Yuan Gun Gun kept her mouth firmly shut. Han Yan Che gave her a warning look, and she opened her mouth. He fed her the broth, and her eyes lit up.

‘Young master, it tastes delicious,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Hao Yan Che silently fed Yuan Gun Gun the whole bowl of broth, spoon by spoon. Afterward he wiped her mouth, took the tray away and returned with a box of chocolates.

Yuan Gun Gun’s eyes turned into love hearts at the sight of chocolates.

Hao Yan Che put the box of chocolates in Yuan Gun Gun’s hands.

‘You’re only allowed to eat three chocolates,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yuan Gun Gun hugged the box of chocolates. Hao Yan Che’s brows creased and he walked to the door.

‘Young master, where are you going?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘To the study room,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘If you need anything, call aunty Chen.’

After Hao Yan Che left, Yuan Gun Gun opened the box of chocolates. She unwrapped a chocolate, put it in her mouth and it melted deliciously in her mouth. She couldn’t resist unwrapping another chocolate… moments later, she felt like she was struck by lightning. An image of Hao Yan Che’s violet eyes looking at the empty box of chocolates in her hands made her whole body shiver.

Yuan Gun Gun wiped her hands to get rid of the evidence. Then she carefully rewrapped the wrappers and put them inside the empty box. She was thankful her mummy taught her what to do if she accidently ate too many chocolates.

Suddenly the phone rang, and startled Yuan Gun Gun.

‘Hello… big brother Due!’ Yuan Gun Gun greeted.

‘Yes it’s me,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Have you been well?’

‘Not bad,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘What about everyone?’

‘Everyone is healthy,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to go to school? Is it because of what happened? Do you want me to change schools for you?’

‘Young master won’t let me go to school,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Na Liu Ting Du was unhappy to hear Yuan Gun Gun mention Hao Yan Che.

‘Big brother Du, are you there?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘I’m here,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘What do you do now?’

‘Young master hired a teacher to home school me,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘My teacher is training me how to be a secretary.’

‘Really?’ Na Li Ting Du asked. He gripped the phone. ‘How are you studies?’

‘Good,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘My teacher praises me. She said I’m a good student.’

‘Of course my Gun Gun is a good student,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘Big brother Du, if you’re free come here to see me,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I get to escort my teacher to her car at five every afternoon. I really miss big brother Du.’

‘Alright,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘In two days I’ll come and see you.’

‘Big brother Du, do you have to go now?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Yes,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. He pictured Yuan Gun Gun’s sad puppy eyes and smiled. ‘I have work to do.’

‘Remember to come to see me,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘I will,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘Big brother Du, hang up first,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

Na Liu Ting Du chuckled and hung up the phone.

Yuan Gun Gun was excited she would get to see Na Liu Ting Du soon. She laid on the bed and watched TV.

Hao Yan Che returned to the master bedroom at ten at night. His brows creased at the sight of Yuan Gun Gun’s teary eyes staring at the TV.

‘Why are you crying?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘Young master, you’re back,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Stop crying,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yuan Gun Gun stretched her arms toward Hao Yan Che. Yuan Gun Gun wanting him to hug her made his anger disappear. He laid on the bed and hugged her.

‘Why are you crying?’ Hao Yan Che asked. ‘Do you have a stomach ache?’

‘No,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’m watching a movie called ten rules between dog and me. It’s a really moving sad story.’

Hao Yan Che inwardly sighed. His rice ball cried over a movie.

‘The dog and the owner have ten rules with each other,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘It’s really sad when the dog died.’

‘What rules?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

Yuan Gun Gun recited the ten rules to Hao Yan Che:

***

End of Chapter Seventy-Three