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"The Spider and the Fly,"
["Will you walk into my parlour?" said a spider to a fly; " 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy. The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, and I have many pretty things to shew when you are there,", "Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "to ask me is in vain, for who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."] Lan started reciting his chosen poem with perfect pronunciation and intonation. He extended his arms and changed his expression to emphasize the characters of the poem, earning praises from the audience.
Daniel didn't know the poem, unlike others around them, so he didn't know that for Lan to memorize the poem in three days was an amazing achievement for an 8 year old child. Meanwhile, the audience that knows the poem couldn't help but be amused by Lan's performance.
"Minmin, your older cousin is really smart," Daniel commented, shaking his son's hand while the little boy watched Lan at the front still reciting his poem.
"I heard about this poem, it's quite a long one for a child to memorize. I'm very impressed," April said, her attention on Lan at the front as well. Of course, she expected nothing less from her future Master. His father, Mo Hanlu, may seem stupid but he was actually not, he just liked playing around. For Lancel Mo to be smart as well was no surprise. Even though it was just memorizing, anyone could tell that the eight year old boy was intelligent. Also, Ian Andrews is said to be a smart Omega, so it should be expected that his son is also smart.
"Hmmmn, Hanlu always flaunted how smart Lan was, so I expected nothing less from him," Daniel nodded proudly. For the past few days that he lived with the child, he had gotten closer to him and now he treated him like his son as well. Daniel took it upon himself to become the little boy's second mother, especially now that Ian was away.
["Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend what can I do, To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you? I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice; I'm sure you're very welcome–will you please take a slice?" "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"] Lan continued to recite. Daniel and April focused their attention on him, both feeling amused and proud.
The way Lan recited the poem, it was obvious that it's about the spider and the fly. The spider was trying to convince the fly to come closer to his spider web by flattering the fly. So far, the fly refused to believe the spider's words and didn't go into his den. Lan executed the two different characters so well that the viewers instantly knew who was the spider and who was the fly.
["Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by; With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue–Thinking only of her crested head–poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, Within his little parlour–but she ne'er came out again!"] Lan continued to recite, his tone this time was sad and disappointed. His adorable face also shifted to match his tone. In the end, the fly fell for the spider's flattery, she went into his den and never came out again, meaning she probably died and was eaten.
["He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, within his little parlour—but she ne'er came out again! —And now, dear little children, who may this story said, To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed: Unto an evil counsellor, close heart, and ear, and eye, And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly."] Lan finishes, taking a bow. The crowd applauded him, some of them even stood, including Daniel and April.
As Lan exited the stage, the emcee once again walked back out to the front.
"Impressive, right? We hoped you liked that, our previous performer practiced his entry within three days and for him to perform that perfectly is really worth the praise." The emcee mentioned making the crowd gasp "Oohs" and "Ahhs". Clearly, with how lan performed his piece, it didn't seem like he practiced it in just three days.
"Anyway, that serves as the last performance for the first half of the day. Please come back later for the final performance of the second grade students' talent show," he added. He said a few more things until finally the program finally ended, saying that the audience can finally go.
"Lan is really good, I should treat him later with something he likes," Daniel mentioned, fixing his camera and tripod before putting it back in his bag. On cue, Lan arrived running towards them, and just like earlier, the same five girls were still following him, smiling as they reached Daniel and April.
"Lan, I'm so proud of you. I got it all on camera for your Mom and Dad. You five as well, you were really good. I'm sure your parents are really proud of you," Daniel said to Lan and the five girls, who smiled feeling flattered. They instantly mumbled their 'thank yous'.
"Thank you, Uncle. Mommy likes that poem, always saying I shouldn't be like the spider in the future," Lan mentioned with a shy smile. He was very nervous earlier, thankfully he was able to perform well without forgetting any lines from the poem.
"I'm sure you won't be like that spider," Daniel assured, giggling while he rubbed Lan's hair. Meanwhile, Lan didn't quite understand what that actually means but he was sure he would never become like that spider in the poem.
"I'm sure your Mom and Dad will be so proud of you," Daniel added, earning another shy thank you from Lan.
"Anyway girls, Young Master Lan will be having lunch now. I think it's best to go with your parents for now and have lunch as well. I bet they're looking for you all. You can follow him later, okay?" Putting down Luangmin, who wanted to quickly go down, April decided to talk to the little girls who seemed to like following Lan all the time as far as she'd observed.
"O-Okay~" The five girls replied in sync, making April and Daniel smile. Soon after that they finally left the program hall to find a nice spot to eat lunch. Because the academy's field was huge, many groups had decided to have a picnic on the ground while they ate lunch with their kids. Seeing this, Daniel also planned to do the same even before he left the Estate. He figured since it's an elementary school, it should have a playground for the kids to play in. Thankfully, it did.
"Why don't we have a picnic as well?" Daniel suggested, excitement visible in his tone. It was easy to tell that he was looking forward to doing so.
"What? No way, look at your stomach! You can't sit on the ground," April quickly rejected with a frown on her brows.
"I-I can sit on the ground, I-I'll be fine," Daniel pouted and mumbled softly, holding onto his bulging stomach. He was not that weak, he could definitely do it. His in-laws and husband were really just overprotective. It's not like this time someone will accidentally push him like before.
"What if something happens? I was told to keep an eye on you because you just came from the hospital. Your husband will kill me if I put you in danger," April said again, putting her hands on both of her sides, while both Lan and Luangmin looked at them confused, not sure if they were fighting or not.
"N-Nothing will happen!" Daniel replied, still pouting, but his brows were frowning, showing his stubbornness. April narrowed her eyes at Daniel but eventually she sighed, giving up.
"Okay, okay," April waved her hand in surrender. She thought pregnant Omegas were stubborn at times, so she had no way of stopping Daniel from doing what he wanted. Besides, as long as she's around, nothing will happen and everything will turn out just fine. Looking at the bright smile the Omega now had on his face, April rolled her eyes. Even though Daniel was now a mother of soon-to-be three children, he still can't hide his age. He was still very childish in her opinion.
They walked a little further and found a spot where they could have a picnic. When they found one near an empty wooden bench, April quickly excused herself. "Wait here, I'll just go get our things real quick," she instructed and Daniel quickly nodded along with Lan and Luangmin.
"Okay~" Said the three in chorus, like little chicks instructed by the mother hen.
"Don't go anywhere else and no talking to strangers. If someone approaches, you just pretend someone called you. Also you two, be good, okay?" April instructed, making Daniel laugh while Lan and Luangmin nodded obediently again. Even though they were itching to run around the field.
"Yeah, yeah, just hurry up," Daniel laughed and proceeded to sit on the bench.
"Okay, I'll be really quick," April said one last time before she finally left.
Meanwhile, in the far distance, a man wearing a plain grey hoodie was leaning on a nearby light pole, smoking his cigarette peacefully as if he purposely distanced himself from the children so they wouldn't be able to smell the smoke of his cigar. When in reality he was there for a deeper purpose.
It was already more than a week ago since he discovered that Mo Hanlu and his wife, an Omega police officer that was actually quite well known in the industry, had left the country. Rumors say that the couple was going to enjoy their honeymoon, leaving their son who was now studying at this academy. He was surprised at first, wondering why that demon Mo Hanlu enrolled his son in an ordinary school, where it was easy to infiltrate.
He had been observing the little kid for days now and he knew exactly when he's alone and when he is not. He also knows what time he goes to school, when he eats his lunch, what he does in his free time, when does he play, and what time he gets out of school.
Honestly, he didn't want to do this because he knew what might become of him after. But even if he ends up dying, he'll die happy as long as he makes Mo Hanlu suffer. That's how deep his grudge against that man is, and of course also towards the person behind him, Mo Laotian.
Today he thought he would be able to take his revenge on Mo Hanlu alone, but he didn't expect he would be hitting two birds with one stone. For some reason, Mo Laotian's Omega wife, who seemed to be pregnant, was with Lancel Andrews Mo and their very sheltered son, Mo Luangmin.
The man puffed his cigarette one last time before he dropped it on the ground and stepped on it, twisting his heel to put the light out.
"That Mo Laotian and Mo Hanlu are really getting comfortable," He whispered to himself, looking at the two kids running around the ground while Daniel Sullen Mo watched them from afar. He continued to observe them with his sinister look and it didn't take long before a short woman who was with them earlier came back with baskets and paper bags.
Looking for the right chance, the man patiently waited. The place is filled with people, and if he does something now, it would cause a commotion. He doesn't want that, he wants this to be as smooth as possible, or else he'll end up getting caught without getting his revenge.