I“ll Try to Come Back Alive 3

“Okay. We’ll call them right now.”

Huo Mian let go of her caution about her father’s work and Lu Yan.

Picking up her cellphone in excitement, she called her father first.

She heard two rings and then was cut off.

She put down her phone in disappointment and thought her father was probably busy with work in his lab.

“Mom, what’s wrong? Grandpa didn’t answer it?” Little Bean lifted her head and asked innocently.

“Your grandpa must be busy.”

The moment she said the words, her phone rang. Seeing the strange number, she answered in excitement.

“Hello?”

“Mian.”

Hearing Professor Lu’s old voice call her name, Huo Mian got emotional again.

“Dad,” she said chokingly.

“Mommy, calm down.” Thoughtfully, Pudding put her little hand on her mother’s knee to comfort her.

“Mian, you seldom call me. What’s up?”

As a father, he always thought of his daughter no matter how far she was.

“No, nothing. Dad, I didn’t talk to you for a long while and I just... missed you. I hope I’m not disturbing your work.”

“No. It’s just a phone call. It’s not a big deal.”

Professor Lu didn’t tell his daughter that constant calls would indeed expose his whereabouts. But for him, talking to his daughter was more important.

“Dad, how are you doing lately?”

“Good, very good,” Professor Lu said.

“How about your health?”

“I’m very healthy. Don’t forget I’m a doctor.” Professor Lu’s voice sounded amused.

“Dad, you must take care of yourself. The weather in the States is unpredictable. You must dress warmly. What’s your favorite food from here? I’ll mail them to you. The delivery services are very fast.”

“No. I’ll go back when I have time and I’ll eat my favorite food then.”

“Okay, okay. Oh, by the way, do you have time to talk to the kids? They miss you so much.”

Huo Mian was so emotional that she almost forgot that the twins also wanted to talk to their grandpa.

“Yes, I do.”

Hearing the mention of his two granddaughters, Professor Lu felt even warmer inside.

“Sis, you first.”

Surprisingly, Little Bean let her sister to talk first. Huo Mian realized that Little Bean was thoughtful, too, and she always let her elder sister take the first turn on big issues.

Shyly, Pudding took the phone and said sweetly, “Grandpa.”

“Pudding.”

“Grandpa, how did you know I’m not Little Bean?”

“Your voices are easy to recognize. I’m not befuddled with age yet.” Professor Lu laughed.

“Grandpa, I missed you so much. Please take care of yourself.”

“I will. I’ll listen to you. Pudding, you’ve made lots of money lately in the stock market.”

“Grandpa, you’ve been following the developments of the stock market in China?” Pudding was excited.

“Yeah. Pay attention to Wanhong Tech. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

“Wanhong Tech. I heard its chairman is on the run since he’s involved in fraud... Does it mean... he company will be restructured?” Pudding murmured to herself.

Professor chuckled but didn’t speak.

Checking the time, Huo Mian reminded her in a low voice, “Pudding, let your sister talk.”

Reluctantly, Pudding handed the cellphone to Little Bean.

“Grandpa, I missed you so much.” Little Bean’s voice was resonant probably because of her bigger size.

Huo Mian laughed out loud.

“Whoa. You have a big voice... Little Bean, have you done experiments lately?”

“No. Mom doesn’t let me touch chemicals, saying they are either toxic or explosive,” Little Bean complained with a pout.

“Your mom is too cautious. When your auntie was your age, she could make more than 10 kinds of simple bombs,” Professor said with a chuckle.