Mang stood mute in the doorway. Mei voicelessly accepted the money that pained her. She too was mute.
Sang went inside the house, presently came out with the little girl in her arms, stared at Mang fi ercely, and said, “The boy prefers to stay here with the other boys. Make sure you bring him home safely.” Sang paused at a point, turned away, but turned back after a few steps. A harsh mutter of discontent suddenly fell from her lips like mad. “Now what? Where is my face? You ruined it. You made me barely able to face my parents. You faceless bastard. How dare you embarrass me over and over like that.” The word “bastard” became a curse. Mei believed there would be a few more curses muttered into the distance.