Chapter 92 - Family

Song Luli woke up in the afternoon, fully refreshed and energetic. She slipped out of bed to shower, changing into new and fresh clothing.

After she finished, Song Luli went to look for Long Jie, finding him in the living room, catching up on some of his work. Song Luli walked up to him, where Long Jie pushed his work aside, welcoming her to sit on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him.

"How's your father?" she asked him, pulling away slightly.

"I was going to ask you if you want to come with me to visit him? My mother told me he's recovering well," Long Jie responded.

Song Luli jumped from his lap. "Let's go now!" she said, pulling his hand, urging them to go right away.

Long Jie then drove them to the hospital, looking for his father's room. They received word ahead that he would soon be discharged; the injuries did not cause any critical damage, but it would take time for his body to heal.

When they arrived, Long Jie's mother greeted them and led them into Long Huojin's hospital room. Long Huojin had several bandages on his arms and chest, stitches from the cuts he received. Song Luli greeted Long Jie's father before leaving him to have a private conversation with his son.

As she waited, she realized that her own parents arrived. Her father, Song Sheng, looked as formidable as always, especially with his equally formidable wife by his side. He approached Song Luli grave-faced and dignified; Song Luli prepared for what he had to tell her.

"The leader of Xun escaped," he reported to her.

"How?" she asked him.

Her father shook his head. "Xun Yaozu didn't stick around. He left in the middle of the confrontation; some of his men stood behind. I requested mines to fall back because of how bad it was. I couldn't gather enough men in time; Meiling requested me to go immediately."

"Long Jie's father had to be saved," Song Luli snapped. She knew the meaning of the words her father said: 'We could have brought enough forces if it weren't for your reckless impulsiveness.'

Her father remained stoic. She glanced at her mother, who also seemed to be on his side.

"Even if they were hurting him, you should have let them. We would rather risk ourselves than the lives of our children," Song Sheng responded.

"I'm sorry," said Long Jie, cutting into their conversation. He stepped forward, his hands folded behind his back. "It was my fault for risking your mission—for putting your daughter in harm's way."

Song Sheng did not appear to be moved by his words or apology. He glanced at Long Jie, giving him a cold, long look before walking away.

Song Luli's mother, Qian Meigui, stepped forward, grasping Long Jie's forearm. "Don't worry about him. He's a bit uptight about this situation, but I can assure you, he's angrier at himself."

Long Jie smiled, taking Qian Meigui's hand. "Thank you, Mother-in-law," he said to her softly. Qian Meigui smiled back, leaving to search for her husband.

Song Luli loosened a deep breath. "How's your father?"

"He's doing well," Long Jie responded.

"Can I speak to him?" Song Luli asked. Long Jie smiled softly, "all right," he said.

Song Luli then stepped into the hospital room, approaching Long Jie's father. Song Luli gave Long Jie a look, requesting him to leave her alone with Long Huojin. Though she hadn't spoken to Long Huojin alone before, she felt that it was important to do so.

Long Huojin held a small smile on his face once she entered—one that was kind and genuine. Despite his black hair, Song Luli could identify the uncanny resemblance between him and his son, the son she adored.

"How are you, Father-in-law?" she asked him, sitting on the chair by his bedside.

"I'm doing well," he then responded to her question, low and soft. "It pained me more to see you and Jie down there. I'd rather not have you come at all."

"Jie would be willing to put anyone he cares about before himself," she told him.

Long Huojin's smile widened, almost as if he was thinking about something that reminded him about Long Jie.

"I'm sure he's told you about what's coming. I wish it weren't this way; I could have prevented this years ago. But I'm afraid it's something that will involve you."

"That's okay," Song Luli told him. She wanted to speak with Long Huojin to assure him about how much she was willing to go to lengths and miles with Long Jie, and Long Jie vowed not to leave her behind—or keep anything from her anymore.

Song Luli grasped one of Long Huojin's bruised hands gently. "I love your son. Therefore, I will do anything to protect him. But I want to know is there any hope that we can get through this?" she asked him. Song Luli needed to know. Long Jie had already told her everything he knew, and they've discussed plans to their discretion, not mentioning it to the others. This was their battle, and she wanted to minimize the casualties.

Long Huojin looked at her grim-faced. "There's a look in your eyes," he said, staring at her with his calculating pale-blue ones. "You plan not to get any help; you two will be risking your lives."

"I already spoke with Long Jie," Song Luli replied. "We have a plan. But if it doesn't work, then yes, we'll lose. But at least it's only two of us; we'll surrender. No one else needs to be involved; no one else needs to get hurt."

Long Huojin shook his head. "You don't understand," he told her. "This is not just about the Long's. It also involves the Su's and Song's."

Song Luli's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?" she asked him.

A nurse then stepped in, interrupting them. "Sorry, Miss. I need to check up on the patient alone," she told her.

Song Luli nodded. She rose, stepping out of the room. Her eyes were unfocused; her heart, unsteady. What did this have to do with her family?