A sense of crisis

After speaking a simple greeting in French, the smile on Helene grew wider as she continued to shake his hand without stopping. 

"Maria told you very much about you," Helene was slightly embarrassed of her use of Chinese and switched to English, a language she was much more comfortable speaking in.

"Maria? Is that Jing Xue's other name?"

Ren Ye understood what she was saying clearly as he caught note of the name she used to refer to Jing Xue. 

Ren Ye did not speak as he continued to look at her with indifferent eyes, prompting Helene to believe he was unable to speak English. Ren Ye watched closely as her warm expression became one of understanding than looking down on him.

"I heard of you as well," Ren Ye replied in English, a language he has skilled.