The Vigilant Housekeeper

Sun Mei was awakened by the sound of the vacuum cleaner. Startled, she got out of bed hurriedly. She was ready to rush out and clean the mirror Mrs. Lin had complained about, when she suddenly realized where she was.

She had moved to Mr. Wu's mansion the previous night.

Sun Mei walked to the door tentatively and opened it. The vacuuming sound was coming from the ground floor. As she slowly moved down the stairs, she saw a middle-aged woman cleaning the downstairs carpet. Although she could only see the woman's bent-over back, she could tell by her movements that she was way older than both her and Mr. Wu.

Sun Mei cleared her throat politely, ready to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm…"

Before she could get her own name out, the woman turned around and screamed in fright. She quickly dropped the vacuum and yelled, "Who are you?"

"I am…"

"I've told Mr. Wu that his security system is weak!" the woman stepped back and picked up the vacuum again. This time, she brandished it like a weapon. "Stay back, or I'll hurt you! I have a vacuum and I know how to use it!"

"You sure do." Sun Mei retreated a little and tried to explain. It was obvious that Mr. Wu had forgotten to mention her presence to his housekeeper. "My name is…"

"You will tell your name to the police, you little thief!"

"I'm not a thief!" Sun Mei said loudly. "Mr. Wu brought me here!"

The housekeeper suddenly laughed as if she had heard the best joke in the world. "Mr. Wu doesn't bring women here! The last woman that entered this house was his daughter four years ago! That man wouldn't go on a date to save his life!"

Sun Mei blushed. "There has been a misunderstanding. I didn't break in here. Look, I'm wearing the guest pajamas!"

"You stole the guest pajamas?" the woman cried out.

"I didn't steal them. Mr. Wu said I could wear them!"

The housekeeper looked at her suspiciously. "You expect me to believe that? I iron these pajamas every week. No one has ever worn them!"

"Well, someone finally did!"

"What are you two shouting about?" asked a confused male voice.

Sun Mei and the housekeeper turned towards the main door, where Mr. Wu was standing completely perplexed. He was wearing a casual suit and holding a black leather briefcase. Sun Mei thought that he looked even better in broad daylight. He definitely looked younger than thirty two years old.

"Sir, this lying thief says that she is your guest," said the housekeeper immediately. "I told her you don't bring female guests home. I know some monks who bring home more female guests than you!"

Mr. Wu slapped his palm against his face. "Oversharing, Vivian!"

Sun Mei noticed that his face was blushing beneath his palm.

"This is Sun Mei. She is Lily's new nanny," Mr. Wu explained after a few moments. "Sun Mei, this is Vivian. She has worked for me for years. She is usually nicer than this."

Vivian looked at Sun Mei apologetically. "Sorry for threatening you with the vacuum."

"No worries," Sun Mei said quickly, eager to put this behind her.

"Sir, where is Lily?" asked Vivian out of the blue.

Mr. Wu smiled. "I came here early to get Sun Mei so we can go pick her up from school together and go shopping. I told Lily this morning that we were going shopping with someone she would really like."

Vivian looked like she did not find his plan a good idea but did not comment.

Mr. Wu turned to Sun Mei. "We can go whenever you are ready."