The Witch

When the song was over, Mr. Wu explained this option in greater detail. Apparently, Sun Mei could apply to stay in the US longer when she completed her year with Mr. Wu, provided that she completed it successfully.

"You also need to meet the educational requirements," he added. "Have you decided what classes you are going to take yet?"

"No." Sun Mei's face darkened a little. She had been putting off this decision because she found the fees too expensive. "I haven't saved up enough money yet," she said, feeling a little embarrassed to admit this.

"What about the 500 dollars that I will be giving you?" he asked in confusion.

"What are you talking about? What 500 dollars?"

"Host families are supposed to give au pairs 500 dollars for educational fees."

"What? I… I…" Sun Mei stuttered in shock. "I had no idea about that!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Lin never told you?"

Sun Mei rolled her eyes. "Mr. and Mrs. Lin did not even pay me unless I reminded them to."

"Seriously?" Mr. Wu suddenly looked enraged. It was a funny sight to see a grown man glare while wearing a Christmas sweater with reindeer on it.

"I did not know anything about this. I thought taking classes was kind of… optional. I mean, Mrs. Lin made it sound like it was a privilege that wasn't really a priority."

Mr. Wu laughed. "Of course it wasn't a priority for her! Maybe it's pointless to ask, but did she even mention that the agency won't book you a ticket back home if you don't meet the educational requirement?"

"Wait, why? What would I do then? Stay here illegally?"

"Oh no, you would definitely go home. You would just need to pay for the ticket out of your own pocket as a sort of penalty."

Sun Mei's mouth was hanging open by now. Before she said anything, she grabbed a glass of champagne from the buffet nearby and gulped it down in one go.

"Sorry for that," she said after taking a breath. "I just needed a little help to say what's on my mind."

Mr. Wu raised his eyebrows. "What's that?"

"Mrs. Lin is…"

"Yes?"

"I mean, there's no doubt that…"

"What?"

"That woman…"

"Yeah?"

"She's a witch!" Sun Mei yelled. "There, I said it! Mrs. Lin is an evil, cunning witch! I hated working for her and I've never felt more happy that I dropped that salad bowl on you than I feel right now!"

When Sun Mei was done speaking, she realized that the room was completely silent. The music must have stopped playing at some point during her outburst without her noticing, because everyone was currently staring at her in bemusement.

"Who's Mrs. Lin?" asked Veronica, who was the first to break the silence.

Yu Zan, who must also have heard, rushed over immediately.

"Oh, are we talking trash about Mrs. Lin? I have so many stories!"

"Do you now?" Mr. Wu asked her with a smile.

"Actually, I have one too," said a quiet voice.

Everyone turned and saw Parken Qin step forward timidly. "That woman asked me to illustrate a book for her kids a few months ago. She never paid me a penny!"