Capítulo 35: Do you want to be my___?

After the afternoon nap, Song Luli woke up alone. On the other side of the bed, the spot next to her had gone cold. She then rose out of bed, placing her slippers on, searching for Long Jie.

She found him talking over the phone in a low whisper, and she wasn't sure if he was afraid of being loud, or he was worried about being overheard.

He hung up the call; his expression was grim and austere as he turned to face her. She had never seen that expression before, one that was so vulnerable.

"Is everything all right?" she asked him.

Long Jie walked towards the sofa, sitting on it as he placed his elbow over his knees and hung his head low. He shook his head. Song Luli was puzzled. Should she comfort him? Would he let her?

Song Luli approached him slowly, taking careful steps. She wanted to read his expression. She tried to determine whether his body language was opened or closed, whether he would let her in. He was neutral throughout, so Song Luli sat next to him.

Her lips thinned when she asked, "Do you mind telling me?"

Long Jie faced her, offering a small, brief smile. "I received news that the members of the board want to pull out from my project."

Song Luli's eyes widened, her eyebrows knitted. She knew how much the project meant to him.

"I don't understand?" she began to say, "Didn't they approve the other day?"

Long Jie nodded. "Yes, and now they want out."

"Did they give you a solid reason?"

"It's too big of a risk for them," he responded.

Song Luli shook her head. She was angry, enraged. How could they pull out of a project like this? She thought about it for a moment longer, clenching her fingers into fists, tight. He knew what risks he was referring to. With something as innovative as this, it would advocate for climate change. Something businesses and corporations did not like to see or hear about.

"What are you going to do?" she asked him.

Long Jie's smile bloomed, though he still looked unsure himself. "I will handle it," he told her.

But unease crept inside Song Luli, and she felt helpless. He noticed and said, "Don't worry." Song Luli smiled grimly, thinking about another solution.

...

The next day, Song Luli took a detour on her way to work.

She drove to a sky-high building in the shape of a tower, parking in the self-serve parking lot. The black tower was transparent for the lower levels, and on the upper half of the building were filled with tinted windows.

Indoors, the air felt cold; people were wearing expensive business suits, carrying briefcases, speed-walking as if they were late for something. It made her feel out of place. At Song Entertainment, everyone was free to wear what they wanted, expressing themselves in different ways. Everyone here seemed more reserved.

At the reception desk, Song Luli asked the woman by the phone, "I would like to see Han Ru," she said.

"Do you have an appointment?" She asked Song Luli.

Song Luli scratched her head, glancing at the business card she held. "Erm...No...Can I book one?" she asked.

"Certainly. The next appointment is in October," the receptionist responded.

"Eh?" Song Luli replied, slightly shocked. "That's two months from now."

"Yes. Our president is a very busy person," the receptionist said.

Song Luli gazed around the lobby, sighing. She decided to go to work with some defeat. She walked back towards the revolving doors when she noticed a man walking through with a small entourage of businessmen and businesswomen that did not stray far from him. One of them spoke as he strode with a strut, ahead of the others.

He stopped at a halt when he saw her; his face appeared to be astounded by shock, not expecting her to stop by. Song Luli wasn't sure if she should approach him or keep walking. Would he be too busy to see her?

However, Han Ru stalked towards her with one hand in his pocket. He paused in front of her when he was close enough, gazing at her, almost unbelieving.

"What brings you to Han Commercial Banking?" he asked her.

"I wanted to speak with you," she said.

Han Ru nodded. "All right then. Follow me."

Song Luli followed him, and his entourage strode slowly behind her. She glanced back at his people, and they were walking with their cellphones in hand, responding to emails or texting—she wasn't sure, but she knew they kept themselves busy even as they walked.

The elevator ride was a long, silent, and awkward. Han Ru had assured her before that for the sake of Long Jie, he was willing to help her. Song Luli wanted to take up his word for it.

They stepped through the elevator when Han Ru dismissed his entourage, and he guided her to a large office. He left the door open, but no one was around the hall to overhear them. He then gestured her to take a seat on one of the lavish couches he had in the room. He then took a spot on the sofa, parallel to her.

"What can I do for you?" he asked her while straightening the lapels of his suit jacket.

"I want to help Long Jie, and I feel like you can help me," she responded.

Han Ru's lips curled. "Does he know you're here?" he asked her smooth and silky, stretching his arms over the headboard of the sofa.

"No," she responded flatly.

Han Ru took a deep breath and exhaled. "What do you need?"

Song Luli locked her eyes with his. She would face him the same way she does with other businessmen during a meeting. "I want you to back up Long Jie on a project," she said to him.

"Me?" Han Ru began. "I run a bank. I have nothing to do with other corporations."

Song Luli smiled. She knows that Han Ru is powerful. Owning a banking operation meant that he influenced the financial stability of the country. That, alone, indicated he has connections with everyone in some form or another.

"I'm sure one word from Han Ru could get Long Jie what he needs," she responded.

Han Ru rose from his seat, he walked around the coffee table in between them, standing right in front of her. He towered her with his height as she gazed upward. "Do you have that much faith in me?" he asked her with a teasing smirk.

Song Luli kept her expression calm. "Yes," she answered.

Han Ru's grin broadened. "What will you do for me in return?" he asked low and solid.

"What do you want?" she asked.

Han Ru began to walk around the room, glancing at the ceiling or paintings on the wall. "I'm not sure yet. But when it's time, I would like to cash in a favour," he said, finally looking at her.

Song Luli gripped the edge of the armrest. There was something sneaky underlying his tone, and perhaps that was the debt collector in him. Running a bank meant providing loans, depositing money, and also, collecting interests. But she was desperate. What can a woman from the Entertainment Industry do for Long Jie? She felt utterly helpless, and this was the best thing she could think of.

"All right," she responded.

"Excellent," he said.

She shook his hand on the way out, and Song Luli went on her way to work.

After nine hours at the office, she returned home, checking the mail. She walked indoors as she caught a glimpse of an invitation. It said: 'We would like to announce that after 25 years of marriage, we will be renewing our vows. Please Join us - Xue Guangli and Long Huojin."

Song Luli's eyes gaped, her mouth hung open. She went inside quickly, searching for Long Jie. He was working on his computer on the couch. She approached him from behind. "Look! Your parents are renewing their vows!" She said excitedly.

Long Jie glanced up at her with a soft smile. "Do you want to be my date?" he asked her.

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