My Beloved
Chapter 21 - SHE IS A LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Han Sheng Ming looked down and asked Han Luo, "Little Luo Luo, did that evil big brother threaten you?"

Han Luo shook her head. "No! Big brother warmed Ah Luo's feet. Ah Luo is warm now." She beamed brightly.

Han Sheng Ming and Tang Yujin were astonished. Both boys gaped at their friend with an expression of shock glued onto their faces.

Mo Yuan did what?!

Tang Yujin whispered to Han Sheng Ming, "Is that an alien?"

"Or a boy in disguise?" Hand Sheng Ming whispered back.

Mo Yuan furrowed his eyebrows. "I can hear you, you know." He never thought that his friends would criticize him right in front of his face. That's a great insult. Now he knew why people talked behind others' backs – those who were being criticized would be less hurt.

Han Sheng Ming's eyes were suddenly filled with a vivid spark. "I know! He's under a spell!"

"Do you want to fight?" Mo Yuan harshly glowered at Han Sheng Ming.

Tang Yujin realized that if he didn't interfere now, this situation would be blown out of proportion. He calmly proclaimed, "Let's not talk about this anymore. I have good news! Miss Mei is available, and she wants to go with us to the museum too."

"…I'm going to change my clothes." Mo Yuan instantly stood up and left the room.

Han Sheng Ming loosened his grasp around Han Luo as her head popped out of his arms. Tang Yujin asked her, "Little Luo, do you want to go to the museum?"

"Museum?" Han Luo cutely tilted her head as her black eyes twinkled in wonder.

Tang Yujin smiled. "Yes, we'll have lots of fun there."

Han Luo agreed to do anything whenever she heard the word "fun." She eagerly nodded. "I will go! I will go!"

Tang Yujin caressed her head. "All right! You have to get ready, first."

The maid helped her to change clothes. Little Luo wore a red dress the chef made especially for her. She thought that it would look good on the little miss, and she was right. The maid then tied up Han Luo's hair into a ponytail, with red lace, and let her bangs cover her small, white forehead.

One of the guards was too embarrassed to give them, but he had bought a pair of cheap red sneakers for Han Luo some time ago. Even still, he was forced to give them to little Luo after his friend, who was also a guard, found out and told everyone in the house about it. The red pair of shoes matched her outfit. She was dressed in the soothing shades of red from head to toe, making her resemble Little Red Riding Hood.

"I knew red would look good on her," The chef stated proudly.

"I never thought that the little miss would wear the shoes I bought for her." The once stoic guard had a face painted in sentiment.

A chorus of praises had abruptly filled the room.

"Little miss is so cute."

"She will grow up beautifully."

"She will have lots of suitors."

"Her kids will be so cute as well."

"Kids? Little Luo Luo's?" Han Sheng Ming blinked. He looked at Han Luo and realized that she was indeed a beauty. He took her tiny hands and pleaded, "Little Luo Luo, your big brother Ming treats you well. Why don't you marry me? We'll have lots of beautiful kids, like you!"

The servants around them gasped. They had just witnessed a love confession. Silence swiftly shrouded the air as they eagerly waited for an answer.

At first, Han Luo remained quiet; she didn't understand what her cousin had meant. But then, she smiled and nodded. "Okay!"

"Little Luo Luo is the best." Han Sheng Ming hugged her body tightly. "We'll have lots of cute kids in the future."

The maids started to giggle. It was fun to watch Han Sheng Ming and Han Luo's naivety. However, everyone still had hoped that Han Sheng Ming's love for his cousin wouldn't turn into the love a man has for a woman. After all, they were still related by blood. His family could not even treat Han Luo like a Han family member – the thought of her as his wife was definitely out of question.

Mo Yuan heaved a sigh at Han Sheng Ming's bold action. "Aren't you a bit too excited?"

Han Sheng Ming stubbornly retorted, "Why? Little Luo Luo is mine."

Mo Yuan corrected his headstrong friend. "First of all, she's not an object. Second of all, she didn't even understand what you meant."

Tang Yujin groaned. "All right, okay, let's go. Miss Mei will be waiting for us in front of the museum."

It was just as he said – Miss Mei was waiting for them in front of the museum. She was a tall beauty, with a toned, muscular body. Her charm came both from her looks and her brains. Miss Mei was the three boys' teacher who taught them Chinese and English. She also teaches them manners, etiquette, and Chinese four arts. Her teaching method was practical, and she often took the trio to visit museums, libraries, and historic places. The young teacher was also a skilled martial artist who was always ready to protect the kids when they're outside.

When she saw the boys, she smiled in a friendly manner. "Hello boys, how are you today?"

"We're fine, Miss Mei. We're sorry we took so long and made you wait," Han Sheng Ming replied. He admired Miss Mei.

"I didn't wait too long. And this must be your little Luo Luo I've heard so much about." Miss Mei chuckled and grinned at Han Luo. "Hello, little Luo, I'm Miss Mei. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, I'm… Luo…" Han Luo felt shy in front of her as she introduced herself.

"Oh my! I didn't think you would know how to introduce yourself. I'm very impressed. I would love to be your teacher too. Little Luo, what do you think?"

Han Sheng excitedly exclaimed, "Little Luo Luo, this is great! We can study together and play together more. It'll be so much fun!"

Han Luo only understood that something fun was going to happen. "Yes!"

"That's great!" Miss Mei added. "I will talk to your uncle later. Now, we should head inside. Let's go boys, and cute little Luo." Miss Mei took Han Luo's right hand and took Tang Yujin's left hand. Han Sheng Ming then grasped Han Luo's hand as Mo Yuan grabbed Tang Yujin's hand.. Together, the five of them went inside the museum, hand in hand.