Chapter 72 - I Need Help

There were moments were Song Luli had to work with Han Ru, without Long Jie. But she was grateful for Lan Shufen, who watched after her, never leaving her side.

Time flew by, and production began for their team.

Both Han Ru and Long Jie worked at their respective companies in the morning, both leaving Song Luli and Lan Shufen to do anything they pleased on set.

Long Jie would drop by every day after he finished work, contributing his ideas, supporting Song Luli, while Han Ru visited every so often.

Song Luli was in the car with Long Jie as they drove back home when she received a phone call.

It was Su Xiang.

"Hello?" Song Luli answered.

"I need your help," Su Xiang said by way of greeting.

Song Luli stilled. Her cousin never came to her for anything; it was usually the other way around.

"What's wrong?"

Su Xiang began to sob on the other line. It made Song Luli panic.

"Xiang. What is wrong?" she asked her again. Long Jie overheard, and he kept glancing at his wife, wondering what seems to be stressing her out. He whispered to her, "What's wrong?"

Song Luli mouthed back, "I don't know."

Su Xiang then composed herself on the other line. "I'm going to lose my job," she said.

"What?" Song Luli responded. "How?"

"A lot has happened, and I need to defend myself. I made a stupid mistake and I think the patient's family will take me to court. But I didn't do anything wrong, and I need to prove it," she said.

"Do you want me to call my mother and ask her to return to the country? She left with my father," Song Luli suggested.

"NO!" Su Xiang shouted. "Your mother will tell my parents, and I can't have them know. They'll be disappointed. And I think I'm going to be ruined."

Song Luli sighed. "We'll try to keep everything discreet. We can't have the public knowing either. I am going to call my brother and ask him to come home early if he can," she said.

Su Xiang seemed to agree. "Thank you, Luli. Chen is trying everything he can. But it's all too much for us."

"I understand," Song Luli replied. "I'll speak to you soon."

Song Luli then hung up the call, and before she could update Long Jie about the conversation she had, she immediately called her brother.

"Luli?" Song Zhen answered.

"Zhen! I need your help!" Song Luli said.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. Song Luli then told him what Su Xiang had briefly mentioned.

"I'm going on the next train home. I should be there in two days," he said.

"Are you sure this is not interfering with school?" Song Luli asked.

"I'm almost done the term. I am going to have a break soon," Song Zhen responded.

"All right," she answered, "come to my home straight away. I'll have Su Xiang over by the time you arrive, too."

"Gotcha," Song Zhen said.

After she ended the call, Song Luli sighed. She was worried about Su Xiang. Whatever happened seemed serious, very serious. And she wanted to help in any way she can. Fortunately, Song Zhen was practicing law. He may have enough legal advice to save her from any troubles. But she also wondered, what the hell happened?

...

TWO DAYS LATER:

In the morning, Song Luli decided not to go to work. She didn't know what time her brother will be arriving, and it had been months since she had last seen him.

Lan Shufen came over to help with creating some props. She mentioned that the crew let them take the opportunity to create something fun for the film. Song Luli made a mess of her living room and Lan Shufen joined her in creating that mess.

Not long after, they both began to clean up, recycling some of the materials they didn't use.

After putting away a box of props, Lan Shufen paused by one of the wall mirrors after. She stopped to get a good look of herself. She wore an oversized hoodie, a pair of glasses, and her hair covered half her face.

She didn't care what she looked like, but some part of her felt like pushing her brown hair out of her face, and to wear the tight-fitted clothing she missed. But for now, pretending to be a boy was worth it. She had gained a lot of respect within the industry just for being male, and she would keep going just until she reached her goal. Then she can reveal herself.

The doorbell of the house rang, interrupting her thoughts. She went around looking for Long Jie and Song Luli when she heard her friend yell, "LAN! CAN YOU GET THAT?"

"OKAY!" Lan Shufen yelled back.

She ran towards the front door, opening it.

The sunset began to fall, blinding her eyes. She squinted, adjusting her sight at the guest in front of her. Lan Shufen stilled.

The man in front of her was tall; his face hard and taut. His black hair casually tumbled over his eyes, but not enough that his gold-flecked eyes hadn't gone unnoticed. She met Han Ru, knew Long Jie, but this man's beauty couldn't compare to them.

He wore a smile on his face.

"Zhen!" Song Luli said, running from behind her. Lan Shufen turned.

Zhen passed Lan Shufen to pick up Song Luli, hugging her tightly, and shaking Long Jie's hand shortly after.

Lan Shufen couldn't stop staring at him in mesmerizing awe. Whoever he was, that man was light and shadows, dusk and dawn, crafted like marble by sculpturists.

Song Luli seemed to have noticed her reaction. "Shufen. This is my brother Zhen," Song Luli introduced him to her.

Lan Shufen's mouth hung open.

Song Zhen kept his smile, and lifted a hand. "Nice to meet you. Are you the screenwriter my sister mentioned?"

Lan Shufen nodded, closing her mouth. She hung her head low, slightly, not meeting his eye. "Nice to meet you," she said quietly as she pulled her hand back quickly after, embarrassed.

Song Zhen stared at her curiously, and Lan Shufen glanced away quickly. Song Luli then stepped in, guiding her twin brother to the living room.

Lan Shufen watched them walk away, and she could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers.

'GAHHHHH! Why am I so fucking awkward?' she thought to herself. But there was no point in dwelling. She was pretending to be a boy and she figured he wouldn't stay for long. He came to visit, and nothing else.