"Little master!!!"
Aunt Lan called out as her eyes filled with tears.
Tang Li Mei walked inside the house, holding the sleeping boy in her arms.
"Young miss??"
She settled the little one on the couch and removed his shoes.
"Xun'er got into a fight with one of his classmates. The doctor said his injuries are not severe, and he'll be fine after a few days' rest." She explained in a low voice, but her eyes were cold and murderous.
Oh, how much she wanted to destroy those people, but she couldn't bring herself to do that to a little child.
Aunt Lan stared at the little boy, who was sleeping without a care in the world. She sighed in relief when she heard he was fine.
"I'll quickly make some porridge for the little master." She informed her before walking towards the kitchen.
Tang Li Mei closed her eyes and leaned against the couch.
She thought she was doing her best to be both parents for him.
But she failed to understand him.
She sighed.
Tang Li Mei never knew her baby was going through something like this.
She massaged her head when she felt a headache coming.
"Young Miss, dinner is ready. Should I take the little master to clean up??" Aunt Lan whispered.
The black-haired woman looked at her little bun and shook her head.
"I'll bathe him. Aunt Lan, just reheat the food if required. It'll take some time for both of us to freshen up." Aunt Lan nodded.
She quickly picked up her little bun and walked down the stairs.
"Xun'er?? Baby, wake up. You need to take a bath." The little boy's eyes fluttered open, and he looked at his mother.
"Mama," he called to her as he raised his arms.
Tang Li Mei quietly picked him up and brought him inside the bathroom.
She filled the tub and helped the little one take a bath. She was very careful with his wounds to not get them wet.
After cleaning up, they sat down for dinner.
Tang Li Mei quietly scooped the porridge and fed her baby.
Aunt Lan looked at them and sighed in her heart.
'Poor child. From taking responsibility for such a huge business empire to taking care of her child, she never asked anyone for help. She shouldered all the burdens alone. How much more can her little body endure??? If only the little one's father was here!!' Although she had no clue about who his father was, she prayed that wherever he was, it was time for him to come back and help her young miss.
"Oh my!! Young miss, I forgot to inform you; the master called, and he asked you to call back once you are home." Aunt Lan informed Tang Li Mei.
She nodded her head and continued to feed her baby.
Sitting in the study, she dialed a number.
"Mei'er??" the person on the other end called out. His voice was barely above a whisper, and he seemed tired.
"Father!!! Are you not feeling well?? I'll be there in twenty minutes; don't worry." Tang Li Mei quickly informed him as she stood up and walked towards the door.
Apart from her little one, she only had this father.
Her little heart could not take any more loss.
"Mei'er I'm fine!!! Housekeeper Xi took me for a 'stroll' in his language. Who knew he would make me walk so far!!! How is this called a stroll??" Her father complained.
The grey-eyed woman relaxed as she heard her father's playful banter.
"Father, the doctor has asked you to walk at least for an hour. I would say Uncle Xi is doing a good job." She playfully teased as her eyes sparkled and her lips hooked up.
"What kind of daughter would laugh at their father's misery???" he grumbled. Tang Li Mei laughed at her father's tone.
"Anyways, I called you to inform you about my old man.....Mei'er... You should visit him; he always asks about you and Xun'er" he quietly said, as if testing the waters.
Tang Li Mei's smile stiffened. This grandfather of hers always tricked her father into taking him to see them... The previous owner of this body was very fond of this old man, but not her.
She hated him for what he did.
"Father, you know..." She sighed, unable to explain.
"Father knows that you are angry at the old man, but Mei'er hear him out once. Sometimes what we see and hear is different from reality. Mei'er father is not asking you to forgive him; just hear him out once. Okay?" He requested.
Tang Li Mei sighed and agreed.
"Mei'er tomorrow...." He sighed.
"I know, father; I'll be there," she whispered.
"I'll send housekeeper Xi to pick you up in the morning," he informed her, trying to hide his feelings, but she heard the loneliness in that voice.
After talking some more, Tang Li Mei continued with her work.
The next morning, she walked out of her house and found housekeeper Xi waiting for her.
"Young miss!! " the middle-aged man called out with a smile.
Tang Li Mei smiled at him and nodded her head.
The sky looked gloomy, and a cold wind blew. It was a good thing that she chose to wear a jacket.
The jeans and white t-shirt brought out a youthful look in her that was not easily seen.
"Uncle Xi, how are you??" she asked as she boarded the car.
"I'm fine, young miss. Where is the little master??" he asked politely.
"Xun'er is still sleeping, so I thought to let him rest today," she lied, since she didn't want her father to know and unnecessarily panic.
Housekeeper Xi nodded, and they drove off.
Outside the gates of the graveyard, a middle-aged man with greying hair wearing a pale blue robe stood under the tree.
His auburn eyes were unfocused, as if they were reminiscing about the past.
Tang Li Mei stared at him as a sad smile appeared.
She pitied this father, who lost both his children and wife.
Although she was alive, the previous owner of this body was already gone.
She walked towards him as the man looked up and smiled.
"Father," she called out.
Tang Zhensheng quickly pulled her into a warm hug.
Although he was not her real father, she felt at home in his embrace.
"Mei'er, where is the little one??" he asked as they walked towards the stairs.
"Xun'er is still sleeping, and the weather is rather cold, so I left him with Aunt Lan," she replied as he nodded.
*******************************
The two of them stood in front of the graves as their eyes dimmed.
The first one held a photo of a beautiful middle-aged woman.
Hong Meilin was smiling in the photo; her striking grey eyes were full of life.
Beside hers was another grave, which held a photo of a young man.
Tang Junjie looked similar to his mother, but his grey eyes looked more mature and serious for his age.
The last one held a photo of a very energetic young woman. She looked radiant and attractive with her long, dark brown hair and honey-brown eyes, which held mischief in them.
On the grave under her name, Luli, the words engraved were loving wife, daughter-in-law, mother, and sister-in-law.
Tang Li Mei teared up when she saw the photo.
She was close with her brother, but not as close as she was with her.
This person, who was like a sister to her, gave her a new life.
If it were not for her, she would have never lived the life she is living now and would still be stuck in the past.
She gently placed the bouquet of white lilies in front of the grave.
"Sister Luli I hope you and my brother are happy wherever you are. And I hope I have met your expectations in taking care of Xun'er. I know I can never be compared to you. You would have been the best mother for him, but I'm trying. I'm trying to keep him happy, but I feel like I'm still lacking in many areas. What should I do??" Tears rolled down her face as she remembered this girl who gave her a reason to live again.
Tang Zhensheng held her shoulders as he looked at the photo.
"Mei'er I'm sure Jun'er and Li'er would be more at ease leaving the little one with you than with anyone else. You are doing more than a mother would do." He cheered her on.
Tang Li Mei stared at her father with hollow eyes.
"Not as much as sister Luli would have done," she whispered.
Both father and daughter stayed for a bit more before walking out.
"Father, go home; I have some work to complete," she informed.
Her father nodded.
"Once you are done, head back home. The news broadcast stated there would be a cyclone coming," he said, and he nagged her some more before leaving.
Tang Li Mei soon hailed a cab to the nearby shopping mall. After buying lots of toys and food, she took a cab to the suburbs.
Getting off in front of a small building with a huge board that stated Sunflower Orphanage, she walked in.
The building itself was old, with just two stories, but it was clean and well-maintained. It had a huge backyard and a garden filled with chrysanthemums and roses....
When she walked through the garden, she felt melancholic.
She could almost picture her Yu'er laughing and running around the garden. Calling her with his sweet voice.
"Mother"
Tang Li Mei closed her eyes and felt the wind caress her face.
Her lips quivered.
"Yu'er, Mother is h-here," she choked.
Tears ran down her cheeks. She squated down and tried to wipe off her tears. But it wouldn't stop.
She sighed.
After taking a deep breath, she took some time to calm herself before walking in.
***********************************
Tang Li Mei opened the gate to the back door and walked in. She saw an old woman who looked grim while calculating all the bills.
"Aunt Lin," she called out.
The old woman looked up as a huge smile plastered her face.
"Little Mei, you came," she replied, walking towards her.
Tang Li Mei nodded and passed many shopping bags to her.
"How many times have I told you not to bring these things? They already have so much; if you keep bringing them more, you'll end up spoiling them," she chided playfully.
"Aunt Lin, they are kids, and it's the age for them to be spoiled. Tell me, at our age, can we be carefree and playful like them??" She playfully retorted.
Aunt Lin shook her head and kept the bags safe.
"I can't win any argument with you; I'm just saying. You have done so many things for this orphanage, but you never visit the kids. Do you know how many times they have bugged me to let them meet you? At least meet them once, little mei." She said it in a hopeful manner.
But Tang Li Mei shook her head.
"Aunt Lin, I'm happy doing all these for them; maybe someday I'll meet them, but not today." She politely declined.
The middle-aged woman nodded in response.
After all, she owned this place, and she was the one who saved these kids four years ago.