Freddy and Bird Cahill arrived quite punctually, knocking on the door just three minutes before two o'clock.
Both brought Lin Jie a bottle of British wine and American wine as gifts.
"Dr. Lin Jie, I sincerely apologize!"
Bird started straightforwardly in English: "The last time we met, I was too presumptuous, please forgive me."
"Dr. Cahill, I accept your apology."
Lin Jie invited them to sit down and responded in English as well: "Such things often happen to me, and your opinion, Dr. Cahill, was fair. It's just that my personal situation is somewhat special."
He asked frankly, "Dr. Cahill, did you specifically ask Mr. Freddy to accompany you? Are you friends?"
Bird glanced at Freddy and explained, "We are somewhat acquainted!"
"I have a college classmate working at the British Consulate in Binhai. At that afternoon tea, I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Freddy."
