Chapitre 65: Have We Met Before? (1)

Song Luli put her work on the market; the pitch became public, but not the entire screenplay.

Within a few days, she received phone calls from executive producers that were not only interested in the screenplay but interested in working with her, too. Happy, Song Luli decided to meet with the highest bidder first to discuss how they could proceed with the film.

She decided to meet with the producer at one of her studios. When her assistant entered with the person who she was meeting with, her face fell. It was Han Ru.

Han Ru sat across her, his brown eyes assessed her expression, and he smiled. "You look disappointed," Han Ru said to her.

Song Luli looked at him blankly. "You used a different name," she accused.

"You wouldn't have met with me otherwise," Han Ru told her.

Song Luli crossed her hands together, leaning forward. "And why would you think that?" she asked sarcastically.

"Luli," Han Ru said seriously. "I'm sorry...for everything. You should know that I was a jerk."

Han Ru was genuine, bowing his head down in shame.

Song Luli straightened.

"If I could take back what happened, I would..." he continued.

Song Luli crossed her arms, sighing. "It's in the past. But, to be frank, I don't care anymore. And I'm with Long Jie now, so it doesn't matter if we're friends or not," she admitted.

Han Ru nodded, smiling slightly. "Can we be friends? All I want is to be friends with both you and Jie. He's like a brother to me," he said.

Song Luli glanced at him, considering it. She supposed there was no harm in befriending him. The past was the past, and that was it.

"All right," said Song Luli.

"I want to help you," Han Ru admitted with sincerity in his tone. "Let me produce your film."

"I have to consider it," Song Luli said. "But for now, let's talk about what you could offer before I make a decision."

Han Ru smiled. "All right," he said.

...

-- SIX YEARS AGO --

It was near the end of the school term. Song Luli felt excited that summer was going to begin, but she felt as if she had done nothing productive all year, aside from studying.

All she did was visit the library during most evenings, not living to any social experiences as her older sister had before she graduated.

Her twin was heavily into sports, and he was the eye-candy for most girls in school, causing Song Luli's eyes to roll. Song Zhen fit well with any social group, whereas she couldn't fit in at all. But it didn't matter. They were meant to be different.

On her way home from the library, she passed the school courtyard, catching sight of Han Ru, amongst the other seniors, walking back from the track.

Han Ru's brown locks caressed by the wind, and his broad smile gleamed. Song Luli blushed, glancing away. She had her sights on Han Ru ever since they worked together on a trivia competition. He was kind and smart, memorable. But he was more into her sister from the rumours she heard.

Song Luli went home that evening, finding Su Xiang in Song Meiling's room, speaking to her sister. They were both reading magazines when Song Luli walked in.

"Luli! Did you finish studying?" asked Su Xiang.

"Mhm, yes," she said. "For the day, at least."

Su Xiang smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" Song Luli asked.

Su Xiang and Song Meiling looked at each other and giggled, causing Song Luli to feel puzzled. They both jumped out of bed, taking her arms. They made her sit on a stool in front of a vanity.

They loosened her braids, letting her long hair flow like soft waves cascading past her shoulders. They replaced her glasses with eye contacts, and they put on black eye shadow on her lids, forming bold, feline wings. They replaced her school uniform with black leather clothes.

When Song Luli glanced at herself in the mirror, her eyes widened, and she almost couldn't recognize herself.

Su Xiang placed her chin over her shoulder, looking into the mirror with her. "You look hotter than Meiling," she said.

Song Meiling rolled her eyes. "I won't take offense to that," she said.

Song Luli turned her head slightly, looking at both of them. "What is this for?" she asked.

"We got invited to Han Ru's birthday party. Everyone will be there, and you have to come with us."

"Eh?" Song, Luli replied. "But I wasn't invited and I'm his Junior."

Su Xiang thought about it for a moment. "We'll tell him you're our cousin, Lexi. A girl from out of town that we have to take with us everywhere."

Song Luli frowned. "I don't know about this."

"Come on, Luli. This may be your only chance. I am graduating soon."

Song Luli released a breath, looking at herself in the mirror once more. "All right," she said reluctantly.

Su Xiang squealed. She then went to change with Song Meiling, getting ready to leave the house.

After they finished, the three of them went to the party. At the front, security did not question who they were, allowing them in right away when other people were waiting in line before them.

Indoors, Song Luli observed the entire house, packed with chandelier lighting and people. Her eyes flew open in astonishment at the live music and people who drank and smoked.

Song Meiling found herself a boy to speak to, and Song Luli attached herself to Su Xiang's hip for most of the night. After three hours, Song Luli felt bored and began to wander away, exploring the house and people.

Many were piss-drunk, and others made out as if no one was watching. Song Luli felt like she didn't fit in with the atmosphere.

She went outside, towards the balcony, to take a breath of fresh air, wondering if something was wrong with her.

She released a deep breath.

"That was one heavy sigh," a man said from the corner by one of the pillars. Song Luli didn't see him, but it was dark and low-lit. He lit a cigarette that stood between his lips, stepping closer.

The outdoor lamplight didn't give her much to see with, but from her view, he had a head of black hair and pale-blue eyes. And he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen.