My Beloved

Han Sheng Ming and Tang Yujin hurriedly finished their meal before Tang Yujin's driver drove them to the library. It was a sunny day and was one of the warmest months in London. Summer's warm weather continued till the middle of August, and some August days would even have scorching hot weather. But this day was different – the sky was a monotonous shade of grey. There was no sign of the sun, nor did its light shine through the cracks of the clouds. It wasn't raining, but the heavy overcast sky signaled that the rain was imminent, and it could be falling that evening. 

The two boys found Mo Yuan and Mr. Robert in the usual private study room. "Good afternoon, Mr. Robert. I apologize for being late." Tang Yujin was never late, so he was a little embarrassed. The last thing he wanted was to be unpunctual. It was against the teaching of his grandpa, Elder Tang. 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Robert. We slept till dawn, that's why we are late." Han Sheng Ming was late as usual – being late was part of his nature. He wasn't embarrassed at all. 

"Good afternoon, you two!" Mr. Robert greeted them with a smile. "I'm glad that you finally came to study. What were you doing last night that kept you so occupied?" He was a teacher in their school in the Department of Business Studies. He was friendly with youngsters and got along with them pretty quickly. 

Upon hearing his question, Han Sheng Ming's lips curled up and he answered, "We were doing something ve…ry important." He spoke mysteriously as he gazed at Mo Yuan. His eyes flickered with amusement. 

Mo Yuan narrowed his eyes. He became suspicious of Han Sheng Ming's behavior. He started to think what those two were up to behind his back. The three of them always competed against each other with results, so he doubted these two were studying secretly. 

Mr. Robert looked at the latecomers with a smirk. "As long as you two weren't watching porn late at night…" 

"No, we weren't!" Tang Yujin and Han Sheng Ming screamed at the same time as their faces dyed red in shame. Though some of the boys in their class started watching porn at the age of eleven, these three Asian boys were pretty innocent. 

Before Han Sheng Ming blurted out about Han Luo's arrival, Tang Yujin opened his book and swiftly changed the subject. "So, what are you going to teach us today, Mr. Robert?" 

Mr. Robert shook his head helplessly. "You boys are too busy always studying, you know that? What I'm teaching you is an undergraduate level of study, yet you are only fourteen! When I was your age, I was busy playing with friends. I'm sure your classmates are the same." 

Tang Yujin replied, "Yes, but we have our families' companies to take care of." 

"Even so, is that even normal?" Mr. Robert frowned. 

Mo Yuan explained, "I can't tell for sure about Western countries, but Asian countries are different. Our families taught us to be perfect since we were children. What others couldn't do at our age, we had to do. We have to learn martial arts and other sports. In competitions, we always have to come first place. If not first, only second and third place is acceptable." 

"Is that how your family forces you? That's psychological torture!" Mr. Robert was stunned. He never thought about the reason behind these boys' hard work up until now. After hearing Mo Yuan's explanation, he started to feel bad for the children. 

Han Sheng Ming scratched his head. "I never thought of it like that. As long as we don't take it that way, we won't feel like it's psychological pressure. If I have to become President of my father's company, I have to study day and night for good results. The Directors of my father's company only care about my results. If my results are bad, they criticize my father for not taking care of his child. I'd feel bad then, and I don't want them to hurt my father." 

Mr. Robert liked his innocent way of thinking. Not many children at his age would do something for their parents. "You really love your father, don't you, Sheng Ming? It's a good thing. A son needs to carry his beloved father's burden." 

Han Sheng Ming blushed as his inner feelings were exposed. He quickly retorted, "It's not like that… Anyway, Yujin's case is different though. Everyone likes him and his parents dotes on him. His main enemy is his grandfather. Man, that old man is so strict. He wants Yujin to succeed as the next company head, so he put Yujin on the edge." 

"I don't mind though." Tang Yujin coolly smiled. "I was able to have wonderful parents and I always got whatever I wished for. That is the least I could do for my family in return." 

"That's very noble of you, Yujin." Mr. Robert was impressed. "And what about you, Yuan?" He stared at Mo Yuan. 

Han Sheng Ming replied, "I want to know too. Your parents don't pressure you. You don't have an old man who is strict to you. Directors of your father's company don't even criticize you, so why are you working so hard?" 

Mo Yuan thought of a certain someone. He answered in a composed manner, "Because I want to be the best." He wished to sit on the highest seat so that the one he desired could see him. 

"…Why do you want to be the best?" Han Sheng Ming couldn't understand his friend. 

"It's a secret." Mo Yuan shortly replied and went back to his studying. 

Han Sheng Ming stood up from his seat and exclaimed, "Huh? That's not fair! Tell me! I'll go crazy if I don't hear why!" But Mo Yuan gave a blind eye to him. 

Tang Yujin gazed at Mo Yuan for a long time.. He thought about something and his eyes narrowed subtly.