86 THE INVALUABLE PERSON

All three of them coincidentally met outside the teashop. Excited to see someone other than Xuan Chaya who had been confusing him with unexplainable feelings these past few days, Cheng Jian threw his arms around Hua Zhendan's in a warm embrace.

Xuan Chaya's face immediately changed complexion while Hua Zhendan chuckled at the cheer glee of it. As Cheng Jian had never reacted that way before, he said, "You seem very happy to see me."

"Of course, I am." Cheng Jian said.

Xuan Chaya cleared his throat drawing both Cheng Jian and Hua Zhendan's attention to him.

Cheng Jian pulled away from the hug.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Xuan Chaya asked.

"Of course," Cheng Jian replied. "This is my friend Hua Zhendan."

"Hua Zhendan, this is Xuan Chaya."

Xuan Chaya stretched out his hand for a handshake, but time had seemed to stop for Hua Zhendan, whom instead of taking the hand, stared at Xuan Chaya blankly.