"How on earth did you get my parents' approval to take me out alone?" Meili asked Tan Bowen joyfully, as they bumped along in his carriage.
Her mother had let her know just the evening before that Tan Bowen would be picking her up this morning. She couldn't be happier.
"It was a long time in the making. I had my father ask your father. Fifth Brother vouched for me ahead of time. Then I had to go and see your father. He gave me a list of 'don'ts' as long as your arm. And I had to agree to bring Tricky along."
He looked with dissatisfaction at the dog, who growled quietly at him in return. It was like the beast saw him as a love rival. And he really didn't need any more of them!
"Well thank you for making those efforts. I'm very happy that you did. Where are we going Tan Bowen?"
"It's a surprise. You'll see when we get there."