Chapter 7 - An evening to remember.

Inside the Switz Laketon Luxury Hotel, Li Bao checked everything and stated, "The banquet seems to be a feast for the crowd. They all seem to indulge their senses, in the festivity laid before them, awaiting the host."

"Some of them seem to be engrossed in business discussions, taking the evening as an opportunity to meet business counterparts." Chang Liqin added.

"What was mom upset about?"

"Did you notice it?

"Yes. She was fine when she got into the car."

"It might have something to do with some discussion that took place en-route then. Do you have an inkling about the details?"

"I think it had something to do with my marriage proposal."

"Seriously! Are they arranging someone for this monk?"

"Hey! I am not a monk."

"Who were they trying to get you married to?"

"I am as clueless as you are."

"Hmm! Whoever she is, she must be present here tonight."

"Do you think so?"

"Don't worry, you stand your ground. I'll back you up."

"Thanks, bro."

The crowd was appalled, as the much-awaited host for the evening arrived at the hotel, along with their families.

A group of elderly ladies watched in awe as Li Diu held the arm of Li Enlai, as they entered the venue greeting each guest, led by Jia, while the music enthralled everyone in the background.

"Who is the girl accompanying them?" asked an elderly lady.

"Oh! the one in a long pink gown, with an enchanting aura, she's Huang Jia, the only daughter of the Huang family." another lady replied as she sipped her wine with her eyes fixed on Jia.

"She is a beauty beyond comparison, with that slender figure, deep thoughtful eyes, and expression. Her long coffee brown hair styled in a bun matches her rose complexion, and her smile is enchanting."

"I have heard, that she is a beauty with brains. She is an extrovert, who is eloquent, stylish, and graceful along with being compassionate, loving, and sincere. She is not calculative, like some of the girls, these days."

Another lady bent toward her compatriot and whispered, "I have heard, she is not afraid of speaking her mind, and raising her opinions affirmatively where required."

"That holds true for girls, growing in one-child families, being responsible for business as well as household matters. They are a cut above the rest, as long as they are not pampered and spoilt, and she does not look like a pampered spoilt brat with her composure and demeanor. Are they making a statement, that she could be the daughter-in-law of the Li household, with her leading the way?"

"Hmm!" Another lady responded sighing, "That could dash the hopes of many young ladies here."

"Who is the grandson of the Li household?"

An elderly lady pointed in the direction of a young man in a midnight blue and black tuxedo, and said, "That's him."

"He looks elegantly dressed, in that midnight blue and black tuxedo, paired with a midnight blue waistcoat, white shirt, with black studs, a black bowtie, with a pocket square on the right, a white rose boutonniere on the left, and a two-layered chain brooch with a crown on one end and a beautiful diamond stud on the other end." She adds.

"He looks stunning with that very fair complexion, and thick black hair parted sideways and styled elegantly backward. His thick arched eyebrows and his deep grayish-black eyes speak of a million unspoken words. The dimple on his face creates a billion-dollar smile, that lingers as a visual treat for the beholder."

"No doubt, he is the most eligible bachelor amongst these young girls."

"The best part about his demeanor is that he is well-grounded, and has respect for others and their feelings. His demeanor is very polished and eloquent."

"No wonder, he has tonight, swept the floor off of the ladies present, with his aura and presence. He is outstanding in the crowd." The elderly lady responded pointing to a group of young ladies drooling over him.

"Who is the other young man with him?" another elder asked, pointing to Chang Liqin, who was talking to Li Bao, in a stylish plum-colored tuxedo, with a white shirt, black studs, a black bowtie with a pocket square, and a peach, and white rose boutonniere on the left.

"That's the grandson of the Chang family who grew up under the care of Li Diu, his aunt, after the demise of his parents."

"I have heard he is more stylish amongst the two friends."

"He has looks that kill with his fair and pinkish complexion, combined with thick coffee brown hair, descending on his forehead partly covering his thick eyebrows. The twinkle in his deep black eyes, displaying his cheerful nature, along with his naughty dimpled smile matches his personality."

"I have heard from my son, who studied with them, that his demeanor is very loving and eloquent. He is an extrovert, who mingles easily with the crowd. In fact, he is the source of laughter of many gatherings, and has a very good sense of humor."

"I have also heard, that he is very close to 'Jia,' the daughter of the Huang family. Together, they are crowd pullers of any gathering." said another elderly lady, pointing to Liqin and Jia, who were enjoying the lovely evening together chirping away.

"They were comrades, that the whole of the high school, looked forward to as an example."

"I wonder who amongst the two will get the young lady, to be, by his side forever." said an elderly gentleman, pointing to Bao, Liqin, and Jia enjoying the evening, as a group of elderly gentlemen, joined the elderly ladies.

A gentleman interrupted their conversation and said, "Whoever it is, the lady is at advantage, as they are both well-grounded young entrepreneurs, with a distinct vision and goals in life."

Another elderly gentleman walked in cheering the elder with his champagne glass and added, "I have had a chance to work with them, through some business deals, and let me tell you, they have earned their positions in life through sheer hard work in the last few months post joining the company. They are quite serious about their work, unlike some rich spoilt brats, who show off the hard-earned wealth of the earlier generations, in public."

"I have heard, that through their years of education abroad, both of them have learned to be the commoner, with a distinct long-term vision, and well planned and implemented short-term goals in life."

"I hope you ladies are done with prying over all the young gentlemen in attendance here, hoping to find candidates for the young ladies of your households." said a very senior elderly gentleman as he joined the coterie with a smile.

"We would have not needed to do that, had the elderly men in presence here, not been busy with business, as always uncle."

The senior gentleman smiled and replied, "It's not always like you ladies think. Women are vocal about these matters, and gossip in groups, whereas men act in silence, picking the best for their children. Business is not the only matter, discussed at business meetings you see."

"Marriages are always matched in heaven, and joint on earth, as long as you are willing, to hearken to your inner voice. It is not about who the best is, but what is best for you."

"Perfectly said! You do not pick a shoe off the shoe rack of a shop, only because it looks beautiful, and is made from the most expensive leather. If the shoe does not fit your leg, it might bruise your leg in the end. Marriages are pretty like that. Your better half has to fit you perfectly." added a senior elderly lady as she joined the coterie, overhearing their conversation.

Li Enlai who was greeting the crowd with Li Diu by his side, and had been a silent spectator to all the conversations, smiled and thought, "Maybe they are right. Jia and Bao might not fit each other perfectly. Let us wait and watch."

His prying eyes were analyzing the young ladies present, at the event, trying to find if someone matched the demeanor, and requirements of Bao, when the master of ceremonies, Mr. Zhen, announced, "Let's welcome, the couple of the evening, for cutting the anniversary cake."

As Li Enlai and Li Diu gracefully walked ahead hand in hand, the huge three-tier cake was brought into the hall.

There was a huge applause, as they cut the cake together, "Now let us welcome Mr. Li Enlai to speak a few words." Mr. Zhen added, handing over the microphone.

Raising the toast to everyone present, Li Enlai said, "I would like to thank each one of you, who have graced this evening, with their presence to celebrate thirty years of our togetherness, with the Li family. I would like to raise this toast, in honor of my loving better half Li Diu, without whom, I would have not reached, where I stand today.

For years, when I was busy building the empire, she was in patience and solitude managing my household in love and compassion. I thank God for the blessing, I received in the form of her, as my better half. This evening and the coming years belong to my loving wife, Li Diu."

He then gently took her hands, kissed them, and said, "Thank you for everything."

The young crowd led by Jia, Liqin, Bao, and their friends applauded, and shouted, "Once more, once more. You may now kiss the bride."

Dumbstruck, Diu blushed as she gazed into the eyes of Enlai, wanting to say in the negative.

Li Enlai, however, pulled her into his arms, and said, "Let me do the honor."

He then bent down, and gently placed a loving kiss on her lips, as everyone applauded.

The crowd was surprised, by the statement made, by an otherwise reserved business tycoon. They had not expected him to be emotional, on a single count, and cheered them.

Mr. Zhen stated as the loving couple broke the embrace, "That looked like love eternal."

"We also have a very important business announcement, from the Li Empire today." Mr. Zhen added, pausing for Li Enlai to continue.

Li Enlai took over from where Mr. Zhen had left off, and said, "I would also like to make an important announcement, regarding the business affairs of our company. We have officially started the process to hand over the reins to the next generation, and my son Li Bao would take charge as the President of the company, and Chang Liqin will take charge as Vice President.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome, both on stage along with us, and the families. I hope, that our children would receive the same support, that we received over the years, from the business circle of Shanghai."

The crowd once again cheered, as Li Bao and Chang Liqin took to the stage, to take charge of the reins of the Li Empire.

As the sweetness of the music, replaced the seriousness of the business announcements, Mr. Zhen announced, "Now l would request Mr. and Mrs. Li to join us for the first dance of the evening."

Li Enlai then held out his hand, requesting, Li Diu for the first dance of the evening, and they together looked like an eternal pair.

Looking at them dance Jia turned to Liqin and said, "Wow! Aunt is as graceful as an antelope and elegant as a swan."

"Don't worry you look as elegant and beautiful as her as well," Liqin replied with a twinkle in his eyes and a comforting dimpled smile.

An elderly lady sipped her champagne and said, "Every step brings forth a fresh aura of elegance and grace. It's a beauty, to see them cherish each step together."

A senior gentleman added, "The sun setting years, though may leave their wrinkled impressions on the features of a lovely lady, and silver streaks on their crowning glory, it surely brings forth the full glory of an inward strength, grace, serenity, and charm, that encompasses all."

Li Delun looked at Li Bai, and said, "God was never wrong in his choice for Enlai, though we were."

Li Bai shook her head in affirmation and said, "They look lovely even today, just as thirty years ago."

The crowd watched stunned as the music ended, and the lovely couple took a bow.

As the music for the second dance of the evening played, Chang Liqin pulled Huang Jia, by her hand to the floor authoritatively, and stated, "Let us dance."

Startled, Jia stood still for a moment, then looked into his twinkling eyes and said, "Am I not supposed to be requested like a lady, with all due respect."

Liqin burst out in laughter, pulled her into his embrace, looked deep into her eyes, and said, "I don't think I need to do that with you."

As they swirled, she asked, "What makes you think so?"

He smiled with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and responded, "I am here to dance the whole evening with you, and only you."

She blushed as though feeling proud and honored, and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." he asserted, as he pulled her into his arms in a swirl.

"Many girls here, are going to home aggrieved tonight, with this stand of yours." She laughed.

"I don't care," he responded, looking deeply into her eyes, as he bent with her in his arms at the close of the second dance.

As the music played for the next dance, an elderly gentleman approached Li Bao, as he was seated browsing through his tab, and said, "You don't seem to have a dance partner. Would you like me to introduce you to one?"

He looked up, stood up in respect, and answered, "I would want to reserve this privilege for the one I love."

The elderly man smiled, pointed to the crowd, and asked, "And have your eyes set on anyone amongst the ladies in the crowd today."

Bao looked in the direction of his fingers and said, "The time is not right, and the place improper for such a hasty decision of life. Moreover, I would not want to raise the expectations of any lady, marking her presence this evening, through a dance, when I would not be in a position to fulfill the same."

"Are we expecting an announcement soon?" asked the elder pointing towards Liqin and Jia.

Li Bao replied after a brief pause, "Announcements are made openly, as and when the time and place are right. We are not privy to discuss the privacy of a third party without their consent, about a matter we do not have an inkling about. Isn't it?"

Taken back by his shrewd response the elder frowned, faked a sly smile, and answered, "That's true."

As they were talking a young buoyant lady approached him, and asked pointing to a group of young ladies, "Mr. Li, my friends down there, would want to know if you would do the honor of joining the dance floor with us."

Li Bao looked in the direction of the young ladies and said, "I am extremely sorry to disappoint you, Miss, however, I cannot oblige to the request, due to some personal reasons. Hope, I have not aggrieved the feeling of your friends down there."

"It's all right Mr. Li," she responded politely, as she walked back to her group of friends.

The elderly gentleman who was a mute spectator sighed, and shook his head, and said, "That must have trampled and hurt her self-respect and ego. It takes enormous courage for a lady to walk up to a man to ask for a dance, only to be rejected in the end."

Li Bao tilted his head toward him and said, "It's better to be rejected on the dance floor, than to be dejected later, after building castles in the air. It's not right to build someone's hope to crush it later."

The elder placed his arms on his shoulder and said, "Young man you might get branded, as the unapproachable King of the ice age, in this manner."

Overhearing the conversation Li Enlai stepped in, and asked, "You two seem to be engrossed in a deep conversation?"

He pointed a finger at Bao, after sipping his champagne and said, "I was asking your son if he wanted me to introduce him to a dance partner."

Li Enlai smiled and responded, "Why don't you introduce your daughter for a dance?"

Li Bao with clenched fists and teeth and interrupted, "Dad, I am not interested—please."

Li Enlai enveloped his shoulders with his arms and said, "Come on son, it's only a dance. There's no way we could get you both married, after a dance."

The elder introduced his daughter, they both bowed to each other and danced to the tunes of the next music enthralling the crowd in the process.

As they danced, several eyes pried over them in envy, wishing, that they could replace the young lady.

As the music stopped, they bowed and dispersed. Bao walked out of the ballroom immediately, with an excuse to answer a call, and thought, "I hope, that there are no more requests for a dance."

Li Enlai, said to the elder as he saw Li Bao leave, "I knew that was coming."

As he was standing, in the balcony of the ballroom, enjoying the serenity of the calm starlit sky, as it spread its deep black-blue hues, sprinkled with shiny silver dots, with the moon spreading its milky silver hue across the sky, Jia walked over with Liqin and questioned, "Another failed attempt?"

"Not exactly!"

He looked at the sky and said, "I walked out, not wanting to invite any more requests for dances. It is better to enjoy the serenity of the starlit sky than to enjoy the company of plastic smiles. Isn't it?"

Liqin placed his hand on his shoulder, and responded, "Not everyone, in there, has come with plastic smiles. There could be someone like you wanting to enjoy the serenity of the starlit sky in your company. It's just that you have created a wall around yourselves, not allowing anyone to approach."

"Don't worry Liqin, there is someone down there for him, who is going to break through this ice wall, that he has built around him."

"Let us go inside Bao. It's not courteous as the host, to be standing out in the balcony enjoying the serenity of the evening, leaving the guests inside."

Li Bao turned to Liqin and responded, "Yes, that's true."

As they entered, the master of ceremonies, announced the last dance of the evening. Li Bao gestured to Liqin and bowed down to Jia requesting for the last dance of the evening. She obliged, and they danced themselves through the last dance of the evening gracefully.

As the curtain drew on the last dance of the evening Jia and Bao bowed and moved out to greet the guests along with Liqin.

As the master of the ceremonies, announced the arrangement of the dinner, an elderly lady said to her son looking in the direction of Jia, Liqin, and Bao, "Now, that's pretty confusing."

"Mom, I think we should enjoy the feast laid before us. Let me help you choose the delicacies."

"But—"

"Here try this, mom. These lobsters look fresh and yum."

Tasting a piece, she responded, "Wow they taste great."

"I have known Jia and Liqin, since high school. Many of their high school friends, who had tried their level best to become the better halves of either of them, failed on account of their indispensable mutual love, trust, and friendship for each other."

Pointing to the lovely couple laughing and enjoying, in oblivion to their own feelings for each other, he added, "For Chang Liqin, the opinion of Huang Jia mattered the most. Though both profess, to not have feelings for each other, they are an inseparable pair. That's because probably they have not even in their imagination understood, that they are in love."

"Then someone needs to help them out. Should I discuss it with her family?"

"Mom, let us not add a juicy gossip to their lovely dance. Why do you people have to get into a match-making activity on every occasion?"

Another friend joined in, and asked, "Who is matching whom aunty?"

The son responded, pointing to Jia, Bao, and Liqin, "Them. I think we should concentrate on the banquet laid before us,"

"Oh! Them. There is a huge guess game, doing the rounds across the ballroom in this regard."

The friend bent forward and whispered, "They are the only ones who are, either not aware of this gossip, or are avoiding the same on purpose,"

"I clearly do not understand, as to why we cannot enjoy the warmth of our loved ones, without competing to get the younger generation hitched to one another."

"Why do you think we give importance to these social gatherings, son? It's purely to further our business contacts, and to find suitable matches for our children of marriageable age."

"Since school days, they had the entire crowd pulled on to their jovial conversation, aunt. Everyone envied their joy and happiness. Moreover, as long as Jia was with Liqin, no other girl dared to invade that turf, as it would be in vain."

"I think Bao knows they both are clearly an inseparable pair. It would only take of matter of time and maturity, for both to realize their feelings for each other, mom."

"The three friends together are a bond, that cannot be broken, aunt."

Li Enlai who was greeting guests with Bao overheard the conversation of the family, and said, "It's a lovely evening with people enjoying the delicacies, taking time to greet each other, looking for new business joint ventures, and introducing their children of marriageable age to each other."

"My son seems the only one enjoying solitude here, though." He concluded with a sly smile.

"Not again, dad. I am too tired with this match-making business this evening."

As the curtains fell on a beautiful evening, and the guests took their leave one by one, the only ones, that remained were the Li, Chang, and Huang families,

As they enjoyed their little family time together, Li Enlai took the hands of Jia, and said, "The Li and Huang family, would like you to become the daughter of the Li family and companion of Li Bao. What is your opinion on this matter, Jia?"

Startled for a moment, she picked up her composure quickly, and reverted lovingly, "Uncle this iceman Bao, is not my cup of tea. I would love to be your daughter-in-law, but not the spouse of Bao. I am sorry to not meet your expectations."

The moment she completed, Li Bao took advantage of the opportunity and added, "We will never make a perfect pair. She does not match my expectations, of a life partner. Hence kindly shelve the desire to get us together."

Li Enlai gestured to Huang Fan, and said, "Ah—Those words cut like a two-edged sword, into the calculated vision of ours. But I believe, relationships cannot be forced upon. You choose the best for you. We shelve the idea here and now."

Jia smiled, and said, "Thank you so much, uncle."

Li Enlai looked in the direction of the three kids enjoying the evening and pondered, "History shouldn't repeat itself."

A mute spectator to all this conversation, Liqin suddenly felt deeply insecure, at the thought of losing Jia to someone else, and pondered, "Well, never in my imagination, have I envisaged a picture of me and Jia going two different ways. One of these days, I am going to lose her to some guy, who would conquer her heart."

Li Enlai diverted the topic, and said, "Well, I have planned a beautiful outing in Bora Bora French Polynesia for Li Diu, to celebrate our thirty years of togetherness and we will be leaving for our second honeymoon post the party."

"Wow!" everyone hooted, almost together, with Diu blushing at this newfound emotional change in Li Enlai.

Bao bent forward and whispered to Diu, "Mom, even the fiercest of wolves, care for their mates—Great change to begin with."

"We would fly directly from the hotel, and leave the responsibilities of the household to my son, Bao to handle."

Bao smiled and said, "We three have already planned to spend the weekend together."

The cheerful coterie painted a perfect image of love, joy, and serenity, that everyone desired and envied to achieve.

As Li Enlai watched, he walked over to Huang Fan, and said, "I am sorry, but I would not like to force our decision, upon the children. The consequences of that would be tragic. I am the live example of such a decision."

Huang Fan placed his arms around his shoulder and said, "Things that are buried deep should not be dug out to spoil the fragrance with its stench. Let's not discuss, that tragedy on a beautiful evening like this."