Making a living: Jia Hao and Zi Yu preparing an order at their wantan mee stall in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: It’s been almost a year since they opened a wantan mee stall to fend for themselves after becoming orphans.
Despite the long hours, 20-year-old Yap Jia Hao and his sister Zi Yu, 18, have persevered so far, as they want to provide for their youngest brother who is now in Year Four at school.
“Life must go on. I am still trying my best to care for my younger sister and brother by selling wantan mee,” said Jia Hao.
However, there is still a feeling of loss and that something is missing in their lives.
The siblings lost their father to Covid-19 in September 2021. Some eight months later, their mother died due to heart complications.
During the recent Qing Ming (Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival), Jia Hao brought his siblings to Taman Gaya to pay their respects to their late parents.
“It still feels strange not having my parents around. I have not gotten used to it yet,” he said.
For now, he is relieved that the wantan mee stall in Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, is doing well.
Jia Hao and Zi Yu had learnt the trade during their years of helping their parents, who were wantan mee hawkers.
“Business has been good. I am glad that customers keep coming back to support my small business,” he said when interviewed.
The Star highlighted their heartbreaking story on Oct 1 last year, which saw them receiving an outpouring of support and words of encouragement from the public.
Jia Hao said they would sometimes get recognised by strangers when they go to shopping centres.
He said late last year, a customer offered them a second-hand car after seeing how they had to rely on e-hailing rides to get around.
“I used to spend RM30 to RM40 daily on e-hailing rides alone. Having a car not only helped to cut down our expenses, it also made it easier for us to visit our youngest brother Jia Cheng,” he said.
“Since we are busy running the noodle stall, he lives with our aunt. It is more convenient for him to attend school and tuition that way; we do not need to worry about his meals as well.
“My sister and I visit him once a week when our stall is closed on Thursdays. He is in Year Four and is doing well in school.”
He also said he is in the midst of hiring a helper for the stall so that Zi Yu can learn new skills at a beauty parlour owned by a friend of their late mother.
“She had to stop going to the parlour a few months ago to help me at the stall. I could not manage it on my own,” he added.
His wish for now is to make his parents proud.
“I hope they can rest in peace knowing that my siblings and I are doing well on our own,” he said.
