As Du AnLing pulled Anna into the dining room, she signalled to a staff member. Anna notice that the round table was set for a meal, and before anyone could enter the room, dishes started arriving and were placed on the table to share. Hou Yi realising he could not thwart his mother, led everyone else into the dining room, sitting on his bride's right, with his mother on her left. He hoped this would give her some protection from the rest of the family.
Everyone sat down, and before anyone could serve themselves from the dishes, Du AnLing, lifted up Anna's left hand, and looked at the rings there. She reached across Anna, without an apology and then lifted Hou Yi's left hand, paying attention to the rings on both. "Jang, Father, Mother, Sister. I know the wedding rings. Are they not the Dream wedding set from Fengs. And if I am right, this is the only set with pink diamonds made in the world."
Hou Yi, knew that he could not hide the truth from his shop-holic mother who adored jewellery, and rather than having everyone look at the rings, said "Yes mother, it is the Dream Set. As Anna is from Australia, we wanted out rings to have Australian Diamonds in them. Anna, fell in love with the pink diamonds, so we opted for them. It was not about a unique jewellery, all I did was let Anna pick what she liked, and that is what she chose."
Hou Jang, then piped in "Son, I never thought I would see the day that you would voluntarily wear a ring."
"Father, I have married. Why would I not wear a ring to indicate the commitment to my wife."
"Son do not get defensive. It was just a pa.s.sing comment, but given you love your bride, I would expect it from you. I never thought I would wear a wedding ring until I met your mother, and then I could not wait to get one on my finger. It has never come off since your mother placed it there, and it will never come off. I am guessing you will feel the same." Hou Jang said, to which Hou Yi nodded. He paused, and looked at Anna "Do you mind telling me your name?"
"Anna Jones, but given what most woman do in Australia, other than for work related purposes, I will now use Hou as my surname, father."
"Father let not get into too much detail. You have all the time that you want to question my wife. It has been a long day for us, and we do want to get home as soon as we can, so save it for another day."
Hou Yi paused, and then looked at his mother and aunt "Mother, Aunt, I have a couple of favours to ask of you, and please no one get upset about this. Firstly, can you arrange and take Anna shopping to fill out her wardrobe. When I can get away next week, we will be going to Australia to deal with her affairs there, but she needs clothes for here and your life together. I will be giving her my card, so she has no limits, but I am telling you do not abuse the privilege as I can cut your access to credit cards."
"Secondly, and this goes for everyone we have decided that we want to have the formal wedding ceremony in Australia. Anna's family and friends are there, and unlike those we will invite from here, some will find it difficult to accept any offers to a.s.sist them in coming to a wedding here. I want then to be comfortable. Our friends, extended family, and the others we will invite can all afford to travel. Anna has final say, but we are looking at somewhere in the Warrnambool, Victoria region, and you can coordinate with a.s.sistant w.a.n.g to arrange this. a.s.sistant w.a.n.g will have control of the budget. And remember everyone here, no arguments about the ceremony."
Du AnLing, excited with what her son had asked her to do, realised that talking and delaying Hou Yi and Anna too much, could hamper their spending tomorrow. She piped up and said "Let us not delay the bride and groom. We should eat so they can return home. And by the way, Anna, we will be at your apartment to collect you about 10 am tomorrow."
She turned and looked at Hou Yi who was scowling "Do not do that. You will be at work tomorrow by that time, so it does not matter."
With that, everyone decided that it was better to eat before anyone got angry. Hou Yi, helped Anna, dish up some food to eat, before dis.h.i.+ng up his meal. About 20 minutes later, once everyone had finished eating, Hou Yi stood up, and said "Goodnight, we are leaving now. Grandfather, Father I hope that you will come into the office tomorrow so that we can commence the fulfillment of our agreement."
Anna stood up beside him and added "Goodbye. I look forward seeing everyone soon."
With that the both walked out of the dining room before anything else could be said, and out into the car to return to the apartment. Both, on the drive back fell asleep and had to be woken up by the driver on their arrival. Hou Yi, helped Anna out of the car, and into their elevator to return to the apartment. Before they could walk up the stairs to the master suite, Butler Ge, handed Hou Yi a package, which he took with them. As Anna was almost asleep on her feet, Hou Yi helped her undress and change into her nightdress, and into bed, before changing into his pyjamas and following her into bed. Both fell asleep almost immediately, and very quickly turned into each other in the middle of the bed, Hou Yi, simply as he could not help himself but to seek out his bride in their bed, and Anna because she needed comfort and support that seemed to unconsciously knew was available from her husband.