Top-tier supporting actress

Chapter 5: Assistance

What had once been a tense standoff transformed into a scene of social negotiation when the father of the child across the way recognized Sam.

Luna, cradling her daughter, wore a vacant expression and said nothing. Sam was in earnest discussion with Sunny's father.

Before long, Sunny was summoned. She appeared surly, yet her father guided her to bow her head and apologize to Kiki.

Kiki remained silent.

“Mom, I don’t want to forgive her. She bullies me, and her mother has bullied you too.”

Tears nearly pooled in Luna’s eyes.

Ultimately, the resolution of the discussions surprised even Luna herself. Sunny's parents willingly decided to transfer her to another school. Despite Sunny's tearful protests, her parents had made their decision.

Li, the teacher, also apologized to Luna, assuring her that such an incident would never recur. Kiki’s safety would always be her priority.

What Luna had perceived as an insurmountable challenge was effortlessly resolved by Sam.

As Luna carried her daughter out of the kindergarten, Sam observed the little girl asleep on her shoulder and eventually asked, “Do you need to take her to the clinic for a check-up?”

Luna shook her head. The teacher had already addressed Kiki’s needs promptly. Each time Luna took her daughter to see a doctor, Kiki exhibited sheer terror, likely stemming from memories of their solitary stays in stark hospital rooms. Such minor injuries would fade away in a couple of days, and Luna preferred to avoid distressing Kiki further.

“Then let’s get in the car. I’ll take you out for a meal,” Sam suggested.

Luna hesitated, the words of refusal lingering unspoken. She couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened had Sam not intervened today. With neither money nor status, her ability to protect her child felt feeble.

Suddenly struck by a thought, Luna bit her lip and said, “Could we stop at a nearby mall? I’d like to buy a mobile phone.”

The couple had compensated her, along with medical expenses, enough to purchase a decent phone—though she had no intention of overspending. The future was long, and expenses would be plentiful. A phone with basic communication capability would suffice.

Sam offered no objections, soon stopping at a mall. He glanced at Luna and said, “Hold on a moment.”

Before she could respond, he stepped out of the vehicle.

Shortly after, he returned with a smartphone in hand and offered it to her in the backseat. To her surprise, it was the most expensive model on the market.

Luna clenched her jaw and smiled wryly. “Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t plan on spending that much. Would you mind waiting a moment while I find something else?”

Sam regarded her for several seconds before unexpectedly producing a nearly new phone from his pocket and placing it before her. “Then use this one. I’ll let it go for 2000; it’s practically obsolete for me anyway.”

Luna contemplated the phone, wanting to decline. It was in such excellent condition that she would have believed it was recently purchased. Unwilling to ponder the implications of Sam's generosity or the favour he had done for her earlier, she noticed they had been acquaintances in the past—yet might as well be strangers now.

“This phone has good resolution; if you’re assisting others with manicures, you’ll want attractive before-and-after photos,” Sam gently reminded her as he noticed her hesitation.

Luna met his gaze and eventually nodded. “Thank you.”

Sam took her old phone, extracted the SIM card, and reinserted it into the new device. “All set. I’ll get your old phone repaired.”

Luna’s heart raced, and she shook her head. “I’ll manage on my own. Thank you.”

Sam studied her without pressing further. Luna, distracted by the new phone already equipped with essential apps, quietly opened a messaging app: “Let me add you, and I’ll transfer the money.”

“Sure.”

Years ago, they had been friends; however, Luna had long since abandoned that contact. It was unexpected that their paths would intertwine once more.

She sent him 2000 yuan.

She wasn’t attempting to put on a façade. Since Sam insisted, she chose not to argue—it had already been a favour extended once, what was one more?

Luna didn’t wish to dwell on it.

Sam accepted the transfer and inquired, “What would you like to eat?”

Luna shook her head, gently stroking her daughter’s peaceful face. “Anything is fine.”

Sam did not pursue the matter further, guiding her to an elegantly appointed restaurant. He asked Kiki about dietary restrictions and ordered her a child’s meal before selecting several dishes for himself.

“I wasn’t sure how your tastes have changed over the years, so I ordered what you used to enjoy,” he remarked.

Luna pressed her lips together and offered a faint smile, avoiding further discussion.

Delving deeper would only make things too intimate and confusing. After all these years, how could he still remember her preferences?

As Kiki’s swelling had significantly subsided, she seemed animated by the novelty of the restaurant, eagerly devouring her meal.

Seeing her daughter so content eased Luna’s anxieties, allowing her to finally savour her food. Sam silently served her dishes.

Luna ate, yet still found herself evasive.

Years had passed; she wasn’t devoid of wisdom. Sam wouldn’t assist her without reason—everything had a price, though she was uncertain what he sought. Or perhaps, on some level, she wished to remain ignorant.

This meal must have cost a fortune, certainly more than the amount she had transferred to Sam.

Initially, Luna intended to pay for it herself, but somehow, she hadn’t reached for her phone.

The trials of time had made her somewhat mercenary; a single meal’s price was enough for several months’ worth of provisions for her and Kiki.

Reluctance held her back—she admitted to her selfishness.

After the meal, Kiki began to drowse again. Securing her daughter’s seatbelt, Luna slid into the front passenger seat.

Sam’s presence was both refreshing and subtle, a fragrance that was neither overpowering nor unpleasant.

It was time to confront the inevitable.

Why hadn’t her husband returned? Why did she feel like a frenzied lioness in that office?

She owed him an explanation.

“Last time, I misled you. My husband is missing—perhaps more than that; he may have perished in some distant sea. The neighbours assume I’m a widow, and I cannot refute their claims. Recently, I filed for divorce from my vanished husband. Now, I solely support my daughter. If you truly wish to know, I’ve shared everything.”

Luna spoke evenly, her tone steady, though unable to confront Sam directly. Instead, she stared blankly out of her window.

She murmured, “...So, why do you want to help me?”