Morning 7:10 — Shor Family Kitchen
Lim Zhi Yan slid the last fried egg onto a plate, glanced at the clock on the wall, and her brows immediately furrowed.
"Leow Ting! It's already 7:10! Aren't you supposed to submit your science report today?" she shouted upstairs, the spatula in her hand tapping the stove unconsciously.
A burst of frantic footsteps sounded from above.
Shor Leow Ting dashed downstairs with his half-open schoolbag, his uniform tie crooked, and his hair messy like a bird's nest.
"Mom, I slept late last night…"
"Playing games again?" Lim Zhi Yan glared at him, but her hands didn't stop moving. She stuffed three packed breakfasts into his arms. "Where are your sister and brother? Still sleeping?"
Just as she spoke, Shor Xin Xing came downstairs rubbing her eyes. Her school uniform was neat and tidy, forming a sharp contrast with her brother.
Softly, she said, "Mom, Leow Shan is brushing his teeth."
"Go eat breakfast. It's your duty day today—don't be late."
Lim Zhi Yan's tone softened as she looked at her daughter.
"Xin Xing, did you sleep well last night? You look like you have dark circles."
"Math homework… I did it until eleven…"
Shor Xin Xing whispered as she sat at the table and slowly sipped her cereal.
Shor Leow Shan appeared quietly at the kitchen door, already fully dressed, schoolbag properly strapped on. At eleven years old, he was always the most worry-free child.
"Good morning, Mom."
He took the milk she handed him.
7:25 — At the Front Door
"Wear your helmets properly!"
Lim Zhi Yan stood at the door watching the three kids get ready.
"Leow Ting, drive slower, you hear me?"
"Got it, got it!"
Shor Leow Ting started the motorcycle, the engine roaring.
Shor Xin Xing climbed onto the seat behind him expertly, while Leow Shan sat at the very back, gripping his brother's shirt tightly.
"What do you want for dinner?" Lim Zhi Yan called out.
"Curry chicken!" all three voices echoed in unison.
She laughed. "Alright, go on."
The motorcycle pulled out of the neighborhood and merged into the morning traffic.
In the rearview mirror, Shor Leow Ting saw his mother still standing at the doorway watching them, and a warm feeling rose in his chest.
At the Same Time — Minscape Tech Sdn. Bhd.
Shor Yew Ming had already been at his desk for half an hour.
At 39, he carried a calmness beyond his age. The only sound in the office was his fingers tapping on the keyboard.
His phone buzzed. It was a message from Lim Zhi Yan:
"The kids left. Remember to take your blood pressure meds."
He smiled slightly and replied:
"I've taken them. See you tonight."
He set the phone down and looked at the complex code on the screen, then at the family photo on the corner of his desk — taken last year at the beach in Penang.
Everyone in the picture was smiling brightly, even little Xin Lin, who was only two at the time, squinting in her mother's arms.
Ever since his parents died in a car accident when he was 31, that photo had been his biggest source of strength.
Morning 7:50 — Outside Tiandi Secondary School
"We're gonna be late!"
Shor Leow Ting braked hard, stopping right at the school gate.
Xin Xing hopped off and muttered, "It's all your fault for waking up late…"
"I'll buy you milk tea tonight to make up for it!"
Leow Ting waved at her before turning to his little brother.
"Leow Shan, 4 p.m. at the usual spot. Don't wander around."
"Okay."
Leow Shan nodded and headed toward the primary school building.
Xin Xing slipped into her classroom just as the bell rang. She sighed in relief and took her seat.
Her deskmate, Mei, leaned over.
"Xin Xing, you almost came late today!"
"My brother got up late…" she murmured and pulled out her books.
"Your brother is so nice though. He sends you to school every day."
Mei sighed. "My parents work early, so I always take the bus myself."
Xin Xing smiled faintly and didn't respond.
She was actually grateful — not having to squeeze onto a bus was a blessing for her social anxiety.
10:30 a.m. — Shor Residence
Lim Zhi Yan had just finished cleaning the living room when her phone rang. It was her best friend, Soo Jhen.
"Zhi Yan, free this afternoon? The new mall is having a sale. Let's go shopping!"
Lim glanced at her three-year-old daughter, Shor Xin Lin, who was in the corner stacking uneven toy "castles."
"Sure, but I need to be home early to cook dinner."
"No problem! We'll finish by three. And hey, I heard the kids' clothing shop is having discounts — perfect for Xin Lin."
After hanging up, Lim picked up her daughter.
"Baby, Mommy's taking you out later, okay?"
"Okay!" Xin Lin grinned, showing her tiny, uneven teeth.
Lim kissed her cheek, then walked to the calendar.
It was the 15th — payday.
She mentally calculated this month's expenses: mortgage, utilities, tuition fees, daily spending…
The RM4,200 household allowance had to be managed carefully.
She took out a pink piggy bank and dropped in three RM10 coins — the 37th month of savings for Xin Lin's future "starter fund."
4:20 p.m. — Outside Xin Min Primary School
Shor Leow Ting had waited ten minutes on the motorcycle.
When the bell finally rang, kids flooded out of the gate.
Leow Shan spotted his brother and waved goodbye to a classmate before hopping on.
"Why so late today?" Leow Ting asked.
"Teacher explained math questions… Oh, I got 95 on the math test."
"Whoa! That's awesome!"
Leow Ting smiled. "What do you want to eat? My treat."
"No need. Mom's cooking curry chicken."
Leow Shan hugged his brother's waist.
"Let's go home. I'm hungry."
5:10 p.m. — Shor Family Kitchen
Lim Zhi Yan had just returned from shopping and was prepping dinner.
The aroma of curry filled the house.
The door opened and Shor Yew Ming walked in with his briefcase.
He looked tired, but the smell of curry softened his expression.
"I'm home."
"Go wash up. Dinner's almost ready."
She didn't look back.
"Xin Lin, Daddy's home!"
Little Xin Lin toddled over. "Daddy, hug!"
Yew Ming put down his briefcase and scooped her up, his exhaustion melting away.
6:00 p.m. — Shor Family Dining Room
The family gathered around the table — the most important time of their day.
"How was school today?" Yew Ming asked, giving Xin Lin a piece of chicken.
"It was okay," mumbled Leow Ting through a mouthful of rice.
"What do you mean 'okay'? Did you submit your science report?"
Lim stared at him.
"Yes, yes…"
He quickly changed the subject.
"Dad, there's a parent–teacher day next month. Are you or Mom going?"
The parents exchanged a glance.
"I'll go," Lim said. "Your dad has a meeting that day."
Xin Xing whispered, "Our class also has parent–teacher day…"
"So Mom's doing two in one day?"
Leow Ting laughed.
"Can you handle that, Mom?"
"Why not?"
She filled everyone's bowls with more vegetables.
"Nothing is more important than you kids."
Quiet little Leow Shan suddenly spoke:
"Dad, Mom… our school sports day is in two weeks. I joined the relay race."
"Really? When is it?" Yew Ming perked up.
"The Saturday after next."
"We'll all go watch!" Lim said instantly.
Yew Ming nodded and handed her an envelope from his wallet.
"This month's household allowance."
"Thanks."
She didn't count it — trust between spouses didn't need checking.
After dinner, the kids went to study, Lim cleaned the kitchen, and Yew Ming played blocks with Xin Lin.
9:30 p.m.
Lim gently pushed open Leow Ting's door.
He was gaming with headphones on and panicked the moment he saw her.
"Relax. Finish your round."
She sat on the bed.
"Leow Ting, Mom wants to discuss something."
"What is it?"
He removed his headset.
"Your dad has high blood pressure and work is stressful.
You're the oldest. I hope you can help take care of your siblings a little more."
Leow Ting was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Okay, Mom. I will."
"And be careful when riding the motorcycle."
She ruffled his hair.
"You're the big brother. Your siblings' safety depends on you."
"I'll be careful."
After she left, Leow Ting stared at the game screen for a while, then turned it off and opened his homework instead.
10:00 p.m. — Master Bedroom
Shor Yew Ming read in bed while Lim did her skincare at the vanity.
"Yew Ming," she suddenly said,
"We spent RM120 on clothes today — all for the kids. Xin Lin grows so fast."
"Buy whatever's needed. Don't save on that."
He flipped a page.
"What about you? Did you get anything?"
"I have enough clothes."
She brushed past the question lightly.
"About Leow Shan's sports day… can you take leave?"
"I'll check my schedule… I'll try," he said.
Lim got into bed and leaned on his shoulder.
"Soo Jhen told me her husband's been jobless for three months. She's holding the family together alone… Makes me think — we're not rich, but at least stable."
Yew Ming wrapped an arm around her.
"You work so hard. This family runs because of you."
"You work hard too."
She smiled softly.
"Let's sleep."
The lights went off.
The house fell silent except for the ticking of the living room clock.
11:30 p.m. — Late Night
Shor Xin Xing's door opened quietly.
She tip-toed toward the kitchen for water.
Passing her parents' room, she heard faint snoring.
In the kitchen, she spotted a note stuck on the fridge — her mother's handwriting:
"Leow Ting: Cut fruit is in the fridge.
Xin Xing: Warm milk is in the thermos.
Leow Shan: The books you need tomorrow are on the sofa.
— Love, Mom"
Xin Xing held the thermos close, warmth spreading in her chest.
She poured herself a glass of milk and headed back to her room.
Passing her brother's door, she saw light under the crack — he was still awake, probably gaming again.
She hesitated, then knocked.
"Leow Ting, Mom left fruit for you in the fridge."
A muffled voice replied from inside,
"Got it… thanks."
Returning to her room, she closed the door.
The moon outside was full, its soft glow spilling across the floor.