Meanwhile, Simon was truly kind to me. He obeyed my every word and even persuaded Willie and his wife to send me to school with him. He protected me, shielding me from their demands for labor. At first, Willie and his wife resisted, but when Devin cried, threw tantrums, and even went on a hunger strike, they had no choice but to relent.
I was allowed to attend the village school, but only under the alias "Zhang Amber." They told everyone I was an orphan they had taken in out of kindness. The villagers, seeing my obedient and intelligent nature, believed them without question. They even praised the Zhangs for their generosity, saying that good deeds had rewarded them with such a wonderful daughter-in-law.
Over the years, I cared for Simon like a younger brother. Once, when he sprained his ankle in the mountains, I carried him home despite the blisters forming on my own feet. Willie and his wife were convinced that I truly cared for their son.
And in a way, I did.