Interestingly, Huo Shen was thinking something similar to his nephew Yichen. He frowned at his phone, wondering how to refuse his teacher.
He already had Duoduo. Between his illness and his missions, he could just about protect him from the murky Huo family and his many enemies. He had absolutely no interest in taking on a wide-eyed little girl as his ward.
Not only would it be a hassle to protect her, but his dear family would think she was competing for assets and try to warn her off.
His thoughts fleetingly went to her. Was she okay? Did her family take good care of her? Did she have someone special watching out for her? His heart clenched.
When his mother had mentioned marriage, his mind had automatically jumped to her soft eyes, the gentle brush of her hair as it cascaded around them…
"Is father angry with Duoduo?" a tiny voice brought him from his musings.
"Brat. I know exactly what you did!" he gave his son a firm tap on his forehead. "If I see you stirring up trouble again, you will go for a week without internet" he threatened.
Huo Moshe was a very intelligent child.Huo Shen knew perfectly well that Moshe had intentionally said what he did at the table, and covered it behind childish naivite.
No one ever suspected a 4 yr old of scheming. And with Moshe's angelic face, and heart-melting smile, he got away with almost anything.
"Duoduo was just stating facts" he pouted. "It was their own fault they couldn't control their selfish thoughts…"
"Your tricks hurt grandma today" his father cut him off seriously. "What have I taught you? As a man, you are not supposed to let those who care for you down"
Moshe hung his head in guilt. His father was right - he had indeed not considered everything. "I am sorry" he said quietly. His father's teachings were drilled into him from a very young age - A true man doesn't flinch from apologising for his mistakes.
"Can you tell me why?" Huo Shen asked.
Moshe was quiet. Huo Shen did not push him. He waited till his son was ready to share.
"I don't like living at Grandma's." He admitted quietly. "They always all speak ill of you. And daddy, I want to go home - be with you" his shoulders trembled.
Moshe did not repeat the unkind words he had heard or how insecure he really felt. Even at his young age, he did not want to be a burden to his father. But he was young after all. And he was terrified his father would leave him or stop loving him.
He intentionally poked the hornet's nest today because he had predicted how this shallow family would react. And it would end with his father taking him home. Maybe he wouldn't have to visit for a few weeks now.
Huo Shen sighed. He put his arm around his son and drew him close. No matter how intelligent his son was, he was, after all, only 4yrs old.
"Father is doing better now. We have a whole month together. Duoduo can spend as much time as he wants with me." he promised.
Moshe's eyes widened and sparked with true joy. He buried himself in his father's embrace "Duoduo is happy. I promise to grow up well and not let you down".
"Silly!" chuckled Huo Shen and ruffled his hair again. Seeing his son's tiny body nestled next to him, Huo Shen's breath caught, remembering his teacher's message.
Every child deserves to have guardians who will watch out for them his teacher had texted. This poor girl, despite all her brilliance and sweetness, has a deadbeat family who repeatedly betray her. She needs someone on her side…
Making up his mind, Huo Shen fired out instructions at his assistant. Maybe the situation wasn't as bad as his teacher painted and that child just needed money.
And maybe, just maybe, if he watches out for someone, somebody would help his little girl when she needed help. But he locked that thought away before it could even materialise.
In City C, Lu Mian received the news with as much enthusiasm as Duoduo did - except she didn't throw herself at her teacher. Her eyes danced with hope and she finally let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank you teacher Zhao" she murmured, deeply grateful for his kindness.
"No need no need" Teacher Zhao dismissed a bit uneasily. As a teacher, it was his job to watch out for his students.
"And look - these files have the patents you requested. Now, your mother's prescriptions rightfully belong to you and there's proof." He finished triumphantly, completely missing how Lu Mian's hand trembled as she held on to the treasures.
"I graded your answers for the Olympiad" Teacher Zhao continued. "You are on the right track. I have only made a few edits - to make sure you show your workings".
He had no doubt Lu Mian would clear the Olympiad. However, she needed to get the first place, for it to be considered for admission. And for that, the answers couldn't be too out of the box.
Working with geniuses is tiring, thought Teacher Zhao, fondly remembering his best friend who was a genius exactly like this student. He would've been so thrilled at her talent. Unfortunately they had really lost touch…
Bringing himself to the present, he said " Prepare well. The Olympiads are at the capital. When you go to compete, you can also meet Huo Shen and complete the formalities for Gaurdianship transfer" he finished.
Lu Mian froze. The olympiad was next week. If her Gaurdianship was finalized, she could just stay on in the capital and comeback only for the Gaokao.
Teacher Zhao evidently thought the same. However, he took her hesitation for fear. "Don't worry student Lu Mian. My student is responsible and upright. He is well settled and also has a son. I give you my word he will not wrong you. If anything comes up, you can always reach out to me - I can help."
"I didn't mean to question your arrangements teacher" Lu Mian hastily clarified. "I just realized that my freedom is near and that feels unreal".
"Your future is now in your hands Student Lu Mian." smiled TeacherZhao." Now all you need to do is work hard and live well"
And holding that exhilarating thought, Lu Mian sailed out of school. Her legs, as always, brought her to the noodles shop - the place she had been frequenting to study the past few days.
Boss Qin, despite being stoic and reserved always had a hot bowl of noodles for her and checked in on her regularly. She had sometimes caught him reading her responses over her shoulder and vaguely wondered how much he actually understood.
Nevertheless, she now had a softspot for Boss Qin and wanted to share the news with him.
"What's up?" Boss Qin asked her. He immediately noticed the light in her eyes and the bounce in her step. Unconsciously, seeing her happy mood lightened his heart.
Boss Qin frowned a bit when he heard her response. He didn't realize this little girl's family was that bad. And somehow, he had a strange reluctance knowing someone else was taking over responsibility for her.
How I wish I could do it! The random thought caught him completely off guard. Unfortunately, in his current situation, he couldn't. He abruptly got up and came back after a minute.
"Here are some savings in my card. I will continue to add money to it every month. Feel free to use it."
Lu Mian was touched. "Boss Qin, no.. I couldn't possibly accept.."
"Nonsense" interjected Boss Qin. "As a girl living under someone's care, it will be hard. There are naturally things you cannot ask. Be good. Take this. And if at any time you feel unsafe or it's not working out, come here. We can work something out."
Lu Mian's heart was full. She didn't reject Boss Qin's kind intentions. And, with still being a minor, she couldn't open an account or earn money without the Lu family knowing.
I will pay him back once I start making money she resolved. Sensing Boss Qin's genuine concern, she hastened to reassure him.
"I trust Teacher Zhao. He is my homeroom teacher and has been watching out for me for a long time. He used to say "Being a genius is useless if you don't know right from wrong". I don't think a person he trusts would be all that bad."
Boss Qin oddly froze up. He once had a very good friend who had told him the exact same thing. His fingers trembled. "Is it the teacher who teaches you Math and physics?" he asked. Old Zhao, after all these years, I didn't realise I would end up so close to you.
And as Lu Mian chattered on about her school and homework, Boss Qin listened with a quiet smile on his face. Neither of them realized the warm and cozy atmosphere that hung around them.