Chapter 12 - SWIMMING IS FUN
Mo Yuan silently gazed at Han Luo. He then took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on his storybook – but he couldn't. His mind drifted to Han Luo's heartbroken confession. He pinched the area between his eyebrows and stood up. "I'm going out," Mo Yuan said in a composed tone as he left the room.
"What's with his attitude? I don't get him!" Han Sheng Ming was fuming.
"Let him be. You know how he is. He really doesn't like children… especially girls." Tang Yujin attempted to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and entered. It was a maid. She bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master, it's time for swimming."
Tang Yujin quickly glanced at the clock. "Ah! It's already time! Sheng Ming, let's go."
Han Sheng Ming retorted, "But what about little Luo Luo? She can't swim!"
Tang Yujin smiled, "She can play with us 'cause Mr. Hui is friendly to children. It won't be a problem if we tell him." He leaned towards Han Luo and asked her gently, "Little Luo, do you want to play in the water?"
A gleam of excitement lit up Han Luo's face. "Play! Water! Play! Water!"
Tang Yujin chuckled. "It looks like she agrees."
After changing to their swimming costumes, they went to the Tang Family's large swimming pool. Mo Yuan and Mr. Hui were there waiting for them, with Mo Yuan already changed into his swimsuit. But seeing little Han Luo in a blue and white swimsuit caused his eyes to narrow. 'Is she going to swim with us?'
Tang Yujin gave the man a cool smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Hui"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hui!" Han Sheng Ming followed, but with a more enthusiastic tone.
Mr. Hui was the swimming and karate instructor of the three boys. He had a huge body and a rough, raspy voice. A stern expression never left his countenance. "Good afternoon, Young Master Tang. Good afternoon, Young Master Han. And who might this little girl be?" His eyes were fixed on the girl with two odd horns – which were meant to be ponytails – on her head.
Han Sheng Ming proudly introduced her. "She is my sister, Luo."
Mr. Hui noticed the pair of pearl-like black eyes gaping at him in wonder. 'She must be thinking that I'm a monster,' he thought.
All the children who saw him would be scared and scream "Monster! Monster!", but Mr. Hui did like children and did think he was friendly when playing with them. However, children were afraid of his formidable body size. His body growth was like that – it's not like he could shrink, after all.
Mr. Hui carefully knelt in front of Han Luo and tried to speak as softly as possible. "Hello, Luo, I'm Instructor Hui. It's nice to meet you." Although he tried, his voice still sounded like a crash of thunder. He felt disheartened. 'She's gonna cry now...' he thought.
"Hehe!" To his surprise, Han Luo came closer, and her little hands touched his coarse hands. She realized that he was being friendly to her. He wasn't like her auntie, cousins and new big brother who always intimidated her. This giant guy may have seemed intimidating but had a comforting and caring heart. That's how little Han Luo saw him.
Mr. Hui stared at her in astonishment. In cheer. The little girl's hands were soft like cotton. Her smile was so radiant that even the sunlight was no match for her. Han Luo didn't hate him, nor she was scared of him; she liked him, and she smiled at him. He found her extremely cute and innocent. Out of impulse, he reached out and hugged her small body.
Tang Yujin whispered to Han Sheng Ming, "See? Didn't I tell you that Mr. Hui wouldn't get mad? He likes children."
Han Sheng Ming's jaw dropped. "But this is the first time I've ever seen him with children."
"'Cause children are afraid of him, most of the time!"
Han Sheng Ming was surprised. "Really? But we aren't afraid of him. And look – little Luo Luo isn't either."
Tang Yujin giggled. "That's 'cause we're very strange!"
Han Sheng Ming couldn't agree more. "It seems so…" But he then realized that Tang Yujin was indirectly saying that his little cousin was also strange. He shook his head and denied strongly, "No! Little Luo Luo can't be strange. She is an angel!"
"Uh…" Tang Yujin sighed at his friend. He helplessly shook his head. 'I'm worried about her future boyfriend,' he thought.
Mo Yuan was looking at his instructor and Han Luo. He was used to seeing little children run away from Mr. Hui, calling him "Monster!" while crying in terror. However, this little girl did the opposite. His sharp eyes observed her small face, looking for any trace of fear or fright. But he found nothing. She was genuinely happy being hugged by Mr. Hui. Mo Yuan's gaze softened. 'She is different from the other kids.'
[A/N: And what are you? You 4 years old brat!]
Mr. Hui's tender warmth reminded Han Luo of her own father, who always called her "daddy's little treasure." She mumbled softly, "Da…ddy…"
The instructor was stunned. He looked at her, noting that a doleful expression grew on her face. Yet, when Han Luo saw him looking at her, she gave him a wide grin. Mr. Hui asked Han Sheng Ming, "Is this your cousin?"
Han Sheng Ming exclaimed, "She is! How did you guess, Mr. Hui?"
Mr. Hui coughed unnaturally, feeling a bit shy. "She is much cuter than you."
Han Sheng Ming boasted, "Of course, she is. She is my cute little Luo Luo!" He would never lose a chance to praise his cousin.
'My?' Mr. Hui chuckled at Han Sheng Ming's proudness. He then turned to Han Luo. "Luo, do you want to play in the water?"
Han Luo nodded eagerly. "Water! Water! Play! Play!"
'She really is so cute and adorable!' Mr. Hui covered his face. He abruptly gave a side glance to his three students who were observing him. He cleared his throat and declared, "All right boys, let's start with a backstroke today."
Han Sheng Ming was disappointed. "Aww! But I like sidestroke!"
Mr. Hui firmly responded, "You can't master that technique yet. I'll teach you sidestroke when you are six years old. Now go into your positions.." As the instructor finished his commanding, he sat down on a chair with Han Luo seated on his lap.