Meili entered with Buzz, who was overloaded with shopping bags. Not only him, the butler and driver were holding a number of them.
"Shameless calling others shameless." Liang retorted, rolling his eyes at Meili.
All of a sudden, he pulled the standing Jinjing down, which made her land on his lap. Astonished, she glared at him. Sitting down on the seat, she discreetly looked around if anyone noticed.
Well just as she thought, everyone noticed. It would still be ok, if it would have been only mother Sheng, Meili and Buzz around. But, even Father Sheng witnessed Liang's stunt. He came home early today, to spend time with his entire family.
"ahem… ahem! Good evening." Clearing his throat, father Sheng greeted everyone. By now even Meili and Buzz had settled in the lounge and started gorging on the assorted snacks.
"Good evening Pa!" Meili greeted with a stuffed mouth, to which mother Sheng and Liang looked at her in disgust. Sarcastically warning Buzz, Liang said, "bud! You still have time…. Back out."
Throwing a cookie at Liang, Meili gave him a taste of his own medicine, "Jinjing… if you value our friendship…. don't marry this jackass."
"Meili…. mind your language." Father Sheng was quick to discipline Meili. "Sorry Pa!" she apologized and once again shifted her attention to Jinjing.
"Scratch the last word, but the remaining… implement it." Liang was swift to throw the cookie back at her and he pulled Jinjing closer to himself.
The mute spectator Jinjing, felt even more embarrassed and nudged at him, trying to create some space between the two. But Liang was in no mood to move away.
"okay! listen up!" gathering everyone's attention Mother Sheng announced, "this Saturday, I plan to invite Mrs. and Mr. Lee over for dinner. Well there are two reasons. First, Liang is fine and back and the second, I want to talk to them about Liang and Jinjing's marriage."
Everyone was elated with the announcement, but the one flying the highest, was obviously, Liang. In his excitement, he even pecked Jinjing on her lips in front of everyone. Jinjing felt like digging a hole and hiding in it. She wanted to desperately avert everyone's observant gaze.
'This crazy man…. Was clearly shameless.' She thought. Since she stepped in the Sheng Mansion, there was not a minute where he did not make her blush. His brazen talks of marriage and his public display of affection, especially in the presence of his parents, was too much for her to handle.
However progressive or modern her thinking was, yet she was traditionally rooted.
Breaking the awkwardness, Mr. Sheng said, "I will personally call Mr. Lee and invite everyone for the dinner." Everyone agreed to his decision.
Mr. Lee's sincerity and dedication for so many years was very well appreciated by Mr. Sheng as well as Liang. In fact, Liang always felt that Mr. Lee guided him as if he was his own son. Despite what transpired between him and Jinjing, Mr. Lee never let the personal affect the professional.
As it was getting late, Jinjing excused herself, "Mr. and Mrs. Sheng I will leave now."
Mother Sheng stood up and moved closer to Jinjing. Holding her hand, she warmly said, "Jinjing dear…. I would love it if you addressed me as 'Ma' but if you find it awkward before getting married… then at least call me aunty…. Mrs. Sheng is too formal and distant…. Hmmm???"
"okay aunty…" Jinjing said in a low tone.
Well Mother Sheng was really looking forward to her calling her 'Ma', but guess she had to settle for 'aunty' for now. She patted on Jinjing's hand and pulled her in for a hug.
Pulling them away, Liang said, "Jinjing! before going help me up to my room." he stood up with the support of the elbow crutch and craftily placed his hand on Jinjing's shoulder as if gaining support.
Pulling Liang's leg, Buzz suggested, "let her go, I can support you to your room."
looking over his shoulder, Liang said, "shut up!"