After several attempts at choosing the appropriate dress and retouching her makeup in front of her mirror. Li Na was finally picked up by Li Jun in a car, journeying through the bustling city toward Lu's family residential villa.
"Hello, young Master," The security man at the gate greeted Li Jun as he greeted and looked at Li Na curiously. Passing through the huge gates that resemble a medieval entrance to the palace of an emperor, the estate boasts of a huge expanse of land, with green vegetation spreading through the empty spaces and rows of trees creating a mysterious atmosphere.
As Li Na and Li Jun passed through the tarred road to his grandparents' multi-story building "Do you think what I got for them is enough?" Li Na asked.
"It's enough Li Na, they will appreciate it. "
Li Na looked down at her gown. "What about my gown, is it okay? It's not too short right. Oh, I feel sick."
"Calm down, your dress is cool. My grandparents are cool. Just relax. You look sexy enough that I want--"
" Hold your thoughts, you are not helping at all."
Li Na has spent the last twenty-four hours thinking about how to present herself and she felt like throwing up. She couldn't decide which flowers were suitable to give her boyfriend's grandparents, so she brought bouquets of Magnolia and Salvia that symbolize longevity and grace. Now, almost near the house, her nervousness threatened and made her feel dizzy. Getting down from the car, she handed the gift bag and bouquet to Li Jun and kept on wiping her damp palms on her gown.
Li Jun wrapped his arms around Li Na's waist and kissed her and said, "It'll be okay."
Li Na took a deep breath and followed him.
'Ye Ye! Nai Nai, your most handsome grandson is back!' shouted Li Jun as he strode through the unlocked door with Li Na in tow. Li Na shrank back at the noise and commotion that followed Li Jun's announcement and Li Jun moved to wrap his arm around her protectively.
"Haha, Who call themselves handsome if not for this shameless grandson. Ah Lam, your Da Bao(big treasure) is back, come quickly" boomed Li Jun's dad even louder.
" Hey! How are you ?!' Li Jun's grandfather continued, giving his son a hug and a few hearty slaps on the back, which no doubt would give Li Jun a backache.
"Wow! You don't want to see your grandparents again? It's been too long since you came to visit. Your grandmother worries, you know." Li JUn's grandfather said in a gruff voice.
"Hello, Ye Ye."Li Jun smiled as he hugged him back with a few backslaps of his own.
"Your grandmother worries" was his grandfather's subtle way of saying "You should stay with us and never move away". "Ye Ye, I was with you two weeks ago, remember I still have to take care of the company," he said softly as he gently push his grandfather towards Li Na.
"Hmph! Whatever," But the response he received was a mixture of back claps and excited welcome. He grabbed the back of Li Jun's neck and gave it a squeeze before pulling him in for a tight hug. "At least you've done something I've been wishing for so long,' he said in Li Jun's ear, his voice thick with emotion.
"This is Xu Li Na; Li Na, this is my granddad." Li Jun pointed at Li Na.
"You must be the Professor Li Na" he confirmed, softening his tone and earning a small smile from her, fortunately, her shyness and nervousness had been greatly reduced by the warm welcome from the old man.
Li Jun's grandfather looked a bit intimidating but the smile he was spotting on his face which looked similar to Jia Li's smile make his features look softer and she felt calm.
"Good afternoon Mr. Lu" she greeted over the noise around them in her sleek sharp voice, bending forward in a ninety-degree arc to greet him
"I'm so happy to meet with you sir," Her eyes were twinkling as she looked at him with the respect of one dealing with an elder. Li Jun's granddad looked very much happy as he ushered them into the apartment.
The Lu's multi-story Lakeview apartment was elegantly furnished in brown and light tones. In the enormous living room, a grand piano sat at an edge in a corner, and several medieval paintings hung on the walls.
A wide, elaborate side table was encircled by a luxurious settee, couch, and matching chairs heaped high with adorned pillows. The furniture was tastefully placed. The décor remained the same, with the exception of the fresh flowers kept in a huge vase on one of the side tables.
The instant Li Na entered and gazed around, she realized that the house was bustling with joy, warmth, happiness, it was not comparable to her own house which emits coldness and loneliness and the activities performed were not frigid.
Li Na shivered unconsciously, and without a care in the world, Li Jun's right hand went to the small of her back--a gentle pressure, a reassuring warmth, as he guide her to a chair. She felt his comfort warm her body.
"Oh Hello there, you must be Li Na!" The grey-haired elegant looking slightly old woman emerged from a room and move towards Li Na, giving her a warm crushing hug.
"Hello ma," Li Na said, feeling flustered about the amount of enthusiasm radiating from the woman.
"I'm Li Jun's Grandma. I've heard a lot about you from Jia Li and I'm so happy to meet the person that put a smile on both my grandchildren,' Li Jun's Grandma whispered, tilting her head back to look up at her.
Just how much did Jia Li talk about her to the Lu family? Li Na wondered in awe.
Li Na looked down at Li Jun's Grandma's clear eyes and her face softened as she tentatively smiled.
"Lai Fu!' Li Jun's Grandma shouted suddenly, and Li Na watched a fat, snorting dog waddle around to lick the side of Li Jun's leg happily with drool smearing his pants, this being Lai Fu's form of affection.
"Oh my goodness!" Li Na exclaimed. 'Is that your dog? It's cute"
"Yes it is, will you like to pet it? Li Jun turned as Lai Fu bounded up to his side and then immediately stood up, ears pricked, eyes forward, as he came to Li Na.
"Yes" Li Na looked at it with excitement, for she loved small animals like dogs and cats but anytime she tells her mother that she want to keep a pet, her mother would scold and tell her nonentities are the ones that have enough time to do such nonsense.
The dog came to Li Na and nosed her, squirming its little body for a return of an affectionate Pat from Li Na. Li Na patted and in return, her hand was drenched in a layer of Lai Fu large amount of drool; looking at the excited dog, whose eyes were dancing with happiness, Li Na felt amused and happy at the sight of the fat bellied-looking dog. All along Li Jun and his Grandparents watched her happy interaction with the contented dog.
"Li Na!" Jia Li ran from the kitchen. "I'm so glad you're here."
Jia Li greeted Li Jun after the two pals exchanged embraces.
"Why don't we all go to the dining room," Li Jun's grandfather said as they all went into a large room with a huge artfully designed table. This must be Li Jun's Aunt and cousin.
'Hello, darling,' Li Jun heard from behind him and turned to see his grandaunt walk in holding a bowl of snacks and a cup of tea, closely followed by his Uncle and cousin.
'Hi, Aunt,' he greeted back before giving her a swift kiss on the cheek and moving towards his uncle and cousin.
"Hello, Li Li" Uncle Lu Donghai smirked as Li Jun grimaced at the nickname, his chewing noise was amplified by the copious amounts of snacks stuffed into his mouth.
"You are looking radiant this morning. Ah! Mrs. Lu's food is as delicious as anything. Wow, Hello there, beautiful Lady" Uncle Lu Donghai Called as he pushed Li Jun away and went ahead to greet the smiling Li Na.
Li Jun gave his uncle a reluctant smile as he greeted his cousin, Lu Chao, who also greeted Li Na and whispered into Li Jun's ear. " She's radiant Li Jun, you're one lucky son of a pancake" Lu Chao informed him with a mouth full of pancakes.
They all sat down at the table. Everyone was digging into lunch, including Li Na, who had settled in remarkably quickly. But, then again, his family was like that: they make people comfortable with their jovial attitude, made them feel welcome, put them at ease. Li Jun had yet to meet anyone resistant to their enthusiasm.
On Li Na's part she thought that for a wealthy and known family, the Lu family feels happy and content with the little joys of life.
"Thank you for inviting me here," Li Na said. "Your home is beautiful."
"Thank you for coming, Li Na, " Mrs. Lu answered.
While the family enjoyed deliciously prepared lunch, Mr. Lu started a conversation with Li Na and told her he saw her in one of the conventions he was invited as a guest in NTU last year, that she was the researcher who was talking on the Topic; "plant and our environment" at the temple.
"I loved the way you presented the topic, it motivates me to want to plant more flowers and trees," Mr. Lu said excitedly.
"I'm happy you enjoyed it, sir. it was one of the projects I co-lead with one of my colleagues" Li Na replied with equal excitement.
Lu Chao gazed at Li Na politely but expectantly as he cuts in through the conversation." Li Jun is very fond of you," he said abruptly, wanting to discover just how he would answer. Li Jun had never brought a girl home after Chu Hua's death, and it was possible that his cousin's head had been turned by the intelligence and beauty that this particular woman possessed in a large amount.
He'll make sure she breaks up with Li Jun if she speaks of him with fond indifference or dismisses him lightly; he's endured enough heartache to last a lifetime...
"Did he tell you that?" Li Na's eyes slid around to Lu Chao's face. He felt uncomfortable beneath their unblinking regard.
What was it about him that made her so uncharacteristically nervous? Her obvious intelligence? Her soft smile? The way she carried herself, which reminded him of his Grandma. Mrs. Lu?
"No, it was Jia Li who said so."
Jia Li raised up her head towards her cousin." what a snitch!" she wrinkled her nose at him and he stuck her tongue out in mock taunting in return.
Li Na smiled, and to his amazement, Lu Chao realized that, in addition to her intelligent looks, she also possessed a large degree of charm which makes her extremely younger than her supposed age(Jia Li told him Li Na's age).
It's no surprise that Li Jun had fallen hard for her. Lu Chao considered that if it weren't for Li Jun, he may have been inclined to flirt with her himself. Of course, nothing serious. However, for a fling or a short-term relationship, it would be extremely exciting.
Li Jun looked at his cousin and coughed, bringing him back from his wayward thought.
Li Na gazed at Lu Chao"Your cousin, Li Jun, is an amazing person."
Lu Chao shook off the sudden attack of nervous shivers that threatened her as Li Jun kept on looking at him. "I know. I'm glad you realize it."
Li Na took a sip of tea and continued with her Lunch.