Crystal clear - Bright as a morning stream I

Author: Ming Xiaoxi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Ming Xiaoxi stared in astonishment at the magnificent mansion before her.
Such a large, luxurious, and extravagant house! It was almost like the White House in the United States!
She had heard that Dong Haonan's family was one of the wealthiest in the country, controlling the economic lifelines of the entire nation, even of all of Asia, but she had never imagined his home would be of this caliber. It took over twenty minutes just to drive from the entrance to the imposing white European-style main house. Along the way, she was surrounded by fountains, rockeries, small landscapes, and sculpted gardens.
Dong Haoxue snuggled close to her shoulder, "Ming sister, why aren't you saying anything?"
Ming Xiaoxi followed her into the grand hall of the main house. Wow, it was like a copy of Versailles!
Ming Xiaoxi asked curiously, "Haoxue, how many people are in your family?"
"My dad, my mom, my older brother, and me—four people in total!"
"Agh? You four people live in such a huge house?"
Dong Haoxue shyly stuck out her tongue, "Do you think it's a waste of space too? Actually, I don't like the house being this big either. My parents are often not at home, and my older brother has a terrible temper. I don't even have anyone to talk to sometimes. It feels so cold and eerie here, like it might be haunted!"
Just then, she suddenly let out a terrified scream, as if she had seen a headless ghost.
Ming Xiaoxi laughed at her, "Haoxue, you don't need to try to scare me. I've never been afraid of ghosts."
"No, no, I... I forgot!" She let out a shrill scream as if something truly terrible had happened.
"What's wrong?" Ming Xiaoxi grew nervous from her antics.
Dong Haoxue dragged her into a luxurious and imposing leisure lounge in a flash.
Dong Haonan was slumped on the sofa, his face sulking as he stared blankly out the window, as if he were angry. Mu Liubing lay on a sofa, fast asleep, but even in his dreams, his brows remained furrowed, like a melancholic angel. Feng Jianche sat elegantly by the window, flipping through an art book.
"Yaaah!!"
Dong Haoxue screamed again!
"What's all the screaming about!" Dong Haonan growled back, his voice dark and low. At once, he noticed Ming Xiaoxi.
Veins throbbed on his forehead as he gritted his teeth and stormed out the door.
Feng Jianche looked up, smiling at them, "You're here. Haoxue, what happened?"
Mu Liubing also woke from his sleep, rubbing his forehead as he sat up.
Dong Haoxue rushed to Feng Jianche's side like a child, "What do we do?! I invited Ming sister over for dinner, and you and Mu brother are here too!"
Feng Jianche said gently, "So what?"
"But, I forgot that Mom mentioned she'd take the family chefs to help at a friend's banquet today, so—"
"So?"
Dong Haoxue made a pouting face, "So no one is cooking at home today, and everyone will be hungry! What do we do?"
Ming Xiaoxi realized what was going on and smiled relievedly, "Haoxue, it's okay. I'll go home today and come back next time."
Dong Haoxue's face twisted into a grimace, "See? I told you this would happen. Jianche brother, I don't want to!"
Feng Jianche patted her head, "Don't worry, I'll help."
"Woo!" Dong Haoxue jumped up, "Jianche brother, you agreed?"
Feng Jianche looked at Ming Xiaoxi, who was still confused, and said warmly, "Just wait a moment, and we'll be ready to eat soon." With that, he turned and left too.
Ming Xiaoxi tugged Dong Haoxue, "What's Jianche senior doing?"
Dong Haoxue winked playfully at her, "You're in for a treat today."
"" Just said everyone would be hungry.
Dong Haoxue savored the words, "I still remember the dish Jianche brother made two years ago. It was so delicious that I've been craving it ever since."
Ming Xiaoxi's mouth fell open in surprise, "You made Jianche senior cook?"
Dong Haoxue nodded and smiled, "It's all thanks to you."
Ming Xiaoxi couldn't believe what she'd heard, "Jianche senior knows how to cook? That nobleman?"
Dong Haoxue nodded vigorously, gazing at Feng Jianche's disappearing figure with admiration, "Jianche senior can do anything. He's a god-like person."
It took Ming Xiaoxi a while to process what she'd heard, then she asked, "So, what do we do now?"
Dong Haoxue smiled sweetly, "Ming sister, shall I show you around my house?"
"Bad!"
"Swimming?"
"Bad!"
"Watching a movie?"
"Bad!"
"So, what about—"
Ming Xiaoxi glared at her, "We're helping Jianche senior cook!"
Dong Haoxue froze, "Agh, no way!"
"Why not?!" Ming Xiaoxi shouted, "Jianche senior is cooking for the five of us, how can we not help?"
Dong Haoxue backed away from the sofa, "You don't know, but Jianche senior is really amazing—he never needs anyone's help."
"That's not how it works. People should share joy and bear burdens together! Whether Jianche senior is amazing or not is one thing, but whether we help or not is another!"
Ming Xiaoxi looked at Dong Haoxue, who had already curled up on the sofa, "In short, are you coming with me or not?"
Dong Haoxue shook her head cautiously, "No, I can't really help with anything."
Ming Xiaoxi gave her a look, then turned to Mu Liubing, who was lost in thought, "And you? Are you coming to help?"