Changed demeanor

The two stood quietly, looking at each other through the mirror. Without turning around, Jinjing asked him, "don't you feel everything is happening too fast?" her question was a like an atom bomb that was dropped on him.

'is she not willing to marry me?'

'am I forcing her into submission?' these thoughts plagued him.

Instead of answering her, he asked a question, "what do you feel? Are you not happy?" his face completely devoid of any emotion. He reminded her of the previous Liang, aloof and cold. Ever since she returned, she did not see those expressions on his face.

'Am I overthinking? We have already spent such a long time apart. Even though we were not together, there was still an unbroken link between us. Then why am I dragging this further?' she questioned herself.

As she was lost in her thoughts, Liang came to a conclusion. He had to retreat to advance. So he said, "no worries, if you feel it is too rushed, then we will not get engaged next week." Retracing his steps backwards, he kept his eyes locked with hers through the mirror.

"we will talk about this when you put your complete trust in me. When you believe in our relationship. I will not trouble you till then." He kept going further away from her. Her heart hurt seeing his reflection grow smaller and smaller.

The last thing she heard from him was, "don't fret about the elders, I will explain everything to them." And then he was not there anymore.

She stayed there and bent at the wash basin limply, 'has my hesitance cost us our relation?'

On his way to the lawn, Liang thought, "have my insecurities cost us our relation?"

Anyway, he made his way to the elders and sat there calmly. Now he looked every bit the aloof, ruthless president.

Just by observing his body language, the elders knew that something was different. Soon enough, their premonition proved to be true when he spoke.

In a deep voice, with a dark expression he said, "let's not rush into anything. I would like the case to be resolved before I can enjoy my married life." Few words and the matter was put to rest. Nobody questioned him or tried to change his decision.

Mr. Lee, who worked with Liang closely, day in and day out, felt that currently the person sitting there was not Sheng Liang, rather he was the mighty president Sheng. He conducted himself meticulously and did not leave any way out for his opponent.

This was the sight Mr. Lee was used to. The person from a while ago, was just an illusion. It was as clear as day, Sheng Liang would yield to only Jinjing, he would act clingy and childish only around her.

'Does his changed demeanor have anything to do with Jinjing?' Mr. Lee thought.

He did not like it. He had witnessed his daughter the past five years and she was nothing but an empty shell. She did not socialize, she stopped joking, she left the city, all because of a misunderstanding. As a loving father, he did not want another misunderstanding to hit her relationship again.

Liang excused himself on the pretext of feeling exhausted and needing some rest. None of the people present tried to stop him, as they could clearly see the shift in his temperament.

Liang's exit, pulled a worried Papa Lee out of his troubled thoughts.

On his way in, Liang passed by Jinjing, who was standing just a few steps away. He paused briefly, but continued to walk away without talking or as much as glancing at her.

'You want time; I will give you time. You want to stay away; I will stay away. I will do everything that you want. I will bear anything for you. My love, only for you' He promised himself.