***** Vol.2 Chap.51 Gathering information about the village *****

Sure enough, after dinner was served, May-Ling was summoned to the front and was asked to recount her adventures up the mountain. The men were quite rowdy.

At the beginning, the men would jest at everything that she said and made fun of her. But she would not get mad at them, but exercise more patience with them. At the end, she made jokes about herself and got the men laughing and rolling on the floor. Even the boss dropped the usual commanding façade and smiled.

When the storytelling time was all over, the men clapped and wanted her to tell more stories to them. She promised them she would tell them once a week some stories about her past and her patients. She glanced back at the boss, who nodded to her. As she was sent back to the kitchen, she sensed she had gained the trust of the men. She knew she was still being watched, but had been accepted by the men. Perhaps she would be given more freedom now to move freely around the compound.

“Well, that was quite a performance you’ve put on tonight.” Ah-Ming said when she was back in the kitchen.

“I was just following your advice and be as truthful as I can.”

“Well, you have certainly won over the men.”

“I hope to gain the trust of the men and the Boss.”

“The men are simple to win over, but no one has ever gained the trust of the boss completely.”

“Tell me about the boss?”

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“I really don’t know too much about the boss. He has been the boss ever since I came with one of the men.”

“Tell me your story, Ah-Ming?”

“Sometime, but not tonight. I am quite tired already.”

“OK.”

“Let’s get these dishes washed.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

After the kitchen chores were done, Ah-Ming again brewed some tea, and they both sat out in the front to enjoy the tea and the cool night air. The tea was soothing and the air was refreshing. As usual, Ah-Ching and Ah-Wen disappeared to socialize with the men.

“Ah-Ming, you said you came with one of the men?”

“I came with Ah-Jong about four years ago. He was killed in one of the fighting with the government troops last year.”

“Oh, I am so sorry.”

“Well, it happens.”

“The boss would not let you go back?”

“Of course not, besides I have nothing to go back to.”

“Oh, I am sorry. You don’t have any family left?”

“I had a younger brother, but we got separated when my parents died of the plague ten years ago. I do not know where he is now.”

“So sorry.”

“Don’t be. At least here, the boss respects me and the men leave me alone.”

“I see; that is good.”

“I have a good life here. I am sheltered. What more can a person asked for?”

“You are right.”

“The men may be rough, but they are not so bad. A few of them are a little excessive, but they leave me alone most of the time.”

“You know most of their stories?”

“Bits and pieces.”

“Well, you can tell me all about them.”

“Sometime.”

They paused and sipped their tea.

“Just a word of advice. Do what the Boss asks and you find that he is a reasonable man.”

“I see. I will remember that.”

“But forget about ever leaving this place.”

May-Ling wanted to say OK, but the words got stuck at his throat. She quickly nodded and pretended to take a sip of the tea.

“Some have tried?”

“Many have tried.”

“What happened to them?”

“Killed on sight.”

“Oh!” Again, the words stuck at her throat and she ended up with a croaking sound.

“The Boss always says: ‘Secrecy is the best defense.’ And he is paranoid about that.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“You better; otherwise, it is a life and death mistake. By the way, I found an old mat at the back. You can use that from now on.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“It is about that time to get ready for bed.”

“Yes, tomorrow comes very early. I will go to the back and get the mat.”