Ahoy Crew!
I did say the last time that I was going to introduce to you an amusing fellow, didn't I? Well, now you have it. Meet Popcorn Lover for the star of today's party.
Yes, you can probably already imagine the kind of things this boy likes. Popcorn Lover as a name isn't exactly too subtle but that's the whole idea here. The boy is as fun as his name here is. Of all the observation quests, I find observing this particular boy the most enjoyable to watch. He's simply such a delight and is a rather open book to anybody.
Popcorn lover is a Spaniard... somewhat. he has this dark hair and eyes and well as sun-kissed skin that screams cute. It doesn't help that he has sharp features that make him incredibly good-looking. The only thing I can think of that girls might find a little scary is how much hair he has. Popcorn lover has hair on his chin and face, on his arms and his legs. They aren't fine ones either, it's a full-blown thick curly layer of hair that covers them. It's not very common in Singapore to see boys or men with so much hair. Asian women and men tend to be less hairy in general.
The delinquent is average in his studies who only needed a little guidance to be able to get his passing grades. It's not hard to get along with the boy either because he's always very optimistic. If someone told him that he was wrong and tried to put him down, nothing would catch them by surprise more than Popcorn Lover's smile and his thanks. Popcorn Lover has this disarming smile and on top of that, his honest appreciation for criticism made him a force not to be trifled with.
I once asked why he would thank the mean people for insulting him and Popcorn Lover said the wisest thing I've ever heard.
"Criticism is information that will help you grow," he told me seriously and added with a smile that it was a quote by Hendrie Weisinger[1]. The boy took that quote and applied it to his life. It's also the secret to his optimism. I couldn't help but be impressed.
Popcorn Lover has a dream. It isn't a very big dream but it's a very noteworthy one. When I talked to him more, I came to find out how simple-minded he was. The boy doesn't like conflict and just wants to see everyone be happy. His love for popcorn come from going to the cinema when he was younger. His mother, when she was alive, used to always get him a bag of popcorn before they watched a movie and he was very happy. However, Popcorn Lover has his fair share of unhappiness too.
His mother passed away from an accident when he was ten, so he had to cope with school and life with his father. Neither of them knew how to cook initially, the house was always a mess and both men didn't know how to deal with the loss of their kin. His father took to going overseas for work to numb the pain while Popcorn Lover took to hanging out with more interesting company.
Now that Casper came in to change his entire world of rot, Popcorn Lover saw some sort of hope. Perhaps, he told me, he could pick up the dream he left many years ago to open a popcorn store. He didn't want to own a popcorn station at the cinema because he claims that the people who buy popcorn at the cinemas do not truly love popcorn. He would drive a popcorn truck around the world selling his snack to spread the joy.
I kept an eye out on Popcorn Lover for a while and found that he enjoys the simpler things in life like cloud-watching and just doing nothing in particular. It's rare to see how someone could simply enjoy the moment without doing anything. If it were me, I would not be able to handle that kind of idle lifestyle.
Popcorn Lover is also a very good listener. His silent companionship makes you feel better naturally. Sometimes, silence can be golden and I think Popcorn Lover is the 'mother' of the rowdy gang. Nobody would try to offend Popcorn Lover intentionally and he naturally takes care of their well-being. It doesn't happen often but when Popcorn Lover thinks something has gone over the line, he would put his foot down and tell the boys in a very gentle tone that enough is enough. Surprisingly, nobody argues with him.
Popcorn Lover is always happy all the time. Almost nothing can get him down and if it does, he picks himself back up quickly. The boy is always seen helping someone in the class. It doesn't matter if he was helping them to study or just picking up somebody's pencil from the ground, he does it without expecting thanks.
Before this, I could never imagine seeing or knowing anyone as good-natured as him. It's amazing each time I see him spread the joy and kindness as he goes along with his day. Casper and I could use some of his positivity in our lives right now. Although we think we're doing a good job teaching this bunch of hooligans, we can't help but worry that somehow the boys will turn the tables against us and pull a one-eighty during the test. It surely isn't easy for Casper to be accepted in their ranks and their new leader. I'm doing what I can but the bond between these brothers are tight. I'm not sure if it's even possible to wedge Casper in it. They might respect him as a leader for his capabilities but I don't know if they will truly see him as a brother in arms.
Side story, I asked Popcorn Lover to bring some of his homemade popcorn and the boy brought a big bag of it to class just yesterday. It was a unanimous vote that he was a good popcorn chef and Junior appointed him in charge for popcorn on movie afternoons. Yes, they have movie afternoons. It's not something I knew about until yesterday. Casper even agreed that if everyone passed the test he will order some popcorn from Popcorn Lover and buy a movie that the class votes on so they could watch it together.
I don't know what Casper is getting himself into but all's well, ends well.
Rocking the waves, until next time!
Pirate S.
[1] Dr. Hendrie Weisinger is a celebrated, influential, world renowned psychologist, and a New York Times Bestselling author. - Huffpost, 2019.


At age 10, Scarlet Liu Xiu Wen was tested with a Mensa IQ of 156.

By age 12, she was publishing books with the pen name Permanent Frost. By age 14, she was a successful vocalist-composer in the band called Britannia. By age 16 Scarlet had a successful career as a model and actress going by the stage name of Liu Xiu Wen.

However, there was a secret that the world didn't know. Away from the limelight, Scarlet took on yet another persona online as Pirate S - the eccentric half-genius. Everyone who lurked in the forums knew her name. Known for her unusual takes on life and mostly popularly for her "Human Observation Diary" blog, Scarlet enjoys the nerd life in secret.

Human Observation Diary has always kept to a very standard format but one day, a reader pointed out that the blog has recently been differing from its usual format. Intrigued by the trigger, Scarlet investigates her latest human observation - an online NEET by the name of Jedd77.

From further interactions, Scarlet finds herself helplessly drawn to him. As their friendship develops into something more, Scarlet has to make a choice.

To give up her secrecy and allow Jedd77 to be a part of her life? Or continue the game of cat and mouse even after the face reveal.

***

Special chapter release on other milestones, check out my discord and patreon for more details, thank you for the support!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/destinyaitsuji
Kofi: Ko-fi.com/destinyaitsuji
Discord: https://discord.gg/UrtDMXn

Jin Family's Old House.

For the first time since the successive scandals with the Fan family rocked the entire nation, the main members of the Jin family gathered together. Actually the rest was just waiting for Jin Liwei to come. 

Jin Chonglin had been staying at the old house ever since Fan Luo's crimes were exposed to the public. He moved back because his own place was surrounded by reporters. The old house was more secure and safer.

While waiting for her eldest son to arrive, Huang Yuyan was very nervous. She paced back and forth, looking like she was about to cry at any moment.

Jin Chonglin sighed watching his mother. "Mom, don't be so nervous. Big Bro won't eat you or anything like that."

"I know that, son. But your big brother can be scary sometimes, you know. Just like your grandfather." She then cast a glance at her mother-in-law who was reading a classic book of poetry near the fireplace.

"Hmm. Indeed, our Liwei takes after my dear husband, your grandfather," Grandma Li said without taking her eyes off the book she was reading.

Shrugging, Jin Chonglin put on his headphones and started bopping to the beat of the music.

Moments later, Grandma Li's assistant appeared and informed them, "Master Liwei has arrived."

"Oh!" Huang Yuyan paled and became even more nervous.

"Yuyan, get a hold of yourself," Grandma Li snapped at her. "Don't you think it's ridiculous that you're acting so afraid of your own son? I know that you're feeling guilty but you don't need to act so afraid. He's your son, for goodness' sake! Didn't you say that you want to become strong?"

"I…I'm sorry, Mother."

"Aaw, Grandma. Don't be so hard on Mom. She's trying her best." Jin Chonglin came to his mother's defense.

Grandma Li shot him a glare. "Stop coddling your mother."

"Come on, Grandma. Don't be angry at Mom anymore." Jin Chonglin went to hug his grandmother and sweet talked her.

Even someone like Grandma Li was defenseless against her own grandson's oozing charm. She glared at him, but her expression already softened.

Finally, Jin Liwei appeared carrying a fat grey cat in his arms. An orange cat was also perched on his shoulder. Two people followed behind him carrying cat stuff.

"What in the world?!" Jin Chonglin exclaimed. "Big Bro, are you alright? I think maybe you should take a break from work or something. Too much stress is not good, you know. Stress can make even the sanest person a little bonkers. I'm also taking a break right now. Why don't you take one, too?"

Jin Liwei looked at him without saying anything, and then decided to ignore him. He turned to his grandmother and mother instead, greeting them. 

"Grandmother, Mother, I want you to meet the children of Xiulan and I. The grey one is Ice Cream and the orange…I mean the ginger one is Popcorn," he introduced the kittens with a straight face.

"Pft!" Jin Chonglin couldn't take it anymore. He doubled over and started laughing, clutching his stomach. 

Grandma Li's mouth twitched, but she was able to maintain a calm expression unlike her second grandson who was already tearing up from laughing so hard.

"Oh~ They're so cute~" Huang Yuyan gushed and extended her arms, trying to get the kittens' attention.

Ice Cream just stared at her, but Popcorn leaped from Jin Liwei's shoulder into her arms.

"Mother, that's Popcorn, your grandson," Jin Liwei told her in a serious tone. "This is Ice Cream, your granddaughter. She's a little shy, especially to people she hasn't met before. She needs to get used to you first before she'll let you hold her."

"Oh, Big Bro… I can't… This is too much..." Jin Chonglin tried to suppress his laughter but failed.

Huang Yuyan smiled. Her anxiety from earlier already dissipated because of the kittens and her eldest son's unexpected cuteness.

Everyone sat down and chatted. Jin Chonglin began playing with the kittens together with their cat sitters. Surprisingly, Ice Cream liked Jin Chonglin right away, leaving her Daddy's lap to join the play.

Huang Yuyan gathered her courage and sat beside her eldest son. She grabbed his hand and held it tightly. Her eyes watered.

Jin Liwei frowned seeing his mother about to cry but he stayed silent and waited for her to speak first.

"Son… I'm so sorry. I'm such a bad mother. I shouldn't have blamed you for…for…distancing our family from the Fans. It's all my fault. Everything is my fault! I was the one who let them enter our family and lives." She burst into tears.

"Mother, please don't cry," Jin Liwei told her.

"Son, please forgive me…"

"Of course. Don't think about it anymore, Mother. It's all in the past."

Huang Yuyan hugged her eldest son and cried harder. Jin Liwei held his mother, patting her back in an awkward manner. 

Jin Chonglin stopped playing with the kittens as he watched his mother crying on his brother's chest. She also cried hard when she apologized to him after he moved back to the house.

The brothers never blamed their mother regarding the matter with the Fan family. It was the Fans' fault for deceiving her and everyone from their Jin family. Of course, they were also stupid for trusting the family of vipers.

"The two of you should stop spoiling your mother too much," Grandma Li interrupted the emotional atmosphere. "She is your mother and you two are her sons. The way you're treating each other is like your roles are reversed. Is she your child and are you her parents?"

"Aaw, Grandma—"

Grandma Li glared at Jin Chonglin. She was serious this time, so he had no choice but to shut his mouth.

"Yuyan my dear, I won't always be here to pour sense to you. You said that you want to be stronger, so you have to start learning how to depend on yourself first. Do you want to burden your own children and depend on them for the rest of your life?"

"I…I understand, Mother." Huang Yuyan tried to stop crying.

It was at this moment that Popcorn started clowning around, jumping and running and flipping all over the place. His antics elicited chuckles from everyone, most especially from the crying Huang Yuyan. The atmosphere lightened because of him. As for Ice Cream, she got bored. She returned to Jin Liwei, curling herself beside him and began sleeping.

Huang Yuyan wiped the last of her tears and turned to his eldest son. "By the way, how's Xiulan? Is she alright?"

Jin Liwei's expression cracked. Sadness and longing escaped from his eyes.

"Meow…" 

Ice Cream sensed his heavy feelings, so she moved from her comfortable position and settled herself on Jin Liwei's lap. Then she began rubbing herself against him. He petted her.

"Grandpa Lu took Xiulan somewhere. I don't know where he took her," he said.

"What?! That wily old man!" Grandma Li huffed. "How dare he steal our dear Xiulan? I'm going to call that old buffoon and give him a piece of my mind. Hmph!"

"Wait. I keep hearing the name Xiulan since you arrived, Big Bro. Who's she?" Jin Chonglin asked.

"Xiulan is your future sister-in-law."

"Sister-in…ah?" 

"My future wife."

Jin Chonglin looked shocked. Then he released a string of loud and graphic curses out of his mouth.

"Mind your language, Mr. Jin Chonglin," Grandma Li rebuked him.

"Sorry, Grandma. I'm just so surprised. I mean, wow. I never expected that my ice block brother will say these words. Wow."

Jin Chonglin had no idea that his older brother already had a girlfriend. Even though he stayed with his mother and grandmother in the old house, they never mentioned this matter in his presence. They figured that it would be best if Jin Liwei was the one to mention and introduce his girlfriend to his brother.

Now that Jin Chonglin knew, he became curious. The name Xiulan didn't ring any bell to him at all. He didn't know that Iris Long's real name was Long Xiulan. They also didn't tell him that Iris and Xiulan were the same person.

"So when am I gonna meet my sister-in-law?"

"When she comes back," Jin Liwei replied, sighing sadly while he continued to stroke Ice Cream.

"Eh? You don't know where she is and you don't know when she's going to come back. How come?"

"Chonglin, stop asking your brother," Grandma Li told him. "You'll eventually meet Xiulan when the time is right."

"I miss Xiulan. I want to see her again," Huang Yuyan interjected. "I hope she comes back soon."

Jin Liwei controlled his expression which cracked even more. "She's going to come back. She'll definitely come back. She promised."

'Baby, where are you? Please come back. I miss you so much,' his heart called out to wherever she was.

A world-famous hacker and daughter of the most powerful criminal family who ruled the international Underworld for many generations is killed when their organization is annihilated in a single night.

She is reborn into the body of Iris Long, a teenage pop singer, wild party girl, and spoiled brat. For the former princess of the Underworld who lived an overprotected and shackled life, this new life is a chance to finally live the life of freedom and independence that she always wanted.

Jin Liwei is the most powerful man in the country's business world. Cold and ruthless, he is someone only a few dare offend. When the infamous Iris Long, who used to chase his younger brother, wakes up from a year-long coma, his unfeeling heart moves for the first time and he falls hard for this unexpected genius girl.

She wants to fly freely and soar high beyond the sky. He wants her everything, to tie her to himself and to never let her go.

This is her journey to super stardom. This is his journey in accompanying her. Together, they will rock the world while facing many challenges.

But what will happen when she discovers that she can never escape from the shadows of her previous life? Will she still be able to live her dream life of freedom and independence? Will he be able to protect her from the dangers?

###
Instagram: Arria Cross (@arriacross)

HGWS Discord Server: 
https://discord.gg/cSUhBdz
...

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!

This novel is rated 18+ (no one 17 and under allowed). It contains mature adult themes, coarse language, explicit sexual content, and occasional graphic violence. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Please do NOT read if you are under 18 or if you feel uncomfortable with any of these elements. 

And despite of what some of the negative reviews are claiming, there is NO rape in this novel. Many scenes are deliberately made uncomfortable (clear 18+ warning), but there is NO rape.

Also please remember that this is a work of "fiction". Thank you!

Meanwhile, Louis is in the same page as well.

'How should I make Nadia humiliate herself?' he started thinking.

His mind is no less devilish compared to Harry's.

That is the reason they would become best bickering brother-in-law's and the notorious crime partners. 

"As you all can see, Mr. Smith is here to find out more about the project. So, let's not waste any time and get started with the presentations you people already prepared." Louis announced. 

Meanwhile, Harry understood what Louis is doing here.

'Better not disappoint me, dear brother in law' Harry thought.

Anyone who would have keenly scrutinized Nadia's face would be able to read her thoughts.

She is like an open book. It is written all over her face that she badly wants Brina to humiliate herself in front of everyone in her new company.

'What a cheap slut' Harry and Louis thought when they saw a smug face of Nadia. 

She deserves the best humiliation in the world.

'As you are so excited to see what and how humiliation feels like, why don't I myself let you taste that all by yourself? Isn't it that fun?' Louis thought, smirking to himself.

Meanwhile Harry is in deep regret…..

'Where is my cheese popcorn and coke? Shit!! If I would have known that there would be a show here, I would have surely brought along my snacks. And damn too, I forgot this isn't my company otherwise Rhianna would have already got all of those things prepared for me' Harry thought. 

All the executives in S & S corporations are very well aware of this. If Harry brings popcorn and coke to the meeting room, they know someone is going to get kicked out of the company or gonna get beaten black and blue with humiliation.


If and only if Louis would have known what his brother-in-law was thinking, he surely would have puked blood. 


Harry is a weird CEO but besides being different, he is extremely dangerous and powerful.


 If this is his own company, he would have surely come in a simple t-shirt and jeans for a meeting. Not that he cares about what others think, he wants to be best in front of his sister.


"Let's begin our meeting, starting with the presentation from our new employee, Ms. Russell" Louis announced, making Nadia almost choke on her water she is drinking.

Nadia angrily looked at Louis, glaring daggers at him with her ominous eyes. 

'Damn this project manager!! Does he not know who I am?' she arrogantly thought. 

Nevertheless, who is Louis? He's the CEO of L & E, not just a project manager. 

If only Nadia knew whom she is facing, she wouldn't have thought, 'Poor guy wouldn't have known that I am the daughter of Carson Russell' she thought.

However, Harry, the famous CEO of S & S corporations is present here. So, she shouldn't embarrass herself. 

She can't act out of impulse and get herself a bad impression.

She actually has a deep crush on Harry Smith and this is the only chance for her to impress him. 

Unfortunately, she knows nothing about the project. For the gods sake. She just came here because of her father's force. It's not like she voluntarily came here to work by herself. 


'It's better to confess that I am not prepared, rather than getting myself humiliated. Right?' she thought.


If only she knew that her own plan would backfire on her, she wouldn't have joined this company.


"But, sir, I am new to this project" Nadia said.

"I am well aware of that, Ms. Nadia. But I have heard from the HR manager that you are very knowledgeable about this project. And that's the reason I have agreed to let  you join this prestigious project." Louis sternly said. 

His anger and dissatisfaction is clearly depicted on his face.

'You have dared trying to humiliate my baby girl right, I'll let you taste it first' Louis thought as he clenched his jaw. 

'Bravo!! You have earned 0.001 marks from me. For now, your total score is 4.001 out of 10' Harry chuckled inside.

Suddenly, all the color drained out from Nadia's face. 


'Knowledgeable? Who? Me? 


My ass!! I am only interested in seeing Brina humiliate herself'  Nadia thought while cursing her bad luck.

Damn this! She isn't here to get herself humiliated!

Stuttering, she said. "Y..y.. yes s.. s.. sir, of.. of course I am knowledgeable. It is just that I don't have a presentation to present right now" Nadia came up with an excuse.

"But, given with how knowledgeable you are, can't you just give us a brief explanation, Ms. Nadia? We already have the presentation that was prepared by the employee who was in your place before." Louis said.

"But sir-"  Nadia stuttered.

With a bam on the table Louis said with an annoyed face "This is the reason I don't encourage the recommended candidates like you to join my project. But, people in the HR department talked so highly of you." he scoffed.

"They  said that you know everything about this project. I wonder how much you paid those people to get into this project. What's your ulterior motive l, Mr. Russell?" Louis asked, however, pretending as if he is trying not to lash out on Nadia.

She was a simple girl who was brought up in a simple household, or at least that was what others thought about her. 


She is full of mysteries and secrets but was always seen as naïve and innocent girl. Or, simply…it is more precise to tell that she keeps that facade for her own good. 


But why?? 


Only she knows the answer. 


However, unlike other girls of her age, who dreamt of getting married to rich and famous guys, she preferred to find someone who has simple life and easy going family. 


In short, she just wanted to lead a happy and ordinary life. However, she uses to believe that it would only be possible if her life partner was an common, uncomplicated guy.


But why?? 

Was the reason behind her beliefs had something to do with her past? 


Or, was she vexed with her life to the extent of sticking by her self-made rules?


On the other hand, he was the CEO of one of the most prestigious companies across the world. 


He was cold and aloof, someone who despised any sort of intimacy with women, be it physical or emotional. His world revolved around his work and his family business. 


Though he has complicated family, he love them to his core….and, apart from them and his friends , no one matter to him. 


But, for the first time in his life, he fell for a woman just with a glance. It all happened when she was turning down her Boss's love proposal. 


Despite of her simple attire, he found her enchantingly beautiful. He could tell that she had so much more to herself than she let others see. He wanted to be the only person before whom she could be her true self.


The very moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew deep down in his heart that only she could be his soul mate. And, he was willing to go any lengths just to make her his. Even if it meant working as an employee in his own company.


Just like he wanted, she fell for him. But would happen when she ends up catching his lies? 


Even if she agrees to accept him, what will be awaiting for her in the life she opted to live with him?


Moreover, who exactly is she? Why does she prefer to be low-key? And why is she being so secretive about her past? 


What and all troubles she might have to face because of his complicated background? 
What would welcome her when she stumbles back into the very life she wanted to run away from?


More importantly, will their love be strong enough to face all those odds that are waiting for them?

.........

No misunderstandings between couple. 
Lovely and understanding couple with mature communication skills. 
.......

#Comedy #Love #Friendship #Mystery #Thriller #Family #Revenge 
This book is perfect blend of 
everything. I hope you will give it a try. 
.......

I am also author of 

Ms. attractive and inciting CEO 
The devil's little Villainess. 

Please do check out the books
.....

Discord sever 

https://discord.gg/3CC6KgK

Please feel free to contact me....

Jimmy got the entire restaurant booked for safety and so that whatever went down there remained private. Ten minutes later, they were about to turn into the parking lot of Herb 'n' Urns when they saw the Chairman's car already parked there. The old man himself stood with his big black bag hanging over his right shoulder as he peered at the arriving vehicle of his son. 
His father's attire shocked Jimmy Hunter, as he saw the man dressed in a sky blue tee with a painted minion on it. If the young master wasn't wrong – it had 'Because it's Sparta!' written over it too. And of course – the minion was holding a sword and declaring war on someone apparently. Jimmy rolled his eyes.
Did the Chairman really wish to dine dressed like that?
And wasn't he going a bit overboard with the black bag draped on his shoulder?
Unless –
Oh shit. This man…
Jim's mouth twitched as Chenric parked the car and they stepped out. The Chairman barely spared Miya and Jimmy a glance and simply went over to greet the child.
"You called for me, young man," he said to Ben by way of greeting. Ben shook his hand and nodded seriously too.
Miya herself was surprised at the old man's getup, but her expression remained fixated on her son. Meanwhile Senior Hunter merely took Ben by the hand and walked into the restaurant, indicating to Miya and Jim to stay in the parking lot and not follow him inside.
Miya immediately panicked.
Jim however stood with a solemn face, and then shrugged at his missus.
"He won't be staying here for long," he reported to her annoyedly, "the way he is dressed, he's definitely not here to eat."
Miya gulped.
"But he did go inside, Jimmy."
She would have said something further, but only minutes later, the two had come back. Miya's eyes almost fell out of their sockets as she saw that her boy had changed – he was now wearing white pyjamas along with a bright red t-shirt that had 'I'm Not Just Cute, I'm Smart Too!' written on it in bold, black letters. The child was also wearing a matching white cap, the same as that of Senior Hunter.
Wasn't that a bit too fast?
Even she couldn't help Ben change within minutes!
The Chairman and Ben were holding hands when they came out too, and Senior Hunter looked pleased with himself. He still had the black bag draped over his shoulder.
He walked over to the towering, frowning Jim and the confused Miya.
"We're off to the amusement park nearby," he said sternly to the two, "You're both to head to the head office and finish off the paperwork there. I sent over the details earlier to Jimmy. Also, I have a class set today to learn the art of pottery making. The teacher is brilliant and she's only here for a day, but I have a change in my plans. So as part of the grounding, I want you two to learn it in my place and teach it to me later as well."
Jim's jaw tightened.
"Father, I'm not –" 
He had only begun to retort, when Simon said dismissively instead, ignoring Jim's existence completely, "Also, you're not to return back until you've made at least two pots each of your own. That's what you're to do for the grounding."
Miya had difficulty concealing the shock on her face.
What?
What!
Grounding – really? They couldn't be serious!
She was not a child!
The girl was ready to revolt, when Jim read her expression and held her hand instead. Then giving her a look that told her not to say a word, he nodded curtly at the Chairman.
The old man then ruffled through the pocket in his pyjamas and took out a wallet. Jim almost rolled his eyes to the back of his head at the sight.
It was actually Jimmy's own wallet that the man had brought! Jim remembered the time when they had been in Country S and father had met Miya before the cloth store. Jimmy had sent over his Luxury Mastercard for the missus, and the Chairman had broken the card but pocketed the purse.
Jim couldn't believe the man was actually using it too!
Simon Hunter handed over a card to Jim.
"I'm not eating here," he told him rather condescendingly, looking at Jim as if he were an idiot, "Why did you book the entire place? You cost the owner business. Compensate him. Have some occupational ethics."
Jim breathed deeply and clenched his fists. He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "You're one to talk of ethics. You stole my wallet."
The old man heard that. 
He gave his son a very sharp look, and then with all the confidence in the world, pocketed the purse again.
"I own the Hunter Corporation," he said defiantly, walking to his car now, "And you work there under me. All your money is mine. So is all your stuff."
Jim rolled his eyes at that absurd logic, while the Chairman helped Ben into the shotgun seat of his car. While Miya tagged along to try and talk to her boy, Simon gave her an assuring look and said, "Just concentrate on the pottery class. Everything else is under control."
With that, he drove away.
Miya was left flabbergasted, and Jimmy fuming.
Throughout the car ride, the Chairman said nothing to the boy. And once they reached the amusement park, all hell broke loose.
Simon Hunter knew no restraint!
He dragged Ben from one shop to another, one game to another, and soon the child had forgotten why he had called the old man out in the first place. Mommy had taken him to an amusement park before, but this was a different one. And Simon was just too excited to be in it. It was particularly the shooting of the balloons that got him fired up, and he helped Ben pick up a rifle that was too huge, hold it with a steady grasp and shoot relentlessly at the balloons till Ben had improved considerably in his aim. When Ben had won three teddy bears of his own, Simon patted him on his back and but the bears in his black bag.
Next came the roller coaster ride. 
The look of it scared Ben to the point of freezing up.
Simon sensed his fear. Then picking up the boy as if he weighed nothing, the old man put him on his shoulders and went to buy a ticket.
"Uncle! I – I don't want to go –" Ben tried to resist, but Simon Hunter shrugged.
"You're scared of how it looks," he said simply, "Wait till you ride it."
Ben almost lost his soul.
The child's screams were the loudest as he held onto Simon's hand in a death grip. Old Hunter's laughs echoed madly into the air too, as he consoled the boy while enjoying thoroughly at the same time. The ride went on for a full four minutes. When they were done with a single round, Ben couldn't feel his feet on the ground. Groaning, he instantly threw up once they stepped out.
Simon pursed his lips, then patted the boy, massaging the small of his back.
"There, there," he said in a gruff, yet gentle voice, "You did well, Ben. I didn't know you were so brave!"
While the child was embarrassed, Simon was ready with water and wipes to help him clean himself up. He even produced magically a huge bar of chocolate from the inside of his black bag. 
A walk around the park calmed Ben down. He looked up at uncle Hunter with red eyes and a puffy face when he was finally not afraid.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, uncle," he apologized.
"Meh!" the old man dismissed it gruffly, ruffling the boy's hair, "Don't apologize for something natural. How much did you hate the ride?"
"Um… I didn't hate it –"
"Really?" Simon looked at the child queerly. Ben flinched under his gaze, then swallowed.
"It was very, very awful uncle."
The old man burst out laughing, and he picked up the child and replaced him on his shoulders again. Simon told Ben of a lot of stories too, as they walked around the park. Some were random, others were part of his own history. Ben told him a lot too – some stories of pranking mommy, and others of him secretly using her phone to read during night times.
The old man was amused at that.
They came to sharing secrets. Simon earnestly told Ben how he thought Jimmy was fabulous at his work, but kind of immature otherwise. Ben nodded at that, and reported how he thought the same about his mommy. She was brilliant at taking down thugs, he said, but super angry and childlike otherwise.
Simon nodded in agreement.
It was only when they started talking about Jim and mommy that it hit Ben again – he had forgotten to ask uncle Hunter about the matter of mommy's marriage!
"Uncle!" he quickly called out to Simon, "You didn't tell me about what I asked!"
"About what, Ben?"
"Mommy and um, Jimmy. Uncle, I texted you!"
"Oh. That, yeah."
Simon fell into thought. They were now in a small square field marked out for mock archery. The target board was placed five meters away, and Simon Hunter had brought his own wooden bow and arrows. He was helping Ben practice.
He approached the question tactfully.
"What did Miya tell you?" he asked the boy.
"I did not ask mommy about this."
"Not even when you started living with Jim?"
Ben shook his head.
"We've lived in lots of places, uncle. I thought –"
Simon nodded in understanding.
"Do you like Jimmy, kid?"
Ben nodded rigorously.
"And mommy?"
"Mommy is the best!"
"Good."
Silence. Ben frowned.
"Uncle?"
"Yes?"
"Did mommy and Jimmy mar –"
"Yes."
He knew it!
Ben fumed with anger and indignity again. He clenched his fists, and was ready to retort, when the Chairman placed an arm around his shoulders, instructed him to straighten his back, mark his aim and shoot an arrow.
Ben had zero concentration, and his shot missed.
The Chairman sighed.
"Are you mad at them because they didn't tell you?" he asked.
Ben nodded furiously. "Yes!"
Wow. He really was too much like Miya.
"Well, they don't have to," the Chairman said nonchalantly at that, "You're legally not an adult, and its not like property is involved that you need to know of your rights as a minor. They technically don't owe you even a single piece of information. That's what's the worst part of being underage, my boy."
Ben blinked.
What?
Simon saw that Ben didn't get it, so he said simply, "Concentrate on the mark, make a perfect shot and I'll explain again."
Ben frowned at uncle Hunter, then turned around and glared at the mark. Breathing heavily, he shot.
It missed.
Slowly, after fourteen arrows, Ben hit the mark five times in a row. Then turning around to Simon, who was simply giddy with joy now, he said, "Please tell me now, uncle."
They strolled around a bit more, then bought an ice cream that the old Hunter insisted tasted the best with popcorn. They sat on a bench, side by side, with a huge bowl of popcorn in the middle.
Ben was angry, but he was eating his favourite ice cream – the black currant. It lifted his mood, and he sat leisurely on the bench, his feet never touching the ground. Every now and then he would take a handful of popcorn and put it all in his mouth at once – the way the Chairman did. It didn't taste too bad.
Uncle Hunter was weird, Ben realized.
The old man munched, then spoke, "I understand you're mad at them. But don't you like them together, Ben?" Ben thought about it.
"They fight a lot," he said.
"So you don't like them?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Ben?"
"Yes, uncle?"
"I think Jimmy would make a good father to you."
The boy stayed silent. From the very beginning, he remembered being only with mommy. He knew he didn't have a father like other kids, but he never felt he wanted one either. Mommy was so cool, and she took care of everything.
But –
It was good when Jimmy was around too. It was a lot more fun, and they didn't have to move around a lot. Mommy smiled a lot more too, and she wasn't always working. And Jim was exactly like someone Ben wanted to be when he grew up. He knew a lot of things, and he was cool – and he took care of everything too. He could even take care of mommy!
Ben pressed his lips. He stared fixedly at his feet, but nodded slightly.
The Chairman beamed.
"You forgive them then?" he asked.
Ben nodded again.
Simon Hunter smiled ear to ear at that. This was easy!
Just then, a kite swished through the sky making a loud sound. It distracted Simon, and he looked up on instinct. His eyes gleamed.
"Ben!" he quickly called out, "Look at that!"
Ben looked up reluctantly, only to see a kite that had been cut from its string. It was dangling in mid-air, but headed for the ground. Simon stood up in excitement.
"Run it for me, little one!" he said to Ben, helping the boy off his seat rapidly, "If we can get that kite, a spot would be open, and we can fly our own. I brought the kite we made together!"
Ben looked at the old man in surprise.
"Yes, yes!" Simon said, "I'll tell you where exactly this kite will land, so go!"
Only nearby a kite flying competition was going on, but the entrants could only be children. Simon would have run for the kite himself, but it was against the rules.
The old man looked at the sky, calculated in his head, felt the wind that rushed across his face. He estimated its speed, then called out loud to Ben, "15 degrees to your west, and then run to the south, boy!" Simon himself ran close by.
"Yes, uncle!" Ben ran in front of Simon, as a few small footsteps ran behind him, several children chasing after the kite.
"45 degrees to the north, now!" 
"Yes, uncle!"
"12, 12! You got it, boy!"
"12, yes, I'm going uncle!"
"The last run, 10 meters to your south son!"
Ben looked at the sky, and then at the children behind who had simply started following him when they noticed the old uncle saying directions they couldn't understand. Ben breathed in, grinned to himself and dashed for the kite.
Within seconds, it landed into his hands.
A loud roar of cheer erupted from the Chairman as he ran to Ben and picked him up in joy.
"We're in the competition! You did it Ben! You did it!" he bellowed.
Ben laughed out loud too.
"We did it uncle! You're awesome!" 
"Grandpa, brat, Grandpa! Didn't you see our teamwork?! We're both awesome!"
Ben pumped his fists, as the Chairman gave the boy a piggy back ride. Ben waved the kite in the air, beaming as he declared, "We're Team Grandpa then!"
Simon pumped his fist too, "Let's register under that name, son! Let Team Grandpa show these losers who's boss! Let's win this competition!"
"Team Grandpa!" Ben cheered.
"Team Grandpa!" Simon roared.
The other parents looked around, frowning at the weird duo that was so hyped about the kite flying competition. They rolled their eyes at them, complained about the situation some, wondered why the old man looked familiar, and then went on to watch the show with their kids.
Meanwhile, Simon Hunter couldn't stop smiling.
Grandpa.
Pa!
For a second, he wished time took a turn around. Then he could stand on these same grounds, thirty years back, and the boy on his shoulders would be his own son.
He looked up, at the merry face of the child he was actually carrying.
Ben, huh.
This boy wasn't too bad either.
And in some peculiar ways, Simon did like him more.
Satisfied, the old man walked ahead. Who knew? Maybe someday, he would make up with Jimmy too. 
Just in case. 

Mr. Jimmy Hunter is in a fix. He is the C.E.O. of the prestigious Hunter Corporation, currently at loggerheads with his father, Senior Mr. Hunter, the Chairman. Jimmy is the only heir, and yet his father refuses to grant him his inheritance. Unless, of course, he fulfills one condition - gets married before his next birthday! 
The clock is ticking, and the young master still hasn't found a bride. There's only twenty four hours left, and yet, there are plans to be made. Until with his two best friends, Jimmy comes up with an idea. One that would get him his 'perfect' bride, and help him get back at his father too! If only the bride would agree though...
Enter Miya!
She's strong, hard headed, foul mouthed and comes with a kid! And there's nothing that pisses her off more than an arrogant rich brat, who also happens to be a pervert. Oh well, she would teach him a lesson!

You're welcome to brainstorm - https://discord.gg/kBgMJyN
D.M. at - Saumya_Singh#5278

March 14, 2012. Ogden, Utah. Central Campus Dr. Weber State University, Stewart Library.
I'm now saying this, but WSU's library was nothing like I had ever seen before.
But Anna told me ["This is quite normal here. I bet there are a lot of bigger ones?"], but this completely changed my view on things. As big as the land was, the scale was much larger than what I was used to.
I used to doubt my father, but now that I saw it myself, there was really no way to explain how big this place is. 
"Hmm… let's see…"
Amongst the aisles containing hundreds of books, I've found what I was looking for.
"Found it."
It was [The Change in Modern Basketball].
Rather than it being a book designed to capture interest, it concentrated on the changes in various roles of the NBA and CBA. But the reason I got this book was to read on the material about the NCAA.
Anna came back from getting some fresh air and saw the book I got.
"What did you choose?"
"Huh?"
From the smell of smoke, it seemed she took a cigarette break. I wonder how many she smokes a day? Half the time she was at home seemed to be spent on smoking cigarettes. 
"Hmm... so, studying these sorts of books will it help you?"
"It probably won't affect my play."
But studying these books will help me understand the playstyle of Americans more accurately.
"Well, I'm just glad that I made a study partner!"
Anna suddenly pushed me, headed to the hallway and hugged a girl that I was not familiar with. What do you call that? Insensitive?
Her thick lips, that sat below neatly tied blonde hair, stood out the most to me.
She was wearing a light gray blouse with blue jeans. As I "examined" her, she looked towards my direction.
"…"
Her face looked different than when I saw her from the front.
No lies. She was really pretty. I've seen a lot of pretty girls during my stay in the States, but she was definitely one of the best.
As Anna gestured me to come over, I slowly walked toward them.
"Say hi. This is Heather Jones. She's my closest friend."
"Erm, hi. I'm-"
"I know. You're the kid that was recruited to play for our basketball team next year, right? I watched you play at the Liberty Park."
"Oh! You came to watch?"
"Well, to be exact, I was selling stuff. My mother is a vendor at the flea market."
As Heather walked off to get to her class, I stared at her as she walked away.
"Hey, hey!"
"H-huh?"
"What are you doing? Let's head back."
"Oh. Oh, yeah."
While walking up the stairs on the way back, my head kept turning back to where Heather was standing. Although there was no sign of makeup on her face, I wanted to talk to her just a little bit more. 
Did I fall for her at first sight?
For the first time ever, I thought I may be a person who would fall in love quickly.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ogden, Utah. Kingston Road.
"Whew, my legs are falling asleep! I think I have to go for a walk. Do you want more popcorn?"
"Of course."
Just as Stanley had told me, I've been watching the NCAA DVD's that he left for me. Next to me was Sally. 
As Sally came back with some popcorn that was in the kettle, she handed me a drink.
"But."
"Hmm?"
"Don't you have to go back to school?"
Sally was a UNC student, not WSU.
North Carolina, the State where UNC was located, the east-most state in America. On top of that, she drove all the way here in her green pick-up truck, which took her about 60 hours.
Of course, she made stops here and there, but it was an extremely long trip nonetheless.
"I haven't decided yet what I am going to do. I'd rather be a student on vacation than a graduate that's unemployed."
"What is it you want to do?"
"What?"
"Well, there has to be something you're good at."
"Hmm, I'm not sure."
We've watched 2 wholes games now, so I picked up the remote and pause the video.
I sat in a more comfortable position on the couch and gave my full attention to Sally. She put a pillow between her legs and warmed them with her arms.
"At first I wanted to be a lawyer. Before I left, I even got a proposition from a law firm."
"Wait, hold up. A lawyer?"
"Yeah. Why, is there a problem?"
"…"
I thought about it for a moment.
I imagined Sally Heyburgh working as a lawyer in a law firm.
"I can't picture it."
"Can't picture what?"
"You just seem so free right now. I don't feel like a lawyer would suit you."
"Hahaha. Well, everyone seems to think that. I'm a bit more calm and quiet when I'm at school."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Want to see pictures?"
Sally reached over to the table and grabbed her cellphone. She scrolled through her albums and showed me a picture.
Wait, who is this person?
"Hahahaha. Unbelievable, right? If I put my heart to it, I can be pretty good at whatever I want."
Sally seemed to be all humor and smiles, but I couldn't believe the girl in the picture was Sally.
Not only did she neatly comb her hair, but she was wearing a headband. She was wearing a burgundy blouse and black pants with a matching black suit jacket. However, for some reason, seeing her dressed neatly suited her better.
"Really? I just don't want to stand out at school."
Sally snatched the phone away and started snacking on the popcorn while she played the video again.
"…"
They say a girl's transformation was innocent, but Sally was on a whole other level.
We started to play the video and picked up on a Duke game from 2002. Stanley told me it would be good to follow the footsteps of Shane Battier, so the best way to do that, in my opinion, was to copy him.
Out of the many college games, there were many games from 2002. But I've only been watching games with Duke.
Duke was truly magnificent during the 2000-2001 season.
On top of Shane Battier, one of the major players was Jay Williams. 
Even players who were playing up to this day, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Carlos Boozer, Chris Duhon, and Dahntay Jones were all running for this team.
They were 6 NBA-level players, so they were able to bask in their success and glory. 
To make it even better, Duke's coach was the famous "Coach K".
He was one of American amateur basketball's greatest coaches, even to the point where everyone thought he wouldn't be topped by anyone else, Mike Krzyzewski. In 2006, he coached the North American representative team and won a gold medal. 
During this year's London Olympics again, Krzyzewski and the team were shooting for the gold. Even if it took a miracle, the North American team was going to take the gold. 
"…"
It was really incredible. 
If I recalled the research I already did, during the 2000-2001 season, Shane Battier had the 2nd highest successful shooting rate. But when you watch the games, you could tell that he possessed the ball a lot in offensive plays.
He had a 53.6% field goal rate and 42% 3-point success rate. On top of that, he had an 80% penalty shooting success rate. 
A player's offensive-play efficiency was extremely important to their success rate.
However, there was a different area that Battier stood out the most. Just as Stanley has said, no matter who he was playing with, he'd play the role that was most needed to suit the team overall.
Whenever Jay Williams wasn't playing, he'd be the leading scorer. If Carlos Boozer was on the bench, he'd be the one driving the ball to the rim and getting rebounds.
When Jay Williams and Chris Duhon weren't on the court, he'd be leading the team. When Mike Dunleavy was absent, he'd be in the wing position and corners making 3-pointers.
His best playstyle came from his defensive side. 
Even when he was in college, Carlos Boozer was an incredible defender. Although he was a 6'8" undersized big-man, he was put into the lineup alongside Jay Williams, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy and Shane Battier.
Therefore, their lineup didn't have a proper big-man.
But this was only possible because of Battier's presence.
'I can't believe it.'
Even now in the video, Battier stretched his arms out blocking the ball. He then successfully stole an attempted pass from the opponents and passed it to Jay Williams, who was already running toward their side of the court.
Within just 20 seconds, Battier was able to block, steal and assist.
"…"
I've never given much thought on what it meant to be an outstanding defense player.
By the time I was in 8th grade, I was already 6'2". Thanks to the genetics that my dad passed down to me, being strong-boned helped when I was under the rim. So, I never felt that it was hard to play basketball.
Even as I entered high school, I believed I was a pretty good basketball player. 
Since it was fairly easy for me to accumulate points and catch rebounds, I never had to give any thought on how to be a good defensive player. That's because most people weren't as good as me on the court.
But then I thought about that time when Artemis made a fool of me at the Liberty Park. If it weren't for Leon or Davion's help in the defense, it would've been an even more embarrassing scene. 
"We'll have to start from your defense."
Dennis Rodman once made that statement. You can improve your defense and rebounds by watching videos over and over again. Although I don't like this method of making improvements, this was the best I could do in my present situation.
So, what could I do?
"Hmm?"
"…"
As I turned my head, Sally seemed to have fallen asleep.
I carefully got up from my seat and slowly put a blanket over her. Afterward, I sat back down and focused back onto the TV. As Claire came home from work, she went to the kitchen and prepared dinner. This was my queue to leave.
"Why don't you stay for dinner tonight too?"
"No, it's okay. I'll see you tomorrow."
Since I've had so much popcorn, I didn't have an appetite. I wanted to go on a walk anyway.
I started to walk a road that I've become very familiar with.
All the houses by the roads had their lights on and I smelled different food from people preparing dinner. Smelling the different foods was alike, both here and Korea.
A woman who looked like a mother called in two children playing outside. 
"Whewwww."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Wait, what time was it in Korea right now?
"Eh, forget it. No news is good news."
As I put back the phone after saying my useless thought, I walked the streets of Ogden by my lonesome self.
It was a night where I missed my family.

A South Korean high school graduate moves to the United States with ambitions of becoming a professional basketball player. Follow along in his adventure as he grows not only as a player, but as an adolescent into an adult. See how he faces  challenges that comes from racial difference, language barriers, and struggles involving what it means to be part of a basketball team.

With a pleasant mixture of fictitious characters along with real life figures, high schools, Universities and basketball teams, this is one adventure you don't want miss!

He had seen what had happened just now and knew that the colleague had deliberately bumped into her. He also noticed that her hand had been burned.
"Your hand is red from the burn. Go and take care of it, " he put the cold water on her desk and advised out of concern.
Of course, she knew his good intentions, but she still had a lot of work to do. In addition, she was late this morning, so there was even more work piled up.
"I'm fine, Mr. Wang. You Go and do your thing. " She looked up and smiled at him.
He put a bottle of medicine on the table worriedly. "I bought this medicine last time and didn't finish it. You can take a few tablets to reduce inflammation. "
Su Mianmian looked up at him and then nodded. "thank you. "
Wang Yaoxing shook his head and left with a smile.
"Did you see it just now? The son of deputy manager Wang actually gave Su Mianmian medicine. This Su Mianmian didn't even let Wang Yaoxing go. She's really despicable. " The woman who bumped into Su Mianmian just now hid behind him She was gossiping with a few other colleagues.
Her colleagues followed suit.
"You don't understand. Wang Yaoxing is the second generation of the rich. If he hooks up with Wang Yaoxing, he can save a few years of hard work. "
"Yeah, this kind of woman is the most shameless. "
Although Su Mianmian didn't deliberately listen to their discussions, she vaguely heard some unpleasant insults. No matter how good-tempered she was, she couldn't remain indifferent. She raised her head and looked at the women.
"Hey, go do your work! Other people's children are so old. Why would Wang Yaoxing like this kind of woman? "
...
Su Mianmian was speechless. How could these people be like this? When did she provoke them? How could they slander her like this.
When she got off work, she accidentally bumped into Wang Yaoxing again. Su Mianmian subconsciously did not want to get too close to him.
"Are you feeling better? " He went down the stairs with her.
She nodded and said that she still had something to do. She left first.
He quickly stopped her and said, "Miss Su, let me send you there. "
"No need. I drove here. " Su Mianmian quickly got into her car and closed the door. Through the glass window, she nodded at the man.
Wang Yaoxing waved at her.
Su Mianmian drove the car out of the parking space and was ready to pick up Yi mo from the kindergarten.
When she arrived at the kindergarten, the director told her that Yi mo had been picked up by her father.
Su Mianmian was angry when she heard that. Wasn't the man in the hospital with an injured leg Why did he come to pick up Yi Mo..
"Director, do you know where they went? "
The director smiled and said, "I heard from Yi mo that her father is going to take her to the amusement park. I don't know the details. "
Su Mianmian thanked her and turned around to take out her phone to call Lu Xiangdong.
After the call was connected, the person who picked up was not Lu Xiangdong, but his assistant.
"Young Madam, when the president was discharged from the hospital, he forgot to bring his phone. I have his phone with me, " the assistant said awkwardly.
Su Mianmian asked him, "then where did your president go? "
"President Lu seems to have gone to the Amusement Park with Miss Yi Mo. didn't President Lu Tell Young Madam? " The assistant asked.
Su Mianmian said unhappily, "if he had told me, I wouldn't have called to ask where he went. "
"Hehe, Young Madam, don't worry. I'll help you look for him. " The assistant quickly used another phone to contact Lu Xiangdong. Lu Xiangdong usually had two phones with him. This phone was left at the hospital, so he had another phone with him.
"Du du... " the phone kept ringing, indicating that no one was picking up. The assistant was embarrassed.
After hanging up, he said to Su Mianmian, "young Madam, I guess CEO Lu is busy right now and doesn't have time to pick up. "
Su Mianmian was so angry that she hung up the phone. She didn't have time to pick up Would he not have time to pick up He was deliberately not picking up, right.
In fact, Lu Xiangdong was having fun with Lu Yimo. He didn't even bring his phone with him and left it in his pocket.
"Dad, it was so exciting just now. Do you have anything to eat? " Lu Yimo was sweating from playing.
Lu Xiangdong looked around and found that there was popcorn next to him. He picked up his coat, took her hand, and asked her if she wanted to eat popcorn.
She nodded.
"boss, give me two buckets of popcorn. " Lu Xiangdong handed the popcorn seller a one-hundred-yuan note. The popcorn buyer gave him tens of dollars in change. He casually put the money into his pocket and took the two buckets of popcorn He let Yi Mo sit on the chair over there and eat.
The two of them each held a bucket of popcorn. Lu Yimo couldn't wait to grab the buckets. Lu Xiangdong was in charge of bringing her popcorn. He didn't eat such sweet things.
Taking advantage of the gap, he took out his phone and looked. There were a few missed calls. They were from his assistant. He dialed the number.
"What's the matter? "
The assistant quickly smiled and said, "president, you finally called me back. Where are you now? Young Madam is looking for Miss Yi mo everywhere. "
Lu Xiangdong looked at Lu Yimo beside him and said, "I got it. "
After hanging up the phone, he found Su Mianmian's phone number in the phone book and dialed it.
Su Mianmian was driving around looking for them when she heard the phone ring. She picked it up and saw that it was Lu Xiangdong calling. She shouted, "where did you bring my daughter? "
"She's my daughter too. I brought her out to play. There's nothing to lose. Why are you making such a big fuss! " Lu Xiangdong frowned.
"I know you're taking revenge for me not being with you at the hospital today, but can you not take my daughter away next time? I'm begging you, " Su Mianmian said humbly, then asked, "where's your daughter now? "
"..."
Lu Xiangdong held the phone in his other hand and said, "Su Mianmian, don't you feel that you're digging your own grave? You clearly know that she's my daughter, yet you insist on stopping me from seeing my daughter. Do you think that you can get rid of our relationship just like that? Don't you feel that you're too stupid? "
She clenched her phone tightly, gritted her teeth, and threw it away.
She punched the steering wheel, and Su Mianmian pressed her forehead against the steering wheel, taking a deep breath.
He was right. Even if she stopped him from seeing Yi Mo, it wouldn't change the fact that he was Yi Mo's father. How could she be so stupid?  Since she couldn't change the fact, it didn't seem like it was a big deal to let her daughter go out with him for a while.
Seeing that she had returned alone, mother Wu asked curiously, "Young Madam, why aren't you seeing Miss Yi Mo? "
Su Mianmian threw herself into the Sofa and rubbed her feet. She asked Mother Wu to fetch her a basin of water. She wanted to soak her feet in hot water.
"Mother Wu, get me some water. I want to soak my feet. "
Mother Wu replied, "okay. "
She stole a glance at her and shook her head in a strange manner. Then, she went into the kitchen.
Su Mianmian did not want to talk about this now. She just wanted to have a good rest. She had been tired all day and her nerves had been tense up until now. Every day, apart from the company matters, she also had to worry about the trivial matters at home. Her head had grown big.
Nanny Wu poured hot water for her and asked with concern, "Young Madam, what do you want to eat? I'll go make it for you. "
"whatever. I can make noodles or something. " She placed her feet in the basin and sighed comfortably.
Nanny Wu smiled and stood up. "How can that be? It's already been a day of work. You should eat something good to replenish your body. "
Seeing Nanny Wu enter the kitchen, Su Mianmian turned on the television in the living room.
At this moment, the sound of a car parking came from outside. She could not help but look outside. She saw that Yi mo was being carried out of the car by Lu Xiangdong. The father and daughter walked towards the living room in high spirits.
Su Mianmian crossed her arms in front of her chest. She felt like she had been abandoned by her daughter. Her daughter had always been very attached to her. Now that she had Lu Xiangdong, she had completely abandoned her.
Lu Yimo was placed on the ground by Lu Xiangdong. She ran towards Su Mianmian with popcorn in her hands.
"Mom, eat the popcorn. "
Su Mianmian glanced at her and continued to cross her arms in front of her chest. She looked at her silently.
Yi Mo bent down and lay on her lap. She asked in confusion, "mom, what's wrong? You look unhappy. "
She glared at her daughter.
Yi Mo turned around innocently and asked Lu Xiangdong, "Dad, what's wrong with mom? Is it because she didn't bring her to the Amusement Park? "
Lu Xiangdong curled his lips and walked over slowly. He patted his daughter's head and told her to go upstairs to sleep. He had something to say to her mother.
Yi Mo passed the popcorn to Lu Xiangdong and said to Su Mianmian, "mom, I'm going to rest now. I won't disturb your adult conversation. "
Su Mianmian pouted her lips, her heart stifled.
Lu Xiangdong placed the popcorn on the coffee table and walked towards her. He stopped in front of her, bent down, and locked his gaze on her face. He smiled faintly and said, "Su Mianmian, what's wrong with you? "
She stared at him blankly.
"Alright, continue watching TV. I'm going to take a shower. "
"Lu Xiangdong, stop right there! " She was so angry that she stood up. He turned to look at her and shrugged. "I'm a patient. I need to rest. "
"Don't give me that. I don't want to see you. Get Out. " She pointed at the door and said angrily.
Lu Xiangdong turned around and walked back. He crossed his arms and looked at her. Suddenly, he laughed. "Su Mianmian, are you jealous of your daughter? "
"..."
"Okay, I'll bring you to the amusement park next time. "
"Lu Xiangdong, don't talk nonsense! "
"Isn't that so? Well, you continue to work. My daughter and I are going to Australia to play tomorrow. " He continued to provoke her.
" ... " she picked up the pillow and threw it at him. She cursed, "No! "
"Why not? I'm going on a business trip and taking my daughter out to see the world. What right do you have to say no? " He raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

[ new article: Rich Family's wedding pet, young master Liang's baby sweet wife ]
He was the youngest captain on an international flight route. He was calm, wise, and handsome
Under the bed, his messy clothes were scattered all over the ground.
"GET LOST! " She kicked him.
"Baby, didn't you say you were hungry? I was just obeying your wishes... " he smiled evilly and grabbed the little foot that was flying towards him.
She was so angry that she was speechless, but his eyes were full of love.
* * * 
He was the youngest and most handsome captain. At the same time, he was also the beloved son of the Chairman of NEPC International Airlines. With his own abilities, he was promoted from a flight attendant to a captain. He was only thirty years old.
She was a flight attendant on the Far Eastern Airlines.
They hid the fact that they were married and lived a life of collusion.
* * * * 
The flight attendants were all afraid of him. Those who did not know the truth even asked her to fly with him.
"I'm not going... " she refused desperately.
That colleague looked at her pitifully. "Why? Are you not going to help me? "
"You're married, and I'm not. WHO'S SAFER? " She said shamelessly, going against her conscience. After saying that, she regretted it.
"If you're not married, then you'll lie on the same bed with me every night. Are you a mistress? "
That night, she was chased out of the bedroom and slept on the sofa for the whole night.
If I love you, I won't be like a climbing kaleidoscope, using your tall branches to show off.

On October tenth, the golden season, Winslow's Park Carnival began.
Li Du and Sophie stayed for the carnival while Godzilla, Hans, and the others went back to Flagstaff.
As the sports equipment and goods were signed by the famous sports stars, they were extremely valuable. Out of careful consideration, Li Du wanted them to bring their precious finds back home first.
Hans had originally wanted to stay for the carnival, but an official from Homeland Security called him, saying that he had arrived in Flagstaff to check the eight sets of individual combat equipment for the Marines. He had to go back to Flagstaff to handle this.
Although the couple arrived early at the parking lot, there were hardly any parking spaces left.
Sophie seemed a little worried and looked kind of moody when she got out of the Hellcat.
Li Du was baffled. "What's wrong?"
Sophie's eyebrows creased. She contemplated for a moment before finally saying, "The sets of Marine equipment you've got—will it be fine? I'm worried there might be trouble with Homeland Security."
"Don't worry," Li Du laughed. "Even if there are some problems, at most they'll just take back the equipment. They can't find fault with us. In fact, we did well by finding the equipment for them."
As Li said those words with confidence, Sophie gradually became more positive about the situation.
"I'll give my parents a call first," Li Du said. "Wait a while for me. Relax, don't worry about anything. Just have some fun with Ah Ow and Ah Meow."
It was golden October. Back at home was also the autumn harvest, and it was common to work until midnight during this period.
Li Du calculated the time difference. It was around 11 pm—he needed to get his parents to go to bed earlier.
The phone call went through and his parents were indeed still wide awake—they were helping their relatives with the harvesting.
Li Du urged them to rest but his parents were insistent on finishing their work for the day. Li told them that he now had a girlfriend. The two humble folks were so thrilled by the news of a possible daughter-in-law that they listened to their son about going to bed earlier.
Sophie had started to learn Mandarin seriously. But she had only just started and could not understand conversational Mandarin; not to mention Li Du was using a Chinese dialect to talk to his parents.
After hanging up the phone, they went in using the main entrance.
On both sides of the entrance stood several popcorn machines, and the air was filled so strongly with the sweet scent that it made Li Du feel slightly nauseous.
However, Americans loved this stuff. Some people called the American entertainment culture "popcorn culture" because the snack could be seen in any recreational activity or event.
Li Du bought a bucket of popcorn for Sophie. She chose a sugar-free rainbow flavor. Canines could not eat much sugar and chocolate was off limits to them. So, in order to take care of Ah Ow, they chose a healthier version of popcorn.
Ah Ow had grown up fast; she was growing in size every day. Sophie had some difficulty holding her for long.
Ah Ow, Ah Meow and Crispy Noodles followed behind Sophie. Whenever Sophie ate a piece of popcorn, she would also throw some popcorn for the little ones behind her. The three of them would scramble and grab the popcorn, obviously enjoying themselves.
The park allowed pets to enter. As the purpose of the carnival was to let everyone have a good time and enjoy themselves, they would not reject pets as animals could create a dynamic and lively atmosphere.
Nevertheless, there weren't many people who brought pets to the park. When people saw an ocelot, a wolf pup and a raccoon in the park, Li Du, Sophie and the pets attracted a lot of eyeballs.
The song "Take It Easy" played in the park as well. It was not playing from a device, but from a band. A few different bands at the carnival performed the song with various styles of music.
Sophie was a music person. She was able to tell Li Du the band's style when she listened to their performance:
"This is country music.
"This is jazz mixed with hip-hop. The rhythm is really cool . . ."
Li Du had originally felt that song was nice to listen to, but he had heard it so many times that he was sick of it and was not interested.
On the other hand, Sophie was excited and enjoyed the song a lot. Li reluctantly continued listening since she was enjoying herself.
Sophie was a sensitive girl and noticed his change in mood; she thoughtfully took his hand and strolled toward the park.
Li Du said, "You don't want to continue listening anymore?"
She imitated his listless expression and dragged her words. "Whoo's the one whoo doesn't want to listen? Haha."
Li Du was amused by her and laughed. "I did think that it was boring. I heard it too many times. But I can continue to stay and listen. I didn't expect you to like that song."
"No, I heard it many times as well," explained Sophie. "I was just intrigued by the many types of styles that they're using to sing it. It felt fresh to me."
To Sophie, every time they sang the song in another style it gave her a new sensation. It was like a whole new world. Li Du, who was tone-deaf and not an artistic person, was unable to experience these feelings.
But, oh well, he didn't need to feel bored—there were a lot of things to do.
The three little ones surrounded Sophie for popcorn. A few energetic young children around five to six years old saw the pets. It was no doubt the three adorable pets were irresistible to young children. They brought snacks with them and ran over.
Popcorn, grilled sausages, cotton candy, fruit salad, French fries, chips—all these snacks were full of temptation to the pets as well.
Ah Ow and Crispy Noodles were gluttons. When they saw there was food offered to them by others, they immediately went over to the children.
Ah Meow had a different attitude toward this. He looked at the young children disdainfully and stayed by Sophie with his head up in the air.
That was actually the ocelot's nature. They were unruly, independent, and couldn't be tamed by food.
Ah Ow and Crispy Noodles couldn't care less about that. They had a shy expression while eating the food the children offered.
These young children were friendly. They giggled while they fed the two pets. Occasionally, they would also eat the snacks themselves, as if they were sharing the food together with their furry friends; it was a pleasant sight to watch.
Li Du was, however, very happy with Ah Meow's character. "Ah Meow is proud and will only eat what the owner gives to him. This is a great quality of the ocelot."
"In fact, ocelots like to hunt their own food," Sophie said casually. "They don't really like to be fed by their owners either. It's just their pride."
Ah Meow seemed to understand what Sophie said. Maybe it was just that he couldn't stand the temptation of all the food around him. But after watching his little brother and sister enjoy all the good food, he felt very dissatisfied, so he took a stroll.
A child stretched out a hand to Ah Meow. On the small palm was a small piece of fried fish. "Meow, meow," said the young child. "Eat fish."
Ah Meow gave the child a sideways glance. What do you mean, little rascal? The Great Ah Meow is fully capable of hunting for food. I'm not eating your food, okay?
But Ah Meow really wanted to eat the fried fish—what should he do?
Ah Meow walked to the child's side and jumped. With a wave of his paw, he grabbed a piece of fried fish from the paper box that the child held.
And when he landed on the ground, Ah Meow already had the fried fish inside his mouth and made a perfect landing. As if nothing had ever happened, Ah Meow continued his catwalk, with his head held high, his tail swaying, and leisurely strolled away.
That sight was caught by several onlookers, who were left with their mouths wide open. Someone gasped in exclamation, "Gosh, this kitty's really smart!"
Some children held sweet-smelling chocolate flavored popcorn. Ah Meow made another jump, grabbed some popcorn with his mouth, and made another perfect landing.
And so Ah Meow snatched food he liked as he strolled around; he was now very satisfied with himself!
Li Du looked at Sophie and said, "You're right, ocelots like to hunt their own food. Just like Ah Meow, right?"
Sophie facepalmed. "Where did Ah Meow learn this bad habit? This is hunting? No, this is plundering!"


They love gold, and they love silver. Even more so, they love gems that dazzle, like stars across the skies. 
Firearms, jewelleries, and precious metals; A collector’s world will not be complete without antiques.  
Storage auctions, old goods trade, re-estate sales and gold-digging. But the truth is, if one wants to make money, then the supreme way is through searching for the legendary treasures. 
Holding the fort, there’s an ocelot, a wolf, and an Andes condor. At the side, there’s a loyal hound, an irascible ape, and an African honey badger. Who said that you can only rely on humans when treasure hunting?! 

Rhehan got a call and he stepped out of the store. When suddenly, a woman called him..

Rhehan: Yes, Sir I'll book the tickets..

"Mr Ardy"

Rhehan turned and he saw a really beautiful kind looking woman in front of him.

Rhehan: Yes..do I know you?

" Hello actually you don't know me but I know you , actually who doesn't? You are the assistant of the wealthiest man of town"

Rhehan chuckled.

"Actually My name is Soumya"

Rhehan: Hello, Soumya..

Soumya: I am the doctor of Mrs Ardy!

Rhehan: Ohh so nice to meet you doc 

Soumya smiled, 

Soumya: Mr Rhehan you should take extra care of your wife especially at this time 

Rhehan raises his eyebrows: What are...

"Rhehan, she means we are having twins nuhh that's why"

Rhehan: oh Eva you never introduced me to your doctor.

Soumya: Eva..you..

Eva immediately squeezed her hands..

Eva: Darling I want to have popcorn please buy some for me..

Rhehan: Ya sure wait..

Rhehan left them..

Soumya: Eva, you haven't told him, you lied to me.

Eva: I am sorry Doc but he will never accept kids in exchange of my life..I

Soumya: But still Eva he's your husband!!

Rhehan: Here you go wifey and Doctor here's some for you too..

Soumya smiled: Thank you Mr Ardy. But I am in a rush so I'll leave you guys bye..

Eva signed in relief, thank god that salesgirl talked to her and she turned to see Soumya talking to Rhehan. He had a narrow escape today.

In Anna's house,

Reyansh and Anna were on the couch not looking at each other.

This afternoon: 
When Reyansh saw Anna she was looking so alluring in her long grey shirt and really mini shorts. 

Anna: Uhmm Hello Reyansh Come on in.

Reyansh cleared his throat: Yeah..

Anna : By the way you in Country S!

Reyansh: Uhmm I actually had a meeting thought of meeting you.

Anna:  Oh Ok Come have a seat. I'll bring some thing to eat.

Anna was busy cooking something when Reyansh approached her.

Reyansh: I actually brought these for you.

Anna turned and saw some face packs.

She smiled, Anna: That's so nice Thank you.

She immediately hugged Reyansh making his body temperature rise instantly, he hugged her back making Anna feel a nice awkwardness.
He stroke her back. Anna slid her hands to his neck not knowing what to do. They faced each other. Anna could feel his gaze only on her lips.

To him, her lips were looking as if juicy mangoes.

He mumbled: Juice Mango

But Anna couldn't hear it.. she was engrossed in her own thoughts. She closed her eyes.

Reyansh saw her closing her eyes well woman do that when they don't mind someone kissing them right.

He came clother and his lips touched her and suddenly, his phone rang making both of them leave each other. They were shocked what were they about to so!

Anna immediately turned to cook. Till that time the two were awkward with each other and weren't talking.

Present:

Reyansh:°°° Cleared his throat who was that man?

Anna: Who?

Reyansh: You posted a picture with.

Anna: Oh you mean Rhe...wait why does this concern you?

Reyansh: Uhmm actually..

Anna: Well it doesn't concern you..just tell me will you stay here tonight?

Reyansh frowned, noticing his grumpy face Anna smiled inwardly...

Anna: I am preparing the guest room for you!!

Life became a turmoil for Kiara when her husband to be died just before her wedding. She didn't even cry, she only stood there frozen.

She has to love the murderer of her dead fiancé, she sworn to take revenge but why why was he so nice to her..No No it's all an act..he's bad..is all she kept in her mind.

Will she be able to take revenge? The book shall reveal all!!


(mature content ahead parents guidance required)

With mysteries getting unfolded, be ready for them..

Experience the journey with several loving characters how each of them witness their life taking turns.
______________________________________________

Author and Editor: Janvi23

Instagram:Janvi___23

popcorn children's book

children 's bedtime......

Love Journal - As Told By An Emotionally Constipated Half-Genius

His Genius Wife is a Superstar

Royal love - I fell in love with CEO

My Perfect Lady

ONE GAME

The number one favorite wedding in history. Good morning, Captain

Treasure Hunt Tycoon

pokemon fanfiction

Unbounded love

People search popcorn children's book also like: