Goodbye and Hello

The next morning, Song Luli woke up feeling refreshed. The cramps she had felt faint, nothing like the persistent feeling she had when her period began.

She glanced at the nightstand where the empty teacup she had drunk from the night before was left there.

It was still surprising how considerate Long Jie was. It made her feel more at ease.

She shuffled out of bed, placing on some slippers, before heading towards the kitchen.

she began to fry some eggs when she received a phone call from Long Jie. She picked it up.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.

"Mhm," she said, watching as the egg whites rose.

Silence.

Song Luli wasn't one to speak on the phone; she typically relied on messages and emails, but with Long Jie...it shouldn't be like that, right? She needed to get used to it.

"I will be visiting family this weekend. Will you come with me? They want to meet you," he asked.

Song Luli placed her phone between her ear and neck as she took out the fried egg from the frying pan. "Emm...Yes. I'll come with you," she answered. She wasn't sure about what the rest of his family would be like. He met his parents, kind and loving as they are, but his grandparents were the worst.

"Good," he said, and he hung up the call.

Song Luli thought nothing more as she sat down by the kitchen table, eating some fried eggs. She had toast and fruit on the side. As she wrapped up her meal, she received a notification from her phone: It was a reminder.

"Shit!" she said.

Song Luli finished her meal quickly before ascending the stairs; she promptly got ready and changed into something that was business-casual. She had to stop by at her parent's house just before work, and she didn't want to be late.

When she arrived, she entered the house and found someone unfamiliar eating in the kitchen.

Song Luli knitted her brows in confusion.

She stepped closer, observing him as he didn't notice her enter. He was eating some cereal before turning. Song Luli's eyes widened.

The silver-haired man noticed her confusion and said, "Hello, I'm Zhang Enyu." He stretched out his arm to shake her hand. Still confused, Song Luli shook it. "Hello, I'm Song Luli," she said.

She thought the man before him was handsome enough to be an idol. But there was something about his posture and politeness that told her he wasn't. Good, she thought. Song Meiling's last boyfriend was an idol.

She then heard footsteps descend the stairs. Her sister had come down wearing a casual dress. Her long hair curled at the ends of her waist, swaying at the hips. When her sister saw her, she smiled.

Song Meiling approached her swiftly, "Luli! You came! I'm glad."

"I can't stay for long," Song Luli said to her.

Song Meiling pouted and sighed. "I figured," she said. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I want to part with Zhen. It may be another few months until we get to see him again. Also, your boyfriend was just introducing himself to me."

Zhang Enyu choked over his cereal. He patted his chest hard.

Song Meiling glared at him, crossing her arms before turning back to Song Luli. She rolled her eyes, "He's not my boyfriend. Zhang Enyu is working on his studies here. Since Mom and Dad will be going on trips often, they decided to let a stranger in."

Zhang Enyu narrowed his eyes, sending death glares. But Song Luli didn't notice; it was Song Meiling who did when she watched his face behind her sister.

Song Luli figured he wasn't a stranger. Her parents wouldn't let anyone in without doing a thorough background check. So he was a student, she thought.

It wasn't uncommon for people to allow students in their homes when their children had left the nest. The only thing that puzzled her was that Song Meiling would be left alone with him, which is something her parents did not anticipate. Song Meiling was spontaneous and unpredictable.

Song Luli watched as her sister engaged with Zhang Enyu. There was some resentment between them when they spoke or didn't speak. The air was cold and chilling, and she wondered what sparked it.

Song Zhen walked down the hallway, wheeling his luggage. He wore a coat over his business-casual clothing, and he smiled when he caught sight of his twin. Song Luli smiled back.

Song Luli approached him, embracing him. "I'm glad your here," he said to her. Song Luli's grin broadened.

Song Meiling stepped to their side, and the three of them hugged together. Song Zhen towered them significantly. And suddenly, Song Luli was reminded of her childhood when she grew up with the two of them by her side. What she liked about her family was that they were all close-knitted, and nothing ever compelled them to drift or compete against each other.

When Song Zhen parted from them, he said something to the both of them and left out of the door where a driver waited for him.

Song Luli felt bittersweet. Though part of growing up was to change, she still couldn't help but feel an underlying sadness.

She faced her older sister and said, "I will be off. Call me if you need anything."

Song Meiling nodded, watching as Song Luli left too, and she was left alone with Zhang Enyu. This time, it was solely the two of them, something that hadn't occurred before.

Song Meiling barely spoke to him since his arrival and her brother had already befriended him, keeping him good company. But now, it seemed odd that there will be no full house.

She decided to go to her room when she paused to ask, "How long will you be gone today?"

Zhang Enyu narrowed his smoke-grey gaze. "All day, I have work," he said.

"You work?" Song Meiling questioned.

"Yes," he said. "Not all of us get to inherit money and lounge around the house."

Song Meiling gritted her teeth. Her wedges clicked against the marble flooring. She was irritated. Since he arrived, he had been nothing but rude to her even though she didn't do anything wrong. They were also to share a house together, and not under good terms either.

She entered her room and turned on her computer. She was in the middle of writing an admissions essay to get into universities nearby; she knew the entertainment industry wasn't for her, but she also knew what she always wanted to do. So, she decided she'll be going back to school.