Chapter 47 - Three Days (3)

Two days later:

Song Luli released a breath as she exited the car, a block away from the set's parking garage, since it closed for construction.

It was early morning, and the streets were empty around the neighbourhood parking lot. The sun had peaked, but it had not fully risen. The pace of her heart sped up as she clenched her purse tightly. From behind, she felt something watching her.

Song Luli clenched her teeth, prepared for the confrontation when she whirled, and nearly hit Lan Shufen with her purse. He ducked, his eyes widening.

"Ah! I'm sorry!" she said to him.

Lan Shufen was confused. "Woah, are you all right?" he asked her, concerned more for her than himself.

Song Luli had been feeling anxious for the past two days, but it wasn't something she couldn't handle. "Yes," she answered breathlessly, "I'm all right."

Lan Shufen didn't seem convinced, but he nodded anyway to say, "The director wants to see you, I came to look for you."

"Me?" Song Luli asked, unbelieving.

"Yes. He asked for you specifically," Lan Shufen replied.

Song Luli then hurried to the set with him. She greeted the director upon arrival. "Ah! Song Luli. Do you mind running lines with the actors?" he asked her without looking at her directly.

Song Luli was stunned. "Yes, of course," she answered, trying not to sound desperate. She then went to the lounging area to meet with the cast, practicing their lines; this is why she memorized the script.

The director then faced Lan Shufen, "Get the crew some coffee, boy." Lan Shufen was taken aback, but he knew that it was Song Luli's turn to work on set without having to do some tedious tasks for once. So, Lan Shufen left to do what the director asked of him.

Song Luli ran some dialogue with the actors, giving them a feel for their tone of voice, emotions, and portrayal of particular scenes. Song Luli watched them nail their parts as the cameras rolled, feeling the excitement rumble through her body.

Lan Shufen returned, sitting next to her, passing her a snack. They both watched the takes intensely and focused.

"Luli," Lan Shufen whispered.

Song Luli didn't tear her eyes away from the set. "Yes?" she responded without sparing a glance.

"A man is staring at you," he said.

"What are you talking about?" Song Luli questioned, confused. She turned her head, seeing a young man wearing beige from neck to toe, watching her. Her expression soured.

What is Han Ru doing here?

She stood up from her chair, heading towards him. He held a grin on his lips, with a hand in his pocket. "Can I help you?" she asked him.

Han Ru gazed around the set. "I am a close friend of the Producer. He invited me to visit the set, as it will soon be one of the most anticipated films of the year."

Song Luli narrowed her eyes. "All right. Don't cause any trouble," she answered, beginning to walk away.

"I want to offer you my further assistance," he told her.

She paused, knitting her brows. "What would I need from you?"

Han Ru stepped closer, swiftly. "I have the best connections, not only in the country but globally. If you ever need that support, I can offer it."

"And what would you want in return?" Song Luli snapped. She hadn't forgotten that he asked for a favour the last time she requested services for Long Jie. Luckily, he didn't deliver, so she didn't owe him anything. With him, nothing was free; he was a debt collector, after all.

"I don't want anything from you, at least, nothing you aren't willing to give," he said to her softly.

Song Luli widened her eyes as Han Ru stepped closer, lifting his hand under her chin. "You may have thought I had forgotten everything about you. But I haven't Luli."

Song Luli froze. She heard Lan Shufen call her name from behind, so she stepped away from Han Ru, whirling to face her friend.

"Goodbye, Luli," she heard Han Ru say to her. She didn't respond to him.

"Are you all right?" asked Lan Shufen. "That guy seemed to have made you uncomfortable."

Song Luli smiled briefly. "I'm quite all right. Thank you."

Lan Shufen wasn't convinced, but he was glad that the man who showed up earlier left. Song Luli appeared to be visibly rattled by his appearance.

They both returned to set, watching more of the takes.

By the late evening, Lan Shufen went to the buffet table when he heard a deep and tranquil voice ask, "Have you seen Song Luli?"

Lan Shufen furrowed his brows, turning to face the man who asked about his lady boss. He was a tall, auburn-haired gentleman with frost-blue eyes.

Lan Shufen sized him up even though the man with the blunt expression, towered him.

What's with these guys trying to bother Song Luli?

"I think you should go. No one is allowed to see Song Luli while she's busy," Lan Shufen said.

The man smiled at him, a cruel one.

A moment after, Lan Shufen heard Song Luli say, "Long Jie?"

Lan Shufen froze.

Long Jie of Long Group? he thought. His knees began to quake.

Long Jie had enough money to buy the entire production company without making a dent in his earnings. He could put people out of business or cause them to rise to the top. What does he want with Song Luli? He hoped Long Jie didn't want to destroy her career.

Lan Shufen gasped. What if it was for that reason? Then Song Luli is in trouble!

He decided to reach out, embracing Song Luli. It was the first thing he thought of instinctively. "Leave her alone!" Lan Shufen warned Long Jie.

Long Jie arched a curious brow, but he did not look the slightest intimidated. Shit! Lan Shufen thought.

Meanwhile, Song Luli turned to face him with knitted brows. Her expression said, 'What do you think you're doing?'

She glared at him, so Lan Shufen let go of her. "Sorry," he said.

Song Luli continued to approach Long Jie. She briefly turned to face Lan Shufen, "this is my husband," she said.

Lan Shufen widened his eyes; his knees nearly buckled. He swiftly approached his lady boss near her ear. "Are you sure you're not in trouble?" he asked her, cautiously eyeing Long Jie.

Song Luli laughed. She tip-toed, planting a kiss on Long Jie's mouth. She parted from him to say, "I'll see you at work tomorrow, Lan Shufen." And at that, Lan Shufen realized she was telling the truth. Holy shit!

Song Luli left, walking next to Long Jie, feeling embarrassed. Despite their earlier kiss, he didn't seem affected by it in any way.

But Song Luli didn't expect him to arrive early and pick her up. She followed him to his car when she said, "Oh, I left my car a block away."

Long Jie paused to respond, "You can pick it up tomorrow."

Song Luli flushed. He didn't want to go in separate cars, just as she didn't want to, either.

Song Luli hopped into his car as they drove out of the set area. She was beginning to feel nervous and conscious of him. They had spoken over the phone for hours during the last two days, and now with his return, she didn't know what to say or what to do.

Song Luli remained silent during the car ride, staring at the road absent-mindedly. She glanced at Long Jie, who was also quiet, calm, and assure of himself.

It then took ten minutes for Song Luli to realize they were going in a different direction.

She glanced at Long Jie, searching for an answer on his face, but he didn't say anything.

After another ten minutes passed, Long Jie had pulled up at a restaurant. He gave his keys to the valet, walking over to the passenger door, opening it for her. Song Luli stepped from the car, and he closed it shut behind her.

Long Jie then offered her an arm, and she took it.