My Beloved

"And? How much money did my Han Family spend on me? How much money did you pay for my studies? How much money did you fork out for my father's hospital bills?"

At her questions, even Han Sheng Ming was quiet. He knew well enough how much Han Luo worked hard to pay his father for the house. 

In addition to that, she took care of the monthly and yearly budgets. She paid all the employees including butler Noah. She stayed away from home and worked hard for her livelihood.

Never once did she ask for money from him or his father or Mo Yuan's parents.

'Xiao Yuan's parents helped her on their own. What about me? Did I help her at all? I didn't even help her with the budget and played with friends until evening.'

The moment he realized that he did nothing except for being a burden to her, Han Sheng Ming looked down. 

He was so ashamed of himself that he couldn't look up.

Han Wei Ning was piqued. Most definitely he had no idea how she spent her livelihood. Nevertheless, he still didn't like the way she talked to him.

"Nonsense! If we didn't pay for you, who else did? No matter what, you are carrying my family name and so you must sacrifice for my family!"

Han Luo sneered. "I was adopted by the Mo Family despite having relatives. They must have realized what kind of losers you all are."

"If I have to sacrifice for someone, I will do that for the Mo Family and no one else," she promised.

"Impudent!" Han Wei Ning's mood was entirely ruined. He was angry enough to turn the world upside down.

Han Luo did not bother with his behavior. She checked her clock and lazily stood up.

"I can't describe the details to someone who doesn't even want to pretend as an adult and yet wants to be respected. I don't have time for such childish behaviors. I'll be off for now."

She walked toward the door. Before leaving, she paused and looked back.

"By the way, I have no plans to leave this house since it does belong to my family. As for you, old-timer, I hope I don't see your ugly face whenever I'm in this house. My beauty will be ruined."

And then, she peacefully left, leaving a gaped Han Sheng Ming and furious Han Wei Ning. 

Han Sheng Ming gulped and glanced at his grandfather. The old man was exasperated. He was aggrieved to the point he couldn't talk.

'Little Luo Luo, why did you have to provoke him like that? Isn't he our target?' Han Sheng Ming cried in his mind.

He stood up as well, not wanting to spend time with someone who wanted to 'sacrifice' his beloved cousin.

"I'll talk to you later, grandfather. And please, try not to hurt her. She had been through a lot without any of us supporting her. She didn't take any penny from us and so, she doesn't owe us."

It must be the first time he had gathered some courage to defend his cousin in front of an elder. 

'Long before, I regretted not protecting her from Elder Tang's wrath. I don't want to make the same mistake twice. Forgive me, grandfather. I want to protect my cute little sister.'

After Han Sheng Ming left, Han Wei Ning let out a deep breath. A moment later, he reached out for his cell phone and called someone.

After the fifth ring, someone answered the call. 

"Hello?"

"You took long enough," Han Wei Ning scoffed.

"You seem… impatient," the voice from the other side said.

Han Wei Ning sighed. "Ah, don't remind me. Didn't you say that the little girl is soft and timid? I just met her and she is like a firecracker. I don't like her."

"…What happened?"

Han Wei Ning told the person everything. 

Later he added, "She is so shameless that she said she would stay even though I told her to get out of my house. She is claiming my house as her house."

"…It seems like my intel is wrong. Are you sure that's her, not an imposter?"

"How can that be?" Han Wei Ning was surprised. "Even if I never met her after that accident, I still kept tabs on her. She is the sole reason why everything has happened. How can I not keep an eye on her?"

As he talked, he clenched his fists, trying to hold back his emotions.

"What about Qi Ting? Any news?" the person from the other side of the phone inquired. 

"No news. I ordered him to keep an eye on that girl but he had suddenly disappeared. If I knew beforehand, I would have been prepared."

"...Nothing can be done about it. I wouldn't have any hopes left for him if I were you."

"What do you want me to do then? This girl seems too sly. I don't want to deal with her at this moment."

"Then you won't. Leave everything to me."

After hanging up the call, Han Wei Ning leaned against the chair. Looking at the ceiling, his mind drifted to the far past.

Meanwhile, Han Sheng Ming went to the garden and spotted his two friends in the corner of the servants' quarter. 

Tang Yujin noticed him first and remarked, "That was fast. How was the reunion?"

Han Sheng Ming didn't respond to his friend's question. He nervously looked around.

"Did you guys see little Luo Luo somewhere? I can't find her anywhere."

His solemn expression made them realize that something had happened without them knowing. 

"We didn't. What happened?" Mo Yuan inquired.

Afterward, Han Sheng Ming shortly described what happened after meeting his grandfather. 

Mo Yuan didn't stay any longer. He looked for the Head Butler, Qi Fei. He was the only person who knew everything that happened in the house.

However, Qi Fei's reply was unexpected.

"Miss Han hailed a cab and left without telling me anything. Her expression was a bit off. Thus, I didn't pester her."

The boys were at a loss for words. 

"I'll call her." Mo Yuan dialed her number.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is unreachable. Please try again later…"

He heard a polite voice. Without a word, he hung up.

"It's no use. She turned off her cell phone," he declared.

"Then where will we look for her?"