Elder Tang's unexpected visit from the village made the Head Butler sweat. He didn't think that the man would come at a time like this. The moment Elder Tang entered the mansion, Han Wanwan bumped into him and fell on the floor. There was a pair of laced shoes in her hands, but the shoes flew out of them.
She was hurt and became irritated rather quickly. "Who… hurt me? Punish him!"
Another girl ran forward calling out, "Wanwan!" It was Han Luo. Upon seeing the elder, she halted and bowed politely. The old man emitted such a stern aura that she didn't dare to move.
Elder Tang coldly looked down at Han Wanwan. "Who is this piece of filth? Where did it come from?"
The Head Butler hesitantly bowed and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Master. I was not able to take care of everything-"
"I do not want to hear your apology. Answer my question first." Elder Tang firmly commanded, his merciless eyes glaring at the Head Butler.
The Head Butler was about to reply, but he was interrupted by another voice. "Xiao Luo! You stole from me!" Han Luilui dashed forward and shoved Han Luo. Han Luilui didn't pay attention to the authoritative figure next to her; she was blinded by jealousy.
She and her young sister had snuck into Han Luo's room, where they were met by rows of beautiful shoes and laces. They were filled with so much envy that they stole them. At that same moment, Han Luo had just come out of the bathroom with the maid who just bathed her. The maid saw the two thieves and tried to approach them, but fiendish Han Wanwan jostled her away and escaped with Han Luo's shoes. Han Luo needed to wear the pair of shoes that were stolen away from her, so she instinctively ran after Han Wanwan. The other fiendish sister, Han Luilui, wanted to stop Han Luo, so she chased after her.
Elder Tang's glare had become colder. He rigorously asked, "And who the hell are you?"
It was only then when Han Luilui was aware of the old man's imposing presence. She flinched in fear. The girl read the situation better than her little sister, so she didn't help her. Han Luilui's fear had now frozen her.
The Head Butler replied nervously, "They are Han Family's misses."
Elder Tang frowned when he heard the family's name. "Han Family? You mean they are Han Ying Wei's daughters? Unbelievable!" He refused to believe that the Han Family's girls were so ill-mannered.
Elder Tang glanced at Han Luo who had just apologized to him, even though she didn't do anything. He didn't say anything to her but scowled at Han Wanwan instead. "You! Get up! How long do you plan on crying?"
No matter what the situation was, Han Wanwan was still only a two years old girl. After being scolded by the intimidating man, her cries had amplified.
Han Luilui couldn't take this anymore. She slowly came forward and cutely said, "I'm sorry, grandpa. My sister didn't mean any harm."
Elder Tang was never swayed by 'cuteness'. He was a traditional man with a traditional way of thinking. He only cared about manners and etiquette. "Who is your grandpa? What a vulgar word! Honestly, I have never met such impolite, insolent children!"
Han Luilui's face had turned pale. Her plan had backfired – what could she do now?
Meanwhile, Han Sheng Ming, Tang Yujin, and Mo Yuan returned from their swimming lesson. Han Sheng Ming was always scared of that old geezer. He felt his whole body tightly stiffen at the sight of Elder Tang. Unlike his friend, Tang Yujin was surprised to see his grandfather. He respectfully bowed and greeted him. "Grandfather, I hope you have been well."
Elder Tang's eyes softened after seeing his well-mannered grandson. "Why did you let these disorderly children stay at this orderly place? Do they not have a home?"
Tang Yujin replied, "I'm sorry, grandfather. It was my mistake." He didn't want to reveal that it was all of Du Liu's fault. If he did, it would look like he was just making excuses. Men don't make excuses – that's what he learned from his grandfather.
Han Luilui followed his cue. "Grandfather, it was my mistake. I'm to blame. It's not big brother Yujin's fault."
Tang Yujin shuddered when she called him 'big brother Yujin'. He felt a wave of terror envelop him. Now he understood what his friend, Mo Yuan, felt whenever she called him 'big brother Yuan.'
Elder Tang's unforgiving glare had returned. "Of course, I know it is not his fault – I am not blind. I want to know why you and your sister stole your cousin's shoes. How could you torture your cousin like that? Is it not obvious that her feet are cold?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Han Luo's small bare feet. The boys looked startled. Despite the scorching heat outside, the floor was callously cold. Han Luo's feet had become numb.
A maid came forward and carried Han Luo in her arms. "Her feet are truly freezing." She was too afraid to speak aloud, so she murmured to herself.
"Wanwan, what are you doing? Give it to her!" Han Luilui hurriedly scolded her sister.
Han Wanwan ignorantly refused, gripping the shoes in her hands. "No! It's mine! I won't give her anything that's mine."
The Head Butler protested, "Impossible! I bought this pair of shoes for the little lady last night. It cannot be yours, Miss Wanwan. Please give them back to the little miss."
Han Wanwan cried out, "Why… does she always get everything? Why… I don't?!"
Han Sheng Ming's head fumed with wrath. If Elder Tang wasn't here, he would've beaten her up with no hesitation. He stepped forward and grasped the shoes from her hands. Han Wanwan was younger than Han Sheng Ming; she couldn't win against him. The girl's wails echoed throughout the room. "No! It's mine! Give it back!"