Eric was busy with his company as he was thinking of expanding his business through-out Asia. Even so, he still makes time to visit Ji An and Sofia in Oxfordshire. His dedication to his family was immense even though their divorce was on process.
One weekend, all three of them, Ji An, Alice and Eric had free time and they all went out to bond. They went to see a movie and dine out while Sofia was at home being looked after by her nanny.
Eric and Ji An sat beside each other while Alice sat on the opposite side. While eating, Eric started a conversation, "So how is Uni these days?"
Alice rolled her eyes, "You don't wanna know Eric, I tell you. It sucks so much. My brain has shrunk and can no longer think." Alice laughed a little as she exaggerated her story.
"All good to me! I'm coping alright. Just busy with some cases and writing essays. So far my brain is still working." she replied confidently but at the same time teasing Alice.
"That's my wife! I picked the right woman aren't I Alice? Very confident and intelligent. I love you sweetheart." he kissed Ji An on her forehead like what he normally does when he praises her.
She really wanted to avoid his kiss but if she does, it will give Alice a hint that something wasn't right and she might start interfering again. So she just let Eric get away with that one but she gave him a look as if she's telling him "Don't do those things, I don't like it."
Eric smiled and shrugged his shoulders like he didn't understand her eyes and what she meant. "Let's eat! Food will get cold." he then cut Ji An's steak and gave her a sweet smile before cutting his piece of steak.
"Can you please, don't show this behaviour in front of me? I love you both but please, show some mercy on me," she complained about his brother's behaviour but if she knew what's really going on between them, she wouldn't say that to him.
"You heard your sister. Stop this PDA and let her survive her meal," she said jokingly but he knows she's serious and she meant it.
After their meal, they head home and not long after he said his goodbyes, "Ji, Alice I better get going," he told them after sending them inside the house.
"Why? Where are you going?" Alice asked as she thought he would stay for the night to spend some more time with Ji An and Sofia. She was also looking forward to spending more time with her brother.
"As usual, business. What else?" he grinned at his sister trying to hide his real emotions. Of course, he doesn't want to leave, he wanted to stay for them but Ji An will not have it and he must respect it, after all, they have an agreement.
"Okay then, I'll let you go. Be safe and call us when you arrived." Even though their divorce was on process they are still friends and her concern towards him will always be there.
He gave Ji An a kiss on her cheek, waved Alice goodbye and got in his car, he drove off leaving them two standing there as they watched his car vanished.
"I'm glad you and Eric are getting along well. Thank you for understanding him and accepting him again. I'm happy to see you both like this. You have no idea how happy I am seeing you both like this." Alice happily said with a big smile on her face.
Ji An just gave her a smile, "Let's go and get ready for bed. I'm so tired. I still have to check on Sofia." It's better not to say anything or answer her, a diversion is an option.
Ji An went to Sofia's room to check her, she was sound asleep. She gave her a little kiss on her forehead and whispered her goodnight before leaving Sofia's room and headed to her own room to get ready for bed.
4 Years Later
Even though it took him 4 years, Eric managed to expand his business to Asia and recently bought shares in Tangxin Group. With that, he will have to go to Beijing soon to greet the people behind the successful business and sign whatever's needed to be signed.
Ji An had finally graduated, earning her Master's Degree in Psychology. Alice was planning to continue studying to earn a PhD in Psychology which means she has to study further and stay there in Oxfordshire for 3 more years while Ji An and Sofia will go back to live in London.
Sofia is now 5 years old and she's in year one, she's quite a clever girl and very approachable. Every Friday, she would bring home certificates from her school. Ji An is so proud of her daughter. She can't help to think that her father must be a smart man. After all, she is not really good with her maths, while Sofia is really good at it. On top of that, he must be handsome! Sofia is really cute, it's impossible to resist her charms, her smiles and when she talks, she's very confident even at her age. She is a well behave little madam, even though Eric spoils her a lot, she knows that her mummy will not like it if she is to demand anything to her daddy.
She will have to ask her mummy first if it's okay to ask her daddy for things that she wants. Something she can't really understand why she must do it that way. But being a good daughter, she obeys her mum.
Ji An and Sofia moved back to their penthouse apartment in Water Lane, London. Eric was so happy and excited that they will finally be together all the time and he doesn't have to travel back and forth to Oxfordshire. Though Eric and Ji An became friends after what happened 4 years ago, she is still cautious of him. Ji An had told him they cannot sleep in the same bed and he must sleep in the other room at night. Also, she told him that she will let her daughter know the truth about them soon. Eric didn't argue about it, he knows that Ji An knows what she's doing and it's probably for the best.
Their divorce was finalized 3 years ago but Alice and their parents didn't know that they had divorced, but soon, everything will come out in the open.