Yesterday he realized that he wasn't as miserable about Chu's engagement as he would have been few months ago. Was it because he was ready to move on or was it possible that he had been infatuated with her all this while and nothing more? Or was it the warm presence of a green-eyed beauty which was making everything around him more bearable?

The truth was that his presence was not needed on-site. Jia Li had been extremely hands-on in every aspect of the implementation. But he had found some excuse every weekend to make the journey uphill. He s.h.i.+ed away from exploring this further at the moment. For now, he simply wanted to soak in the relaxed atmosphere around him.

Xie Mansion

"I think there is something wrong. Both of them weren't even talking to each other yesterday," Mrs. Xie spoke worriedly to her husband.

Preoccupied with the morning papers, he asked, "who are you talking about? And why should you care about who is talking to whom? I think the dinner went well. Ethan seems to be an alright guy, not that my opinion matters these days."

She s.n.a.t.c.hed his papers, "I am referring to your son and his wife. Where were your eyes?"

"Do not go searching for trouble where there isn't any. Just because they weren't falling all over each other like Chu and her beau doesn't mean something is wrong with them. I found nothing amiss in their behaviour. Mei Zhen was very warm, as always, towards me. As for Tang, well he has had nothing to say to me for the past so many years, so why should it be any different now," Mr. Xie replied testily.

"And whose fault is that? If your son chose to stay silent and respect your decision instead of rebelling, then that too is not acceptable to you? In hindsight I feel, he should have followed his heart and married the girl. At least I would have managed to see him smile and lead a happy life instead of the phony one that he is currently living," she sniffled.

He was thoroughly peeved now, "what's wrong with you first thing in the morning? There is no need to dredge up the past. They have been married for more than six months now. And I haven't seen anything amiss in the relation. As for Tang's angst, wait till he gets a son of his own and has to make tough decisions for his betterment. He would appreciate my position then. My son was destined for bigger better things in life than that alliance. All I did was look out for his interest."

"Morning, I came to tell you that Chu has refused to even look at the pre-nuptial papers. Instead she has asked me to draw an agreement where she wants to sign off her share of the entire Xie holdings to some social cause," Tang addressed his father neutrally, coming into the room.

"Oh, I didn't hear you come in," said his mother, fl.u.s.tered.

He shrugged, 'I knocked but you guys seemed to be in the middle of an argument. Anyways, let me know what has to be done about this whole mess. I am leaving for the office now."