Maid for the Billionaire(34)

Abby bowed her head slightly in greeting. The woman greeted her in Mandarin. Abby answered her in the common language of China. ―Nin hao.‖

Zhang spun to look at her from across the aisle of the small market. She switched over to Mandarin herself and asked, "You speak Mandarin?"

Abby gave a humble shrug and answered in that language. "A little."

"Why?" Zhang asked.

"I teach English to students from many countries. I like to study languages." Abby was what she called street proficient in seven languages. Her mastery was not university level, but she could understand and utilize many simple phrases and this talent often allowed her to assist non-English speaking families when translators were unavailable. It had been one such grateful family who had welcomed her into their home and given her basic lessons in the language they called simplified Chinese.

The shop keeper said, "You are very good."

Zhang said, "Your mastery of the tones is impressive."

Abby had received the same compliment from some of the parents of her Chinese students.

Her vocabulary was limited, but she did have a good ear for what she called the music of languages. The challenge in learning Mandarin had been that the same word could mean several things if it the speaker changed which part of the word they stressed. Luckily her self-appointed tutors had been patient. "I speak only a little," Abby said, "but thank you."

At Zhang‘s prompting, Wen Chan slowly spoke of how the education she‘d received had freed her and allowed her to build this life for herself and her family. She looked at Zhang several times during the sad, but inspirational story and Abby suspected that she wanted to thank Zhang for her involvement. Abby wasn‘t able to translate every word of the story, but she understood enough to be able to ask clarifying questions.

Zhang grudgingly admitted, "You're not what I expected from an American woman."

Abby switched back to English when she could not find the correct words to express her thoughts. "I think we both learned today that stereotypes are often wrong. I bet many Americans aren‘t aware of the cultural changes that are sweeping your country."

Zhang translated for the shop woman then added in English, "Now that you have seen our need, will you help us?"

With the pressure of both women looking at her, Abby squirmed. "What are you asking me to do?"

Zhang spoke in rapid Mandarin to the shopkeeper, promising to return soon. Abby followed her lead and used what little she knew to thank the woman for the tour. Without answering Abby‘s question, Zhang led the way back to the limo, much to the obvious relief of Scott and his men.

Zhang waited until the vehicles had pulled back onto the mountain road before she said,

"Although women have broken through many social barriers in the city, funding for educating women in the rural communities is still rare. I am determined to change that."

"I thought your universities were free?‖ Abby asked in surprise.

―Free is still too expensive for those who must work to survive. Primary education has been mandated for all, but families still withdraw their daughters when it is legal to do so. Even rural families who wish for more for their daughters, cannot afford to send them away to school.

Someone must pay for them to eat, for a place for them to live. Yes, free can still be very expensive.‖

Abby thought of the shop keeper she‘d just met with a deeper understanding of her achievements. ―Are you talking about a scholarship fund? You want me to ask Dominic to make a contribution to one?"

"It has to be more sweeping than that." Zhang said. "To make a real impact it would have to be National, set up by the government, and with maintainable funding. Dominic is in a rare position of asking our government to do just that. He could add this to his negotiations. It is within his power to touch the lives of many women who would otherwise continue to struggle in poverty."

"Why don't you talk to him, Zhang? He would listen to you." Abby said.

"I've tried," Zhang said in disgust. "Dominic has never cared about the people in any country he has dealt with. He came here for the money and power, not to facilitate a social change. But you -- you have his ear. He might listen to you as he has listened to no one before."

"Forgive me, Zhang, but I think you‘ve gotten misinformation as far as I am concerned.

I‘ve known Dominic less than a week. He‘s not going to make any business decisions based on my opinion.‖ The words hurt as even Abby said them, but hadn‘t Dominic just warned her not to read too much into their short affair?

Zhang pinned her with piercing black eyes that missed nothing. One of her eyebrows rose doubtfully. ―I didn‘t take you for a fool, Abigail Dartley. Don‘t take me for one. Dominic doesn‘t mix his women with his business. He made an exception for you. Don‘t underestimate your importance to him. Perhaps he hasn‘t said the words to you yet, but by bringing you here, he has already made an announcement to the world.‖

Oh, how Abby wanted to believe that, but she knew the truth. ―What he announced, Zhang, was that he doesn‘t like to be alone when he is sad. He‘s mourning the death of his father.‖

Zhang clearly didn‘t believe her. ―Is that what you‘ve been doing all week? Helping him mourn?‖

Abby turned sharply toward Zhang, her tone turning cold. ―That‘s really none of your business, is it?‖