6:50 a.m. — Shor Family Kitchen
Lin Zhi Yan woke up unusually early today. She stood at the stove, staring blankly at the white porridge bubbling in the pot.
Last night, Shor Yew Ming had tossed and turned until two in the morning. She had pretended to be asleep, but deep down she knew—the news of layoffs at her husband's company had already spread among the neighbors. Minjie Technology's performance over the past six months hadn't been good.
"Mom, good morning."
Shor Xin Xing's voice pulled her back to reality. Her daughter was wearing a light blue school uniform shirt today, her hair neatly tied.
"So early?" Lin Zhi Yan glanced at the clock. "Your brother isn't awake yet."
"I… I want to go to school earlier," Xin Xing said, fiddling with her backpack straps. "The registration deadline for the recitation contest is today."
Lin Zhi Yan's eyes lit up. "You've decided to join?"
"Mm." Her voice was soft as a whisper. "But don't tell Dad or brother yet… I'm afraid—"
"Afraid of what? Mom supports you." Lin Zhi Yan served her a bowl of porridge. "Do your best. Think of it as practice."
8:30 a.m. — Minjie Technology Co., Ltd.
The air in the conference room felt heavy, almost frozen.
Shor Yew Ming and a dozen colleagues sat on either side of the long table. The department manager stood in front of the projector screen, displaying the disheartening quarterly report.
"The company has decided to optimize personnel," the manager said, pushing up his glasses and avoiding everyone's gaze. "The specific list will be announced next Friday. This week… everyone continues to work as usual."
Suppressed sighs echoed through the room. Xiao Chen, a young colleague sitting next to Yew Ming, looked pale—his wife was only three months pregnant.
After the meeting, Yew Ming went to the pantry to make coffee. Xiao Chen followed him.
"Brother Yew Ming, how many people do you think will be laid off?"
Yew Ming shook his head. "I don't know." He paused. "Do you have a mortgage?"
"I just bought an apartment last year," Xiao Chen said with a forced smile. "If I get laid off, I really don't know what I'll do."
Yew Ming patted his shoulder, wanting to say something, but in the end he just sighed. His own mortgage still had fifteen years left. He had four children, the youngest only three.
10:00 a.m. — Tiandi Secondary School
During recess, Shor Xin Xing stood nervously outside the Chinese Language office, holding her registration form.
"Student, do you need something?" a female teacher asked.
"Teacher, I… I want to sign up for the recitation contest." Xin Xing handed over the form, her hands trembling slightly.
The teacher took it and looked over it. "Shor Xin Xing? I remember you. Your last essay was excellent." She smiled. "But the recitation contest requires performing on stage. Can you handle it?"
"I want to try." Xin Xing's voice was still small, but her eyes were determined.
"Good. That takes courage." The teacher stamped the form. "The preliminary round is on the fifth of next month. Prepare well."
Holding the stamped form, Xin Xing felt her palms sweating. Back in the classroom, her desk mate Xiaomei leaned over.
"You really signed up?"
"Mm."
"Wow! I'll cheer for you then!" Xiaomei said excitedly. "By the way, what piece are you practicing?"
"I haven't decided yet…"
"I suggest choosing something short, easier to remember."
As the two girls discussed, Xin Xing felt for the first time that performing on stage didn't seem so scary.
1:15 p.m. — Xinmin Primary School Playground
Shor Leow Shan was practicing relay running. The PE teacher said the sports meet would be in two weeks, and their class had a good chance of winning.
"Leow Shan, baton!" a teammate shouted.
He sprinted, grabbed the baton, and dashed toward the finish line. The wind roared past his ears. In that moment, he forgot everything—forgot that he was usually the quietest in class, forgot that he rarely dared to raise his hand.
"Good! 23 seconds!" the teacher said, stopwatch in hand. "Keep it up!"
During the break, Leow Shan sat under the tree drinking water. His classmate Amin sat down beside him.
"You run really fast."
"My brother taught me," Leow Shan said softly. "He says when you run, don't think about anything—just go forward."
"Your brother is so nice," Amin said enviously. "My brother just takes my game console."
Leow Shan smiled. He felt grateful to have a brother like Shor Leow Ting—sometimes careless, but always reliable when it mattered.