Song Meiling

After their lengthy chat, though it was mainly about work, Song Luli felt some progress between them move forward.

It was better to be friends than strangers, she thought, and she needed that bond for their marriage to survive.

Long Jie and Song Luli said nothing else, but they were comfortably silent in each other's presence.

Song Luli's phone rang, breaking the silence between them.

Long Jie rose to tidy the blueprints he had shown her while she accepted the call.

"Where are you?" Song Meiling asked.

"Shit!" Song Luli said aloud. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"All right," Song Meiling answered.

Without saying a word, Song Luli hung up the call, taking her coat and car keys, running out of the door.

She forgot to pick her sister up from the airport.

Song Luli offered to pick her up since she wanted to be the one to tell Song Meiling in person about her marriage before she arrived home.

...

The airport unexpectedly overcrowded for a summer's night.

Song Meiling squeezed in between the narrow gaps through the vast halls of the airport, wanting to find her sister at the greeting hall. She looked around and saw a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Luli!" she called out.

Song Luli kept walking, not noticing her.

"Luli!" she called out again, and so she picked sprinted while wheeling her suitcase, carrying her purse until she bumped into someone speaking on their phone. Her things toppled over from her purse, "Shit!"

She turned to face the man. "That hurt, idiot!"

The man faced her with a knitted expression. He had silver hair and smoke-grey, almost blue eyes. He knelt and began to help her pick up her things. "I'm sorry," he said. "But you're the one that ran into me."

Song Meiling grunted. "I don't need your help," she spat.

The silver-haired man stood, "Fine," he said, walking away.

What's with that guy? Song Meiling thought.

She then gathered her things hastily, standing up and composing herself. She then saw her sister walking back, and she ran to catch up to her.

Nothing about Song Meiling had changed, Song Luli thought. Her older sister ran towards her, wheeling a suitcase shortly behind.

Her long wavy brown hair swayed and ended at the hips. She looked good for someone who went through a breakup, but Song Luli shouldn't be surprised. Song Meiling was beautiful, a perfect blend of her parents.

Song Meiling hugged her tightly. "I missed you!" she said.

Song Luli smiled against her shoulder. "I miss you, too," she responded.

It was true. Song Meiling was someone who supported her always and fought bullies on her behalf. She was her best friend.

"Let's go home," Song Luli said. Her sister smiled.

In the car, Song Meiling gave her the full details about how she found her boyfriend cheating. It was with a french girl in Paris, and since it was with a foreigner, her ex wanted the experience. So Meiling left him with only enough money to go home, but not to stay.

"You're wicked," Song Luli said to her sister sarcastically.

Song Meiling smiled. "Serves him right! How is he going to fuck her in our bed? Gross!" she said with a tinge of pain. Her mood faltered, then.

"You know what could make you feel better?" Song Luli said.

Song Meiling's eyes sparkled. "What?" she asked.

"The book store; there is one still open."

"All right!" Song Meiling said.

The book store was empty, and it was because it was close to closing. But they managed to arrive, scooping up a couple of copies that Song Meiling could add to her vast collection.

Afterward, her spirt already began to brighten.

At home, their parents and brother were already sleeping.

So they snuck upstairs into her room.

Song Meiling placed her suitcase on the side, slumping on the bed. She then glanced at Song Luli. "Did I miss anything?" she asked.

At the spot, Song Luli froze.

How could she bring this up? Was this even a good time?

"Erm—about that," she said.

Song Meiling stood up. "Is there something wrong?" she asked her, worryingly.

Song Luli smiled grimly. She then released a breath to say, "I moved out of the house."

Song Meiling's eyes widened. "Oh..." she said, processing the information. "Well, that's all right."

She took that part well.

"There's one more thing."

Song Meiling narrowed her eyes, waiting for it.

"I...I..."

"Your silence is killing me; just say it!"

"I'm married!" Song Luli blurted out.

Song Meiling's jaw dropped; she then quickly covered her mouth in shock. "What?" Song Meiling said. "But I don't understand?"

Song Luli's lips thinned. She then took her hand and guided her to sit on the bed, releasing a breath.

"The company was not doing well. Father suggested that I should marry someone wealthy enough to produce our films without making a dent to their bank accounts," she confessed.

Song Meiling's hand's tightened around hers, and she began to cry.

"Why are you crying?" Song Luli asked.

Song Meiling wiped the tears from her own eyes. "It's my fault. I didn't expect father to force you to marry someone you don't know for the company's sake. I'm sorry," she said through a sob.

Song Luli began to chuckle, thinking it was funny.

Song Meiling glanced at her with panda eyes, "Why are you laughing?" she said.

Song Luli repressed a laugh. "I'm sorry. I'm married, of course, but it wasn't forced. I promise," she said.

"Really?" Song Meiling said, hopeful.

"Yes," Song Luli answered. "You know him."

"What?" Song Meiling answered, searching through her memories. Who could it be?

"Who?"

"Long Jie,"

Song Meiling's mouth hung open. "L-L-Long Jie?" she asked.

"Mhm," Song Luli said.

Song Meiling slipped from the bed, sinking to her knees. "It's worse than I thought," she said to her. "They're blackmailing you, aren't they?"

Song Luli chuckled out loud. "What's with everyone? Long Jie has been good to me."

"Are you sure?" her sister asked.

"Mhm. I promise."

Song Meiling smiled. "I'm glad that one of us isn't single."

"Yes, but we're not a couple, either."

"What?" Song Meiling said more than asking. "You two haven't consummated?"

Song Luli shook her head.

Song Meiling sighed. "There will be a day where you might want him. Perhaps not as a boyfriend, but definitely as a companion."

"How?" Song Luli asked.

"A man and woman living alone together? It's inevitable. Even if the love isn't there, the passion will be the need for physical touch."

Song Luli appeared to be confused.

Song Meiling gave her a pitying smile. "Well, if Long Jie is handsome from what I remember. I don't doubt that you'll enjoy him," she said.

Song Luli rolled her eyes.

Song Meiling was brazen when it came to talking about relationships. She was twenty-six years old, experienced in the field. If anyone deserved love, it was her. She yearned for it.

It was a shame that her relationship with that bastard didn't work out.

Song Meiling sighed. "I think I will take a break from dating," she said.

Song Luli gasped sarcastically. "You?"

Song Meiling smiled. "Yes. I should focus on me and figure my life out. I still don't know what to do, but I will persevere!" she said confidently.

Song Luli approached her, granting her a hug. "I'm glad you're back."

"Me too," Song Meiling said.