It was a busy morning at the office. CEO Kien, known for his dedication and long hours, was already knee-deep in back-to-back meetings, important calls, and stacks of documents on his desk. The sound of typing and phone rings echoed through the glass walls of his spacious workspace. Yet, despite the stress and pressure of managing a growing company, Kien had something even more important on his mind: his daughter, Lala, and his baby son, Bon.
Lala, a bright, gentle, and responsible young girl, had always admired her father’s work ethic. Though she missed spending more time with him, she understood the importance of his job. She especially felt the need to be extra helpful whenever Kien was buried in work. That morning, she noticed the usual signs — the serious face, the hurried breakfast, and the constant checking of emails. She knew it would be one of those long, demanding days.
Bon, the adorable toddler with chubby cheeks and an infectious giggle, was full of energy and always curious about the world around him. At just over a year old, Bon required constant attention — someone to play with him, feed him, change his diapers, and keep him safe. Usually, a nanny helped with all of this, but that day, due to an emergency, the nanny had to take a day off. Kien was stuck. He couldn’t cancel his meetings, and he couldn’t leave Bon alone.
That’s when Lala stepped up.
“Daddy,” she said softly, tugging at his sleeve, “don’t worry about Bon. I’ll take care of him today.”
Kien looked down, slightly startled, and then smiled. “Lala, that’s very kind of you. But are you sure? He’s a lot to handle.”
“I can do it,” Lala replied with confidence. “I promise I’ll be careful. You just focus on your work.”
Touched by her maturity, Kien nodded and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you, my little helper. You’re the best.”
And so, Lala’s day as Bon’s temporary caretaker began.
Lala set up a cozy play area in the living room, complete with soft mats, colorful toys, and Bon’s favorite stuffed animals. She placed pillows all around to ensure he wouldn’t hurt himself if he fell. Bon clapped his hands happily as she brought out a musical toy that made animal sounds.
“Bon Bon, want to play the jungle game?” she asked cheerfully.
Bon giggled and reached for the toy lion. “Rooooaaar!” he shouted, clearly excited.
Lala laughed. “Yes, that’s the lion! Good job!”
She made up little stories, sang nursery rhymes, and even performed silly dances just to make Bon laugh. Every time he giggled, her heart filled with joy. Even though she was only a few years older than him, she felt very grown-up in that moment.
When it was snack time, Lala carefully heated up Bon’s porridge with the help of the kitchen assistant. She tested the temperature on her wrist just like the nanny had shown her before feeding him. Bon made a bit of a mess — porridge smeared on his chin and dribbled onto the tray — but Lala didn’t mind. She gently wiped his face and encouraged him with a smile.
“Yummy, isn’t it? You’re such a good boy!”
Later, when Bon got a little fussy and tired, Lala rocked him gently in her arms and sang the lullaby their mother used to hum.
“Sleep, my darling Bon, under the golden sun…”
Her voice was soft and melodic. Bon’s eyes began to flutter, and within minutes, he was asleep. Lala carefully placed him in his crib and tucked him in with his favorite blanket.
With Bon napping peacefully, Lala took the opportunity to tidy up the toys and wipe down the highchair. She even folded the small laundry load that the housekeeper had set aside for the children. She knew her father would be proud to see everything in order.
Around noon, CEO Kien stepped out of his office for a brief lunch break and decided to check on his kids. He peeked into the nursery and was amazed at what he saw: Bon was sleeping soundly, the room was neat, and Lala was sitting quietly by the crib, flipping through a picture book, keeping an eye on her little brother.
“Lala…” he whispered, moved. “You’re doing an incredible job.”
Lala looked up and beamed. “He’s been really good, Daddy. We played, he ate all his porridge, and now he’s resting.”
Kien crouched beside her and kissed her forehead. “I’m so proud of you. Thank you for helping me today. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Lala shrugged modestly. “I just wanted to help. I know your work is important.”
“And so are you,” Kien replied, hugging her. “You’ve made this day so much easier for me — and for Bon.”
The afternoon passed with more giggles, gentle walks in the garden, and a little bit of baby babble. Lala even taught Bon how to stack building blocks, and they had a small celebration every time he managed to get one block on top of another.
When Bon stumbled and fell, Lala didn’t panic. She picked him up, kissed his hand, and softly said, “It’s okay, Bon. You’re learning. Try again.” Bon, reassured by her calm presence, quickly bounced back.
By the end of the day, when the nanny returned and Kien finally closed his laptop, the house was full of warmth and laughter. Kien gathered both his children in his arms and said, “This is the best part of my day.”
That night, as Lala was getting ready for bed, Kien sat on the edge of her bed and handed her a small gift box.
“You didn’t have to do all that, Daddy,” she said, surprised.
“I know I didn’t,” he smiled. “But I wanted to. Open it.”
Inside was a delicate charm bracelet with a small charm shaped like a heart. On it were the initials “L & B” — for Lala and Bon.
“It’s beautiful,” Lala whispered, her eyes shining.
“It’s to remind you of today,” Kien said. “Of how much you helped. Of how much I appreciate your love for Bon.”
Lala hugged him tightly. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. And I’m so lucky to have you.”
That night, Lala fell asleep with a smile on her face and Bon curled up beside her. It had been a long day — full of responsibility, care, laughter, and love. She didn’t just feel like a big sister. She felt like a hero.
And CEO Kien, despite all the business meetings and deadlines, knew one thing for sure: the real success in his life was right there at home — in the form of his kind-hearted, obedient, and loving daughter, Lala.
