A step closer

Thanks to the long night, Chi Lian was like a zombie come morning. She woke up late, almost dropped her head in her breakfast cereal and moved sluggishly when it was time to head to the orphanage.

Chi Zimo could help but laugh at her pitiful sight. It was ironic how she had emphasized that he should be on his best but here she was, embarrassing herself.

Luckily for her, Mei-Mei was sleepy as well so the two of them slept off in the back of the range rover where they slept off as her elder brother drove.

Jun Muyang and his entourage were right behind them. He had even brought a couple of bodyguards along for security just in case they were needed.

When the cars arrived, they were let in by the newly employed security guard who had been recommended by Wang Bolin. He was a retired veteran who was injured in an explosion when they were raiding a rebel area a few years back. He had lost a leg in that raid which made it difficult for him to hold down a proper job.

The ex-veteran or old Jiang as the kids called him was so grateful for the opportunity to find steady work again. And the best part was the way the children loved him and accepted him without judgment.

Old Jiang had read about the woes of the orphanage online and seen the news about the corrupt mayor who was holding back money to feed the children. He was so grateful to Lady Chi who was the benefactor and savior of the children.

Knowing that the Chi family was coming for a visit, he had put on his best clothes and waited anxiously by the gate. He even saluted them in excitement.

After the cars entered, a big truck which was carrying a large container followed them inside. It was filled with goodies Jun Muyang had told Wenzhe to prepare for the children.

A yawning Chi Lian got out of the car with Mei-Mei in her arms.

The doting grandmother mama Chi immediately came and took her from Chi Lian. The little girl was looking exceptionally beautiful today.

She was wearing a fluffy pink dress and her hair which was folded into two buns was held together by two shiny diamond studded head bands.

Chi Lian waved to principal Wang who was hurriedly walking toward them.

"Good morning principal Wang," She said and yawned again.

Chi Zimo shook his head as if her uncontrollable yawning was disappointing.

"Good morning Lady Chi, we were not expecting you to arrive so soon. The kids will be disappointed; they wanted to welcome you with flowers and a song."

Chi Lian laughed, that sounded like the kind of welcome they used to give special guests like politicians visiting a school or foreign country in her previous life.

"That's not necessary, we are not special visitors and besides children should use their weekends to rest."

Looking around, Chi Lian was impressed with all the visible changes in the environment of the orphanage. It was clean and bright red and yellow flowers had been planted next to the walls. The old buildings had been re-painted a bright yellow color. There was a new van labeled Sunshine children's home parked under one of the old trees.

"I love what you have done with the place." Chi Lian told Principal Wang.

Blushing at the praise, principal Wang looked away and said, "It's all thanks to your donations and hard work. Ever since the corrupt officials were arrested, all the money which was held back has been distributed to us. I bought some new clothes, books and other supplies for the children. We are even sending them to school now in a car."

"They must be a handful; you are doing great work here." Mama Chi joined in on the conversation.

Chi Lian suddenly remembered that she had not yet introduced principal Wang to her family and Jun Muyang so she set out to redeem that immediately.

"Principal Wang, these are my parents and my brothers."

One by one she mentioned their names.

"Such handsome young men," Principal Wang praised them, "Are they married?" she asked.

"No, they are single and available." Mama Chi announced a lot louder than necessary while frowning at her sons who looked anywhere but directly at her.

"What about that one?" she whispered to Chi Lian.

"Oh, "she pulled on Jun Muyang's arm, "This is Jun Muyang. He is my….uhm…friend."

The way she said it sounded more like a question.

Jun Muyang pulled away from her and looked at Wenzhe.

Quickly, Wenzhe pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to principal Wang.

"This is young master Jun Muyang, the CEO of the Jun corporation, please feel free to contact us if you ever need help." He said. His words represented Jun Muyang's words.

Principal Wang held the card with trembling hands. Who in this empire did not know the Jun Corporation? What was this golden young master doing in a run-down place like theirs?

"See, I am not the only one that is nervous around him." Papa Chi said to his wife.

Pointing at the container, Wenzhe said, "These things are for the children. The Jun Corporation is also going to fund a new building on this property."

Tears run down principal Wang's eyes when she heard this news. The children would finally have a new worthy home.

"Thank you master Jun." she cried.

Wenzhe guided the delivery men as brought down the supplies Jun Muyang had told him to buy. Some of the things included sacks of rice, flour, beans, toilet paper, sugar, books, pens, toys, clothes and so many other things.

Two brand new refrigerators, mattresses and a very large television were also included.

"Damn!" Chi Zimo said. "That's a lot of stuff."

"He is such a wonderful boy." Mama Chi looked at Jun Muyang appreciatively.

"Let's go and find the children."

Chi Lian pulled on Jun Muyang's shirt and led him inside the building. The rest of the family followed.

Principal Wang, her daughter, old Jiang and the two female care takers Chi Lian hired stayed behind to oversee the offloading process.

They found the children eating breakfast noisily in the dining area.

When they saw Chi Lian, most of them dumped their breakfast and run to her. They all tried to hug her at the same time, which was impossible.

Some of them were more excited to see Mei-Mei. She had been the youngest and most loved in the orphanage before she was adopted.

Chi Lian introduced the children to her family members and Jun Muyang.

Some of them shrunk away after Jun Muyang gazed at them with an unsmiling face.

"Smile or relax a little." She whispered to him.

"Who wants to paint the building wall?" Chi Lian sounded like a nursery teacher teaching toddlers.

"Me…me…me." The kids screamed.

"Follow me."

The kids followed her and she took the painting supplies that she had brought and distributed them to the children.

They were divided into groups and each group was led by an adult. They painted all sorts of flowers, animals and other things on the wall.

Jun Muyang told Wenzhe to have special food ordered and delivered to the orphanage.

Even the children who were previously scared of him approached him happily after eating the delicious food.

After one full day of playing around, they bade goodbye to the kids with promises to return.

As they left, they all stuffed Mama Chi with cards filled with cash to run the orphanage.

Chi Lian and Mei-Mei took the return trip in Jun Muyang's car. She had been expecting him to reject her when she asked but surprisingly, he agreed.

The most shocking part was that he was carrying a sleeping Mei-Mei on his laps. The little girl was shamelessly drooling all over his shirt.

Chi Lian was laughing so hard because of the expression on his face. He looked like he had just bitten into a bitter fruit.

"Give her to me."

"You will wake her up." He rejected her. "I would prefer her to be this quiet as compared to having her screaming or jumping up and down in my car."

"Did you have fun today?"

"It was not so bad." He said after a few seconds of silence.

He had enjoyed himself more than he thought he would. Spending time with her was not a bad thing. It calmed him. He liked her wisdom, bravery, selflessness and ambition. His interest in her piqued some more. He thought to himself that perhaps it was a passing fancy which would fade with time.

"Thank you for agreeing to come. I hope we will get to come again together." She looked at him hopefully.

"I will think about it."

To Chi Lian, that statement was enough to let her know that it was a yes.

As usual, the mighty little peep star posted pictures of Jun Muyang and Chi Lian playing with the children. Somehow, Jun Muyang looked dashing as he was painting a sunflower on the wall.

[Isn't this a beautiful sight, a flower painting a flower?] She posted.

As always, the post went viral.

One follower fire baby came so close to guessing Chi Lian's identity but he would never know.

Fire baby:[ Am I the only one who thinks this paparazzo is too obsessed with Jun Muyang and why does Lady Chi always appear in those pictures? Could she be the poster?]

Lord royal;[Why wasn't I born with such a handsome face?]

Jun Muyang's official wife:[Lord royal, post your picture and I will judge your looks.]

Lord royal:[I can send it to you in private]

Princess meow:[Will that couple take their love else where?]

Jun Muyang's only wife:[Has anyone seen the hairbands in that little girls hair..those are real diamonds]

Beauty Queen:[I saw it too. The baby is richer than me...sob sob]

Mommy for life:[Where can I buy them from and how expensive are they because my daughter wants them now?]

Fifefly:[ The most important question is whose child is she?]