Chapter 55 - Road Trip (2)

Long Jie woke up before Song Luli. He pushed the curtains by the window aside. The sun had peaked, and fog floated above the surface of the riverbanks nearby.

He turned to see Song Luli sprawled on the bed; her hair framed her face, covering her eyes.

Since they got married, her hair had grown past her shoulders, down to her chest. Her bangs swept above her eyes, and though they were subtle changes, nothing about her beauty changed. She was still that young woman that waited for him in one of the rooms of his old home, some of which he had previous matches leave because they thought it was disrespectful to let them wait, but Song Luli persisted.

He went over to her side of the bed, waking her up early. Song Luli slowly opened her dazed eyes. She then flipped over, wanting more sleep.

Long Jie rubbed her back, trying to wake her. "I want you to come with me to my meetings," he said.

Song Luli sat up instantly with shimmering eyes. She then jumped out of bed, changing into the clothes she packed. She wore a white blouse with a grey blazer and grey pants. Long Jie wore a suit in the same colour as hers.

He then drove them into the city towards a standard-sized office building, nothing as grand as Long Group's main office, but Song Luli expected that.

Inside, some people were already waiting in a meeting room, and a woman with honey-brown hair stood up, greeting Long Jie with a cheerful smile on her face.

"Hello, Mr. Long," she said kindly.

Long Jie offered a short nod. "Miss Mao," he began, "This is my wife, Luli."

Song Luli smiled briefly; the woman appeared to be stunned with shock, as she slowly raised her hand, shaking Song Luli's hand with a firm grip and a forced smile. Song Luli titled her head slightly, observing the woman. She appeared to be a few years older than her, beautiful and delicate in her facial features. Just who is this woman? Song Luli thought for a moment.

Miss Mao composed herself quickly, "Mr. Long, let me take you to your seat."

"All right," Long Jie answered. He glanced at Song Luli to follow him. Miss Mao then paused to say, "Mrs. Long, the waiting room is outside; this meeting won't take long."

Song Luli narrowed her eyes, taken aback, but she didn't say anything.

"My wife will be joining us," Long Jie said bluntly.

"Oh?" said Miss Mao. She then smiled again, and Song Luli inwardly rolled her eyes. Long Jie walked ahead of them when Miss Mao stopped her.

"Apologies, Mrs. Long, we usually only allow those who have the qualifications meeting company standards to participate in the meeting," she said.

Song Luli faced her blankly. "Perhaps you should focus on following orders," she said to her.

Miss Mao took a deep breath, fake smiling again. She turned her heel without saying another word.

Song Luli found Long Jie sitting on a high chair. When he saw her, Long Jie gestured her to sit on the one next to him, identical to his, like twin thrones. Song Luli sat down near him. It felt strange for her to be in a different atmosphere; his business had other companies and large groups of people depending on his work.

The meeting began with Miss Mao displaying a presentation on the company reports of sales, project planning, and collaborations with smaller businesses to keep the locals employed.

Song Luli paid attention to every detail and was rather impressed by Miss Mao's efforts. The woman then guided them and the other members for a short tour of the progress they made on the outskirts of the city.

Long Jie explained to Song Luli that they were working on a new, more efficient prototype to filter water. He was also looking to protect some of the communities nearby from his competitors.

Song Luli listened to everything he said in awe; Long Jie was truly pristine, though he never showed it off.

After the tour was over, Long Jie went to speak with the woman from earlier. Song Luli followed behind them, gazing around the areas, noticing markets, lodges, and food stands. She stopped to speak to some of the locals, falling behind.

A little girl offered Song Luli a necklace of seashells, and it made her feel warm. She snuck some money in the little girl's pocket without her knowing. The girl's mother stepped to her side before she left.

"I've never seen you before," the woman said.

"Do you know Mr. Long?" Song Luli asked her.

"Yes. Mr. Long visits every year. But this year, more so often," she replied.

"I see," Song Luli said.

"Do you work for Long Group?" the woman asked curiously, making some time for conversation.

Song Luli smiled briefly. "I suppose I am associated with Long Group, but I am Long Jie's wife."

The girl's mother appeared stunned. "Oh, I thought--" she began and stopped herself. The woman smiled again, "I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Long."

"Thank you; I have been enjoying my stay here," Song Luli responded.

"I am sure," the lady responded. "Your husband has cared more for our communities than other business strategists."

Song Luli's lips parted open; the wind caressed the fringes of her hair. "Really?" she asked astonishingly.

"Oh, yes. Long Group supports our agriculture. He's purchased many of the lands in this region so that other businesses won't. We work for him, but he lets us run things the way we want to," she said.

Song Luli turned to glance at Long Jie, who was far from earshot. He was still observing some things, but he had a concentrated expression. Even with her around, he worked hard, distinguishing the difference between professionalism and personal life.

That's what made him more attractive.

Song Luli parted with the woman and her daughter, running after Long Jie and the others. He paused to glance at her, arching a brow at the necklace of seashells she had around her neck.

In front of the others, Long Jie picked up the hand-crafted necklace, tracing the lines of each shell, almost affectionately. Song Luli felt suddenly shy because others were around, and though all he did was hold her jewelry, his expression told that he cared about her.

Miss Mao watched them awkwardly. It was strange, to her, that the man with the blazing ice-blue eyes and aloof expression would be married--and to someone, she's never heard of before at that.