Song Luli found Long Jie in Long Yat-sen's room. She smiled as she watched her husband cradle their boy in his arms, soothing him to sleep.
There was something attractive about husbands and babies together, Song Luli thought.
Long Jie then gently placed their son in his crib, and then he turned around to see her, quickly taking her hand to slip out of the room quietly. Outside the room, they looked at each other and chuckled.
It had been a game of theirs to see how fast and quietly they can slip in out of the room without disturbing their son's sleep. He was only two months old, and he consumed their time and energy, but they made the most of it.
Long Jie tucked Song Luli against him, nuzzling his face over her neck. He remembered how she looked when her belly swelled and when she waddled to walk, depending on him to put on her shoes.
There were days were Song Luli made him run to the market, to get her most absurd cravings, and he thought it was worth it, every moment.
When she gave birth, he cried with her the moment they got to see their newborn son.
Now, they were adjusting to restless nights, inconsistent schedules, sneaking in couple time. But it was interesting to see how they managed to get so far together in their relationship.
Long Jie stole a kiss from her; he then moved down to her shoulders, causing her to shudder. "Xiang is coming to pick me up in five minutes," Song Luli warned him. Long Jie didn't care, still taking his time to express his desire for her.
Song Luli chuckled. She then kissed him on the mouth. "Love you," she said, as she snuck from his grasp, taking her purse. He waved at her, and she ran outside, where Xiang was waiting for her in the car.
"How's the baby?" Su Xiang asked as she sped off.
Song Luli smiled. "He's well."
"How are YOU?" she questioned, quickly glancing at her. Song Luli exhaled deeply. "Tired. But I'm very happy," she said, wrinkling her nose at Su Xiang.
Su Xiang smiled. "Good," she replied. "Thank you for coming with me."
"I'm happy to go," Song Luli told her, excited.
Song Luli was accompanying Su Xiang to do some bridal shopping. Su Xiang and Xun Zichen took their time with wedding preparations, considering how they received new positions at the hospital that required more work and longer hours.
At the shopping mall, they went to pick up the dresses for the bridesmaids, some supplies for the decorations Su Xiang wanted to hand-craft. As they were leaving, Su Xiang stumbled upon a lingerie store, slightly blushing.
Song Luli paused with her, looking at the beautiful sets of lace underwear and bralettes.
"I want to go in there," Su Xiang said to her.
"Let's go," Song Luli replied without hesitation.
They both stepped in, roaming the entrance of the store, gearing towards the area where they sold transparent nightgowns, chemises and feathery robes, adorning the underwear.
Song Luli wasn't one to buy fancy lingerie, but it wouldn't hurt to purchase new bralettes. She gazed at the sections and found a pyjama set where the bottom piece can open and close with a button. These would be great for quickies, Song Luli thought. She then quickly stuffed it in her shopping basket, gazing around the store again.
She circled then the store, catching up to Su Xiang.
"I want to try this chemise!" Su Xiang told her.
"Let's go to the change rooms," Song Luli replied. "I need to try on some new things I found."
A store associate then helped them to the change rooms, and they both quickly tried on their clothes, satisfied with how they looked.
Su Xiang and Song Luli both stepped out at the same time, asking the other how they appeared.
A woman then suddenly stepped down the hall from one of the change rooms. Su Xiang and Song Luli glanced at each other astonished. She was tall with dark-hair that ended at her hips. She wore a lacy-red corset with matching suspender bottoms. She looked at herself in the mirror, gazing at herself with confidence and grace.
The woman who was appreciating herself in the mirror smiled at her reflection, colliding with their curious gazes. She then turned around, stopping in front of them.
Song Luli gazed up at her. "How tall are you?" she found herself asking, not knowing why. Song Luli felt like a dumpling compared to her.
"I'm 6'0 in heels. 5'10 without them," the woman replied. She then looked at her, placing a hand over her delicate chin. "I think the white bodysuit will compliment you well." She then turned around to Su Xiang, "the black set will look better on you. Attempt to contrast your lingerie with the colour of your hair; you would look your best."
"It's for my wedding night," Su Xiang replied. "Shouldn't it be white?"
The woman then smiled. She went to grab a different set from the store and said, "here. It's white, and it would surely satisfy your husband."
Su Xiang blushed. It was a mesh brash that would reveal her nipples and a suspender bottom piece that looked similar to what the woman was wearing. It was the most extraordinary thing she'd ever seen; it was daring and different, simple yet sexy, and she wanted to look her best for Xun Zichen.
Su Xiang glanced at Song Luli briefly. 'What the fuck?' Su Xiang mouthed at her, about the woman's beauty.
'I know. I'm jealous,' Song Luli mouthed back.
"Thank you," they both replied to the red woman simultaneously, returning to the change room. After they finished, they went to the store associate to get it wrapped up.
They were waiting behind the woman from earlier, who had changed back into a business suit, making her look more refined than before.
"Here you go, Miss Shi," said the store associate to the woman in front of them.
Su Xiang and Song Luli then stepped next in line, quickly purchasing their new lingerie. Su Xiang then stumbled upon more stores that sold lovely decorations, and Song Luli joined her willingly.
In the evening, Su Xiang dropped her off.
"See you at the wedding!" Song Luli told her right before closing the car door.
She then stepped back into the house, finding Long Jie sleeping on the couch. She then ran up the stairs, changing into her new clothes, wanting to wake up her husband with a wonderful surprise and show.