7 He's my friend

The drive to the house was a silent one. Rong and Jiaying kept stealing curious glances at Lijuan who was looking out the window. Their father had made them leave the party the moment Lijuan had finished her private discussion with Vice president Wang Yun.

Lijuan could tell her sisters were angry with her, probably because the party ended for them even before they got the chance to meet their prospective suitors. Or maybe because her appearance had embarrassed them.

The moment the car stopped her sisters hurriedly got down before her. Rong and Jiaying didn't want to miss any of the drama that would happen between their father and Lijuan.

"Do you deliberately strive to embarrass this family?" Chairman Mei asked Lijuan the moment she stepped inside the house.

Lijuan had expected his outburst so she wasn't really surprised or frightened. She was used to him. In fact, she was used to everything.

She simply stood there as usual with her head bowed. She didn't say a word.

If she tried to explain or make excuses, it would only enrage him the more.

"What was the meaning of that stunt you pulled at the party with those shoes?" Chairman Mei asked again in a dangerously quiet voice.

Lijuan stood still, with her eyes on the ground and zero intention to say a word.

Those who saw her may think she was remorseful but in truth, she really didn't care about any of it.

"You really should answer your father's questions" Mother Mei said nervously.

"She mistakenly picked the wrong pair of shoes. We noticed in the car and she pleaded with Miss Rong for the car to turn around, but Miss Rong adamantly refused" Jackie who had been standing by the door quickly cut in when he realized Lijuan had no intention to say anything.

He didn't want Lijuan to be treated so harshly for something which wasn't her fault.

"Rong? Is that correct?" Chairman Mei turned to look at his first daughter who quickly bowed her head.

"Why is no one answering my questions tonight?" Chairman Mei bellowed angrily.

"I'm sorry father, I was wrong." Rong quickly apologized with a deep bow after glaring at Jackie.

"I'll deal with you later." He said in a very dissapointed voice.

"What business did you have with that Young Man?" He finally asked the question which had been on everyone's mind all evening.

"He's my friend." Lijuan lied without thinking.

"Liar. You can't be friends with someone like that. I'm sure you must have stolen something from him" Rong said angrily earning her a glare from their father.

Lijuan didn't even bother to look at Rong. She just treated it like she heard nothing.

"And what did he want from you?" Chairman Mei asked her suspiciously.

"He wanted us to go on a date. But I said no, of course." Lijuan said begining to enjoy the fact that the thought of it annoyed her sisters.

"Why would the Vice president of Wang Motors want to go on a date with a th... a person like you?" Jiaying asked this time.

"And why shouldn't he?" Mother Mei asked angrily shutting Jiaying up.

Lijuan couldn't believe her ears, he was the Vice president of Wang Motors? Like, he was from the Wang family?

Even if she didn't care much about business and who owns where, she knew Wang Motors. The car she drove had been manufactured in their company.

She had actually stolen from someone like that? She began to feel slightly anxious but comforted herself that it was a common pen. Besides, she was going to return it back to him.

"He really wanted to go on a date with you? Was that why he took your number?" Mother Mei asked while trying to contain her excitement.

Everyone who watched Wang Yun and Mei Lijuan earlier had seen him take her phone from her and typed in something before taking out his phone phone.

Lijuan bit her lower lip nervously. If she had known he was the Vice President of Wang Motors, she wouldn't have lied like that. But now, she couldn't take it back, especially after confidently telling her sisters she was going to get married before them.

She realised that hanging around with someone like him was sure to not only make her family acknowledge her, it was also going to be a big slap to her sisters faces. She thought with a smile as an idea began to form in her head.

"And why should we believe you?" Chairman Mei asked.

"You don't have to yet. When he comes to see me, you will" Lijuan said with a small smile.

Jackie watched from the side with a frown, he just couldn't understand her.

He only prayed and hoped it all ended well.

"Goodnight" Lijuan said to them with a small smile before heading upstairs.

***********

"What was that about?" Mrs Wang asked Yun angrily when he eventually returned to the table.

"I was simply saying hi to a friend. You have a problem with that?" Yun asked his mother politely.

"After I told you that is not the kind of 'friend' you should be seen with in a such a social gathering?" She asked again. She was obviously displeased by what he had done.

"I decide who my friends are, not you nor any social circle." Yun said calmly as he sipped a glass of wine.

"I support you bro. Marry her." Jinhai chipped in. He couldn't stand not being a part of a conversation.

"Is he dating her?" Mrs Wang asked in horror. U

"Let the boy be." Her husband said from the side patting her hands.

Yun simply ignore them as he sipped his wine. He couldn't help but begin to wonder about the thief who had stolen his pen.

He suddenly was looking forward to another encounter with her. He had discretely checked his pockets after his encounter with her to be sure she hadn't stolen anything from him again.

Kleptomaniac huh? Really interesting. At least now that he knew it wasn't something that she did deliberately he was more forgiving of her crimes, and even felt a bit sorry towards her. He wondered if she had any friends.