Tuesday, continued …
As Du AnLing pulled Anna into the dining room she signalled to a staff member. Anna observed that the round table was set for a meal and before anyone could enter the room the staff commenced bringing dishes our and placing them on the table to share. As Hou Yi realised he could not thwart his mother he led the rest of the family into the dining room taking the seat on his bride's right side, with his mother on her left, hoping this would give her some protection from the rest of the family.
Once everyone was seated, but before they started serving themselves, Du AnLing, lifted Anna's left hand and looked at the rings there. She then, without an apology reached across Anna and lifted Hou Yi's left hand, paying attention to the rings on both. "Jang, Father, Mother, Sister. I know the wedding rings. Are they not the Dream wedding set from Fengs. And if I am right, this is the only set with pink diamonds made in the world."
Hou Yi, knew immediately his shop-a-holic jewellery adoring mother had discerned the truth. Rather than having everyone look at the rings, he said "It is mother. As Anna is from Australia, we wanted our rings to have Australian Diamonds in them, and Anna fell in love with the pink diamonds here that are from the Kimberly. I let her choose what she liked, and this was it."
Hou Jang, then piped in "Son, I never thought I would see the day that you would voluntarily wear a ring."
"Father, I have married. Why would I not wear a ring to indicate the commitment to my wife."
"Do not get defensive son. It was a passing comment but given that you love your bride I would expect it from you. I never believed I would wear a wedding ring, but what I met your mother I could not wait to have one placed on my finger. I have never removed it since your mother placed it there, and I never will. I guess you will feel the same." Hou Jang said, to which Hou Yi nodded. He paused, and looked at Anna "Do you mind telling me your name?"
"Anna Jones, but given what most woman do in Australia, other than for work related purposes, I will now use Hou as my surname, Father."
"Father let not get into too much detail. You have all the time that you want to question my wife. It has been a long day for us, and we do want to get home as soon as we can, so save it for another day."
Hou Yi paused, and then looked at his mother and aunt "Mother, Aunt, can you take Anna shopping tomorrow to fill out her wardrobe. She will have cards with highly generous limits, but do not try and convince her to abuse the privilege as I will cut access to your cards. While we will travel to Australia soon to resolve her affairs there, her clothes will not be suitable for the environment here."
"Also please do not be disappointed, but we have decided to have our formal wedding ceremony in Australia. Our friends and extended family can easily travel, but that is not the case for her family and friends."
"If we married here, most would reject our assistance to travel for the ceremony. I want then to be comfortable. While Anna has final say we have decided near her home town of Warrnambool, Victoria. Can you work with Anna to work out the arrangements? Assistant Wang, however, has control of the budget. And remember everyone here, no arguments about the ceremony."
Du AnLing, excited with what her son had asked her to do, realised that talking and delaying Hou Yi and Anna too much, could hamper their spending tomorrow. She piped up and said "Let us not delay the bride and groom. We should eat so they can return home. And by the way, Anna, we will be at your apartment to collect you about 10 am tomorrow."
She turned and looked at Hou Yi who was scowling "Do not do that. You will be at work tomorrow by that time, so it does not matter."
With that, everyone decided that it was better to eat before anyone got angry. Hou Yi, helped Anna, dish up some food to eat, before dishing up his meal. About 20 minutes later, once everyone had finished eating, Hou Yi stood up, and said "Goodnight, we are leaving now. Grandfather, Father I hope that you will come into the office tomorrow so that we can commence the fulfillment of our agreement."
Anna stood up beside him and added "Goodbye. I look forward seeing everyone soon."
With that the both walked out of the dining room before anything else could be said, and out into the car to return to the apartment. Both, on the drive back fell asleep and had to be woken up by the driver on their arrival. Hou Yi, helped Anna out of the car, and into their elevator to return to the apartment.
Before they could walk up the stairs to the master suite, Butler Ge, handed Hou Yi a package, which he took with them. As Anna was almost asleep on her feet, Hou Yi helped her undress and change into her nightdress, and into bed, before changing into his pajamas and following her into bed.
Both fell asleep almost immediately, and very quickly turned into each other in the middle of the bed, Hou Yi, simply as he could not help himself but to seek out his bride in their bed, and Anna because she needed comfort and support that seemed to unconsciously knew was available from her husband.