37 Invitation (2/2)

While he was lost in his thoughts, he saw a girl dressed in a camel coloured gown coming upto him and standing by his side to wait for him to come out of his own thoughts and talk to her. He had seen many woman play this ploy and he wasn't interested but as soon as he saw her, he was really stupified. Not because she was breathlessly beautiful or anything like that but because he recognised her as the illegitimate sister of princess. Really unlucky to meet her here but then he couldn't ignore her blatantly or his elder brother would have his hide later on citing the reason that he had no manners and how could he ignore/insult someone in their own home. Therefore, he raised his lips into a smile and turned to give his greetings.

”Mr. Li, Welcome. Hope you are enjoying the party.”

”Yes, thank you.” he replied

””I saw you were standing by yourself and thought to accompany you for a bit. Please don't mind.” Really this girl was sticking it on quite thick.

”It's okay. Thank you for your consideration. I was just momentarily free of meeting and greeting people so I came here to be by myself.” He thought she would leave him alone after his words but either he had thought too much of her intelligence or she was playing stupid. His bet was on the latter option.

”Since Mr. Li is free why not spend some time playing with other people our age. All work and no play would make you dull.”

”Ah! Yes, yes all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.” He was just saying things to get her off his back but who knew she would jump on the chance to stick to him.

”Since Mr. Li also feels the same then why not we go tomorrow evening to play some tennis. I have heard you are quite good at it and not be egotistical or anything but I myself am a fair hand at it.”

He really couldn't reject her idea. He was in the Yu residence and a Yu family member was inviting him for an outing, if he rejected and it was passed on to other's ears it would seem that the Li family didn't put the Yu's in their eyes. Really these rules were mind boggling to him. So what if the person inviting him out had the same surname as the host of the part, did he have to waste his own time going out with her on a pointless match or whatever she wanted to do.

”I have already invited you a few times earlier whenever I was in the country but you didn't have the time and were busy so you declined. Please, do not decline my invitation this time.”

”Better to respectfully accept than decline courteously.” She really didn't leave him another option. By now he could feel that though people close to them were pretending as to being oblivious of their conversation, everyone had their ears pricked up to hear and catch whatever they could.

”That's great! I'll see you tomorrow at the City Gardens for a match.”