Chapter 97 - 23 18+

Long Jie parked the car in a vast space. There were no people around, and everything looked deserted. Some of the stalls weren't open.

"Where is the place we're going?" Song Luli聽asked.

"It's here," replied Long Jie.

"A parking lot?" Song Luli questioned, though even if it were a date on a parking lot, just spending time with him was enough.

Long Jie took her hand, guiding her without saying a word.

The parking lot was bigger than a football field; interesting, Song Luli thought. As they kept walking, Song Luli noticed that some parts of the area looked familiar. The lamp posts were unique, the flowers have yet to bloom fully, but the buds were arranged in maze patterns on the outer edges of the parking lot, away from the entrance.

Long Jie was unusually silent; he would begin to ask her if she had any troubles at work, if there is any good news related to the film, or if there was anything on her mind. But, instead, he kept leading her. As they continued walking, she noticed paper lanterns in the streets lit up, a few at a time like LED lights.

It was leading them somewhere in the dark that she hadn't noticed. In the end, there were a few small pavilions, finely decorated with curtains to conceal it.

Long Jie pushed the flaps of the entrance aside. Inside, there was a carpet on the ground; a small table stood in front of a longer one. The longer table had desserts and snacks, and Song Luli was amazed by all of it. "Did you make these?" Song Luli questioned.

Long Jie glanced at her shyly. "I went to my mother's house, and she taught me," he told her. There were also scented candles that lit the room, mixing the sweet and flowery fragrances.

"What's all of this for?" she asked curiously, her eyes sparkling.

Long Jie stepped closer, brushing his hand over her palm. "Happy birthday, Luli," he told her softly.

Song Luli's eyes widened. "How?" she questioned. She didn't remember telling him as she felt it wasn't necessary. She didn't like聽to celebrate them anymore.

Long Jie grinned. "I knew since we registered for marriage," he said. Song Luli looked around the entire pavilion; each detail seemed to have come from the heart.

"This is the same place they hosted that festival years ago," Long Jie continued.

It wasn't summer, but Song Luli knew that he must have tried to re-create some of that night for this time of year.

"Is this why you were late for dinner?" she asked with a smile.

"Hm," he answered.

Song Luli's heart began to pound fiercely. She glanced at him, not tearing her eyes away. Long Jie could see her expression yield with desire. He expected them to have a nice dinner right away, not anticipating Song Luli to clash her lips against his. He responded promptly, without hesitation.

"I want you in me," she whispered against his mouth.

Long Jie's eyes blazed. His body heated聽up. "Right now?" he asked breathlessly in equal anticipation. Song Luli nodded.

He kissed her, picking her up to sit on the smaller table. Thankfully, he hadn't set up any of the utensils. He unzipped his pants, quickly sliding her underwear from the聽pencil skirt she wore. He entered hastily, surprised by the ease of her core sucking him in. He held her legs on each side of his waist, penetrating deep, rocking his hips.

When they finished, Song Luli adjusted her dishevelled clothing, and Long Jie zipped his pants, fastening his belt. He never had a quickie before, but it was surely satisfying, and nothing more could be done until the end of the night.

Song Luli noticed he was having trouble tightening his tie, so she jumped off the table to help him knowing she was the one who pulled it loose.

They then sat down on each end of the table, collecting their breaths. And based on their composure, it seemed as if they hadn't done anything.

"I should have arranged something like this months ago," Long Jie whispered to himself in amazement.

Song Luli overheard what he said, rolling her eyes playfully.

Long Jie chuckled before he stood up, setting the table with utensils, providing her with a small meal. The desserts were the main course.

Afterwards, he offered her strawberry cake, mooncakes, yuanxiao, and chocolate-covered fruits.

Song Luli tasted each dessert, thoroughly enjoying them.

"How long did it take you to do this?" Song Luli asked, her fingers covered in chocolate.

"All day," Long Jie answered.

"What about work?" she questioned. She didn't want to feel like a nuisance.

"I've caught up with everything yesterday, making some time for today."

Song Luli flushed, wearing a small smile."Why did you do all this?" she asked curiously.

"You haven't been yourself lately," he responded. "And I feel like it's my fault鈥?#34;

"No!" Song Luli responded, taking his hand.聽"It's not your fault, Long Jie. It can't ever be your fault."

The conversation turned around unexpectedly. But it was true. Song Luli hadn't been herself; she felt like she was trying to crawl out of her skin. And it wasn't fair to him that she kept quiet. The conversation she had with his father wrapped around her mind in loops, and she couldn't help it. 'This isn't just about the Longs.'

Song Luli smiled at Long Jie. She wasn't one to share her feelings, to express them loudly. She only kept things to herself, processed things differently so that she could carry the burden alone. But it was time to tell him what's on her mind.

"I'm scared," she admitted.

Long Jie widened his eyes. He looked at her, worryingly, "What's on your mind?"

"Xun," she began to say, biting her lip. "Just thinking about them makes me tremble, and I feel so weak," she spoke with a soft, quivering voice.

"You're not weak," assured Long Jie. "It's normal to be afraid. I would be lying if I said I wasn't terrified of them, too."

"Xun is fucking horrifying," admitted Song Luli. "I've heard stories about them. We wouldn't have walked away if we weren't who were are. Imagine five elites found dead in a warehouse. That would have brought a lot of public attention, even Xun Yaozu is not that stupid," Song Luli paused. "But, that's not it. Xun Yaozu was only instructed to target Long Huojin, meaning that it's not going to be over. They're coming, but when they take action is something we do not know."

"Luli鈥?#34; interrupted Long Jie.

"Xun is powerful, imagine his boss," Song Luli cut in.

"You know what we must do," Long Jie replied.

Song Luli nodded. "Strike him before he releases the hounds." And they weren't talking about Xun Yaozu.

Long Jie聽glanced at her. And that was what Song Luli was afraid of. Xun Yaozu was the leader of the organization, but there was a head, a higher power. And that's the one they needed to take down. But she was only afraid that when it came to it, she may not have the courage.

Long Jie took her other hand, grasping both. "We'll win," he told her.

Song Luli smiled. "I'm sorry for ruining my birthday," she said, feeling heavy.

Long Jie shook his head. "Don't be sorry, we still have the rest of the night, and I hope that it could make you feel better."

Song Luli smiled. "This is already enough for me," she said.