London bridge is falling down

Falling down

Falling down

London bridge is falling down

My fair lady

Xiumin, Luhan and Kris gege will be studying in London. Papa talked with them about the arrangement. Xiumin was going to take up Hotel and Restaurant Management, and London had some of the world's famous restaurants and hotels, so he was approved. Luhan was going to take up Psychology. Not that London had the best psychologists, but because the other two (Kris and Xiumin) would be studying there. Kris was going to take up Architecture. He had talked with papa for a long time about this, pleading his case. Papa wanted him to take up Law. He insisted that Architecture would help the family business. And London was near Rome, Italy. Home of the Art Renaissance. You see, papa decided to venture into the hotel chain business and our family now owned 2 hotels and 2 villas in Phuket Thailand. It was a good start, he had said. But it could change, them studying in London. Depending on the future situation. So, the older boys were given a heads-up and they nodded their heads in understanding.

I was a Saturday. A week has passed since the first day of classes. Everyone was at home, save for mama who had Saturday classes. She decided to pursue her studies and be a full-fledged doctor. The 3 oldies were out in the backyard swimming. Tao and Kai were out front doing who knows what with their skateboards. Sehun preferred to stay inside and eat. The househelp was making pasta and Sehun was in the kitchen counter waiting for the food to get cooked. I could hear Chen singing at the top of his lungs from upstairs. I bet he had his earphones on and his volume turned up. Soo oppa was seated at the coffee table in the corner of the living room, doing his homework. Lay ge was practicing his guitar-playing upstairs in their room. Chanyeol and Baek were with me in the living room watching a movie. Suho ge was out cleaning his car. OTL. Papa came out of their room and walked over to us.

"Baixian, here."

Papa had given Baek something in a thick envelope. Baek reached out his hand to get the packet. Papa was home today. He looked like he wasn't going anywhere. He was wearing a plain white tee and believe it or not... walking shorts. Yes, papa looked like he would just be sitting at home today. It was rare. He sat down on the couch and asked, "Lay zai nali?"

Baek: Upstairs, pa.

Papa: Hmm...Chanyeol, go call Lay.

Chan: Yes, pa.

And he rose from sitting on the floor. All three of us were sitting on the floor while watching the movie. Yo oppa went upstairs to call Lay ge. Baek just stared at the packet in his hands. He was probably wondering why papa gave him an official-looking envelope. He wasn't a businessman, so why would papa give him an envelope that looked like important documents were inside?

Papa: Well? Open it. 

Baek: Uh...okay.

And he shrugged as he answered papa. He carefully opened the seal and peeked inside. He creased his forehead. Before he could pull out the contents, Lay and Chanyeol came back down. As Lay approached, papa stretched out and handed him a similar looking packet. Lay looked confused as well. He saw Baekhyun pulling out the contents of his envelope with an open mouth. He sat beside papa on the couch and started to open his envelope.

Baek: What is this?

Papa: Which one?

Baek: This one? What is this?

He was waving a gold credit card in front of papa's face. At first, I thought papa would look annoyed at how Baek reacted upon seeing a credit card with his name embossed in it. But papa smiled and patted Baek's shoulders. He casually leaned back on the couch and explained.

Papa: It's time you get a card, Baixian.

Baek: Why?

Papa: Consider it as a financial training. I will not be monitoring your expenses, but you will be. At the end of the month, on your billing cycle, you'll give ma report on your purchases, etc. Erzi, ni mingbai ma?

Baek: I'm not using this. Na-uh.

Papa: Listen, Baixian. It's less than a year that your Xiumin, Kris and Luhan ge will be staying with us. Suho, Lay and you will assume their responsibilities while they are away.

Lay ge had just managed to open his packet and look at the contents. His face looked more confused. But he nodded at what papa said. He was listening intently. Sehun clapped from where he was seated. He commented that Baek's first purchase should be bubble tea treats. Soo oppa looked up from his homework and congratulated Baek for his new responsibility. Baek just nodded at everything that was said. But it was obvious that he looked worried.

Sehun: Pa, can we call for pizza delivery? And....bubble tea?

Papa: You want to make that call? But we are having pasta.

Sehun: Pizza-pasta party? I will call...?

Papa: Okay.

Baek: Don't tell me I would pay it with...THIS?

He waved the card again. Lay immediately put back his card in the envelope and nodded at Baekhyun.

Lay: Yes. Let's use it now. For practice? Eheheh.

Baek: I only know how to swipe it and online purchases, but what to do for purchases over the phone?

Lay: I don't know.

Papa: I'll pay for the pizza and bubble tea now. Better make good purchase decisions with your cards, boys. It's pre-activated, as it's connected to one of my accounts. The first purchase will fully activate it.

Kai and Tao appeared on the doorway, paint all over their arms. Tao wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his t-shirt. Papa narrowed his eyes and pointed at their painted arms. Tao and Kai ge smiled sheepishly, bowed and ran to the bathroom to wash it off. Sehun walked over to the phone and dialled pizza delivery. He also placed an order for bubble tea, then he returned to his seat at the kitchen counter and drummed his fingers on the counter. Lay neatly placed his envelope on the coffee table in front of the couch. Baek placed his card on top of the envelope on the table and stared at it. Possibly thinking what his first purchase would be. 

The same time that the pizza and bubble tea delivery arrived, the three oldies were done swimming. They trooped inside and sank on the beanbags. They had dried themselves in the laundry room, if you must know. LOL. Suho ge was still outside and he was the one who received the delivery. Papa went out to pay the delivery guy. Kris saw Baek's card lying on top of the envelope. He picked it up and grinned.

Kris: Heyyyyy! What do we have here? Gold card for our Baixian.

Xiumin: Whoaaa... Good luck with your bills. LOL.

Baek: I'm not going to use it.

Kris: You sure? Well then, I'll be the one to use it.

Baek: It's in my name, you can't.

Kris: Over the internet purchase, sha-di. No need for signature and ID.

Baek: Give it here!

But Kris ge was tallest, so Baek had no chance of retrieving the card if he didn't use a stool or ladder. Anyway, Kris raised his hand that was holding the card high up. And kept joking that he'd be making an online purchase later. He said he was memorizing the card number and the code at the back. He added that he would be purchasing a new phone from overseas, so shipping and handling fees would be charged to the card as well. Baekhyun got annoyed and called out to papa who was already returning with Suho, bringing the pizza boxes and bubble tea.

Papa: What is going on here?

Kris: Nothing pa. Just giving purchasing tips to Baek.

Papa: Oh...right. Carry on.

Kris: Xiexie...

And he went to place the pizza boxes on the dining table. Kris snickered at Baekhyun who scowled. Everyone who heard laughed at him. Sehun just rolled his eyes and was the first to pick up a slice of the pizza and sip bubble tea. He already had a plate of spaghetti in front of him as he sat back on the kitchen counter.

Well, first chapter is up. ^^ Let's welcome our Wu siblings back. As the original story does, this story still features EXO 12 and Xiao Yi with their parents. Bangtan Boys are made regular here, so expect the next chapters to include them as Kim and Min brothers. For first time readers, this is the sequel to His and Theirs, which can be found here.  His and Theirs: All 13 of Us