Chung had moved from Shanghai to Beijing six months ago as he wanted to teach in a university in Beijing. While Li Jie and Jia Li had been living in Beijing ever since both of them moved there for higher studies, few years ago.
Li Jie changed the course of conversation and ordered for four shots of Jägermeister.
"Since you have called for this one, I shan't say no but I seriously don't think it's a wise idea to have any of us drunk tonight", she cautioned.
"Stop whining, girl! No one gets tipsy on one shot and remember, it's our best friend's wedding", said Li Jie.
"Jia Li, I don't think any of us has forgotten our drunken escapade at our classmate's sister's wedding but we were all kids then. So relax!" said Chung with an embarrassed laugh.
Nine years earlier
An excited Jia Li rang the bell at Li Jie's residence. Almost knocking down the servant who had opened the door, she ran to her friend's room and panted, "he is coming here straight from school tomorrow".
In the process of wearing his t-shirt, Li Jie remarked dryly, "don't you think prudence demands that you knock before entering a guy's room."
She rolled her eyes as he continued, "so, his highness has finally decided to come back to the land of lowly mortals after two years".
Mr. Xie had sent his son to a prestigious boarding school in London to complete high school studies. It was a finishing school for the elite which would help them in getting into Ivy League colleges later. During the vacations, he along with his wife travelled to London to meet Tang. Hence, there had been no opportunity for him to come back to China during the entire period of two years.
"Tang told me that his mother wants him to pursue graduation in a university in China but Uncle is adamant about him pursuing both his graduation and masters abroad", she said with a hitch in her voice.
"Yes yes, I know all this because he told both Chung and me about it yesterday. Just because you chat with him every day for hours doesn't mean he has cut off from the rest of us", he teased her.
"We don't chat for hours. Sometimes he has barely enough time to acknowledge me before he runs from one thing to another. And the time difference between the two countries plays a big spoilt sport", she blushed.
"They are hardly allowed any free internet time in the computer lab", she continued cribbing.
"Please tell me that you have said those three words to each other at least on web, if not in person yet", he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"When do you think would I say it to him – when he laments about the study pressure or when he is cribbing to me about hardly getting any sleep due to the extra courses he is taking, to strengthen his resume", she said with a huff.
Hugging his dear friend, Li Jie said, "I think both of you are dying to say it and are feeling shy. Now I will only have to do something to put you love birds out of your misery".