Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

Nicky gave up everything to be with her. I think that’s sooooo romantic! I can’t wait to
meet her. And you’re all wrong—I know what’s going to happen to Tyersall Park, and it’s
certainly not what any of you think!”
“Shut up, Lucia! Stop making up stories!” Mabel scolded.
“Ah Ma, you and Auntie Cassie just chatter on and on about so much rubbish but none
of you have a clue what’s really going on! Do you ever listen to what Grandpa and Daddy
talk about?” With that, Lucia stormed out of the breakfast room, the ladies staring
openmouthed after her.
“What utter nonsense!” Cassandra scoffed.
Mabel shook her head gravely. “Can you believe how rude that girl has become? I knew
Bedales would be all wrong for her—those teachers do nothing but keep encouraging her
confidence! My goodness, back in my day at the Convent, *8 if I had talked like that, the
nuns would have beat me blue black with a wooden ruler! Neh kor suey neui moh yong,
gae!” *9
Jacqueline’s eyes narrowed. “On the contrary, Mabel—I don’t think she’s useless at all.
I think you have a very smart little girl on your hands. Smarter than I ever realized…”
*1 The interiors were given a marvelous face-lift in the mid-1990s by David Mlinaric, coinciding with Mabel’s own
(much less marvelous) face-lift.
*2 Cantonese for “fish porridge.”
*3 Cantonese for “This half-breed granddaughter will be the death of me.”
*4 Cantonese for “so crazy.”
*5 Hokkien slang for “contacts” or “connections.”
*6 Cantonese for “so shameful.”
*7 Malay slang for “mates” or “buddies.” Although, should you really be calling the cheating scoundrels who try to screw
you at every mah-jongg game your buddies?
*8 Mabel, like many other well-born women of her generation, attended Singapore’s venerable Convent of the Holy
Infant Jesus. These days, the nuns have long since retired, and by most accounts, corporal punishment is no longer
practiced.
*9 Cantonese for “This lousy girl is useless.” (A refrain heard by Cantonese daughters since the beginning of time.)