Chapter 96 - Moving On

At the apartment, Xun Zichen told Su Xiang every word her mother mentioned. Su Xiang clung to him as they embraced. They were both taking the time to absorb the information before them in comfortable silence. Song Ren and Su Feng accepted them, but that would not fix the problems that lie ahead.

"For now," Su Xiang began, "we will live out our lives, normally. We'll take one step at a time. I need you Zichen, and if that means we have to hide this from everyone else, then so be it."

Xun Zichen nodded, agreeing. After hearing Song Ren's side of the story, he realized he wanted nothing to do with Xun. There was no one from the organization that he could trust; there was no one left to welcome him with open arms. The ones that might have cared for him were dead.

He was obsessed with finding out more about his family—hoping that they weren't everything from the rumours he heard. He hoped that it would be an excuse to leave the Su family and finally court Su Xiang publicly. But, coming out as Xun Zichen would be courting death—asking for it.

"All right," Xun Zichen replied. It stunned Su Xiang; she thought he would have protested against it.

"I don't mind being a secret," she assured him, placing her chin on his shoulder. "The important thing is that we're together, and it's a relief my parents know about it. It makes it easier than you know."

Xun Zichen gave out a small smile. He pecked her forehead. "This is not the life I want to give you, and you deserve better," he told her.

Su Xiang shook her head, pulling him in for a kiss on the lips. "I'd rather have you in it than not at all."

…

Song Luli went back to work. Production went on without her, under Lan Shufen's supervision during the days she was off. There were some scenes left to film, but Han Ru urged them to begin promoting the film in advance to build up anticipation for it.

As much as Song Luli initially resented the fact that she had to work with him, it changed after realizing he was quite the businessman. He made strategic choices that would benefit them all after post-production. He was a planner, a great one.

Thus, this all required a pre-screening party, inviting many people within the film industry to expose their new movie. No one wanted to work with her before, but she will prove them to regret that decision.

"Are you okay, Luli?" asked Lan Shufen, breaking her from her dazed thoughts.

Song Luli mustered a smile, "I'm fine," she assured Lan Shufen. Lan Shufen didn't know anything about the events going on, and Song Luli didn't have time to explain. She also couldn't admit that though things are fine, she still felt the dread of facing the imminent encounter soon. But for now, she will live her life, and that's all she needed to do.

After work, Song Luli went to the gym without Long Jie. He told her ahead of time that he would be returning home late due to some work at the company.

She practiced her punches and worked on strengthening her core muscles.

Swing. Hook. Jab. Kick. Repeat.

Last time, she nearly froze when confronted with people to fight face-to-face. If Long Jie didn't take one of them down, she wouldn't have had the courage to take out the other attacker. But next time, there was no time for hesitation, as every situation is different.

Song Luli worked up a sweat, trying to calm her breathing. She practiced for the sake of exercising, but it more to vent out her frustrations. When she had that conversation with Long Huojin, she couldn't help but absorb that fear, knowing it wasn't just Long Jie that she needed to protect.

After she finished, Song Luli headed home. She hopped into the shower, standing under the water, letting it wash away everything she felt. She scrubbed her entire body, washing her hair. She rinsed and stepped from the shower, wrapping a towel around her body.

She approached the mirror, clearing the fog with her hand. She glanced at her steam-flushed face refection, looking at her hair, wet and wavy, stopping at her breasts. It had been almost a year since she married Long Jie, and she thought of how things have changed since then. But there wasn't a single moment of regret. Just thinking of him made her feel happy.

Song Luli wrapped her hair in a towel before stepping in her closet to change. She put on the necklace Long Jie gave her as the last piece to wear. She looked at it, feeling a slight weight around on her chest. Song Luli then heard someone enter the master bedroom. She sprinted out of the closet, finding Long Jie.

He smiled when he saw her. Song Luli dashed toward him, embracing him tightly.

"It's been 10 hours since I saw you, and yet, you act as if it's been days," he told her. Song Luli glanced up at him, with her arms circled his waist. "It doesn't matter how long; I miss you every waking moment."

Long Jie pinched her nose. "What a lovely confession," he told her. Song Luli flushed.

"Sorry I couldn't make dinner; I know tonight was my turn," she said.

"How about we go out?" he suggested.

Song Luli's eyes glinted. "Really?" she questioned.

"Yes," he replied. "It's been a while since we have done something special, though I never minded our work dates and staying at home."

Song Luli smiled. "Me neither, but you're right. A change once in a while isn't so bad."

Long Jie then went to grab one of her coats from the closet, helping her slip it on. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," he responded.

Song Luli followed him to the car, fastening her seatbelt. He drove with one hand, the other interlaced with hers.

On the way, she received a message from Han Ru: 'All preparations for the pre-screening party is complete.'