For a monthly salary of 80,000 yuan, I sold myself to the Gu family in the south of the city as a live-in nanny. On the day I joined the company, the hostess, who was as beautiful as a dummy, handed me a crumpled A4 paper with seven "Rules for Living as a Housekeeper" written in red pen on it.
"First, after twelve o'clock in the evening, no matter what sound you hear, never leave the nanny's room;
Second, the room at the end of the corridor on the second floor is a forbidden area. If you see the door open, immediately close your eyes and count three times;
Third, if you see your face in the mirror, please smash it immediately and cut your fingers with the broken glass..."
I wanted to laugh at this ridiculous clause, but when I looked up, I found a circle of dark red sutures around the hostess's neck.
She stared at me, the corners of her mouth opening into a strange arc.
"Remember, if you don't comply, I can't guarantee you'll be able to walk out as a human being."
Intent: Rules and strange stories