Kapitel 59: Annual Party
Song Luli resumed her daily routine by going to work.
At the office, Lan Shufen was working on her desk with his legs folded on her chair. Song Luli walked in, and his concentrated expression brightened when he saw her. "You're back!" he said.
Song Luli released a breathy laugh. "You're on my seat again," she scolded gently.
Lan Shufen's lips curled. "You left for three days, and my office is small."
"You don't have an office," Song Luli reminded him.
"Yeah, I know. I meant my bedroom," Lan Shufen replied.
Song Luli chuckled.
Lan Shufen then moved over to the seat in front of her desk.
"Lan Shufen. I want to talk to you about something serious," Song Luli announced.
Lan Shufen stiffened. He tucked his round glasses against the bridge of his nose, preparing for what Song Luli had to tell him.
Song Luli looked at him with a neutral expression. But it wasn't different from how she usually looked at him.
"I want to offer you a permanent position as an Editor and Screenwriter for Song Entertainment."
Lan Shufen's mouth hung open. "What?" he asked.
Song Luli smiled. "I want to offer you a permanent position," she repeated. "You will represent this company, and you'll get an office, of course."
Lan Shufen couldn't believe it. His eyes brimmed with tears, and it slipped down his face.
Song Luli was taken aback. "Are you crying?"
Lan Shufen wiped his welling eyes, "Yes," he said. He couldn't believe that Song Luli would offer him a position to stay. He worked hard in school to get to where he needed to be. And he knew that it would be difficult to get into the Entertainment Industry and industry was cruel, never taking beginners seriously. He only wished he didn't keep this small secret from her—a secret that won't cause her harm, but one that concealed part of his identity.
He felt guilty for keeping it from her.
"Thank you, Luli," Lan Shufen replied to her happily.
...
Su Xiang purchased a carton of strawberry milk from a vending machine. She released a breath, exhausted from the hours of working and the restless nights she had, thinking about Su Chen.
There was no reason for her to be thinking about him, even if she was worried. He was a grown man who could make his own choices.
Su Xiang decided to check up on the patient to report on his progress. Therefore, she did some short examinations, comparing them to the day and week before. The improvement was subtle, and not much, but still, it was better than nothing.
"If you feel like the symptoms are still intense, let me know. I can change your medication right away," Su Xiang said to him.
The patient nodded, "Thank you, Dr. Su."
Su Xiang smiled. She wasn't a doctor yet, almost, she was nearing graduation. But she didn't feel like correcting him.
After the daily check-up, Su Xiang emailed Su Chen the report of the patient. She then signed out of the hospital, heading home.
That night was the annual banquet for the hospital staff, as well as employees at the company. Her parents will be hosting, thanking everyone for their hard work and services over the year. There will be food, games, prizes, and a near-endless supply of drinks.
Typically, she felt excited about this type of event. But it was slightly dull that last few years since Su Chen hadn't gone, as he worked hard to graduate from Medical school. But this time she would see him. And as much as she would like to avoid him, she couldn't.
They were both Su's, but in reality, she couldn't bear not seeing him again either.
She went straight home after her shift, taking one of her formal gowns, slipping it on after she put on makeup.
Her parents waited for her in the living room. Her mother, Song Ren, still looked young and beautiful with her jet-black hair, straight and long to her waist. She wore black, outlining the gold in her eyes, whereas Su Xiang wore a light lavender dress.
Her father then drove them to the large hall, and since they were the hosts, the spotlight was onto them from the entrance to the inner room of the banquet. Many people greeted them as they walked by.
Su Chen was already waiting in the middle of the hall, causing Su Xiang to halt for a moment. He was wearing a crisp matte-black suit, complementing it with his sleek black hair, and the black rings he wore on his knuckles. He was breathtakingly handsome.
But next to him standing was Yu Haoran.
Since she was his fiancée, she had to be with them, representing the Su family. The five of them stood on a platform, where she stood next to Yu Haoran. Yu Haoran locked arms with Su Chen, holding a polite smile as people walked by.
Afterward, the five of them sat on a round table with a few other important guests. Su Xiang spoke with Cheif of Surgery, talking about some improvements they could make at the hospital, such as obtaining more adequate supplies and efficient routines.
Su Chen then approached a podium, alone, to introduce the banquet.
"Hello," he greeted.
The audience greeted back.
"Thank you for coming. It has been a special tradition that we do this every year since my parents combined Sun Group and Song Pharmaceuticals around...I won't say how long otherwise my mother will pull my ears," he said. There was laughter.
"But what truly makes this evening special is how we can all come together once a year for us to express our gratitude towards those who not only work for the company but serve our citizens according to ethical and moral practices," he paused.
"It's not easy working as physicians, nurses, secretaries, and anything in between. Each job is difficult. Sometimes we see things that others cannot fathom. Sometimes we keep things to ourselves—secrets; memories—because we cannot share it with our families so that they won't worry about how difficult our jobs are." Su Chen locked eyes with Su Xiang.
"What's essential is that we do the job we do because we love it anyway. We are the heroes of our story, and at the end of the day, we go home to our friends, families, friends...or lovers, and they'll know we've worked hard, that we've tried our best. I just want to say a good job to you all and enjoy your evening."
The audience clapped as Su Chen stepped from the platform. Waiting for him at the end was Yu Haoran. She locked arms with him.
Su Xiang didn't clap, sucking in a sharp breath, exhaling deeply.
"What's wrong, darling?" her mother's clapping faded as she asked her.
Su Xiang put on a fake smile. "Nothing," she answered.
Her mother narrowed her eyes, observing her curiously. "You can't lie to me, Xiang."
Su Xiang frowned. Her mother was the most observant person ever. "Chen's speech got to me. But don't tell him, it will be embarrassing because he won't let it go," she lied.
Song Ren smiled. "You always admired him, Xi. I'm glad that you two work so hard together, your father, and I trust you two to take over."
"I'm not sure if we will work together as much as you and father," Su Xiang said.
Her mother frowned, "Chen loves you, Xiang. Remember that."
Su Xiang's eyes widened for a moment. But her mother's interpretation of love would be familial love, not any other way. She smiled at her mother. "I know," Su Xiang answered softly. "I love him, too."
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein