He encounters' a new shock

''Where are you going, I'll drop you,'' Apache said warmly.

''Oh no, I'll get a cab or taxi—it's just here,'' Wang Lian said hurriedly.

Apache would have none of it. ''Come on, get in,'' and he pulled him in. Wang Lian was perplexed but though he acquiesced, he was getting quite upset.

''You'd gone to the States to study, and then I learnt that you'd got a job there. Now, how come you're back in China?'' Apache asked him, starting the car. ''Have you come to spend your holidays here?''

''Yes,'' he replied very briefly so that he could extricate himself.

''What are you doing these days?'' Apache asked, driving the car.

''Working for an agency of the United Nations''.

''Where are you staying here?''

''At the Pearl continental…''

''Why on earth at PC? You could have come to my place or called me. When did you arrive?''

''Yesterday''.

''Then you're coming with me to stay at my place. There's no need to go to the hotel''.