My Beloved

It was already noon. The sun flared above them, glaring with all its might. It had become too hot. The boys took a brief break, during their swim, before starting again. The water felt like heaven in this hot, hellish weather. In the meantime, a maid brought some cupcakes for Han Luo. She was in the shadows, sitting on Mr. Hui's lap. He merrily fed her the cupcakes while keeping an eye on the boys.

But boredom smothered Han Sheng Ming; he wanted to mess around. The mischievous boy splashed water over Tang Yujin and Mo Yuan. Tang Yujin tried to kick Han Sheng Ming, as a counter-attack, but his friend briskly dodged. Mo Yuan used his legs to trap Han Sheng Ming's wild legs. After the two friends captured the playful imp, they started to tickle him.

Han Sheng Ming could no longer withstand the attacks from both sides. "Ahahahaha! I'm dying! Stop! Guys! Ahahaha! I won't do it anymore! Hahaha… I'm sorry!" But the boys didn't show any mercy.

Mr. Hui didn't say anything, as he wanted the trio to enjoy themselves. He believed that if they didn't enjoy swimming, they wouldn't want to learn it properly. If that had ever happened, it would be much harder to teach them – and it already was quite hard.

At that same moment, a butler came with a handset. He politely stated, "Young Master Han, there is a call from the Han Mansion."

Tang Yujin and Mo Yuan let go of Han Sheng Ming, finally relieving him from this suffering. The victim's eyes were red, and puddles of tears formed in his eyes. Even his throat had become sore after screaming, and his stomach was in pain after laughing so hard. He could barely swim towards the butler and trembled when taking the handset. "Ha-he-hello?"

"Sheng Ming, didn't I tell you to take Luilui and Wanwan with you?" It was Du Liu, her gruff voice giving off an air of irritation. "Why didn't you listen to me? Luilui and Wanwan got ready and waited for you at the entrance, yet you escaped using the back door. Why are you behaving in this manner?"

Han Sheng Ming frowned. "Mommy, you know my friends don't like Luilui. She isn't cute, talks a lot, and is way too clingy."

Du Liu began chiding her son. "How could you talk about your sister like that?"

Han Sheng Ming protested, "Mommy, I'm telling the truth. If you want everybody to like Luilui, you should teach her proper manners."

The spiteful woman sneered. "And Xiao Luo? What is she doing? Is she being cute and isn't talking a lot and isn't being clingy like a good girl?" Du Liu was being sardonic. She strongly believed that Han Luo used her cute face and apparent coquettish smile to steal the hearts of all men.

"Yep! While we boys were swimming, Luo Luo ate cupcakes. As you said mommy, like a good girl!"

"What, she… what… a good girl?" Du Liu stammered. "God – all she ever does is eat!"

Han Sheng Ming was hurt. He didn't think his mother could ever talk like that. In his eyes, he started to think that his mother was acting like that fairy tale witch Tang Yujin was talking about. He continued to defend his little cousin. "Mommy, Luo Luo didn't eat much in the morning and you know that's true."

A sour scowl was stitched on Du Liu's face. She scolded her son, "Sheng Ming, can you not always side with her? I'm your mommy. Always listen to mommy. Mommy knows best."

Han Sheng Ming roared with a flame of frustration. "And my mommy is being rude! It's scary. You have changed! I don't want a mommy like you." As he said those words, he hung up.

On the other side of the phone, Du Liu could only hear the disconnect tone, realizing that her son had ended the call. She was dumbfounded. 'Did he say that he finds me rude? He also said that he didn't want me. The servants, his teacher, and his friends must've been around him… and he still said those hurtful words to me in front of everyone! So humiliating! How can I ever show my face to them again? It's all Han Luo's fault. She took my husband from me and now she's taking my son away from me. I won't forgive that girl so easily.' The more she thought about it, the more vicious her expression became.

Meanwhile, Tang Yujin worriedly asked his friend, "Sheng Ming, did your mommy say something bad about little Luo?"

Han Sheng Ming complained, "She is always like that. Because of her, Luilui also doesn't like little Luo Luo." He handed the handset to the butler. The butler bowed and left without a word.

Tang Yujin replied with an overwrought countenance, "But if you continue being stubborn and side with little Luo, won't your mommy hate little Luo even more? Your mommy doesn't like little Luo because you don't listen to her and push her away. She must be upset by now."

"If I listen to her, she'll only be ruder to little Luo Luo! Luo Luo is so small and cute and needs to be protected! What will I do if she's hurt?" Han Sheng Ming felt as though he were Han Luo's warrior.

Mr. Hui listened to the boys' conversation, feeling upset by what he was hearing. He felt sympathy for the two year old child who was innocently chewing on her cupcake. He called and beckoned to Han Sheng Ming. "Listen up – if a person ever bullies someone precious to you, you have to protect them from that bully. That's why I'm also teaching you karate. Don't forget this."

Han Sheng Ming answered in a serious tone, "I'll remember that, Mr. Hui. I'll protect my little Luo Luo."

'That reaction will cause more problems later on,' Mo Yuan thought to himself, as he silently eavesdropped on their conversation. His eyes then landed on Han Luo. She had finished eating her cupcakes and came down from Mr. Hui's lap. The little girl ran towards the swimming pool and bent down to touch the water.

Mr. Hui followed Han Luo and sat beside her, with his huge shadow shielding her from the fiery wrath of the sun. He gently asked, "Do you want to play in the swimming pool?"

Han Luo cheerfully nodded her head. Mr. Hui chuckled and took off her shoes. Then he helped her to sit down and let her small legs touch the cool water. Han Luo giggled and joyfully moved her legs back and forth.. A small glimmer of glee glowed in her heart.