My Beautiful Love

Lu Aotian beckoned her over and picked her up. This little girl really knew how to act pitiful when apologizing.  If he gave in to her every time, she would have turned into a spoilt little brat that threw her temper around ages ago. "Since you made it a promise, I will forget it happened."

Hearing that, she nestled in his embrace like a kitten. "Daddy was very scary just now." She complained while sticking her little face onto his chest as though seeking protection.

Lu Aotian chuckled. "That's because Little Jia was a bad girl just now, too. If Little Jia is a good girl, Daddy will never be scary."

"Really, never?"

"Mmh."

Lu Aotian tousled her hair. "Wait for Daddy a little, okay?"

"Yes daddy." She was no longer in a bad mood so she skipped away to find Brownie to play with it.

When he was done, he made Little Jia dress warmly and took her to the largest ice skating rink in the city. She was no longer as gloomy as she was when she woke up, she was even chatting away happily while clinging to her father's hand tightly like she was protecting a treasure.

When she realized where they were, her big eyes were filled with stars. "Is that a rink? Daddy, are we going to ice skate?"

"I'm glad you like it."

He helped her change into the ice skates he had prepared beforehand and took her to the rink. "Are you scared?"

She shook her head like a rattle. "Why would I be scared? I'm with my strong hero overlord."

Lu Aotian expressed his amusement. "Is that so? Who is this strong hero overlord?"  

"You!" Her little expression was that of accusing her father of asking the obvious. "Not only is my hero handsome like a god, he is also very strong and protective too. I'm the luckiest girl, right?"

Lu Aotian was amazed at his daughter's ability to give praises. What in the world was 'handsome like a god'? "You are indeed very lucky. But daddy is even luckier to have your mother and you."

"Daddy..." Little Jia felt her little heart melt. A warm smile filled her adorable little face.

Although she had seen rinks on television, she had never been to one before. Her big round eyes didn't stop scanning her surroundings curiously.

"Is that Tangtang? Wait, is that Second Uncle?"

Lu Aotian glanced in the direction that his daughter was looking. It was indeed his brother and his godson. The godfather and godson duo happened to see them at the same time and went over.

"The Lus and Xus seem to take a fancy to the same things lately." Lu Aotian commented as he glanced at Tangtang.

"Now that you mention it, it's true." Lu Shaoting looked at Little Jia as soon as he was done speaking. "Little girl, how could you go out for fun without Second Uncle? Does Little Jia not love Second Uncle anymore?"

Little Jia blinked at him, not fazed by his statement that sounded as though he had been betrayed by a lover. "Second Uncle went out without me. I'm so furious. Tangtang betrayed me too. I'm not going to talk to the both of you." She looked aside, upset with them.

Tangtang didn't let himself be on the receiving end. "That's not true. You didn't tell me you were going to ice skate, so we're even."

"Fine. No next time." she admitted defeat reluctantly.

Lu Shaoting coughed. "Ahem, this little lad should resume his learning. Bro, do you and Little Jia want to join us?"

Little Jia suddenly burst into laughter. Lu Aotian, Lu Shaoting and Tangtang all looked at her curiously.

"Tangtang doesn't know how to ice skate yet?"

Tangtang's eyes dimmed. "You don't know either. Have you even ever been to a rink before? You're merely the pot calling the kettle black."

Little Jia looked smug. "That's okay, I'm only four. How old are you already?"

"Hey! I'm only six. Little Jia, you are mean."

Lu Shaoting laughed. "These two can banter all afternoon. Little Jia, don't make fun of Tangtang anymore, okay? You two can learn together. The trainer I chose for Tangtang is really good."

…

After watching the kids train for a while, the brothers got bored. "Bro, why don't we compete?"

Lu Aotian gave him a side eye. "Do you miss being beaten that much?"

The kids were excited when they overheard their conversation. "Are they really going to compete? Can we watch? Can we, can we?"

Lu Aotian couldn't resist their pleading looks. "Okay. Later, don't laugh at your Uncle Shaoting too much."

"I'm afraid they'll be laughing at you. Ten laps around the rink."

Ten laps later, Lu Aotian won.

"As expected of my daddy. Is there anything you're not good at?" Little Jia praised. Her eyes were full of worship. Her daddy was awesome!

"He just won by five seconds. What's there to be awed about? I'll beat him next time." Lu Shaoting was not going to admit defeat so easily, even if the opponent was his brother who was good in everything.

"I was only giving you face in front of your niece and godson."

"Why don't you race again?" Tangtang suggested. He was a die-hard supporter of his godfather and although he liked Lu Aotian too, he couldn't accept this outcome.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. My wife will arrive within one hour. I'm going to pick her up. Shaoting, could I trouble you to take Little Jia home?"