"I have to go to the hospital. Can you sit alone at home with Fantuan?"
Lulu asked as they enjoyed their breakfast.
"Hospital? Are you sick?"
Mu Zhe asked anxiously. Even his big eyes all round looking at Lulu. Full of sorrow.
"No. It's was my mother."
Lulu replied.
"Oh. Sorry I don't know."
Mu Zhe's voice sounded sad. He lower his head. He looked at the fried rice that had lost its color.
"It's okay. It's was old problems. I'm glad you came this morning."
Lulu said. Mu Zhe raised his face.
"At least, Fantuan is not alone at home. I hope that from now on every week you can come to keep Fantuan at home."
Lulu's words brought a bright smile to Mu Zhe's lips. He nodded quickly. Now he no longer needed to use the excuse of jogging to come to Lulu's house.
"I hope that one day you can tell me about your problem. I will help what I can."
Mu Zhe said. His smile widened on his sweet lips. Lulu just nodded. Still not ready to tell his family story. He didn't want to burden Mu Zhe with his story. He just wanted Mu Zhe to always smile happily by his side.
After breakfast, Lulu left the house as he said.
"I'll be back in the evening. Your lunch is in the fridge. Heat it up before you eat."
Lulu said. Mu Zhe nodded. A big smile continued to form on his sweet lips. He gave Lulu all of his positive energy.
Lulu smiled. The heavy feeling he had been carrying since yesterday was gone.
"Fantuan. Papa is about to leave. Bye bye to papa."
Mu Zhe said as he took Fantuan's small paws. He waved it at Lulu. Lulu smiled. Gently patted Fantuan's forehead.
"Fantuan, don't be naughty. Accompany daddy at home for papa."
Flush!!
Lulu's words and smile made Mu Zhe's face blush to the ears. It felt like a wife sending her husband out for work.
"Hurry up and go. You'll be late."
Mu Zhe said shyly as he pushed Lulu away.
"Okay. Take good care of yourself. If anything happens, call me."
Lulu said. Mu Zhe nodded. "Just go..." Mu Zhe couldn't hold back his embarrassment anymore. As soon as Lulu's shadow disappeared, Mu Zhe quickly closed the door.
"Arghhh!!!! How embarrassing..."
Mu Zhe sat down and buried his face in Fantuan's round belly.
Perhaps because he was angry, Fantuan pushed Mu Zhe's face away with his little paws as hard as he could.
"Oh... do you want to fight with daddy? Come here, naughty boy."
Mu Zhe tickled Fantuan's round belly. Fantuan screamed in amusement as his paws tried to grab Mu Zhe's hand. His eyes widened in anger. After all his efforts failed, Fantuan quickly jumped up and ran away from Mu Zhe's embrace.
"Naughty boy. Where are you going to run?"
Mu Zhe couldn't stop teasing Fantuan. Fantuan had to hide under the sofa. The place where he was safest from his daddy's madness.
***
"Did something good happen to my son?"
Li Da asked as she smile. Seeing her son so cheerful, her heart became calm and all the pains she suffered before being lifted right away. She was truly grateful for anything that made her son's heart happy.
Lulu smiled as he handed the bowl of warm porridge to his mother.
"Did my son already got a lover?"
Li Da teasing her son.
"Not yet Mom. But..."
Lulu stood up from his seat.
"I has someone that I likes."
Lulu said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Oh. A girl? Or maybe a boy? Is that person beautiful?"
Li Da asked endlessly. Her face looked so excited. It seemed that her wish to see her future in-law before she closed her eyes would come true.
"Mom. I hasn't told him about my feelings."
Lulu said as he massaged his old mother's leg.
"Eh? Not yet? Why not?"
Li Da placed her bowl on the table. Her appetite suddenly disappeared.
"Don't worry, Mom. When the time comes, I will tell him about how I feels."
Lulu persuaded. Looking at his mom's sad face made him feel uncomfortable.
"When? What if someone snatched him before do? My son-in-law must be charming, right?"
Li Da asked while stroking Lulu's cheek. Her heart sank every time she saw her son's face. If she were stronger, Lulu wouldn't suffer. He would be free to have fun like other children his age. Li Da felt like she had failed as a mother.
"Yes, Mom. He's not only charming, he's also kind."
Lulu said while tightly hug his mom's hand. Rubbing it to his cheek like a kitten.
"Are there any pictures? I wants to see him too."
Li Da asked. Lulu nodded. He took the phone from his pocket. Then showed the picture on his phone screen.
Li Da's mouth dropped open. Her heart felt as if a holy wind from heaven had blown through her. Her son looked cheerful next to a boy with a round face. The face was beautifully adorned with a pair of round eyes and a sweet smile on her small lips. The picture was too beautiful to forget. Like a perfect family with the presence of the little one in the middle.
"I want this picture."
Li Da asked. Lulu smiled. If his mother was happy with the picture, he was willing to take dozens more similar pictures. Pictures where he, Mu Zhe and Fantuan were being happy together.
"What's his name?"
Li Da asked excitedly until she forgot about the pain stabbing her stomach.
"This is Mu Zhe. And this is Fantuan."
Lulu introduced his future little family one by one to his mother.
"Mu Zhe. He indeed charming."
Li Da praised Mu Zhe while caressing his picture. If it was true that Mu Zhe would become her son-in-law, she would be willing if God take her life at that moment. Her heart was happy.
"Yes, mom. But he a little naughty. Fantuan is also starting to follow his behavior."
Lulu began to express his feelings.
"Let it be. If you gets angry with them, I will get angry with you. Don't bully my son-in-law and grandchild."
Li Da said while gently slapping Lulu's shoulder.
"Mom. It's not even happened yet, you already dumped me."
Lulu pretended to sulking.
"How could I dumping this handsome son of mine."
Gently, Li Da pinched Lulu's cheek.
"Lulu."
Li Da called softly. If Mu Zhe was able to give Lulu happiness, she hopes their relationship would be smooth and easy. And she could leave in peace.
"Promise me...you will be happy. Okay?"
Li Da said with tears welling up. Lulu's heart began to feel like it was being stabbed by millions of sharp needles when he saw those tears. Lulu hugged his mother tightly. He nodded. He also cried in the warm embrace that he didn't know how long he could hold on to.
"Promise with me that you will get Mu Zhe for me."
Li Da said in laughter mixed with tears. Lulu chuckled. Nodding slowly.
"Yes mom. I promised."