38 Volume 2: Raising a Bra (1/2)
That night Little Shan was left in his own courtyard. He wailed, threw a tantrum, and even pleaded with his Mommy to stay with him. But in the end, his Mommy just sniffled and told him it would be fine and he must learn to sleep on his own. Up until the very end, he continued to cry and scream, right up until he lost sight of his Mommy.
The moment his Mommy was gone, he stopped. Standing up, he dusted himself off and walked into his room. His baby steps turned firm and steady. Without his Mommy watching, he didn't have to pretend to be a toddler.
There was a certain amount of freedom in having his own home, though he'd never let the Old Man know that.
Turning to Nanny Qing and Nanny Ling, he said without even the slightest lisp, ”I hope you both understand that I'm the Boss here.”
They both answered: ”Of course Little Master.”
”Tsk.” His face scrunched in annoyance. ”When my Mommy isn't around, you can just call me Master Shan Hui.”
”As you wish, Master Shan Hui.”
”We servants obey, Master Shan Hui.”
”Eh…” He sat over by a table designed to fit his small, toddler size. ”You guys are surprisingly submissive considering the Old Man made you.”
”Master Shan Hui is his Lordship's son, how could this servant not submit?” Nanny Qing spoke as if he's suggested something scandalous.
Nanny Ling gave a small nod. ”Master Shan Hui is the spitting image of his Lordship, it's this servant's honor to serve Master.”
Little Shan's face stiffened at Nanny Ling's comment.
”What do you mean 'spitting image'?”
”Master's spirit is just like his Lordship, is that not so Nanny Qing?”
”This servant agrees, Nanny Ling. The crushing aura, the desire to dominate and control all, even Master's eyes, ah! All like Lord Jin.”
Little Shan stood up and pointed at them angrily, eyes blazing.
”You two! You dare offend me with your nonsense! I am not like that Old Man! You take it back!”
”Ay Ay, Nanny Qing!” Nanny Ling ran over to the other fairy and clasped her hands, putting on a show of shivering fearfully. ”See his temper! Just like Lord Jin's! Do you remember?”
”Nanny Ling, this servant remembers! How his Lordship chased out the people who angered him, destroyed their homes, called the wolves to drag their corpses!”
”Oh Nanny Qing, do you think Master will drag these servants' corpses?”
”Come now, Nanny Ling, if Master wishes us to die, we servants must throw ourselves into the wolves' mouths!”
The toddler stamped his feet and grabbed his head, furious. He wanted to beat these two senseless, but if he did, then it'd prove they were right and he was just like the Old Man! He'd rather die than admit being anything like that stupid Father of his! After a few moments of being unrestrainedly angry, he finally calmed himself and sat back down.
Putting his little hands on the table and entwining his soft chubby fingers, he examined the Nannies again. It occurred to him that his Old Man might not be as stupid as he'd previous thought.
”…what if I just run away?”
Nanny Ling's brow crinkled. ”Of course if Master Shan Hui runs, we Nannies could never catch him…”
Little Shan smirked.
”…but we would have to report your absence to Lady Mei Hua.” Nanny Qing continued. ”Her Ladyship would surely cry enough to fill a lake.”