Yuan Gun Gun pulled Hao Yan Che’s shirt sleeve.
‘Young master, are you still angry?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.
Hao Yan Che didn’t answer.
‘Don’t be angry,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I was wrong.’
‘How?’ Hao Yan Che asked.
‘Wrong…’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
Yuan Gun Gun honestly didn’t know what she did wrong.
Hao Yan Che scoffed and pushed Yuan Gun Gun’s hand off his shirt.
‘I shouldn’t have been noisy and disturbed your sleep,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
Hao Yan Che waited for Yuan Gun Gun’s light bulb to turn on.
‘No?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked. ‘Then I shouldn’t have slept close to the bottom of the bed without your permission.’
Hao Yan Che knocked Yuan Gun Gun’s head.
‘You’re not allowed to eat breakfast as your punishment,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘Go to room fifteen right now.’
Yuan Gun Gun rubbed her head and ran outside.
At eleven in the morning in the study room, a conservatively dressed woman with glasses reported to Hao Yan Che.
‘My only request is that you’re not allowed to curse or hit her,’ Hao Yan Che said.
‘Yes Mr Hao,’ Tan Tan said. ‘I promise I’ll be gentle with her.’
‘Jia Tu, take her teacher to room fifteen,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘Room fifteen is converted into her classroom.’
‘Yes young master,’ Jia Tu said and turned to Tan Tan. ‘Miss Tan, follow me to room fifteen.’
In room fifteen, Yuan Gun Gun sat on the sofa and watched TV. She still couldn’t think of why Hao Yan Che was angry at her.
Yuan Gun Gun jumped off the sofa after she heard the knock on the door.
‘Gun Gun,’ Jia Tu greeted.
‘Big brother Jia Tu,’ Yuan Gun Gun greeted.
‘Gun Gun, this is your teacher Miss Tan,’ Jia Tu said. ‘Miss Tan, this is your student, Gun Gun. Young master converted this room into a classroom for your teacher to educate you.’
‘Hello big sister Tan,’ Yuan Gun Gun greeted.
Tan Tan thought Yuan Gun Gun was an adorable young woman.
‘Hello Gun Gun,’ Tan Tan greeted.
‘Gun Gun, do your best,’ Jia Tu encouraged.
‘Thank you big brother Jia Tu,’ Yuan Gun Gun said and waved bye to Jia Tu.
‘Let’s begin your first lesson,’ Tan Tan said.
‘Big sister Tan, I’m a slow learner,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘Don’t be angry if I don’t understand some lessons.’
Tan Tan rubbed Yuan Gun Gun’s head.
‘Don’t worry,’ Tan Tan said. ‘I’ll teach you slowly, and you’ll eventually understand all the lessons I planned for you.’
Yuan Gun Gun thought Tan Tan was a better teacher than she pictured Hao Yan Che would find for her.
At five in the afternoon, Tan Tan packed the textbooks.
‘Gun Gun, we’ll end your first lesson here,’ Tan Tan said.
‘Thank you big sister Tan,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
‘Gun Gun, what’s wrong?’ Tan Tan asked. ‘Do you feel sick?’
Yuan Gun Gun’s stomach rumbled, and she smiled awkwardly.
‘No,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I’m hungry.’
Tan Tan smiled, took out a wrapped chocolate and gave it to Yuan Gun Gun.
‘For you,’ Tan Tan said.
‘Thank you big sister Tan,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
Yuan Gun Gun unwrapped the chocolate and ate it.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Tan Tan said.
Yuan Gun Gun walked Tan Tan to the car, and went to see Hao Yan Che in the study room.
‘Young master, are you still angry?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.
Hao Yan Che ignored Yuan Gun Gun.
‘Young master if you stay angry then I’ll starve to death,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
Yuan Gun Gun’s stomach rumbled and proved she was telling the truth.
‘Come here,’ Hao Yan Che said.
Yuan Gun Gun walked to Hao Yan Che, and sat on his lap. He rubbed her sunken stomach and frowned.
‘Why didn’t you eat if you’re hungry?’ Hao Yan Che asked.
‘You said I’m not allowed to eat,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
‘When did I say you’re not allowed to eat?’ Hao Yan Che asked and pinched Yuan Gun Gun’s left ear.
‘This morning you said I’m not allowed to eat,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.
***
End of Chapter Sixty-Eight