My Beloved

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The next week, Han Luo flew to Ireland along with Noah and Beth. It was her first time traveling to a European country other than England and it made her excited enough to forget about her dancing competition.

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.

They soon reached Dublin city, the capital city of Ireland. It is a peaceful and colorful city, and the girls saw how the buildings were painted with multiple colors. Outside the buildings were decorated with flags and hanging flower baskets. The scenery beside the River Liffey had an exquisite sight.

They went to the railway station and County Kildare's small village Ballitore. The landscape scenery of the evergreen County Kildare is incomparable.

Han Luo couldn't keep her eyes from the window. She asked Beth, "How do you pronounce Kildare?"

Beth replied, "We, Irish people say 'contae chill dara'. It is named after the town of Kildare. We are heading to Ballitore – the village where I was born."

"That's wonderful! I'm already in love with your country!" Han Luo was excited.

When they reached their destination, it was already lunch time. A red tractor was waiting for them. A young man was sitting on the tractor. Beth waved her hand. "Sean!"

The man looked at Beth and waved his hand. He came down and walked towards them. "Beth, you've grown taller!" He had slightly tanned skin and red hair. He was a charming guy with a friendly attitude.

"I've missed you!" Beth left her backpack and hugged him.

Sean hugged her as well and then looked behind her. "Is this the friend you were talking about?"

They were speaking in the Irish language, also known as Gaeilge. Han Luo and Noah couldn't understand them.

Beth let go of him and proclaimed, "Yes, let me introduce you. She is Luo Han from China. We are in the same class."

Sean reached out his hand and said, "Hello Miss Luo, I'm Sean, a farmer under Beth's grandparents. Welcome to our country." This time, he spoke English.

"Hello Sean, thank you having us. Please call me Luo." Han Luo shook her hand with him.

"Wow! Your English pronunciation is excellent." Sean couldn't help but praise.

"Thank you! And, this is my butler, Noah." Han Luo introduced him to Noah.

After the greeting, they went to the tractor and Sean started the engine. Sean told Han Luo, "I've heard a lot of things about you from Beth."

"Oh, really? What did she say?" Han Luo became curious.

Sean answered, "She said that she had a crush on your cousin and his friends."

Han Luo burst into laughter. Beth complained, "What's there to laugh about? They are hot and I'm a girl."

Han Luo stopped laughing and said, "There is nothing wrong. I just don't realize why my silly cousin is so popular."

Beth replied, "Because of his body and character of course! He looks so loyal. Any girl would be happy to have a partner like that."

"Ah, yes, that's true. He has a big, pure heart. I want to have a perfect sister-in-law for him." Han Luo said.

"Can I be your sister-in-law?" Beth requested with sparkling eyes.

"You have to bribe me with your delicious cooking." Han Luo winked at her knowing that her friend was joking.

"Damn it! Luo, I shouldn't have brought you with me. You are no good." Beth didn't know how to cook yet Han Luo knew it very well.

They burst into laughter, loud enough to be heard from afar.

After a while Han Luo looked around. "Why is the road never ending?"

"Heh, it's just the beginning." Beth smirked. She pointed at both sides and declared, "You see the vegetable farm on both sides of the road? It's ours. We have the largest organic farm in our village."

Han Luo exclaimed, "Wow! Beth, I didn't know you are rich!"

Beth explained, "I'm not rich. My grandfather is. I did nothing about this farm. I heard my grandfather's great-grandfather bought lands around here after saving quite the sum of money. And from generations they are growing vegetables. We have fruit gardens too. I'll show you around after we reach there."

Finally, they reached the house. The house was pretty small compared to the huge farm. They were warmly welcomed by Beth's grandmother, Linda McCarthy. After the introduction, they went inside and met Beth's grandfather, Timothy O'Connor. He was a quiet person but still talked to Han Luo and Noah.

Han Luo and Noah went to the guestrooms and freshened up. When they came down, they saw that Granny Linda prepared raspberry pie for them. They ate in delight and kept praising Linda's cooking.

Beth suddenly asked, "Granny, do you still have the video tapes of your dancing? Luo is participating in a dance competition next month and I would like to show her these video tapes."

Granny Linda smiled. "I knew she danced the moment I laid my eyes on her. Her body is shaped for ballet. Am I right Luo?"

"You are right, granny." Han Luo couldn't help but smile.

Granny Linda said, "Though I don't dance professionally now, if you need any help, ask me any time. I can still show you some dance moves."

"Granny, can you still dance?!" Beth blinked several times.

Granny Linda proudly proclaimed, "Who do you think I am? Don't underestimate your granny. Although I've aged, my body is still young. Do you know that I've charmed your grandfather with my dancing moves?"

Grandpa Timothy interjected, "Is that so? I don't think that's how it happened. I clearly remember that you fell for my vegetables first."

Granny Linda frowned. "What did you say? It was obviously you who came to me after I won the prize in a dancing competition!"

The two of them continued bickering and until the end, Han Luo, Beth, and Noah couldn't catch who was lying and who was telling the truth.