Chapter 200 - Story Of Nina Li

CHAPTER 200: PARENT'S WISHES FOR THE BEST

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Nina has been staring at the gift from Harry. It made her nervous opening the gift; it excites her what was inside. She already opens the gift from Steven. It was a beautiful diamond necklace. She liked it, but it more excites her to know what Harry gave her.

Trembling fingers, Nina pulls the pink ribbon. She took the lid off the box until she found a small box on top of another wrapping inside. Nina first opens a box she found a bracelet with different stones on it and a key that was made of jade.

Key? What was this for? Nina asks herself. She hurried to unwrap the other item she found inside the box. It was a diary.

A bracelet and a diary!

Nina drew the diary close to her heart. It was the most precious gift she ever received.

Tears flowed down her chin, Nina's shoulder shuddering from her sobs. Harry's gift for her is more beautiful than the gift Steven gave her.

She could imagine how expensive that necklace would be, but Harry knows better what makes her happy. She doesn't need an expensive gift, but something that she would enjoy and cherish.

The diary Harry gives it to her has her name engraved beautifully on the cover.

"Nina Li"

Also, the bracelet has her initials N. L. on the key. Ah, she shouldn't lose the bracelet, or else she cannot open the diary!

"Harry..." Nina remains crying all night. She just shows up real quick to her birthday to thank everyone and meet her family's business partners. After a lot of introductions to different families, Nina went back to her bedroom and started writing in her new diary.

She wrote what happened tonight. And she also wrote how she wishes to see Harry and confess her feelings for him.

"Harry, I love you…"

'Ahhhhh!' Nina screamed and rolled over on her fluffy princess bed, burying her face to hide her screams.

Gladly, her father started lighting the fireworks for her birthday. She could see the lights from her bedroom. She watches the fireworks and wishes that Harry was here, and they are watching it together.

She cannot wait to know the results if they accept her application, and she could enroll at the university where Harry and Steven attend to. She is nervous, but she believes the school cannot turn her down. Her grades are excellent, and she graduated with the highest honor. She does better over these passing two years. She gets high scores from the universities she took an entrance exam all over China and pursues her to enroll at their school. But she aims to go to America.

Once the letter arrives, she will tell her parents about her plans. She was nervous about whether they agreed. But Harry and Steven were there. Surely, her parents would not worry. And her Aunt Mely regularly visits her sons. It will be fine then.

Nina had high hopes. However, the day the response letter of her applications arrived, Nelson Li's reaction was displeased.

"What is the meaning of this, Nina Li?" He asked his daughter.

Nelson tried to control his anger and hear out Nina's explanation. His daughter sits quietly on the sofa, clasping both hands on top of her lap. His wife is seated beside their daughter, and her eyes are begging him to calm down.

It frustrated him, but he is avoiding raising his voice despite his disappointment. He could not believe that Nina hid something from them.

Nina is an obedient daughter. She never gives them trouble or problems in school. But Nina did things on her own this time.

"Why didn't you consult us about this, Nina?" firmly, Nelson asked his daughter one more time.

"I, I will tell you about it once I am accepted... I thought you would be happy." Nina replied to her father. She senses the firmness in his voice, and she knows he is only controlling himself not to shout at her. Still, it made her knee tremble.

"Do you know why I am disappointed in you and was very upset, Nina?"

Shaking her head, Nina remains to listen to her father's lecture.

"Your mother and I are preparing to sail out to England."

This time, Nina lifts her head to look at her father. She could see the disappointment on his face. "What do you mean by that, Papa?"

"You are going with us! I want you to pack up the things you wanted to bring."

"It is a vacation? But classes would be just a month away."

"It's not a vacation. And yes, your classes would start soon. We choose the right school for you! I will put you in all-girls Academy!"

Shocked is what it registers on Nina's face. She felt like a bomb exploded in front of her, and her dreams of seeing Harry shattered.

"But, papa? I don't want an all-girls school! I'm old enough! Why do I have to take a degree to an all-girls school?"

"Your mother finished her degree from an all-girls Academy!"

"But that's boring!" Nina realized that she said an offending word. She immediately apologized to her mother. "I'm sorry, Mama."

Dona pats her daughter's back. She whispered to comfort her. "It's alright. But your father is just thinking about what is best for you."

"But, mama? I'll be fine in America!"

Hearing his daughter uttered this, Nelson came up to explain his fear. "Nina, you don't know how dangerous it is to live in that place for the likes of you."

"Why? Harry and Steven are doing fine there!" Nina tried to reason out to her father. "Besides, I would learn more about how to manage our business!"

Dona glanced at her husband. She cannot decide whether she must support her daughter or side with her husband. She never foresees that their family would have a huge conflict. Dona heaved a sigh. She attempts to convince her daughter to change her mind.

"Nina, how about applying in Oxford or at Cambridge University? I think your papa would be okay about these settings if you don't like to attend an all-girls academy."

"Mama, what is wrong if I go to America? What's the difference if I would take my degree there instead?"

"Nina, living in the United States is not just a simple thing. The violence is higher compared to England. You are going to kill us worrying about you! When you are in England, your Aunt Annie could monitor your whereabouts. By then, I will be in peace."

"But papa? I can stay in the dormitory! I think it would be fine! Besides, Harry is in the same university!"

Nelson and Dona look at each other. It was now clear to them. Their daughter likes Harry over Steven.

Later, it was Nelson who broke the long silence. "Nina, Harry, and Steven grew up in the States. They already know how to live in that country. But you?"

"I'll be fine! I know how to take care of myself!"

"Nina!"

"Nelson, let's talk this over again. It's dinnertime."

"I'm going to my room. I'm not hungry, Mama." Nina sat up from the sofa and left her parents.

"We're not done, Nina Li!"

Nina ignores her father and runs upstairs. The tears she held were now dripping freely from her eyes. She cried all night. She wants to go to see Harry. But she loves her parents above all, and she doesn't want to disappoint them. 

~~~~~

The next morning, Nina talks to her parents over breakfast. It was against her will, but she agrees with her parents.

"Mama, Papa... When will we go to London? I have to visit Korin and tell her about it."

Dona glanced at her husband. She sends him a meaningful stare. She knew that it had forced their daughter to agree.

"Nina? Are you sure about this?" Dona asked her daughter. She pitied her, but she wished what was best for her daughter.

Nodding at her mother, Nina pushed a smile. "I will visit Korin in the evening, Mama, Papa! Can I stay overnight?"

Dona glanced at her husband. She knows that Nina must listen to them. As parents, they want the best for their daughter. Somehow, it worries her. Nina may show she is totally fine, but her daughter cannot hide the sadness in her eyes.

Evening, Nina left to see Korin. Dona watched the car leaving the gate. She couldn't help to worry about her daughter. She knows the feeling of being forced to do things against your will. Though it turns out fine in her case, it is different in her daughter's situation. She is after for the one she loves.

"Nelson, are we doing the right thing?" she asked her husband, who is reviewing a document in his hand.

"We only think about what is good for our daughter."

"Yes, we are. But you know how your daughter never gives us a headache. She always listens to whatever we told her. She never says no or disagrees. It is the first time she does something on her own."

Nelson puts down the document. He gaped at his wife. He wants the best for his daughter, and he could not imagine Nina living in that place alone.

"She will be better in England."

"Then your mind won't change?"

"It's best for Nina."

Dona hadn't argued anymore with her husband and trusted that Nina would understand them.