Present Day

"It is nice to see you Jia Li . How are your parents doing? Are they still in Moganshan?" asked Mr . Xie .

He watched her reaction carefully but she replied to his questions without any hint of acrimony . After a few minutes of polite conversation, she moved away leaving him with his thoughts .

"What did you say to her?" asked Tang, coming up hurriedly to his father .

"I said nothing bad . Just enquired about her parents' health etc . Please keep your arrows back in the armour", his father strived for humour .

"You are right . I shouldn't worry about it anymore . You did whatever damage had to be done long ago . Still I want you to stay away from her or any of my other friends who don't meet your standards . They are off limits to you", he said almost savagely .

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Mr . Holland, our client from London, is here and looking for you . I have a.s.signed an a.s.sistant to look after him . "

Mr . Xie held his son by the shoulder, "I know you blame me for a lot of things in your life . But I need you to know that I have always had your best interest and a very bright future in mind . It doesn't exonerate me from the fact that I hurt you in the process . Though you never confronted me on the same, I know you have punished us both for the past five years . I am also aware that this is neither the time nor the place for it, but I just want to say that I am truly sorry for my actions . The situation could have been handled in a better way without so many people getting damaged in the process" .

"Mr . Holland won't appreciate being kept waiting for so long . I suggest you should go to him right away", said Tang neutrally before turning away .

"And as for the discussion on that topic or the apology, it is a little too late for either of that", he said with his back facing his father .

The four of them were standing together at the bar .

"So how come none of you brought along your other halves along with?" asked Tang .

Chung grimaced before saying, "taking a trip with a one-year old baby is full of misery . Le decided to stay back and let me enjoy the wedding instead of us both coming here and only running after baby Hua" .

"How much can you exaggerate and don't you dare say anything about my darling . He is a very well behaved child and isn't even half the trouble you are portraying him to be", scolded Jia Li .

"Well, I would have to agree with Jia Li on her a.s.sessment about baby Hua . He was sleeping for more than 15 hours a day, six months ago . How much trouble can he create in the remaining time", quipped Tang .

"And why did Fu not make it, Jia Li?" asked Tang with a studied nonchalance .

"He really wanted to come but was called away for a last minute conference . He is presently in America", she lied smoothly .

"Well, before you even ask me, let me tell you the reason for my partner's absence myself . I didn't think bringing along a male companion would go down well with your family and I didn't want to lie about who Zhu Chang is to me", said Li Jie, who was in a live-in relations.h.i.+p with his partner .

Present Day It is nice to see you Jia Li . How are your parents doing? Are they still in Moganshan? asked Mr . Xie . He watched her reaction carefully but she replied to his questions without any hint of acrimony . After a few minutes of polite conversation, she moved away leaving him with his thoughts . What did you say to her? asked Tang, coming up hurriedly to his father . I said nothing bad . Just enquired about her parents health etc . Please keep your arrows back in the armour, his father strived for humour . You are right . I shouldnt worry about it anymore . You did whatever damage had to be done long ago . Still I want you to stay away from her or any of my other friends who dont meet your standards . They are off limits to you, he said almost savagely . Taking a deep breath, he continued, Mr . Holland, our client from London, is here and looking for you . I have a.s.signed an a.s.sistant to look after him . Mr . Xie held his son by the shoulder, I know you blame me for a lot of things in your life . But I need you to know that I have always had your best interest and a very bright future in mind . It doesnt exonerate me from the fact that I hurt you in the process . Though you never confronted me on the same, I know you have punished us both for the past five years . I am also aware that this is neither the time nor the place for it, but I just want to say that I am truly sorry for my actions . The situation could have been handled in a better way without so many people getting damaged in the process . Mr . Holland wont appreciate being kept waiting for so long . I suggest you should go to him right away, said Tang neutrally before turning away . And as for the discussion on that topic or the apology, it is a little too late for either of that, he said with his back facing his father . The four of them were standing together at the bar . So how come none of you brought along your other halves along with? asked Tang . Chung grimaced before saying, taking a trip with a one-year old baby is full of misery . Le decided to stay back and let me enjoy the wedding instead of us both coming here and only running after baby Hua . How much can you exaggerate and dont you dare say anything about my darling . He is a very well behaved child and isnt even half the trouble you are portraying him to be, scolded Jia Li . Well, I would have to agree with Jia Li on her a.s.sessment about baby Hua . He was sleeping for more than 15 hours a day, six months ago . How much trouble can he create in the remaining time, quipped Tang . And why did Fu not make it, Jia Li? asked Tang with a studied nonchalance . He really wanted to come but was called away for a last minute conference . He is presently in America, she lied smoothly . Well, before you even ask me, let me tell you the reason for my partners absence myself . I didnt think bringing along a male companion would go down well with your family and I didnt want to lie about who Zhu Chang is to me, said Li Jie, who was in a live-in relations.h.i.+p with his partner .