way out.
Not until she looked up and saw a child stared at her with curiosity. Such pure and naive eyes, it made one ached.
“Auntie, are you hungry?” The child looked at her innocently without bias. He produced a small bun from his back and put it in her hand.
“Auntie, this is for you.” He scratched his head after talking before he ran out to hug a woman’s thigh.
The woman rubbed the boy’s head gently, her face smiling. It was moving: a smile filled with goodwill and a kind nod. It was warmer than the sun in the spring.
A child. She rested her hand upon her stomach. She had a child, too, and he would grow up to call her mom in the future.
She held the bun and started eating, mouth by mouth. She would survive without care from others or being liked. She wanted to live, no matter how tough life is. For her child.
No one liked them; she would. No one loved them; she would.
After finishing the bun, she stood up again. Her condition might have been bad—her image worse, but her back was straightened. She wouldn’t go down easily again. For her child, she must persevere.
If one employer rejected her, she would find a second one, a third, or a fourth.
