57 HAN LUO'S DECISION
"Of course, you can. Maybe you have to wait a little longer, but one day you'll grow up and then you can go wherever they are. You shouldn't stop them from leaving just because you'll miss them. That's called selfishness; selfishness is a bad thing." Butler Noah rubbed her head and warned her.
Han Luo asked, "Will my big brothers hate me if I'm selfish? Because I want to be selfish!"
"If you are selfish, everyone will hate you." Butler Noah knew that everyone would be happy if she was a little selfish, but he doesn't want her to learn to be too selfish or selfless. He wanted her to learn to be the person who will act according to the situation – the person who would choose what's best for herself and everyone else.
Han Luo looked down again. She was so sad that her thoughts were foggy. Sensing her faint breathing, Butler Noah declared, "You cannot think properly with an empty stomach. Here, let me feed you your favorite fruit custard."
When he fed her, Han Luo's eyes swelled up once again. "Noah, will you feed me after my big brothers leave me?"
"Of course, I will. But you cannot scold me." Butler Noah winked at her.
Han Luo frowned. "Now you're making fun of my poor situation…"
"One should never let go of the opportunity," Butler Noah playfully advised her.
"Noah, you are the worst." Han Luo chewed the fruits and glared at him.
"Then you can forget about me feeding you." Butler Noah stopped feeding her and was about to get up. However, Han Luo grabbed his thigh and screamed, "No, no, you are not allowed to leave me!"
Butler Noah smiled. "I'll listen to you for once."
"Noah, you meanie, you idiot!" Han Luo went on and on. Butler Noah was right; she didn't want to let go of any opportunity. Even the prankish scoldings secretly brought her joy.
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Ma Rui was sitting on her favorite easy-chair while looking outside the window. At that time, Han Luo trotted inside and called out, "Mom!" Ma Rui quickly looked at her and saw her running toward her. Han Luo touched her knees and proclaimed, "Mom, my big brothers can go far away. I won't tell them to stay. They need a better education! I will stay here with daddy and Noah and pray for them." Whatever she had just said was from the depths of her heart – there was no fakeness in it.
Ma Rui's face glowed, happy to hear Han Luo's words. She hugged the little girl and took her in her arms. She let the child sit on her lap and said, "Thank you so much, dear Luo'er. I know you are kind. Can you help me tell your big brother Ming to agree to go abroad?"
Han Luo nodded. "Okay!"
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Yet Han Sheng Ming still stubbornly refused. He shook his head and exclaimed, "No way! I can't do that! I will never leave little Luo Luo alone!"
Han Luo was helpless. "Big brother Ming, don't be mad. I'll call you every day and we will have video calls! We can pair up and play crosswords together too. I promise!"
"I won't go!" Han Sheng Ming had come to see his cute little sister after hearing that she was healed. But to think she would heartlessly tell him to go to a country far away without crying a little, he felt devastated.
Han Luo tried to make him understand. "But big brother Yujin and big brother Yuan are going to leave. You will be all alone."
"I won't. I have you." Han Sheng Ming crossed his arms.
Han Luo was also stubborn just like her cousin. "Are you really going to do this?"
Han Sheng Ming vigorously nodded. "Yes!"
Han Luo narrowed her eyes. Her face was turning red. "You can never win against big brother Yujin and big brother Yuan. Is that okay?"
This was hard to answer. Han Sheng Ming closed his eyes and replied, "I'm fine with that."
"Fine! I won't talk to you anymore. I don't need a loser big brother. I need a winner big brother." Han Luo pouted her pink lips in anger before turning around to leave. It was already hard for her to make him agree to it, but her 'big brother Ming is an idiot. He is more idiotic than Noah.' While cursing him, Han Luo felt like crying.
"Ah! Little Luo Luo!" Han Sheng Ming had never seen her get angry before. He ran after her.
It was late autumn, and the weather was becoming merciless and cold. There was a light fog at dawn, and it brewed until early morning. Everyone had started to wear warm clothes. While running, Han Luo's scarf loosened and fell on the ground. Han Sheng Ming picked it up. "Little Luo Luo, you're going to catch a cold. Do you want to get sick and stay at home all day again?"
Han Luo didn't answer. She stood in the flower garden, with the various colors of *chrysanthemums enveloping her.
However, the children didn't have the time to enjoy the view. Han Sheng Ming sweetened his voice with honey. He was ready to vent. "Little Luo Luo, how can I leave without you? What will happen to you if I leave you behind? You will be tortured by those ugly girls! I won't be there to protect you. Your butler cannot do anything either. Who will keep an eye on your dollhouse and books? Who will feed you every day? Who will stop that fatty cook from giving you spicy food? Who will save you from mommy's bullying? Who will catch you when Luilui pushes you down the stairs? Who will support you to complain to daddy and be fair? If I think about this every day, I'll be worried to death!"
*Chrysanthemums are one of the most common flowers and are symbolic of autumn and the ninth lunar month. The Chinese word for chrysanthemum is similar to ju, which means "to remain" and jiu which means "long time." Therefore, chrysanthemums symbolize duration and long life.
