Jiang Orphanage was an old mansion owned by the retired general Mo Jian.
This information was triggered by Jia who showed Anna around. Mo Jian was a legend, one of the seven Martial Masters in the world.
Jia didn't say it but Qing Anna could vividly recall the memories of this world's Song Anna (she decided to dub her Princess Anna and refer to her original self as Grammy Anna) who would listen to her tutor gush non-stop about him.
But most importantly there was something she couldn't overlook, and it was the children he raised being groomed into tools of war, it was ironic considering she had joined a gang from young age, but it was because of it she felt so.
One would think the Orphanage to be a gloomy and suffocating place because of this but every day was like a fiesta, it was very much similar to Grammy's first gang... Of course, the children still worked.
The chores were split between farming, cleaning, cooking, and running "errands" for Old Man Jian.
Qing Anna became familiar with almost everyone except those who were out.
"Sister Qing, you're on dinner duty today with Juju, Little Min, and Big Ming," Jia announced. "Those running an errand for Grandfather will be returning today, so make sure to cook up a feast!"
Throughout the past months of her stay, Qing Anna couldn't help noticing that Jia was never put on kitchen duty but always making suggestions. Whenever no one wants to cook, when Jia offers everyone suddenly becomes enthusiastic.
Anna was on cleaning duty first, so after doing the laundry, she met up with the others in the dining hall after lunch had ended.
"So what should we cook this time?" Little Min initiated the meeting, he was a small boy with titanium hair and deep bluish-green eyes, he often hid it with a blue turban and wore big golden earrings similar to the older boy she saw when she awakened. He was only ten but it was easy to forget since he gave off the air of an adult sometimes.
"Well, Sir Pen and Sir Xu love meat. And Brother Feng hates oily food and tends to eat mostly fish and vegetables. So let's go all out with dishes like these."
"As expected of Sister Juju." Little Min nodded in approval before looking to Anna. "Any suggestions on what to cook Sister Qing? You're a bit quiet."
"Huh?" Anna, but she wasn't the only quiet one, she looked to Big Ming, a tall boy about Anna's age who sat there as still and silent as a stone. (- _ -)
Little Min traced her gaze.
"He doesn't talk much."
"O-oh, well then... I guess something like a meat pie, curried salmon, wonton soup, or tea boiled eggs and rice?" She just listed off random foods she was suddenly craving at the moment.
"Meat pie?"
"How do you make that?"
"Ah, you just use beef, mashed potatoes, and mushrooms-"
"We'll go with some of your suggestions." They discussed further and began the preparations shortly after.
Everyone tended to their stations in the kitchen, Anna did not realize the time until they were finished. She had learned from cooking alongside him that Big Ming preferred to silently observe others and listen to them, one would assume more mistakes would be made due to the lack of communication but somehow everything turned out nicely.
She peered out the window.
The sky was completely black! She felt satisfied that she was able to work alongside everyone like this. She felt useful.
Everyone took turns showering while another would stay to guard the food. She was the first to take a shower, so she was the last to stand guard.
Every now and then a child would poke their head through the door and stare at the food sitting on the counter.
Sister Qing was a bit nervous once it was her turn to stand guard, Juju was the second person to go out to bathe, she should have been back by now.
The child(Ah Rong) (* p *) kept staring at her. She stared back at him. He held a little fist to his drooling mouth.
"Can I have some?"
"You'll be able to eat once everyone comes back."
(* - *)
She had seen the children run and frankly put they were like crazed squirrels bouncing about the walls and floors. She's not confident she could stop him if he made up his mind to take off with one of the pots.
Internally she felt intimidated but her pride refused to let herself show weakness before a child.
Qing Anna kept a serene smile plastered on her face
( ^ U ^)She just had to wait.
Another child appeared.
(o - o) "How much longer?"
"Why don't you sit down with everyone at the table?"
(. o .) (o . o) (o u o)
Three more children appeared.
"Everyone's at the table."
"But you five aren't at the table, so that doesn't count as everyone now does it?"
(. - .) They stared a bit longer before reluctantly retreating.
"You've had it rough." Little Min witnessed this spectacle as he returned to the kitchen.
"T-they're good kids."
"The second you turn your back it's over, they can never get past Big Ming though." Little Min seemed proud talking about Big Ming who never uttered a word.
He was an interesting character. The relationship between him and Little Min was like a little Emperor and his guard.
Qing Anna would be lying if she said she hadn't come to favor Little Min, herself. If he was her own age, she might actually fall for his strange charm.
Not that the fact that Grammy was in her early 20s before she died would make her feel any less guilty from such thoughts that flew through her head.
For a split second, she felt terrified of herself.