Chapter 22 - HAN SHENG MING FACED A PROBLEM
At the Han Corporation, Han Changhong was hard at work. After he became the Acting President, his workload had increased so tremendously that he couldn't even spend time with his family. His wife, Du Liu, had become in charge of the household. As the servant of the household always obeyed her, he didn't know what was going on at home.
It was almost lunchtime, yet he still couldn't finish half his work. 'Looks like I have to work overtime today as well,' he regretfully thought. He rubbed his temples in exhaustion. All of a sudden, his landline phone rang. 'What now?' He wearily answered the phone. "Good afternoon, Acting President Han speaking."
A woman spoke from the other side of the phone. "Acting President Han, good afternoon. I'm Mei, Young Master Han Sheng Ming's teacher."
Han Changhong exclaimed, "Miss Mei! Hello there â how can I help you?"
Miss Mei had a melodious tone in her voice as she responded, "I met Han Luo yesterday and I really do like her. I asked Han Sheng Ming if she had a teacher or not, and he said that she didn't have a teacher. I know you are her current guardian, so I was hoping that you would let me become her teacher."
Han Changhong blinked in surprise, but he felt a concurrent wave of happiness. "Teacher for Luo'er? That's great news! I was looking for a teacher, so this is perfect. When do you want to start teaching her?"
Miss Mei had already planned out everything. She replied, "If possible, I want to teach her together with Young Master Han."
"But she is still a two years old girl. I don't think she can handle that now." Han Changhong feared that this would put too much pressure on little Luo. However, he had some curiosity inside of him; he wanted to see who is better â his son, or Han Luo. The more capable one would be granted the title of President of the Han Corporation.
Miss Mei explained calmly, "I won't pressure her. She will grow and learn at her own pace. Please have faith in me. I know I'm the perfect teacher for Han Luo. And besides, she likes me."
Han Changhong reflected for a brief moment. 'Since Miss Mei likes Luo'er, the easiest option would be for her to handle Luo'er.' He then proclaimed, "Then, I have no objections. I will tell you one thing since you are going to be her teacher." He cleared his throat. "I want Luo'er to enter kindergarten next year. I know she will be only three years old, but I do want her to catch up to Sheng Ming."
Miss Mei was gifted with an acute judgment. She understood Han Changhong's intention right away. "I see, then don't worry. I'll prepare her in advance." Just like the Han Family, many other families functioned this way â they would force their children to study hard from an early age, become top of the class, and then use them as a tool for their companies. Miss Mei silently hoped that Han Changhong wouldn't be too harsh.
"I leave it to you. Thank you, Miss Mei." He was relieved that Han Luo was in good hands.
Miss Mei was as polite as ever. "Oh no, the pleasure is all mine." She had already planned out how to start teaching the cute Little Red Riding Hood.
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Ring! Ring!
Mo Yuan groggily awoke after hearing the piercing sound. The sharp ring of the landline phone reverberated in his room, like a broken siren. It was Sunday, and last night he was awake till very late. His head throbbed. 'I'm gonna kill whoever this is.' He groaned, rubbed his eyes, and then sat up. He grabbed the handset and answered, his voice sheathed in fatigue, "Hello?"
"Xiao Yuan, please help me!" Han Sheng Ming cried urgently.
Mo Yuan asked dryly, "What's wrong? You woke me up so early in the morning."
Han Sheng Ming tried to negotiate. "Xiao Yuan, if you help me, I'll tell you the secret I've been keeping from you."
"I'm not interested in your secret." Mo Yuan's answer was curt and straightforward.
Han Sheng Ming gave up. "Ah! Fine, I'll do whatever you want for a week. Just let little Luo Luo stay at your house for ten days. Please!"
Mo Yuan paused and asked, "What happened to her?"
"Nothing happened to her, but my mommy's daddy came last night! Today he said that he's going to take me to his house for ten days, but I don't wanna leave little Luo Luo with mommy, Luilui, and Wanwan."
Mo Yuan hesitated before saying, "âĶI'm not going to your house to pick her up."
'Thank goodness he agreed.' Han Sheng Ming sighed in relief. "Ah!... Let me see if Uncle Tong's driver will do it. I'll call you later. Don't fall asleep." He hung up.
Mo Yuan yawned. He checked the clock and saw that it was eight in the morning. He didn't have enough sleep, but he felt as though his tiredness had suddenly faded away.
It had been a year since Han Luo moved into the Han Mansion. The two places she had become comfortable in were Han Sheng Ming's cottage and the Tang Mansion. She frequently went to the Tang Mansion and spent days there playing. But Mo Yuan didn't see her that much as Little Luo would stay away from him, whenever he was at the Tang House. Even if he invited his friends, Han Luo wouldn't go to his house. She still thought that he didn't like her that much.
When Han Luo turned three, she was admitted into the same kindergarten that Han Sheng Ming, Tang Yujin, and Mo Yuan went to. Han Luilui had become four years old, and naturally, she was admitted as well. Because of Han Luilui, Mo Yuan didn't want to get close to Han Luo's class, so he didn't see her that much in school either.
Soon, the summer vacation had arrived. All schools were closed, and the kids were at home. Tang Yujin went to Japan with his parents. His father had a business there, and they planned to stay there for a couple of weeks. Han Sheng Ming had no other option but to leave his cute little cousin in his other friend's care. He knew that Han Luo wouldn't bother Mo Yuan and that Mo Yuan wouldn't harm her. Even still, he was slightly worried, but it was a far better option than letting her stay with his mother and two sisters.
[A/N: I added an Auxiliary chapter.. Please read it. Thank you! ^_^ ]