5
April 20—Girl 250
April 21—Salt Fish, 60 lbs., at 10c 6
Total: $273
Received Payment
Loo Chee
—Bill of sale for nine-year-old Chinese girl
printed in the San Francisco Call, 1898
1903
The birds were quiet this morning as Mei Lien unpicked the row of stitches she had just completed. Silence always unsettled her since she didn’t know what was going on, what to anticipate. She relied on sound in this house. Footsteps told her that someone was coming. Voices clued her into the mood of Ah-Peen Oie. Clattering pots and plates told her everyone would eat that day.
Mei Lien’s gaze cut to the recent gifts sent by Huan Sun. A small, framed watercolor of a pagoda. A set of lucky stone frogs. Another lotus plant, since the original one could not be rescued. Huan Sun had been kinder than Mei Lien had ever expected a man who was visiting a brothel to be. When they had finally shared a bed, his tenderness had made her wonder if he had sincere feelings for her. She had quickly dashed those thoughts away, though. If she couldn’t protect her body or mind, then she could at least protect her heart.
Huan Sun would visit her tonight after the banquet. Ah-Peen Oie had forbidden Mei Lien from attending banquets when Zhang Wei was in town, which included tonight.
Mei Lien was grateful. She knew all men weren’t kind as Huan Sun. She’d heard plenty through the walls and doors of the house over the past three months to understand that she had been somehow blessed with a reprieve. At least until tomorrow.
Huan Sun’s contract would run out, and he would not be expected to renew. In fact, it would be highly unusual. Would another man contract long-term with Mei Lien, or would she serve as a one-night girl? The shudder that rippled through her body made her miss the next stitch. Mei Lien unpicked the stitch, then surveyed the embroidered pillowcase she was making for Huan Sun. A farewell gift.
The thought of saying good-bye to him should not make her cry, but despite her resolve, a tear slipped out. She was a woman of the night, and here she was, crying over a man who paid to spend time with her.
She did not love him. Could not love him. Mei Lien knew that the opium she took every day had altered any logical thoughts. She began each day resolving to not take any opium, but by the afternoon, she gave into the craving.
The knock at her door startled her, and Mei Lien set aside the embroidery. She crossed to the door and opened it only to find Huan Sun on the other side. It should have brought her happiness, but his eyes were somber, his mouth unsmiling.
“Oh. You are . . . here?” she said.
Huan Sun stepped inside the room with a nod, and Mei Lien shut and locked the door. When she turned to him, she found him standing before the grated window, pulling aside the drape. He gazed out at the fading light.
Mei Lien waited a few moments for him to speak, but when he said nothing, she asked, “Did you close your shop early?”
He shook his head. “Someone robbed the store last night. Took all my savings.”
Mei Lien gasped. “All?”
“I can salvage the goods and the fabrics, at least.” Huan Sun looked over at her. “But I have nothing . . . for you.”
“I don’t care,” she said in a rush. “Take your gifts back. Perhaps you can sell them.”
Huan Sun’s brows shifted. “I don’t want to take the gifts back.”
“You don’t?”
He crossed to her then and took her small hands in his larger ones. “I cannot pay for another quarter with you. Not even another night. Not until I can recover my business.”
She looked deep into his eyes. That was what he was worried about? Her?
“You do not have to pay.” She hadn’t intended to make that offer, but she was more afraid of which man might claim her next.
His gaze showed only sadness. “Ah-Peen Oie would never allow that.”
Mei Lien knew this. Of course she knew this. She looked away from Huan Sun because a crack had started growing in her heart, spreading fast.
“I am sorry,” Huan Sun said in a tender voice.
Mei Lien nodded, unable to speak. Her throat burned with threatening emotion. Today might be the last time she ever saw Huan Sun.
“I am sorry too,” she said at last.
Huan Sun’s smile was gentle, sad. He cupped her face with both hands, then leaned forward and