All around , passersby whispered yet again amongst themselves . One woman in a silk white dress hissed to her bald , plump husband , " That Chink is obviously crazy . Mental , even . Best to stay away from her and Chinks in general ."
Tears flooded down Mei-An ' s cheeks as she sprinted home in record time . She was always discriminated against in public places , but this was by far the worst ever . Chink . That was a very common and rude name for Chinese in the American and English concession .
" Mei-An ! What happened ? Are you okay ?" was the first thing Mei-An heard when she darted through the back door into the house . It was Jasmine . Mei-An slammed the door and burst into tears . " They ... They ... I ' m ...." She was too choked up to speak . Just then , Mrs . Reese came hurriedly with Lian . " Are you okay , Mei-An ? I heard cries ," exclaimed Mrs .
Reese . " Mei-An ! What ' s the matter !?" asked Lian in Mandarin . " I am fine , thank you , Madam Reese ; I was teased again today in the market ,” sobbed Mei-An in English and Mandarin , respectively . " She say she was tease market today ," Lian translated in chopped-up English . Luckily , they had worked for the Reeses long enough so Mrs . Reese knew what Lian was talking about .
" Again ?" she sighed .
20 minutes later , Mei-An was sitting on the snakeskin couch sipping hot tea , accompanied by Jasmine , Mrs . Reese , and Lian . The latter dabbed at Mei-An ' s still-wet cheeks , hurt flashing in her own eyes . " I go give mind piece ," she snapped angrily . " I ' ll accompany you ," declared Jasmine , scowling . " No !" Mei-An and Mrs . Reese exclaimed sharply . " But- ” " NO ! What if you are laughed at as well ? It would be a disgrace to the family . ‘ Lovers of Chinks ’, they will call us . Best not to appear as Chink-lovers , honey . Besides , do you know who it is ?” said Mrs . Reese . “ MOM !” Jasmine gasped , “ How could you ?” “ What ?” Mrs . Reese incredulously asked . “ You do not care about the Chinese ! You are just as cruel ,” replied Jasmine , “ I thought you understood .” Mei-An smiled gratefully at Jasmine . Sure , her life was not the most fortunate , but with Jasmine as her best friend , she would be happy .