It's Roast Duck - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

After reading my student’s diary…

I felt as if the sky had caved in.

[My brother has been doing “duck service” for years, but lately he suddenly can’t keep it up anymore.

[His health wasn’t great to begin with, so he could close up shop for a few days and rest.

[Honestly, working in the service industry isn’t easy. I do understand him…]

The farther down I read, the colder my heart became.

What on earth was this?!

“Duck service”-that phrase had a very different meaning when adults said it.

Once the shock passed, a thick wave of anger surged up inside me.

“Qin Tian, when your brother does this sort of thing, does he do it in front of you?” I slapped the diary aside.

Qin Tian blinked his big round eyes, his hands folded together as he stood obediently across from me.

“Pretty Teacher, my brother keeps away from me when he’s doing the duck orders, but I smelled it from outside the door.”

Smelled it?

How intense did it have to be for a child outside the door to smell it?

My temples throbbed wildly.

I lowered my head and did my utmost to suppress the rage in my chest.

For the sake of the child’s physical and mental well-being, it was time I had a talk with his brother.

I took Qin Tian’s hand and softened my tone. “Qin Tian, from now on, when your brother is doing that du-when he’s doing business, you mustn’t go watch, understand? Also, this Friday…”

Qin Tian suddenly grew bashful, his face conflicted as he interrupted me.

“Pretty Teacher, but my brother said that when I grow up, he’s going to pass the business on to me. He said this business makes a lot of money.”

I turned completely to stone.

This kind of business could be inherited?

Was this really his actual brother?

Was he sure he hadn’t been kidnapped by some human trafficker?

I couldn’t wait until Friday’s parent meeting to talk to his brother anymore.

“Tell your brother to come see me tomorrow!”

Chapter 2

The next day.

Qin Tian’s brother didn’t come.

“Teacher, my brother’s business is too busy today. He said he took a big order and will come apologize to you in person another day.”

Qin Tian lowered his head, his gaze darting away.

I was just about to speak through my bottled-up anger when I noticed Qin Tian’s clothes were on backward, and his hair looked like a bird’s nest.

All my fire went out at once.

The poor child.

An elder brother was supposed to be like a father. What kind of guardian was this?!

For the sake of that damned business of his, he was even willing to brush off his own little brother!

“Teacher, please don’t be mad. My brother didn’t mean not to come. Sister Qiao over on West Street wanted my brother to deliver it personally, so that’s why…”

Seeing my expression change, Qin Tian hurriedly explained with red-rimmed eyes.

He had always been very well-behaved in class.

He was smart, popular too, and plenty of the other children loved playing with him.

If this diary assignment hadn’t been about writing about family,

I never would have known his living environment was this terrible.

And despite having a brother like that, he hadn’t gone astray at all.

My heart instantly softened into a puddle.

I reached out and pulled Qin Tian into my arms, then, aching for him, straightened his clothes and pinched his chubby little cheek.

“If you ever have any difficulties, you can come to me, all right?”

Qin Tian nodded, not quite understanding.

Then he smiled until his eyes curved and threw himself into my arms to act spoiled.

Damn it. That made my heart ache even more.