The Seventh Orange

Early morning, and the sun was already high outside the window. Inside, Shen Qiancheng groggily opened her eyes. When she reached out, the space beside her was already cold.

Where was Liao Xue?

Even with three layers of padding over the hard wooden bed board, Shen Qiancheng pushed herself up, still aching all over from a restless sleep. Two days had passed, and she still couldn't get used to it.

Frowning, she rubbed her stiff neck and slowly made her way to the outdoor washbasin.

It wasn't much of a washbasin—just a pool built from cement blocks, weathered by years of rain until it matched the color of ink jade. Her toothbrush and toothpaste sat on the windowsill.

Behind her stretched the azure sky and fluffy white clouds. Shen Qiancheng stretched, picked up her toothpaste, and was about to squeeze some onto her brush when she noticed it was already applied—a pea-sized amount, not her usual habit.

Suspicious, she brushed her teeth and then bent down to wash her face. She noticed a large metal thermos. When she opened it, a wave of warmth hit her palm.

Hot water?

Under the stand was the basin she'd bought at the village store yesterday. Shen Qiancheng poured the hot water into it and mixed in some cold. Washing her face with warm water was far more comfortable than cold.

She reached up and grabbed a fresh towel—also one she'd bought at the store yesterday.

After washing up, she took the new comb from the windowsill and ran it through her hair.

The village store only had fine-toothed combs, which weren't suited for her dyed, cut, and permed hair.

After a few strokes, she gave up and tied her hair back.

Liao Family Village had nothing. Her hair was visibly dry and splitting.

Once she finished washing up, Shen Qiancheng headed for the dining room out of habit. But glancing back, she spotted Liao Xue walking through the vegetable patch, holding a hose. The village chief stood outside the patch, hands clasped behind his back.

"Xiao Xue, can't you see these are withered? Give them more water," the village chief coached from the sidelines.

The terrain of the vegetable patch was uneven, so flooding wouldn't reach some spots and would waste water.

Liao Xue's shoes sank into the mud as she trudged back and forth, unable to tell whether she was stepping on manure or soil. When she spotted the cucumber seedlings with yellow leaves, she brought the hose over. But before she could aim it at the roots, a sharp shout rang out.

"Liao Xue, what do you think you're doing?!"

Shen Qiancheng stormed over, outrage written across her face as she glared at Liao Xue.

Liao Xue held the hose, bewildered.

The village chief forced a laugh. "Xiao Xue's just being kind-hearted, helping me water the crops."

Shen Qiancheng called him out. "You're taking advantage of her good temper. Liao Xue, stop this right now."

Liao Xue stood frozen, unsure what to do. Shen Qiancheng took a deep breath. "Liao Xue, you're my personal assistant, not a field hand. I woke up this morning and you weren't there—that's already a failure in your duties."

Failure?

Liao Xue was rooted to the spot. She dropped the hose and shook her head frantically, terrified that Shen Qiancheng would fire her a second too late.

"No, it's not..."

Liao Xue's flustered panic pleased Shen Qiancheng. She always enjoyed teasing people, savoring Liao Xue's expressions.

"Since it's your first offense, I'll let it slide this time." Shen Qiancheng crossed her arms and looked down at Liao Xue with a displeased tone. "Don't let me catch you a second time."

"It was too late last night, so I'll lay down the rules for you now."

"You're my personal assistant, and you don't need to do anything except what I tell you to do."

"First, you must stay under my watch at all times. Second, you only take orders from me. Third, you're responsible for washing my clothes and cooking my meals—nothing for anyone else."

The phrase "only me" was repeated with heavy emphasis. As Shen Qiancheng spoke, she fixed her gaze on the village chief, who scratched the back of his head and grumbled inwardly that Miss Shen was too petty—what was the harm in watering a few vegetables?

"I... I understand."

Shen Qiancheng ordered, "Put the hose down."

Liao Xue complied, turning off the water and placing the hose into the village chief's hands, then apologizing softly, "Sorry about that, Village Chief."

The village chief patted Liao Xue's shoulder as he took it. "No worries, no worries. Just do your best working for Miss Shen."

Shen Qiancheng narrowed her eyes, displeasure flickering in them as she stared at Liao Xue. "Liao Xue, come here."

Hearing this, Liao Xue looked like a puppy that had snuck out to play all day only to be caught by its returning owner—eyes wide and pitiful as she walked toward Shen Qiancheng.

How did Liao Xue's eyes get so round? They were watery and glistening, like a puppy's.

Shen Qiancheng clicked her tongue, annoyed at Liao Xue's slow pace. She grabbed Liao Xue's arm, and the skin beneath the fabric trembled. She heard Liao Xue's sharp intake of breath, which reminded her that Liao Xue still bore wounds from Mother Liao's beating.

Reluctantly, Shen Qiancheng shifted to take Liao Xue's hand instead. "I'm hungry. Go make breakfast."

Holding hands?

Liao Xue stared in shock at their intertwined fingers, unable to bring herself to pull away.

Sensing Liao Xue's stiffness, Shen Qiancheng asked impatiently, "What now?"

Liao Xue managed to speak. "Miss Shen, I haven't washed my hands. I was holding mud just now."

Shen Qiancheng looked incredulous. "Mud... from the vegetable patch?!"

Liao Xue nodded, confused but certain.

Aaaaaah!

Watching Shen Qiancheng nearly flee, Liao Xue thought bitterly to herself.

Does she still look down on me?

The kitchen had only a single gas stove, and the pot on it was clean. Liao Xue tied on an apron and deftly cracked eggs, the pale yolks and clear whites blending together under her chopsticks.

She heated oil in the pan, added the eggs, and turned down the flame. The eggs slowly set into shape, and a mouthwatering aroma filled the kitchen.

Drawn by the smell, Shen Qiancheng asked, "Fried eggs?"

Liao Xue flipped the fried egg and explained, "Pan-fried eggs for the broth. Would noodles be okay?"

Shen Qiancheng remembered that bowl of perfectly seasoned noodles from last night. A craving stirred deep within her, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes."

The kitchen had no exhaust fan, so it was filled with smoke and the smell of oil. Shen Qiancheng stood in the doorway, watching Liao Xue cook the noodles. On the cutting board lay two bright green, freshly washed cucumbers.

Shen Qiancheng's eyebrows shot up. "Where did those cucumbers come from?"

"Picked fresh this morning," Liao Xue said, holding one up to show Shen Qiancheng its straight, verdant form.

Shen Qiancheng didn't care about freshness. The noodles were so delicious—adding vegetables from that muddy patch would be a waste.

"No cucumbers."

Liao Xue was puzzled. "They're sweet, crisp, and full of water."

Shen Qiancheng said firmly, "Second, you only take orders from me."

She raised an eyebrow. "And you're not allowed to eat them either!"

Liao Xue reluctantly nodded and put the cucumbers in the cupboard.

The fried egg was fully set. Liao Xue added half a pot of water, and the egg floated on the surface like a little boat.

When the water boiled, Liao Xue turned to get the noodles, but Shen Qiancheng was already gone from the doorway.

The village chief finished watering the patch and turned around to find Shen Qiancheng standing behind him, making him startle backward.

"Miss Shen?"

Shen Qiancheng got straight to the point. "Liao Xue is my personal assistant now. If I see you making her do this or that again, I can't promise what might happen."

Whether the project would take off determined whether the village chief could profit from it, so he naturally obeyed Shen Qiancheng.

With that, Shen Qiancheng turned to leave but saw Liao Xue carrying a bowl toward their room. She added, "I mean what I say. After breakfast, I'm going to the village committee."

Liao Xue, who had gone out to find Shen Qiancheng missing from the room, spotted Shen Qiancheng coming back and greeted her.

"Are the noodles done?"

Liao Xue nodded and held the door open for Shen Qiancheng.

Shen Qiancheng entered and sat at the crude table. The golden fried egg rested atop the noodles. She took a gentle bite—the fragrance of egg and oil burst on her tongue, so delicious she could have devoured her own mouth.

She lifted the noodles; they were smooth and delicate, just like last night.

Shen Qiancheng drank the last of the broth, her stomach finally satisfied, and couldn't help saying, "Liao Xue, you really are a good cook. Ever thought about becoming a chef?"

Seeing Shen Qiancheng polish off the entire bowl, Liao Xue's lips curved up, and her heart swelled with joy.

"I want to study."

Study?

Shen Qiancheng remembered what the village gossip had said—that Liao Xue had dropped out of school. In that instant, she felt something inexplicable grip her heart. She hadn't truly come here to build a school.

No one spoke, and an awkward silence hung in the air.

"Once the school is built, everyone can attend."

The village chief pushed the door open, chuckling. "The village is preparing the materials, but some need approval from higher-ups."

In other words, Shen Qiancheng didn't need to go to the village committee for now. There was nothing important for her to do in the meantime.

Shen Qiancheng welcomed the quiet. She was already looking for excuses to hide the fact that she wasn't really an investor.

She nodded. "Alright, got it."

That morning, Shen Qiancheng had Liao Xue wash her dirty clothes, then they had lunch—Liao Xue cooked scrambled eggs with tomatoes and a dish of eggplant and green beans.

Shen Qiancheng ate an extra steamed bun, feeling like she'd finally come back to life.

The day was sunny, and the clothes dried by afternoon. Shen Qiancheng put her hands on her hips and told Liao Xue to bring them inside.

Looking at the clothes Xiao Sui had packed, Shen Qiancheng pictured Liao Xue's matchstick-thin frame and knew none of them would fit. Whatever Liao Xue wore, she'd look like a child playing dress-up in her older sister's clothes.

After washing the dishes, Liao Xue thought of the rules Shen Qiancheng had set and hurried back to the room.

The moment she stepped inside, she saw a bed covered in beautiful clothes, with Shen Qiancheng standing before it, chin in hand, looking torn.

Liao Xue mustered her courage and pointed at a dress. "This one is pretty."

A voice came from behind her. Startled, Shen Qiancheng turned to see Liao Xue, wet fingers extended, pointing at a white dress.

It was the one she'd worn the first time Shen Qiancheng saw her.

This one... what brand was it?

Shen Qiancheng couldn't be bothered to think. She picked up the dress and was about to toss it to Liao Xue, but then noticed the water and grease stains on Liao Xue's clothes. She frowned. "Go shower first."

Liao Xue said, "I'll do it tonight—"

Shen Qiancheng glared at her, anger flickering in her eyes.

"Second, you only take orders from me."

Liao Xue conceded and got up to leave.

"Wait, change into the pajamas before you come out."

Liao Xue lowered her head and said, "Oh."

Ten minutes later, Liao Xue emerged wearing Shen Qiancheng's pajamas.

Shen Qiancheng tossed the white dress at her and lifted her chin. "Change into it."