Burning Passion

CHAPTER 357: NELSON'S BLESSINGS

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Nina thinks her ears are playing with her. She glanced at Harry, who was also shocked by what he heard. 

Nina looked at her parents. Her gaze shifted between her mother and father. The way her mama smiled, she believed it was not a joke. 

"Pa… papa, are you saying that…" As tears now formed in her eyes, Nina could only stammer her words. "What do you mean about that, Papa?" 

"I am just thinking, what is the difference now and later. Since the elders didn't have any objection and your mama was okay about the marriage, I won't forbid Harry to visit you or bring you out for a date." 

Hearing this, Nina rushed toward her parents. She hugged her father. And with flooding tears, she thanked them. 

"Thank you, Papa! Mama!" 

Harry was also overwhelmed listening to Nelson's statement. Last night, he and his father argued about pursuing Li, about getting married soon. He doesn't want to beg Nelson. But marries Nina in secret and settles in Las Vegas. 

But not that Nelson gives his blessings to them. They don't need to hide and meet in secret from him. Also, his father Jerome and great-grandfather Gilbert would be now happy that finally, their promises have fulfillment. 

Harry looked at his wounded hands. He chuckled inwardly at how amused he was. Having this injury has a worth after all. 

After Nina settled down, she walked back to him and threw herself to embrace him tight. At first, he was hesitant to show his affection to Nina. But why will he miss this chance to prove that his love for Nina is pure? 

Harry wrapped his arms around Nina and kissed her cheek. He then turned to her parents. 

"Thank you so much for your blessings, Papa Nelson." 

Nelson coughs. Now that he gives his blessings, he must use that Harry would call him Papa. He said, "Well, now that I won't set strict rules. I hope you won't abuse your freedom to see and date my daughter." 

Harry and Nina made a casual glance. Nina felt guilty that they already had a forbidden act before marriage. But she loves Harry and only Harry she wants to marry. 

"I promised you to love and respect your daughter, Papa Nelson. I swear, I won't hurt her but make her happy." 

"Hmm… sounds corny… but…" 

"You sounded like this before too…" Dona cut in. Her tone was teasing Nelson. 

Blushing, he defended himself. "That's what I'm about to say, honey. I know it sounds corny, but the result was what I wanted to see. I fulfilled my promise to you, right?" Nelson told his wife.

"Alright." Dona rolled her eyes. She later giggled. 

"Honey, are you making fun of me? How embarrassing in front of our daughter and future son-in-law!" he whispered at Dona.

Nina and Harry shared a glance. It overwhelmed both to hear him mention the word son-in-law. If the young couple didn't notice the delight in Nelson's voice calling Harry as a son-in-law, Dona sensed it. 

She knew even Nelson would not bring it up, but he dreamt to have a son of his own. And so, he is excited too, that Nina has a husband soon. 

"Your parents look so cute. I wonder if we will look cuter in the future when we are older." 

Nina giggled at Harry's comment. But it touched her how Harry already dreamed of the future. They weren't married yet, but Harry already talked about the future. 

And to what she believes in… "You will be still as handsome as now." 

Is what her reply to Harry. It tempts her to kiss him, but not in front of her parents. 

Harry beamed, he held Nina's hand. "And you will be as lovely as now." 

"Don't start being corny." Nina teased Harry, who suppressed not to laugh. 

"You've started it, Nina Li," he whispered at Nina. She giggled, and it didn't hide their sweetness in front of Nina's parents. 

Nelson coughs, he repeated his question a while back. "So, when do you plan to get married?" 

Nina and Harry look at each other earnestly. Harry replied to Nelson afterward, "It would be great on Nina's birthday." 

Nelson looked at his daughter, whose eyes twinkled from delight. Dona was right. Their daughter is happier being together with Harry. And as a father, he wished for his daughter's happiness than what advantage they could earn being united with the Shang family. 

Later, Jerome arrived, and it is what he noticed. Nina and Harry sat so close next to each other, held hands. Jerome glanced at his son with a questioning look in his eyes. Harry only nodded at him. So then, Jerome talked to Nelson in private. 

Inside the library, Nelson offered Jerome a seat, and both sat down opposite each other. 

"So, did Harry talk to you?" As he could not wait to discuss the marriage of their children, Jerome began his query. 

On the other hand, Nelson is a little perplexed by Jerome's question. "Which one? About your sudden flight back to Hawaii today?" 

"Ah, no. It was about his and Nina's marriage." 

"Ah, that… Nah. I have realized that why would I prolong the marriage? As long as your son promised not to hurt my daughter, I won't throw a pit." 

"Don't worry, Nelson. Harry is different from his brothers. And I will assure you he won't hurt your daughter." 

"I would gamble my hope, Jerome. After what your other son did to my daughter, I have my phobia now. Steven and Harry have almost no difference. They were so identical. How if Steven…" Nelson could not spill out what feared him. How if Steven acts like Harry so that he could get near Nina?

On one hand, Jerome understood what Nelson wanted to say. Everyone was always mistaken, who is Harry and who is Steven. If he isn't familiar with their behavior and moods, he would have a hard time identifying the twins. 

"Don't worry, Nelson. I am trying my best to watch Steven. Although, we can't avoid it forever, especially when Harry and Nina got married. A chance that they have to be on the same occasion, especially the Shang gatherings." 

Nelson takes a moment of silence to ponder. There is a fact of what Jerome was saying, but there is a solution. "If a day happens, then my daughter doesn't need to attend such a gathering. Unless I would be there as well." 

Jerome could not agree more. He nodded, showing that he agreed with Nelson. He said, "I concurred to your statement." 

"So, I heard from my father. Steven almost escaped." 

Apologetically, Jerome nodded. It made him feel embarrassed by the way his son behaves. Now the elder Shang has no choice but to lock Steven inside his bedroom. And because of this news, Mely felt devastated. 

"I will go straight to the airport after here. I was worried about Mely. She badly wanted to see Steven. Anyway, I could see that you don't want to leave your family here. I will take care of Uncle Sonny and Aunt Nera, so you have nothing to worry about." 

"Actually, I was thinking of letting Annie accompany the elders. And in Mely's condition, it may be best that you have Annie to talk to her and console her." Nelson's suggestion. He is also concerned about Mely because Dona would get worried a lot too. 

"That was actually a brilliant suggestion, Nelson. It is truly best that Annie would come by in China. Besides, maybe this is a new start for Uncle Sonny and Annie?" 

"Yes. It's been thirty decades that Annie never set foot in Zen City again." And who would have thought? If all of this didn't happen, his father and Annie won't talk to each other again. Now, things slowly take place. His family reconciled, and Nina was finally happy. 

"Well then, I would not stay longer. I will take your suggestion, Nelson." 

Jerome rose from the couch, and Nelson shook hands and tapped each other's shoulder. They were brothers back in their younger days when he enrolled in the He Martial Art Academy. 

And soon, finally, their family will unite. 

After the two fathers talked, Jerome had to rush to the airport. He asks Harry to accompany him to the airport as he has important things to talk about. 

"Have a safe flight, Papa Jerome." 

"Thank you, Nina. Well, I have to borrow Harry for now. I have a few things to discuss with him regarding the company." 

Nina blushes upon hearing Jerome's request. Harry is his son, and she will only become the soon-to-be wife. But to think that Harry is hers, joy-filled her heart. 

"Of course, Papa Jerome." 

"I will see you at school later," said Harry. 

"I'll be waiting." Nina tiptoed and gave Harry a soft kiss on his left cheek. Harry's eyes twinkled at how bold she was in front of their parents. 

"Ahem!" Nelson coughs. He wasn't used to seeing his daughter this sweet to other men, he was jealous. Nina being intimate with another man, he seems unable to accept it yet. 

"You look like you're about to cry, honey." Dona teases her husband. 

"Honey, I realized I'm not ready yet." 

"Huh? About what?" Dona was amused, looking at her husband's face. "Nina, look at your father. I think he'll cry during your wedding day." 

Nelson felt beaten up. His wife and daughter were now teasing him! 

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Next on: 

Meanwhile, on the way to the Shang mansion. Jerome brought up the subject he wanted to talk to Harry about. 

"Pa, what is it?" Harry could see that his father was restless in his seat. 

"Harry, I want you to prepare yourself." 

"Don't make it too thrilling, Pa." 

"Harry… Dean Collins agreed to give Steven an exemption to graduate, but he has to attend the graduation day." 

Harry stared at his father like it was only a joke. 'No! Steven should not come back here in New Jersey!'