114 Song Luli (2)

As Song Luli slipped away, speaking with people who highly regarded the preview of her film, Long Jie watched her proudly. 

He took a glass of wine offered by the server. His friends and family went to mingle with other guests, but Long Jie wasn't one who liked small talk, so he began to idle around the hall. 

Long Jie glanced over at Song Luli, and she was deep into conversation, laughing with Han Ru and the others. He downed another wine glass from a table nearby.

He wanted to be a part of Song Luli's world, but he felt as if people were more interested in his presence, overcasting a shadow—not that's he's more important. It's just how society worked, and he didn't want that for her. But he would wait. 

Someone stepped to his side, startling him.

"Hello, Mr. Long," said Miss Mao. 

Long Jie arched an insincere, questioning brow. "What are you doing here?" he asked bluntly.