SINGAPORE - By day, Madam Cindy Ng sells economic bee hoon at her sister's shop.
But come Saturday nights, she reports to a different "boss".
That's when Madam Ng, 55, performs duties in the name of her deity, the Nan Hai Guan Yin, or Guan Yin of the South Sea.
Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is revered for her compassion and is worshipped in Buddhist and Taoist communities as one who hears people's cries and removes sorrow.
Madam Ng, a medium since 2010, knows her part-time profession is unconventional.
But she was open to The New Paper charting her preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival two Saturdays ago.
The mother of two admitted she was initially confused when the call came, in the 1990s.
Growing up, the third among five girls was not particularly religious. "My family was quite hands-off, faith-wise. We would visit the temples occasionally.
"When my younger sister went to the temple, she won't even hold joss sticks. She said she didn't know what to say to the gods," Madam Ng recalled in Mandarin.
There were signals, like recurring dreams, which she tried to ignore. But things started going awry.
"No matter what I did, it seemed like I couldn't succeed. There were always challenges and obstacles. Whether it's my career or daily life, the going was never smooth," she said.
Madam Ng sought answers. Eventually, a friend in the US enlightened her about a medium's duties.
But her children were troubled that she was taking up the mantle.
"They were frightened as they didn't understand what was going on. They were also worried their mother wouldn't 'come back' afterwards," Madam Ng said.
It's a stark contrast from her earlier carefree ways.
"Previously, when the mood struck, I would be the one bugging my kids to go shopping or dining during the weekends," she added.
Now, on Saturday evenings, Madam Ng welcomes visitors at her Jurong flat instead. Many drop by with questions about their health or career.
What about those hoping to strike it rich?
"They will approach another god for that. People hardly ask about money because Guan Yin is usually not associated with the pursuit of wealth," she said laughing. g" ta