Chapter 30 - Meetings

In the morning, Su Xiang heard the faint rumbling of a train pass by. In the bed, she felt warm, toasty. She had cuddled against Su Chen's body unknowingly, though she didn't overthink about it as she slipped from the bed, yawning. He was still sleeping, so she entered the washroom, washing her face. She could change at the hospital, lending a fresh pair of scrubs. And now that she thought about it, how did Su Chen know where she was last night?

Su Xiang shook her head, going towards the kitchen, opening the fridge. There was nothing much to eat, so she picked up some eggs and spinach. Near the pantry, she found some ripe avocados and tomato and added it onto some toast.

Su Chen came down yawning, with his dark hair tousled; his pants hung loosely around his waist, lazily. Su Xiang casually passed him some food, as he sat down and ate.

"Thank you for letting me stay," she said to him.

Su Chen's green eyes settled on her. He then chuckled shortly. Su Xiang puffed her cheeks, feeling as if he was making fun of her.

When he calmed down, Su Chen said, "You can stay here anytime you like. If you want."

"Eh?" Su Xiang said. "But I feel like this place is for yourself."

Su Chen arched a brow and shrugged. "I'm not here all the time. Some nights I'm at the house, or I'm in another city. This place is convenient whenever I feel like sleeping in-between visits."

"Are you sure?" Su Xiang asked, wanting confirmation. Indeed, the apartment was close to both the companies and the hospital. It was at the core of the city, and the view from out the windows were complexes of tall hotels, buildings, entertainment, companies, apartments, and more.

The main house was not close to where they worked, because her parents preferred to stay somewhere private with acres of land. As children, it was fun for her to explore a vast green space; now, it required her to travel or commute longer to get to and from work. Also, it was startling for her whenever she felt sleep deprived.

"I'm sure," Su Chen said.

Su Xiang smiled. "Thank you," she responded.

After breakfast, Su Xiang went back to the hospital to complete a shorter shift.

Su Chen, on the other hand, went straight to Sun Group. He arrived formally dressed, greeting some of the workers, on his way to speak with some executives. He did not expect to receive a visit from his father.

His father, Su Feng, stood up when he entered, approaching him. "Chen, may I speak to you after the meeting?" he asked.

Su Chen nodded, "Of course."

It must be something important, he though. Su Feng overlooked the management of the company, including Su Chen, despite being in a higher position than his own father.

The meetings took place, discussing the progress of the clinical trials they used for patients at the hospital. When the other members of the team left, Su Chen approached his father after packing up some of the reports.

He sat in front of him by a long table.

"What's wrong?" Su Chen asked.

His father grinned. "Nothing is wrong," he began, "I haven't seen you lately, and I feel as if we need to have an important discussion."

"All right," Su Chen responded, though he wasn't sure what the conversation would gear towards.

Su Feng ran a hand through his golden locks, giving out a long sigh.

"I don't know how to talk to you about this," he began, "but I feel as if you are not the type of person to be romantically involved with anyone."

Su Chen thought about it. Why does he care?

"You're right," he answered. It was the truth to some degree. "But why do you want to know?" he asked him.

Su Feng sighed. "I know you do not want to think about succession at the moment. But I want you to think about considering a marriage meeting. You're almost twenty-nine years old, and you still have time, hell, you can get married at 50. But, if you are someone that does not want to get romantically involved, then consider getting married now, just like your cousin, Luli."

Su Chen registered his father's words.

Song Luli married Long Jie for business, and when he received the news from Su Xiang, he could already see the power the two held together. Neither overshadowed the other, and it benefited them in many ways.

"Your mother and I were engaged because of business," Su Feng chimed through his thoughts.

"You already liked mother before the arrangement was brought up," Su Chen retorted.

His father's cheeks burned. "Well...the feelings were there, but we didn't exactly get along at first."

Su Chen laughed shortly, but his expression soured.

"I'm not going to force you, but I want you to consider," he said. His father slid an envelope across the table. "This is a list of offers from different families. They all want you, but it's dependent on what you decide."

Su Chen nodded. His father then rose from his seat to pat him on the back. "I'll see you at home for whenever you drop by," he said before leaving the conference room.

Su Chen was left alone to consider. He never thought much about marrying anyone. He figured he would take his time; there was nothing wrong with being single, and for him, there was no rush. But, he felt that there might not be a point in waiting when he knows for certain, he wouldn't be able to find someone that would make him feel as if his stomach dropped whenever she was around him. He wouldn't be able to find someone that would smile in a way that would awaken his desire to capture her lips, sucking them dry.

He figured something was wrong with him as thoughts of Su Xiang entered his mind, so he picked up the letter of potential brides and looked over them.

...

Song Luli had an unexpected visit to her company from Han Ru.

Not even Long Jie had visited her at the office building, and for this man to arrive so abrupt, she only allowed him in to hear what he had to say.

Song Luli dismissed her new business partner, Lan Shufen, from her office, where she waited for Han Ru to arrive from the elevator, escorted into the room.

He popped in, closing the door behind him. Song Luli sat in a high chair by her desk with clasped hands and narrowed eyes.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Han?" she asked him unwavering.

Han Ru grinned. "You don't have to address me so formally, Song Luli."

"I think that it would be more appropriate to refer to you as Mr. Han," she responded.

"Do you refer to all your friends so formally?" he asked her.

Song Luli held a small smile. "Only acquaintances," she answered.

Han Ru's grin died.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a voice that neither sounded harsh or gentle.

"I am Long Jie's financial advisor, and I am his friend. I should look after you, too, as a business partner, should you need it."

Song Luli assessed him. "I don't know if I need a new partner," she answered him.

Han Ru stood up, placing a business card on her desk. "Luli, know that I would like to have you as a friend, for the sake of Long Jie, and my sake."

For Long Jie, Song Luli thought.

Indeed. Perhaps Song Luli should put up with Han Ru if he was that important to Lone Jie. She would want Long Jie to like Su Xiang and her sister; she would want him to like her friends, too.

"All right," she said to Han Ru.

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