Chapter 1 : Competition Abroad

She belonged to a typical family, who lived in an ordinary neighborhood. Her father worked in a pharmaceutical factory while her mother ran a small milk tea shop. They weren't rich, but their only daughter was sweet and obedient and the apple of their eyes.

"Mom, you don't have to pack so many things! I'm not staying there forever!" complained the 14-year-old girl to the middle-aged woman.

"Lora, this is the first time you'll be going abroad. You must be very nervous!" said the older woman to Lora Nangong with a smile.

"Why would I be nervous, Mom? Besides, doesn't Auntie live there too? She will look after me when I meet her in England," Lora Nangong replied.

"Lora, please don't bother your aunt."

"Why not? After all, she is my relative. But she hasn't come home for ten years. I have even forgotten what she looks like!"

"Didn't she always talk to you on the phone?" asked her mother.

"She did but I couldn't see her on the phone, Mom!" Lora Nangong giggled.

"Ha-ha! Lora, I know you like dancing, but you have never participated in such international competitions organized by your school before. What made you decide to do it this time?"

"I didn't want to. But Cindy, who had been enlisted for the competition by the school, sprained her ankle yesterday when she was practicing. The school couldn't find a replacement so they picked me to go as her substitute!

By the way, when will Dad get off work? Could you cook more delicious food today? I have to reach school by two o'clock!"

"Okay! I'll go out to buy some more food after I finish packing!" Lora Nangong was speechless. She was only going to England for a few days. Did her mother think she would need this much clothes? Lora Nangong sat down at her desk and contemplated her current situation. Although she enjoyed dancing as a hobby, her goal was something else. She aspired to get admission in the best high school in the city. Create Blue Middle School! Lora Nangong thought it was a funny name. Create Blue? Blue as in the blue sky? It was quite comical! Later she had learned that the name meant "create a miracle and overcome difficulties!" But she still couldn't figure out why the word "blue" was used to replace the word "difficulties". Perhaps, it was because, in Chinese, the pronunciation of "blue" is similar to the word "difficulties".

"Honey, I'm just stepping out to buy some more things. Stay home!" Lora nodded and went back to the book she was reading.

Their home was not far from the market, so Melissa Du returned with the food shortly.

"Lora, how about I make your favorite sweet and sour spareribs today?" Melissa Du offered her daughter, who was still engrossed in her book.

"Okay!" Lora replied brightly. Melissa Du immediately got to work in the kitchen.

Lora put down her book and walked to the kitchen door to watch her mother cook. A happy smile formed on her mouth. Her mother loved her so much. She felt so lucky.

After a while, Zack Nangong entered home. He smiled fondly when he saw his daughter and his wife busy in the kitchen.

"Sweetie, what is your mother cooking today?" Zack Nangong asked Lora, drawing her attention to his arrival.

"Dad! Hi! How come you're home early today?" Lora asked excitedly. She looked at the watch on her left hand and remarked, "You're home half an hour earlier than usual. Won't your boss deduct your salary?" She tittered and held her father's hand affectionately.

"Ha-ha! My sweetheart is going abroad this afternoon. How could I be late for such an important event?" asked Zack Nangong as he ran his hand through her hair to smooth it.

Lora swatted away his hand and whined, "Dad, I've told you so many times. Don't spoil my hair! Now I'll have to comb it again. It keeps getting knotted."

"Ha-ha!" Zack chuckled, amused by his daughter's annoyance. Hearing their banter, Melissa smiled too.

"Lora, aren't you using the hair conditioner I bought for you?"

"I do use it, Mom, but I forgot to put it when I washed my hair this morning!"

"Oh, Lora! You are so forgetful. Anyway, remember to take it with you when you go to England. You never take good care of your hair. I had asked you to cut your hair short, but you didn't do that either!" Melissa shook her head in exasperation.

"Aww, no. I think your hair is beautiful just the way it is. Why do you want to cut it short?" said Zack, taking Lora's side.

"Dad you're the best!" Lora chirped. Her father always came to her rescue, especially when her mother scolded her.

"It's impossible to win with you two!" huffed Melissa. She gave up trying to argue further and went back to the kitchen. Both father and daughter stood at the door, grinning from ear to ear. ...

Soon, the lunch was ready. Zack and Lora helped Melissa to set the table and the three of them sat down to eat together.

"Lora? Are you going to visit your aunt in England?" asked Melissa, resuming their conversation from earlier that day.

"Mom, the problem is I don't even remember what Auntie looks like now. I haven't seen her in ten years! I was only four years old when she left. So how will I recognize her?" Lora explained as she finished her meal.

"Lora, since this is your first time in England, it's a great opportunity to visit your aunt. You must go see her. By the way, hasn't your teacher arranged for a place for you to stay in England?" Zack asked with concern.

"They have made the arrangements but honestly, I am keen on staying with Auntie. The teacher said that we don't need to pay for the flight tickets, but we have to pay one thousand for food and accommodation for a week. I think that's too expensive. If I stay at Auntie's place in England, I won't have to pay anything," Lora explained.

"Oh, I see. Well, I happened to withdraw one thousand from the bank today. Take it with you just in case!" said Zack, handing her the money.

"Thanks, Dad, but I won't need it. I have hundreds of dollars with me. It should be enough!" said Lora, refusing the money.

"Honey, just take it! Your father is right. Keep it for emergencies!" Melissa coaxed gently.

"Okay, fine." Lora eventually accepted the money. She put it away safely. "By the way, Dad, how long has it been since the last time we spoke to aunt?" Lora inquired. To her, it felt like an eternity.

"Hmm, let me think. Honey, Janet hasn't called us for two months, isn't that right?" Lora's question jogged Melissa's memory. Janet Nangong used to call them every week. What happened to her recently?

"I don't know. I called her a few days ago, but she didn't answer. I think she might be busy. It doesn't matter. We will find out when Lora goes to see her."

"The problem is that Lora doesn't know where her house is! If Janet doesn't answer the phone, how will Lora find her aunt's place?" Melissa asked worriedly.

"That's a big problem! But wait a minute, didn't Janet give us her address?" Zack suddenly remembered.

"Oh yes! That's right! I've written it in my notebook. It's on my bedside table. I'll get it for you after lunch. Remind me," Melissa said as she picked up some sparerib to serve Lora.

"Thank you, Mom!" Lora smiled sweetly. She was so content with her family. She had a loving father and a considerate mother, and as long as the family was together, nothing else mattered! After lunch, Lora cleared up the table, and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Melissa and Zack had always encourage this because they thought that it was important for her to know how to do at least basic housework. Melissa glanced at the clock. It was twelve fifty-three now. Her daughter had to be at school in an hour. It would only take them half an hour to reach the school if Zack took Lora by electric bicycle. Lora's things were packed and ready. So Melissa shouted, "Honey, hurry up. Get your things. I'll give you the address to your aunt's house!"

"Okay," called Lora from the kitchen. Melissa trotted to her room to find the notebook, which contained Janet's address. Zack was relaxing on the sofa, watching TV while he waited for his daughter.

Melissa came out with a notebook just as Lora finished washing the dishes and was drying her hands.

"Come here, honey. This is your aunt's home address. Now go get your bags, your father will drop you to school. It's already past one o'clock. I have to go and open the shop!" After handing the notebook to Lora, Melissa took her bag, put on her shoes, and opened the door.

"Bye, Mom!"

"Honey, don't forget to call me when you reach!"

"I will, Mom!" Lora replied obediently. Then she kissed her mother goodbye.

"Goodbye, darling," said Melissa.

"Be careful on the road!" Zack told his wife lovingly.

"You too!" With that, Melissa left.

"Honey, should we also leave now?" asked Zack.

Lora looked at her left hand to check the time. Her watch was wet. She had forgotten to take it off while washing the dishes.

"You naughty girl! Is it broken?" Zack asked when he saw Lora's watch. He was astounded. His daughter could be so careless sometimes!

"No. Thank God! It's one twelve now. Dad, let's hurry!"

The two of them went through her bags once more. Lora removed some unnecessary things from her bags. 'Mom is so nervous. I'm only going for a few days. I can just carry one extra pair of clothes to change. Why has she packed so much? She is acting like I'm moving to England permanently,' she thought to herself shaking her head. Lora rearranged her bag. She packed the toothpaste, toothbrush and a dress, and then left home. En route, Zack told her to be on her best behavior with her aunt in Britain. And that she should call them often. It was just one forty-two when she arrived at the school. Seeing that the teacher had already called her name, Lora turned to her father and told him to get to work. Zack had to reach his workplace by two o'clock. He reminded Lora to call him when she reached safely.

After taking one last look at his daughter, Zack left. Looking at her father riding away, Lora smiled and called, "Dad! Don't worry. I will win the championship!" At last, Lora walked towards her teacher. The whole class had gathered. They finally set out together.