Chapter 6 - A marriage proposal for business.

As the coterie continued, on a jovial spree, Li Enlai's mind created, picture after picture, of the cherished memories, of that evening.

10th May 2010

As they were preparing to leave Li Delun turned to Enlai and said, "The party, to celebrate the wedding anniversary of the Enlai and Diu, would have all the big shots of the town, in presence. The whole town has been anticipating the gala event, not wanting to be left out. I leave you the responsibility of ensuring that my grandson does not end up in solitude tonight."

Li Enlai turned to Bao and said, "Bao, I would be officially introducing you and Liqin to the whole town tonight, as the heir apparent. Many families with girls of marriageable age, are anticipating an encounter with you, resulting in a relationship to cherish. What is your opinion?"

"Dad, you know I care the least about parties and companionship. I am a man of adventure and care only for adventures in the wild. In the last twenty-six years, no lady has stirred up my heart, other than mother nature. The only ladies I cherish, and care a lot is my mother and aunt—."

He stopped the sentence midway, in disbelief of his statement, brushed his hair with his hands, and pondered, "How do I answer the next question now?"

It, however, caught the attention of Li Enlai who tilted his head toward Bao and asked, "Which aunt?"

Bao quickly composed himself, adjusted his bowtie, looked away, and said, "Jia's mom."

Li Enlai smiled at the response, and pondered, "So our thought processes match quite well. Tonight, we will give the finishing touch to the proposal, that I and Huang Fan have planned."

Li Diu walked down to leave, looking splendid as ever, in a lavender evening ensemble embroidered with Swarovski crystals as the father and son were having a discussion. As Enlai opened the door of the limousine for her she questioned, "What were you guys discussing?"

As he got into the car and sat comfortably Li Enlai replied, "I was just telling him, that we could find a bride for him tonight."

"I and Huang Fan are planning, to get Li Bao and Huang Jia married to each other. Our friendship will get converted into a relationship, and the marriage would result in a business merger," he added.

Li Diu turned to him and asked, "Do the children know about it? Have you discussed it with them? It is true, that they are bosom friends, but their requirements on life partners are a world apart. Moreover, don't you see it is obvious, that there is a cherished bond between Jia and Liqin?"

Li Enlai curled his hands around her shoulders and said, "They have no inclination of the discussion, that Huang Fan had with me."

Li Diu touched her forehead, closed her eyes, and said, "Kindly do not announce, without their confirmation. Huang Jia is a stylish young eloquent lady, and I believe she would love companionship from an equally stylish young man. The stipulated requirements match with that of Liqin, and not our son."

"Did Liqin express his interest in her?"

"Not that I am aware of. But that's not the point. Li Bao is a very simple, sophisticated, and down-to-earth guy, who is not approachable. He has created an ice wall around him, that no one can pass through. He is cold and has distanced himself from the crowd."

"But doesn't he communicate with Jia?"

"That's because they are best friends since school days."

"Doesn't that make things simpler to deal with?"

"He rarely communicates, other than when business requirements, demand the same. He prefers solitude to a crowd, the serenity of nature to a buzzing crowd. He is not a party animal, and is a clean person with no bad habits."

"Don't those character traits make him the most eligible bachelor?"

"That's not the point. He does not have the air, that heirs of the business empires have, who think them to be privileged and hence, are demanding. His needs are simple, and he cherishes his family to the core. He has not yet made his requirements on his better half even clear to us."

"Then is it not our responsibility to help him out?"

"I as his mother, do not know as to what he wants in this matter, but I am sure, that it is not Jia."

"How do we know unless we try to get them together?"

Diu looked down, clenched her fists, and said, "I didn't want to discuss this on a special day like today but you leave me no choice. I don't want my children to go through the pain that we have been through Enlai. I do not want history repeating itself."

"Do you still regret all that?"

Diu looked up, tilted her head toward Enlai, and said, "You are getting me wrong Enlai. I have cherished every moment that we spent together. Even at the time when we had no emotional attachment and were distanced due to your misunderstanding, I have always seen this union as a blessing. It's just that I do not want to see the pain that your eyes expressed in those days, to reflect in the eyes of my son. Let us not get the kids embroiled in a situation, from where they end up in a bitter relationship."

Enlai placed his hand on hers and assured, "Nothing has been finalized yet, and believe me, I will not compromise, their feelings at any point in time. Tonight, we are only going to introduce them as the heir apparent."

"Fine. I trust you with it."

As they reached the event Chang Liqin, and Huang Jia greeted them, "Happy wedding anniversary uncle and aunt."

Both Diu and Enlai respond together in unison, "Thank you."

Liqin walked up to Diu stared into her moist eyes and asked, "Are you upset about something aunt? Why are your eyes moist and your expression somber?

Diu wiped her eyes with her kerchief, smiled, and said, "Do I look better? I think the breeze caused redness in the eyes. Are they red? Can you check it out for me?"

Liqin examined her eyes carefully and said, "No, they aren't reddish. Are they hurting?"

Diu cupped his face and said, "No, they are not. I am blessed to have you Liqin. You know me better than anyone."

Li Bao walked out of his car and asked, "Is everything fine?"

Diu turned to him and said, "Your brother is quite concerned about my looks at this age."

Bao smiled and said, "Really! Is he? You look stunning as ever, mom. I'll go ahead, and check on the preparations."

As he turned to leave for the ballroom Liqin held him by his shoulders and added, "I'll join you."

As they were about to leave, Jia held Liqin by the arm, turned him around, and said, "Wait."

She adjusted his bowtie for him, looked into his deep caressing eyes, and said, "Now it's perfect."

Liqin smiled, and said, "Best as you say. Let us go Bao; Jia will come with aunty and uncle."

As they walked in Jia said, "They look dashing today."

Li Diu turned in the direction of the two and responded, "Yes, both look warm and handsome today."

"Welcome for an evening to remember at Switz Laketon Luxury Hotel in Shanghai."

As the couple prepared to enter, Li Enlai said, "The bigwigs of the whole town have marked their presence, to show their solidarity with the family."

"Yes. The Li family rarely throws out parties for the elite crowd, and most of our celebrations were attended mainly only by family and close friends in the past." Li Diu responded with a smile.

"Today is an exception, as I wanted to honor your long-cherished contribution, towards the family, and also introduce Bao and Liqin, as the heirs apparent."