Chapter 27 - Rejection

The next day, Song Luli had meetings throughout the morning with film producers who were picking up new projects within Song Entertainment; this would help the company gain more exposure within the industry, which benefited them.

Song Luli had spent weeks pretending as if Song Entertainment wasn't in the state of near-collapse not long ago. Her father managed to keep it discreet so that more of the investors wouldn't pull out, saving not only their family from receiving a devastating blow but to those who also worked for them. They represented their employees, and it was now up to Song Luli to maintain their jobs.

After the meeting, she went into her office when she received an email from a new screenplay writer with little experience. Typically, it was an automatic rejection since Song Entertainment only welcomed experienced writers to their team. Still, there was something about the way the screenwriter wrote the email that captured her attention.

The tone wasn't desperate, and if it were, then it would be an issue. The writer wrote in confidence and surety, but not with any cockiness that would appear to be complacent.

She decided to read the attached file, and the summary provided her with some intrigue. She kept reading and found it to be excellent, so she contacted the screenwriter for an interview. She felt like it was about time to make risky choices that could be advantageous for the company.

Two hours later, a shaggy-haired man stepped into her office, clumsy at his feet. He had a book bag over his shoulder, carrying loose pages of a screenplay, unbound. He appeared to be nervous, but Song Long tried to seem gentle with her expression.

He smiled, and Song Luli gestured him to sit on a chair in front of her.

"Hello," he said. "My name is Lan Shufen."

"Hello, Mr. Lan," Song Luli responded with her hands clasped together. "I invited you in regards to the summary of the screenplay you've submitted."

"Ah, yes," he said. "Thank you for reaching out."

"How many did you send out?" Song Luli asked straightforwardly.

"I beg your pardon?" he responded.

Song Luli exhaled shortly. "How many companies did you send the pitch to?" she asked him.

Lan Shufen smiled. "Only to Song Entertainment," he said.

"Why?" she asked, challenging.

Lan Shufen exhaled. "Because it wasn't until long ago that your father had given you the company," he said.

"It's not official," Song Luli responded.

"Oh, but you will inherit soon from what I've heard. The industry needs new people with fresh ideas. Most producers and directors have gone selfish, only motivated by money. Those with experience have priority with the producers, but that doesn't mean that the films will be any good. Some actresses are obtaining roles by using their bodies for payment; I hate to see such an industry stoop so low and crumble because of self-interest."

Song Luli thought for a moment before she grinned. Indeed, this man was exactly what the company needed, but she didn't want to seem eager to sign him.

"My team is certainly looking for new talent, but you must meet specific requirements that are up to our standards," Song Luli said with a silverware smile.

Lan Shufen appeared to be puzzled. "I'm not going to beg to join your team. But since you are a woman who has an appreciation for film, I can only say that we can improve this industry."

Yes.

Song Luli had those exact thoughts. "I will contact you once I make a decision," she said.

Lan Shufen nodded, rising from his seat. He smiled and lifted a hand, "Thank you, Miss Song."

Song Luli shook his hand. "Not a problem," she responded.

Lan Shufen left, leaving Song Luli in her office. She felt right about this. The industry needed more change, but she had to take matters slowly, allowing people to adjust to these new changes.

After finishing up some more work, Song Luli went straight home and was able to arrive within 30 minutes without traffic. She felt exhausted by the long day and found Long Jie preparing some food in the kitchen.

She put her purse down on the table, watching as Long Jie stirred a pot. She felt strange; there was something about seeing a man cook, and there was something about a man cooking for her. But she didn't want to think about it too hard.

"You're back," he said, turning.

Song Luli couldn't help but smile. "Yes. I've had meetings with some producers and an interview with a screenwriter," she said. Though she wasn't sure why she told him, or if Long Jie would even care.

"Oh?" he responded with a neutral expression. "Is he anyone I've heard of?" he asked.

Song Luli shooked her head, "He's new."

Long Jie's lips curled. "New people. Fresh Ideas," he said.

Song Luli unconsciously smiled back. So, he understood her, she thought.

Song Luli went to set the plates on the table when she heard the doorbell ring. She approached the front door swiftly and answered it. Her eyes widened.

It was a man with caramel-brown hair, dark with threads of gold; he had soft-brown eyes and a charming grin. Song Luli shut the door in his face.

A moment after, a knock rang through. Song Luli hesitated and answered it; her face had gone hard and cold.

"I'm sorry to intrude," he said, "You're Long Jie's wife? Aren't you?"

Song Luli scoffed. She never felt so humiliated. The man in front of her was Han Ru, the very man who rejected her years ago, and he suddenly forgot who she was? It had been six? Seven years? but still.

Song Luli took a deep breath, masking her face to appear unfazed. "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I thought you were a door-to-door salesman," she said with a small smile.

Han Ru smiled awkwardly. "No. I'm a friend of Long Jie," he replied.

Long Jie came right from behind her, greeting Han Ru. They both embraced shortly before Long Jie welcomed him inside. In front of Song Luli's eyes, they acted like brothers.

She shut the door, releasing a breath, feeling as if she was in for a long, dull evening.

...

At the dinner table, Long Jie had settled the food on the table before grabbing a bottle for drinks, leaving the two of them alone.

"Mrs. Long, It's a pleasure to meet the woman that captured my dear friend," Han Ru said while giving Long Jie a wary glance. "But he hasn't told me who you are."

Song Luli said nothing, as Long Jie sat next to her.

"Luli, I want you to meet Han Ru; he has been a friend of mine since we were teens. I met him in Venice, but I saw him here every summer here."

Song Luli glanced at Han Ru, "Hello," she forced herself to say.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he responded.

Han Ru took a sip of water when Long Jie continued, "And this is my wife, Song Luli."

Han Ru choked over the glass he held, grabbing a cloth and dabbed it over his mouth. He coughed a bit to recollect his breath. He patted his chest and said, "Apologies," before speaking with Long Jie. They both caught up while Han Ru kept sparing glances at her, but she never let him catch her eye.

She downed another glass of wine, feeling fuzzy.

"Do you need water?" asked Long Jie, close to her, deep and sirene. "You were drinking a lot."

"Yes," she responded appreciatively.

Long Jie went back to the kitchen when Han Ru said to her quietly, "Um...You've seemed to have changed quite a lot; I almost didn't recognize you."

Song Luli gave him a blank, uncaring expression. "I suppose," she responded, leaving Han Ru silent.

Long Jie returned with her glass of water before Song Luli drunk the entire thing, and let the freshness sober her up, though it had a little effect over the dizziness she was feeling.

At that, Han Ru felt as if it was getting late, and so he excused himself, parting with them.

Song Luli was upset, very upset. She never wanted to see Han Ru again and felt embarrassed that he didn't recognize her.

She then walked to her room unsteadily, and Long Jie seemed to have noticed, so he stepped to her side, helping her up the stairs.

Song Luli clumsily went into her room, and Long Jie had to hold her waist until she made it to her bed.

"Why did you drink so much?" he asked her on the way, concerned.

"I just felt like it," she responded, sitting at the edge.

She felt ridiculous. It happened eight years ago. She should let go of it, and she felt even more foolish that Long Jie had to help her up the stairs, drunk on a weekday evening.

"Well, just get some rest," he said earnestly.

"Thank you..." She said.

Within the next moment, Song Luli wasn't sure why she did what she did, but she pulled his arm forward, pinning him underneath her flat on the bed. Song Luli's hair veiled over his face. She titled his chin up with her finger, watching hollow of his throat bob.

"What are you doing?" he asked under his loss of breath.

Song Luli didn't answer, but she maintained her gaze on him; she wasn't entirely sure either.

"You know that there isn't anything more in this marriage," he said intensely. His voice had grown husk, dry.

"I know," she responded, tracing the lines of his face.

He flipped her over, and she fell beneath him. He tilted her chin, the same way she did to him. "Unless you want heirs as stated in our marriage contract?" he asked, his voice lowered, causing Song Luli to shiver.

Song Luli didn't reply.

Long Jie's grip on her chin had roamed as a caress on her jaw, down towards her enticing neck. He combed her hair with his fingers, moving it away from her face. Song Luli never looked away, but her eyes grew heavy as he gave her the simplest touches. Just when Long Jie was about to lean in for a fleeting kiss, Song Luli had closed her eyes from the pre-stimulation, falling asleep.

Long Jie stepped away, displeased with himself.

He was about to kiss her. But why?

He wondered, did he want children too? But he never thought about it much before. He wanted it to be her choice. He knew they weren't going to do it; he was only teasing her. Then why?

Long Jie had barged out of the room, escaping the reality he didn't want to face.