In that afternoon, after school, Dabao and Erbao discovered that their Mommy, who promised to pick them up from school, did not come. In her place was that familiar pretty lady Ouyang Qing.
“Where’s Mommy? Why doesn’t she come?” questioned Erbao with a tinge of unhappiness.
Although they had feigned politeness towards Ouyang Qing deliberately before, it was all an act to pacify Mommy.
In their hearts, they did not like Ouyang Qing a single bit even though she always displayed an angelic smile in front of them.
Even a little child understood that not everyone who displayed an angel’s smile was necessarily an angel.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Qing thought that her showing up would bring some cheer to the two children. However, that did not appear to be true.
Not only that, but the disappointment also reflected in Erbao’s eyes was obvious.
The palpable disappointment shown by them was like a pail of cold water pouring down on Ouyang Qing. Her angelic smile tightened a little, trying to hide her annoyance.
She did not give up outright and still tried to cheer them up. “Your Mommy has gone on a last minute business trip. She asked me to come to pick you both up.”
Dabao and Erbao exchanged a suspicious look between each other as both wondered the same thought. Since when Mommy and you are so close that she would entrust you to pick us up? Why does it sound more and more unconvincing?
“I want to give Mommy a call,” said Erbao as she took out her little kiddy mobile phone.
“Darling, there’s no need. Your Mommy is busy. She’s currently recording a show.” Having said that, Ouyang Qing continued to explain, “The show recording is the kind where there’ll be lots of cameras zooming on your Mommy, hence she can’t be disturbed in any way. Do you understand?”
Ouyang Qing stopped herself hurriedly before she blabbered more.
Dabao winked at Erbao. Since Ouyang Qing had come to pick them up, he was sure she was not lying. There was no need to press the issue further.
Having always listened to her older brother, Erbao understood his wink. Since her brother hinted to her not to call, she would not insist on calling.
In order to please the two kids, Ouyang Qing took both of them to their favorite children’s restaurant.
As an unmarried woman, she felt no stress babysitting the two children. Since both of them were very sensible and mature beyond their years, her task was seemingly simpler as well.
Even if Erbao had the habit of disappearing occasionally, as long as she waited in the same spot, the former would soon appear again.
It was as if Erbao had a daily-updating navigation system embedded in her head. So she never seemed to get lost.
Erbao was originally in a bad mood. Served with good food, she slowly became jovial once more.
After all, they were mere children. Their moods might be temperamentally tempestuous, but they were quick to forgive and forget.
Ouyang Qing motioned to the security who was standing guard outside the door to come in. She handed her phone to him and said, “Help us snap a few pictures together.”
She moved and stood behind Dabao and Erbao. Putting her arms around each of them, she posed for a photo with an angelic smile once more on her face.
The two kids were reluctant, but out of courtesy, they had to cooperate with her.
Interestingly, neither Dabao nor Erbao smiled. Dabao was even more expressionless than his sister. He put on a stoic look on the spot – basically a mini version of Nan Chen’s usual look.
With the photos taken, Ouyang Qing quickly opened a beauty filter app to retouch each photo.
With her fair look, she actually looked good even without the need for a beauty filter. She, however, was not satisfied, for she loved to cultivate a more delicate look – the more angelic appearance.
After the meal, Ouyang Qing brought them to the movies, before sending both of them back to the Nan family.
The two kids had not been to the Commoner Residence for a few days, and old Nan Zhengde had longed to meet the two children.
After seeing Ouyang Qing brought the two children back, he was overjoyed.
“Ah, my two darlings! Welcome home!” Old Nan Zhengde greeted and motioned both of them to come to him.
The two darlings rushed over to him obediently and rested on his lap.
“Have both of you eaten? If not, what do you like to eat?” he asked.
“We’ve taken our fill, thank you! Miss Qing brought us for a delicious meal just now,” Erbao replied.
“Miss Qing? Naw, you all should be calling her ‘Aunt Qing’. Be respectful in the future, okay?” Nan Zhengde rebuked them gently.
“It’s okay, sir. They’re just children. They can call me anything. I don’t really mind,” Ouyang Qing graciously responded.
Erbao was perturbed. What do you mean by ‘don’t really mind’? You are the one who asked us to address you casually, aren’t you? And now you’re saying you don’t mind?
Dabao and Erbao exchanged glances between them once again. Dabao hinted to his sister not to say anything anymore.
In her little mind, Erbao felt that adults were quite devious. They could say one thing and mean the other. They switched colors easily to suit their environment, just like a chameleon.
They did not allow kids to sprout nonsenses, but they themselves were full of nonsense.
“Remember, don’t call her Miss Qing anymore. Refer to her as ‘Aunt Qing’, okay? Also, have you thanked her for taking you out for a meal?” asked Nan Zhengde.
“Thank you!” Dabao and Erbao recited together obediently.
“It’s okay, sir. They don’t have to thank me. I like these two to bits and just by being with them, I feel really happy. They feel like a family to me,” explained Ouyang Qing enthusiastically.
She deliberately emphasized the word “family”. Naturally, it served her very own purpose.
Her intention was clear. She wanted to show the world that the children and she were close to one another.
“Thank you for your troubles. How is your father? It’s been a long while since he last dropped by for a tea with me,” old Nan Zhengde enquired with concern.
“Dad has been really busy with work lately. However, he often thinks of you, lamenting his lack of capability and praising your great wisdom. He keeps saying that he will be satisfied even if he possesses only a tenth of your savvy acumen.”
The old man smiled at the skillful flattery. Ouyang Duo’s daughter was indeed no ordinary person. There was something more to her than met the eyes.
“Your father is someone very capable, more so than me. He’s just being polite,” said old Nan Zhengde laughingly.
“Sir, you’re too humble. You’re a respected master in the business world. We all need to learn from you. After all, it is due to a great mentor like you that Chen is who he is today.”
She was certainly tactful with her words. Not only had she sweet-talked old Nan Zhengde, but she had praised Nan Chen in the same breath as well.
She knew that Nan Zhengde loved Nan Chen the most amongst all his grandchildren. Therefore she praised Nan Chen’s performance in the business circle, then acknowledged his excellent achievement was the result of Nan Zhengde’s good guidance. Such skillful compliment killed two birds with one stone.
The old man was happy to hear such praise. Even though her flattery was quite obvious, those praises sounded pleasing to his ears, for he loved it when others complimented him.
After all, there was no one in the world who did not like to be flattered.
Old Nan Zhengde chuckled pleasantly, “Such a sweet tongue you have. Child, I’m not as good as your compliment.”
The old man started musing about his grandson. Chen is not bad actually. He possesses the necessary talents. Coupled with his own hard work, his performance thus far has been satisfying.
“Sir, you’re too humble. Although I am young, I’ve heard of your exploits and achievements when you’re young.”
She continued to elaborate, “You’ve fought many battles in the business world. My dad has always talked about them, saying all those feats should be written into textbooks so as to educate the younger generation.”
Suddenly she sighed, “It’s a pity that I’m a girl, otherwise I would like to consult you for business advice. I will surely benefit and learn a lot from your experience.”
Those words made the old man even happier, “You flatter me too much. You don’t have to learn from me. Just go learn from your father. He is a very skilled man in his own right.”
As their conversations continued, Erbao was losing her patience and spoke up sulkily, “Great-Grandpa, you adults are too long-winded. Both Dabao and I are bored. Can we go play first?”
“Yes, I want to go read a book.” Dabao quickly chimed in, for he too was feeling bored by the long chats.
“Hahaha. Growing impatient, aye?” Old Nan Zhengde guffawed and said, “Don’t just go off like that. Stay a while and keep your Great-Grandpa company. I have not seen you both for days. I miss you all.”
“Then what does Great-Grandpa want to chat about? We’ll keep you company,” Erbao sweetly said.
Ouyang Qing was chatting away with the old man happily before the interruption. She was taking the opportunity to win his favor, but she did not expect the two children to disrupt the conversation and changed the topic. For that, she was deeply irked. However, there was nothing she could do.
If only she had known that Erbao and Dabao were doing the disruption deliberately, she would definitely be even more peeved.
