The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

The mother and daughter seemed to have received a pardon, or as if they were being lifted up by an invisible force. They stood up shakily, supporting each other, but their heads were lowered even further, and they only dared to stare at the small tile under their feet.

Zhang Kui stepped forward at the opportune moment, a perfectly timed smile spreading across his face, his voice carrying a hint of relief as if he had accomplished his task:

"Chief, this is Xiao Fuzi and her daughter. They've been tidied up as you instructed."

Liu Jiaxiang's gaze fell on the mother and daughter again, and his scrutinizing look made them feel like they had needles in their backs.

He remained silent for a moment, as if confirming something, before slowly speaking, his tone still flat and even:

"Zhang Kui has already told you why I sent you here, hasn't he?"

Xiao Fuzi nodded vigorously, as if afraid of angering the person in front of her if she was even a step too slow, her voice urgent and soft:

"Replying to...Replying to your Excellency...Officer Zhang has...has told...has told..."

She was so nervous that she was speechless.

Wang Xiue quickly nodded in agreement, her lips trembling as she added:

"Yes...yes...Officer Zhang explained it...clearly...we, mother and daughter...will definitely...definitely be diligent and dutiful...to serve you well...we will never be lazy...we will never make the slightest mistake..."

She used all her strength to finish saying those words, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead.

Liu Jiaxiang nodded slightly, seemingly expecting this answer.

His fingers tapped lightly twice unconsciously on the smooth edge of the octagonal table, making a soft tapping sound, as if he were calculating something.

Then, looking at the mother and daughter's emaciated figures, as thin as withered branches in winter, he spoke, his voice still flat and monotone:

"You two, mother and daughter, are you sure you don't have a problem earning three yuan a month?"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, unexpectedly exploding in the still, lifeless hearts of the mother and daughter.

Three silver dollars.

One month.

Xiao Fuzi suddenly raised her head, her eyes, which appeared unusually large due to her thinness, filled with disbelief and astonishment. Her pupils dilated instantly as she stared intently at Liu Jiaxiang.

She wondered if her ears had been damaged by the cold and she was hallucinating.

Three silver dollars a month? This... how is that possible? Her father, Erqiangzi, worked himself to the bone pulling a rickshaw, and even on a good month, he couldn't earn three silver dollars!

The mother and daughter were just here to work as maids and servants, begging to be taken in to survive. How... how could they be paid?

The immense shock left her mind blank; her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Wang Xiu'e's reaction was more direct.

Her body swayed violently, and her already sallow face instantly lost all color, turning ashen. A light of almost ecstatic elation first burst forth in her cloudy eyes, then they were overwhelmed by immense fear and disbelief, as if she had heard some unbelievable fantasy and was about to be crushed by this enormous "gift."

The mother and daughter's stunned and dumbfounded expressions made the air in the main room freeze instantly.

Looking at the ghostly expressions on their faces, Liu Jiaxiang's brows furrowed slightly, and his fingers, which had been tapping the edge of the table, stopped.

He leaned back in the wide armchair, a hint of coldness creeping into his voice:

"What, you think it's not enough?"

These four simple words were like ice water poured over their heads, instantly waking the mother and daughter from their shock and fear.

"No! No! I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't dare!"

Wang Xiue snapped back to reality as if pricked by a needle. Her voice became sharp and shrill due to extreme fear and urgency. She fell to her knees with a thud, her knees hitting the blue brick floor with a dull thud. Her body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

"Director, please have mercy! You took us in... it's such a huge kindness... you gave us food... a shelter from the wind and rain... we... we are so grateful... we'll do anything to repay you... how... how dare you mention... mention wages... you're making us feel terrible... you're making us feel terrible, Director!" She said, while kowtowing again.

Xiao Fuzi was also terrified. She knelt down with her mother, grabbing her arm tightly, afraid that if she kowtowed again, she would anger the director. Her voice was trembling with tears and panic.

"Chief...we...we don't want wages...we really don't want them...we just need food to eat...please...please don't be angry..."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.

Liu Jiaxiang looked at the mother and daughter trembling on the ground, incoherent, his brows not relaxed, but the coldness in his eyes seemed to dissipate a little.

He remained silent for a few moments before slowly speaking, his voice still steady, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"The emperor doesn't need starving soldiers. Here, take it."

His gaze swept over their emaciated figures again. "Look at you two, so thin you're practically skin and bones. When we come back to this house with guests, you'll laugh at me for being harsh on the servants."

"Once you have your wages, take good care of your health."

He paused, as if feeling the need to clarify, and continued, his tone now more serious:

"From now on, when you welcome or see off guests in this house, you will be representing my face."

"Be 'neither humble nor arrogant,' and 'be poised and confident.' Understand?"

"Neither humble nor arrogant," "Generous and poised."

These two literary words struck Xiao Fuzi and Wang Xiue like two heavy stones into their confused minds. They knelt on the ground, raising their heads blankly, their faces still streaked with tears and fear, their eyes utterly empty and bewildered.

Looking at the bewildered and helpless expressions on the faces of the mother and daughter, Liu Jiaxiang instantly understood, followed by a self-deprecating sigh.

I was so confused. This was Beijing in the early years of the Republic of China, a time when illiteracy was rampant. For poor people like them, struggling at the very bottom of society, it was a miracle they even survived. They probably couldn't even write their own names, let alone understand these elegant words and phrases.

Talking to them about these things is like casting pearls before swine.

Expecting them to figure it out on their own will only lead to countless embarrassing situations and needlessly damage their own reputation.

He picked up the covered bowl beside him, took a sip of the slightly cool tea, suppressed the pointless emotions in his heart, and turned his gaze to Zhang Kui, who had been standing respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides and a respectful smile on his face.

"Zhang Kui".

Liu Jiaxiang's voice returned to its usual calm.

"Yes, Director."

Zhang Kui immediately took a small step forward, straightening his back.

"Go to the brokerage firm later."

Liu Jiaxiang put down his teacup and tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"Find me a nanny who understands the etiquette of the Qing Dynasty. Preferably one who has served in the residences of princes or nobles. Have one come over."

His gaze swept over the mother and daughter who were still terrified and bewildered on the ground.

"Give them a lesson, teach them manners and etiquette. There must be proper etiquette inside and outside this house."