"Mom, you haven't washed the dishes very thoroughly. I'll have to wash them again for you. I brought back a bottle of detergent."
Xili carried over a basin, put all the household dishes inside, poured in detergent, and began washing them carefully.
"Heavens, Xili, did you steal detergent from your employer's house?"
"I didn't steal it. I took it from the storeroom and reported it to Mr. Alfred. The cost of everything I bring home will be deducted from next month's wages."
"Oh, I see. You gave me such a fright. But why wash them so thoroughly? Detergent is expensive. You should wash carefully at your employer's house. That's your job, and it's only right. But there's no need to be so particular at home."
"They need to be clean. Otherwise, dirt gets into our stomachs along with the food, and people get sick easily. How much would a hospital visit cost someone in the family? How much detergent and how many water bills could that money pay for?"
"All right, all right. I can't win an argument with you. Happy now?"
"This is how it should be. Back when we were worse off, you were the one who taught me that even if we were poor, we should still keep the house clean and tidy. That way, we'd have more spirit as we went about our lives.
"Things are better now, and my brother's going to school. Surely we should live even more cleanly and tidily, shouldn't we?"
"Ah, let me help you wash."
"Sit down and rest a while, Mom."
"No need. My daughter's home, so I'm here to keep you company. Otherwise, I'd be next door folding cardboard with your aunts right now."
"You can take things a little easier from now on. Don't stay up late