My Beloved

Chapter 40 - THEIR PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

If anyone asked Mo Yuan why he turned into a reserved, calm, and quiet person, it's all because of his parents. They flaunt in front of him every second they are together and neglect their child. Mo Yuan couldn't stand their behavior and would always confine himself to his room, separating himself from his parents to embrace his own seclusion. His parents' affection for each other was the very reason he disliked girls.

Han Luo was looking at Mo Yuan's father and mother hugging each other. She saw their faces get close and for some reason, her sight had become dark. The young girl was confused and tilted her head. After that, she started to squirm.

Behind her, Mo Yuan noticed her discomfort and whispered, "Don't move too much. This isn't something you should see."

Han Luo innocently asked, "Why not? My mommy and daddy were used to kissing each other all the time. They liked kissing me too." When she talked about them, she recalled how her father affectionately called her 'little treasure'; she missed him dearly.

Mo Yuan was astonished realizing how shameless her parents were doing this sort of thing in front of their kid. He wondered what else she saw them doing. He hoped she didn't experience the whole process, as he did.

Mo Zhen finally let his wife go, since they were out of breath, and glanced at the kids beside them. He didn't look embarrassed at all. He beamed seeing his son and called out, "Xiao Yuan!"

"Hello, dad- whoa!" Mo Yuan was pulled up by his father and was hugged tightly. Mo Zhen exclaimed, "I missed you, my boy!" He then kissed all over his small face.

Mo Yuan blushed even more. He was already eight years old, and in front of Han Luo, he was being 'humiliated' by his own father. The young boy writhed and protested, "Dad! Stop it! I'm not a kid anymore!"

"You will always be a kid to me," Mo Zhen retorted. He didn't let go of his son and smiled warmly.

Han Luo looked at them with a slight smile hanging on her lips. She remembered when she was being hugged and kissed like this. After that fateful evening, no one ever hugged or kissed her as her parents did.

Ma Rui noticed her forlorn gaze, and her heart hurt. She hugged and kissed Han Luo's left cheek and told her husband, "Baby, you've missed this little one."

Mo Zhen was strongly holding Mo Yuan – who was struggling to free himself – and glanced down at the six year old girl. The young boy was held even tighter, feeling the ground move away from his feet. Mo Yuan felt as though his father's arms were a dark, bottomless pool.

Mo Zhen blinked and asked his wife, "My darling, why didn't you tell me you gave birth to a cute little angel? How could you keep this a secret from me?! She was raised without fatherly love!" He looked very serious.

Ma Rui playfully smacked his right shoulder. "Oh, you! She is Qin Zheng's child."

Mo Zhen furrowed his eyebrows. He tried to remember, "Qin Zheng… oh, you mean Han Ying Wei's wife? So, she is their little daughter. Where did you pick her up from?"

Ma Rui shrugged. "Where else? From her uncle's house. She lives there and is a good friend of Xiao Yuan."

"I see, I didn't know Xiao Yuan liked girls. Doesn't he hate them?" Mo Zhen recalled that, one day, a girl was chasing after his son and he directly pushed the girl. The girl fell on the muddy ground and cried bitterly. That girl was the only daughter of his business partner from England. His business partner was upset because of this incident, yet Mo Zhen didn't scold his son; he was just worried that his son wouldn't have a girlfriend in the future.

"But Luo'er is different. She will be our future daughter after all." Ma Rui giggled mischievously.

'Is mom trying to adopt Han Luo?' Somehow, having her as his sister, Mo Yuan didn't like this idea. 'I don't think Sheng Ming will agree.'

Ma Rui told Han Luo, "Luo'er, this is big brother Yuan's father. Call him 'dad'."

Han Luo felt uncomfortable calling a person she saw for the first time 'dad', but Ma Rui was looking at her in anticipation. She had no other option but to step forward and greet Mo Zhen politely, "Hello… dad… I'm Han Luo. It's an honor to meet you."

Mo Zhen was surprised. "She is a polite child. Ying Wei taught his daughter well!" He smiled kindly and said, "It's nice to meet you too. Can I call you Xiao Luo?"

Before Han Luo could reply, Ma Rui sung, "Call her Luo'er. It sounds more intimate."

Mo Zhen wouldn't refuse his lovely wife. He agreed, "All right, Luo'er then." He looked at his watch and asked, "Aren't you done visiting this place? Let's go somewhere else. I'll ask someone to take your car to the apartment."

"Let's go!" Ma Rui took Han Luo's hand and the four of them got in the car. Their next stop was the city.

The sun set in the west when they reached the city. There, they were met by colorful lights, dazzling displays, vibrant music, and pulsating parties everywhere. Sydney had transformed into a magical city of lights, music, and ideas. At the annual vivid Sydney, artists, designers, musicians, and professionals from around the globe would come together to make Sydney an extraordinary wonderland.

Han Luo was looking at the city through the car window. Her eyes were sparkling in wonder and her mouth was wide open – she had never seen such a beautiful, animated city anywhere before. "So pretty!" she exclaimed.

Mo Yuan agreed with her. He was also looking outside, before suggesting, "Dad, let's walk."

"Sure!" Mo Zhen parked the car in front of the hotel and went out for a stroll with his wife and the kids.

Together, the four of them looked like a happy family.