The day arrived when Xinyi, Zhiyuan, and Siying had to leave for Mu Chuanli's cruise trip.
Siying already ran off and sat in the car. He had been excitedly waiting for this trip since the moment Xinyi mentioned it.
A ship in the middle of the sea reminded him of the pirate shows he watched and he couldn't wait to get into one himself. He even woke up even before Xinyi, and for a change, he was her alarm clock today instead of the other way around.
Siying impatiently said, "Sea! Sea! Mama! Dada! Come fast! We will miss the ship!"
Xinyi chuckled. "We are coming. The ship is not going anywhere, dear."
He pouted. "We will get late!"
Zhiyuan said, "The ship won't leave without us."
"But in the movies, you miss the ship if you are late. I want to be a pirate! I cannot miss the ship!"
They helplessly laughed.
Xinyi asked Zhiyuan, "What about Ah Cy and Liang?"
He sighed. "Unfortunately, they cannot make it. Leina is sick."
"Oh, dear. What happened to her?"
"Fever and cold. Ah Cy insisted Liang come with us but he refused to leave them alone. You know how he is."
"Don't worry. We will go on another fun trip. This is a business trip anyway."
She smiled. "I will click lots of pictures for Leina!"
Zhiyuan chuckled. "Sure. Let's go now."
An hour later, they reached the port. Even from far away, they saw a luxurious ship docked at the port.
Mu Constructions was written in bold letters.
It was so huge that they could hardly see the sea on the other end. But they heard the loud waves crashing on the shore.
Siying hopped up and down. "Mama! The ship is so big! Even bigger than the ships in the movies!"
Xinyi was also lost in its grandeur.
Zhiyuan took a few steps, but then he realized that he was walking alone. He furrowed his brows and turned.
"Xinyi?"
He was surprised to see Xinyi looking at the cruise ship with a sparkly gaze. She seemed to be completely mesmerized by it.
He paused and chuckled.
Now that he looked closely, Xinyi and Siying had the exact same delighted expression on their faces as if they found treasure. Like mother, like son.
We never really went on such trips, did we…
He felt a little disappointed in himself. Apart from working sometimes in the Han Corps, she practically stayed at home all day taking care of Siying.
Wouldn't that be so tiring?
Sometimes, they would go for dinner but he felt now that as a family, they should go out often to have fun and just relax.
"Xinyi."
She snapped out from her stupor. "Oh yes. Sorry, I got lost in the ship's beauty. It is amazing."
Zhiyuan softly smiled. "En. I was saying that once the Mu Constructions finishes with their amusement park project, we can take a trip there for fun."
Siying's ears twitched and he clutched his father's leg. "Dada park! With all those roller coasters? And-and the giant swing!"
Zhiyuan picked him up in his arms. "Sorry son, but you are too young to ride those thriller rides. But there would be many more other rides that would suit you. So, yes we will have lots of fun."
He nodded and then asked, "Will there be Mickey Mouse too? And Pikachu? Spiderman? And Tom and Jerry!"
He meant mascots.
Zhiyuan laughed. "Yes. Everybody will be there and we will click lots of pictures."
Siying hopped up and down. "Yayyyy!! Dada when, when, when? When will we go?"
"Hmm. We have to wait a bit. The park will be ready in eight months after which they will open it."
He blinked. "How far are eight months?"
Xinyi pinched his cheek. "A little bit so you have to wait. Good things come to those who wait."
"Yes, Mama! I will wait!"
Xinyi brightened. "Good boy!"
She wondered when was the last time that she visited an amusement park.
I think it was when Yunru and I were ten.
Indeed it had been a long time. Though she didn't show it on the outside, she was just as excited as Siying.
But Zhiyuan carefully noticed her bubbling excitement that she was trying to contain.
He chuckled and then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha…"
Xinyi was confused. "Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing," he was still laughing as he shook his head, "You and Siying are really similar. And cute."
He left it at that, making Xinyi curious.
"Aha! You are here!"
Mu Chuanli's booming voice came from behind them.
"Mr. Han Zhiyuan," he was delighted as he saw Xinyi, "And Mrs. Han Xinyi. It's such a pleasure to meet you again!"
Xinyi smiled and nodded as they shook hands though she felt her nervousness kicking again. "It's my pleasure too, Mr. Mu."
"I am so happy that you accepted my invitation."
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Mu Chuanli nodded. His gaze shifted at the little bun.
"Oh, this must be your son, Han Siying."
Zhiyuan nodded.
Mu Chuanli grinned. "Hello, young man. Welcome aboard."
Siying was a little shy and partly hid behind Xinyi, clinging her leg. "Hello…"
"I see, shy, are we? He reminds me of you Xinyi," he chuckled, "You were the same as him when I first met you."
Xinyi's face flushed. "That…"
He looked back at Siying. "Don't worry! Uncle Mu will play lots of games with you. You will warm up to me in no time."
Siying brightened.
Games!
Mu Chuanli said, "Let's go inside and let the receptionist show you your room."
As he escorted them inside, Mu Chuanli saw another family coming right behind them. He grinned.
"There you are Mr. Zhu Xiaosi and Mrs. Zhu Caihong. Welcome, welcome!"
Chyou was on Xiaosi's side as she held his hand and walked with him while Caihong was maintaining her distance with an impassive expression. Chyou was frequently glancing at her but to her dismay, she wasn't looking at her. She sadly lowered her head.
Xiaosi smiled. "Hello, Mr. Mu. Thanks for the invitation."