‘But if my daddy finds out, he’ll hit me,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’ve seen it on TV.’

‘I thought your parents must have hit you when you were little girl for you to have a dummy brain,’ Hao Yan Che teased. ‘But now I know the heavens made you this way.’

‘It’s not my fault,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I inherit my mummy’s intelligence but none from my daddy.’

‘I see,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘Your parents must have a hard life.’

‘What do you mean?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Think about it,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘Che…’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Um,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘Are you in a good mood now?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Average,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘I want to request something,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘What?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘I really miss my parents,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘Can I go home to visit them?’

Hao Yan Che thought Yuan Gun Gun grew puppy ears again.

‘I haven’t seen them for a long time,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’m begging you to let me see them.’

Hao Yan Che didn’t want Yuan Gun Gun to be away from him.

‘I’ll come home at night,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’ll ask my mummy to make delicious food for you.’

‘Do you want to see your parents or do you want to see Na Liu Ting Du?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘I want to see everyone,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘But big brother Du moved out. He doesn’t live at home anymore.’

‘You’re not allowed to see him,’ Hao Yan Che said and pinched Yuan Gun Gun’s bottom.

‘I won’t see him,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘He’s busy at work.’

‘If he’s not busy, will you run to him?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘No,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘You have to come home before midnight,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘Thank you Che,’ Yuan Gun Gun said and kissed Hao Yan Che’s cheek.

‘Even if you come home one second after midnight, you’ll be punished,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘I promise I’ll come home on time,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’ll go get ready now.’

‘What’s the rush?’ Hao Yan Che asked. ‘Eat lunch before you go.’

‘OK,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

At three in the afternoon, Yi Tu escorted Yuan Gun Gun to the Yuan Mansion. In the car, her face didn’t stop blushing.

‘Gun Gun, you don’t have to be embarrassed,’ Yi Tu said. ‘We’re all adults.’

Yuan Gun Gun regretted there was no hole for her to crawl in. Yi Tu caught her and Hao Yan Che in another compromising position. During lunch she accidently dropped tomato sauce on Hao Yan Che’s desk. When Yi Tu walked into Hao Yan Che’s office, her bottom was facing Hao Yan Che’s face and she was bending over Hao Yan Che’s desk to clean. Yi Tu said that she and Hao Yan Che could take all the time they wanted, and Yi Tu would wait in the car for her.

Yuan Gun Gun jumped out of the car the moment the car stopped in front of the Yuan Mansion.

‘Bye big brother Yi Tu,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Yi Tu waved bye and Yuan Gun Gun ran into the Yuan Mansion.

‘Daddy, mummy, I’m home!’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Feng Du Du ran downstairs, kissed Yuan Gun Gun’s face and hugged Yuan Gun Gun tightly.

‘Gun Gun, my little treasure is home,’ Feng Du Du said. ‘Mummy really missed you.’

‘I really missed mummy too,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Feng Du Du took Yuan Gun Gun to the living room, and Yuan Gun Gun was surprised to see Na Liu Ting Du sitting on the sofa.

‘Big brother Du…’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘You sound like you don’t recognise me,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

Yuan Gun Gun sat next to Na Liu Ting Du, and kissed his cheek.

‘Daddy said big brother Du is busy at work,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I didn’t think you’ll be home.’

Na Liu Ting Du was sad Yuan Gun Gun didn’t hug him like usual. He forced himself to smile and rubbed her head.

‘I knew you’re visiting dad and mum today,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘So I made time to come home to see you. Did you miss me?’

‘Yes,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Na Liu Ting Du pulled Yuan Gun Gun onto his lap and kissed her cheek. She felt awkward and uncomfortable sitting on his lap.

Na Liu Ting Du sensed Yuan Gun Gun sat rigid on his lap.

‘You’re heavier than last time,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Have you been happy lately?’

‘Yes,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Good,’ Na Liu Ting Du said but there was no warmth in his eyes.

Yuan Ting Liu entered the living room, and was happy to see his little girl.

‘Yuan Gun Gun, do you remember your daddy?’ Yuan Ting Liu asked.

***

End of Chapter 102