My Beloved

Another judge asked, "Have you never lost hope?"

"Why should I?" Han Luo confidently said, "I'm a normal human like other dancers. I eat healthy food every day, I have both legs and hands. I'm not autistic either. Even autistic people are doing better these days. I'm intelligent. I have everything a normal human has. If others can do it, it means it's possible for everyone. I will ever lose hope after I know that it's possible."

"Has no one ever told you that you can never do anything or you should give up?"

Han Luo answered, "Since I was the youngest in the dancing school, all the seniors bullied me and told me nastier words than you just said. But, their harsh words made me work hard even more. They gave me the strength to surpass them and I did. I'm very thankful to them."

Han Luo answered, "I had times when I couldn't do certain moves that others could. It made me wonder why I couldn't do it while others did. I was curious and followed the best dancer in our class and I saw that she practiced hard moves day and night till she mastered it. That made me realize that I have to practice more and more until I get better than anyone."

The five judges clapped their hands and so did the audiences. One of the judges said, " We need positive and strong-willed people like you to stay at the top. We want to see you in the finale."

'So, I passed!' Han Luo smiled brightly and said, "You will see me in the finale. Please don't worry."

The judges laughed at her words and everyone applauded once again. After she went to the backstage, people who were standing there all patted her back.

Han Luo's nervousness flew away. She smiled at them and went to the dressing room. She changed her clothes and then met Noah waiting for her outside the door. Noah gave her a warm hug. "You did great!"

"Oh, I was so nervous!" Han Luo huffed.

Noah asked, "Do you want to go to the hotel or do you want to watch the rest of the participants' performances?" 

"Let's go to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris!" Han Luo excitedly said.

"Nice choice!" Noah grinned. "What about Madam Mo and Young Master Mo? Do you want to ask them out?"

Han Luo replied, "Nah, let them have some mother-son moment. I know big brother Yuan doesn't have many memories as I have with mom."

"Is that why you forced Madam Mo to stay with Young Master Mo when he had an audition?" Noah walked out with her.

Han Luo grinned like a cheeky brat. Noah smiled at her and rubbed her head. "You did well."

Sometimes he is surprised seeing how sensible she is though she is so young.

They went to their destination.

Notre-Dame de Paris, referred to simply as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral. The cathedral was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

Noah asked, "Did you know some of the most important relics in Christendom, including the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross, are preserved at Notre-Dame?"

Han Luo asked, "That crown of thorns that I saw in the picture? Is that even the real one? Didn't Jesus Christ die a long time ago?"

Noah shrugged. "Who knows? I still want to see those relics though."

"Me too!" Han Luo excitedly pulled his inside.

One hour later, they got a call from Ma Rui. Noah handed the cell phone to Han Luo. She answered the call and said, "Mom, I got selected and I'm in the second round."

Ma Rui beamed. "Congrats, my child! I know you can do it! Are you still there? Why don't I fetch you? You and your big brother can go somewhere and play." She enthusiastically said. 

Han Luo said, "Umm, we are already out. We will come back late. You don't spend your time with big brother Yuan so much, mom. He is your son. You should give him more time. He didn't have time to spend with you for six years. I will give you two some time alone. Have fun, all right?"

"Luo'er, you…" Ma Rui was speechless. She knew that she didn't give her son time but her husband or her own son never mentioned it before. But, Han Luo did. She suddenly felt emotional.

Who said she didn't want to spend time with her son? However, her son didn't want to spend time with her. So, she got busy with other things. She never thought that she would be given the opportunity by Han Luo.

Han Luo giddily said, "I know, just let me talk to big brother Yuan."

"Okay," Ma Rui passed the cell phone to Mo Yuan.

Mo Yuan asked, "Where are you? We will pick you."

"What kind of son are you?" Han Luo scolded him. "Mom always wants to spend time with you but you never agree. This is no good. Go and spend some time with your mom. She gave birth to you, I didn't." She puffed her cheeks.

"Pfft!" Noah laughed after hearing her words.

Mo Yuan frowned. There was no way he would think of Han Luo as his mother. He would rather think of something else.

He didn't want to offend her. Therefore, he agreed, "Fine, I will do what you said. When will you come back?"

"After mom and you finish your dinner." Han Luo hung up.

It was evening already. The sun had set in the west. The sky was overshadowed by purple color and mixed with orange and pink hue. There were some fragments of Prussian blue clouds floating in the sky.

The City of Light lightened up and shimmered confidently. Looking at the glorious yet romantic Paris, Han Luo held her breath. A soft breeze blew and her long hair danced in the wind.

She softly whispered as if she was afraid of ruining the beauty of the city of hundreds of years, "I think I'm in love with Paris."