"My friend wanted to meet you," Fan Jie continued, respectfully gesturing to the person beside him. "I'd like to apologize for the rudeness of bringing him here without prior notice. Don't blame Han Bai and Meng Song. The decision was solely my own. They protested against it, and against my better judgment and theirs, I decided to act against their wishes to accommodate Daoist Tang Xiadan, who wanted to personally thank you for the gentle yang pineapples and the silver ice tear guavas he had bought from you at the auction.
