I'm a white expat in China. I'm fairly wealthy and don't need to work, and have a decent sized residence. It's a bit dirty and neglected, since I don't really like cleaning. One night at a bar, a woman named Fang Lin approached me, and asked if I was interested in buying a servant. I asked for clarification. She explained that she trains Chinese women into becoming ideal servants, as opposed to their normal, barbaric selves. I was curious what exactly this meant. She handed me a business card and a time to arrive.

I met her at her mansion's foyer. She explained her process. "I pick only the most beautiful Chinese women to be allowed to work with me. Those with perfect faces, pale skin, and well-formed bodies. I require they shave their armpit and pubic hair. Preferably have them removed as well. I find their thick, ugly hair disgusting. When they enter my house, they must show deference by bowing deeply, with their body forming a 90 degree angle, their eyes fixated on the tips of their toes. They are not allowed to raise their heads without my permission. Once their appearance is sufficient, I make sure they are physically capable. Would you like some tea?"

I say, "Oh, sure."

She continues, "They will be required to demonstrate their physical fitness. They must walk, crawl, bend over, and do several other stress postures. Because I do not want a lazy housemaid, I make sure they can bear the physical stress of being worked hard. They are required to kneel on the hard floor for 50 minutes with their hands outstretched without moving while I place a 10 pound book on each of their palms. Then they must crawl from the main entrance of the hallway all the way to the master bedroom in 1 minute. They must also be able to walk on their tiptoes, without their heels ever touching the ground for 2 hours, and finally, bend over for an hour with their heads between their legs without moving while I apply various punishments to their bodies. Usually I will have Chinese women crying by the second round and that’s when I knew they are not fit for the job. The rest, who endure, become my servants and are trained with my 17 rules."

I begin to wonder if this is a practical joke. "So you're wondering if I would like to purchase one of your... servants?"

She states, "Yes, exactly. Come with me." I enter the main hall, and see her servants lined up, bowing at a 90 degree angle.

I ask, "How long have they been bowing?"

"Oh, since you came." She yells, "Stand up!" They do, and seem relieved. They wear French maid uniforms, and all are shockingly beautiful, looking almost Victorian. What occurs to me is that they look afraid, and it seems like they are afraid of her. Fang notices something. "Who the FUCK left this hair on the floor?!" They all stare at her with a sense of dread. She yells, "You don't know?! Then all of you will be punished!" She then proceeds to powerfully slap them each, one by one. They briefly lose their composure, and then stand up as before with a red hand mark still on their face. She walks back over to me. "Sorry. Discipline needs to be enforced. Do any of them interest you?"

I ask, "Uh, are they here willingly?"

"Of course!" she says, mildly offended. "They came to me so that I would make them presentable to white men, and could potentially move to America with them. They understand what I do here, and they will have useful opportunities with my connections once they are fully trained by me. Which one?"

I was sketched out, yet she clearly hadn't attracted the ire of the government — somehow. I suppose these women had no better option than Fang for a chance at a better life, and chose to endure the hell it would take to get there. Looking at the row of women, I saw one who seemed utterly resigned, among a set of hurt, saddened, and angry faces. I picked her.

Fang says, "Ah. Ginsu Fain. She's been with me for a while. She's a bit old. 21 years old. Is she the one you want? 500,000 yuan."

Ginsu's eyes lit up, as the others seemed to internally sigh. I felt bad for them all, but I was wealthy enough only to comfortably afford one. "Yes."

After I arranged payment, I drove home with her. As she entered my car, with her belongings (mostly maid uniforms) in the trunk, she spat on the ground facing Fang's mansion. She saw me looking, and immediately knelt. "I am so so so sorry! Please forgive me!" "Of course!", I respond.

She adds, seeking to explain herself, "It's just that I really hate her. I'm so glad not to have to deal with her anymore."