A Complication

The next day, they made an appointment with Sun Mei's agency. A representative arrived in the afternoon to bring the new contract and talk with them.

It was a chubby woman in her forties with big glasses. Mr. Wu invited her into the living room, where they sat comfortably while Vivian kept an eye on Lily upstairs.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Wu. I am Lucy Jordan."

"Pleasure, Ms. Jordan."

Sun Mei had seen Ms. Jordan twice before, during the monthly au pair meetings. However, she had been so eager to spend time with other au pairs and hear about their everyday problems and share hers that she had not spoken to the lady very much.

"Nice to see you again, Sun Mei. I didn't know that you were looking for a new family," Ms. Jordan said neutrally.

"I was not," Sun Mei said quickly. "I met Mr. Wu by accident."

"Quite literally," Mr. Wu added with a smile.

"Is that so?" Ms. Jordan smiled politely. "Well, I am afraid I have to inform Mr. Wu that Mrs. Lin has not given you a glowing recommendation."

Sun Mei smiled bitterly and shifted on the couch. "I can't say I am surprised," she muttered.

"Actually, I am surprised," Mr. Wu suddenly said. "I am surprised your agency was not aware that this woman was taking advantage of Sun Mei. How closely do you really monitor your au pairs' working conditions?"

Ms. Jordan's entire demeanor immediately changed completely. She assumed a defensive stance as she said, "We monitor the au pairs and host families as closely as we can. However, we do not actually live with them. If Sun Mei did not file an official complaint, our company bears no responsibility for not taking any action."

"I see," said Mr. Wu coldly.

He looked exactly the same way he had right before he had threatened those shop assistants.

"Do you still want to hire Sun Mei, despite Mrs. Lin's discouraging recommendation?" asked Ms. Jordan.

Sun Mei did not know why, but she felt nervous for a moment. Mr. Wu's reply calmed her down instantly.

"Of course I do," he said immediately.

"Then here is the paperwork you need to fill in." Ms. Jordan handed a stack of papers over to Mr. Wu, who started filling the forms right away.

"Sun Mei currently has a one-year visa. She has worked for the Lins for two months, so she will only be able to work for you for ten months before her visa expires and she has to return to China," Ms. Jordan informed them. "Will that be a problem?"

"No, it's fine," said Mr. Wu without looking up from the papers.

"Are you your daughter's only guardian?" the woman asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"No," Mr. Wu said with a sigh. "Her mother is also her guardian." He seemed very reluctant to admit that.

"Oh…" Ms. Jordan hesitated for dramatic effect. "I am afraid that her mother will also have to sign those forms."

Mr. Wu looked up angrily. "Will that really be necessary? Lily is living with me."

"That doesn't matter. Her mother's consent is still mandatory. You can keep the papers and send them to me when they have been signed by both of you," Ms. Jordan concluded with a smile.