Worried

Long Jie drove towards his father's home. 

When he arrived, he stepped through the outer courtyard, walking down a stone path. He could hear the sound of running water from a fountain nearby. The house had traditional pillars, rims, and slanted roofs. When he stepped closer to the towering front doors, he could hear the faint sound of the violin. 

Instead of knocking, he opened the door, stepping through, and the sound of the violin exuded loudly. He found his parents in the tea room, where his father played a resonating, classical piece. His mother was watching him, fascinated by it. 

His father paused when he heard Long Jie's footsteps. His mother, Xue Guangli, stood up abruptly; she then approached him with a soft embrace. She pulled away from him, wearing a broad smile. "I didn't know you were coming," she said happily, guiding his hand to sit down on one of the floor mats. 

Long Jie sat on the floor mat. "I wanted to visit you two," he said as she poured some Oolong tea for him, gesturing him to drink it. 

His father sat across him as he put away his violin. Long Huojin then picked up his cup and drank the tea. 

"What can I do for you, son?" Long Huojin asked him after putting his cup down. 

Long Jie glanced at his mother, and his father understood the signal. 

"My love, can you get us some more tea?" Long Huojin said to his wife. Xue Guangli smiled, "Of course," she said before leaving the room to steep some more tea leaves. 

His father then faced him. "What's wrong?" he asked Long Jie. 

Long Jie looked into his father's eyes seriously, "The Wang's are back again," he said. 

His father furrowed his brows tightly. "Are you certain?" he asked him. 

"Yes," Long Jie answered. "I have no doubt. Whoever it is, managed to get some members of the board to pull out from the project. And it's not the first time. But now they're threatening Song Luli." 

His father's pale-blue eyes widened with something like astonishment and anger. 

Long Jie had asked his mother to be sent away because they were about to discuss a sensitive topic. The Wang family was responsible for trying to take down Long Group. Furthermore, they murdered his maternal grandmother years ago, something that was beyond unforgivable. 

His parents managed to send the man responsible to jail, and those who followed the Wang's no longer had jobs. But his father hired most of them to work for him because he was afraid that they'd go after them later on due to old resentment. They did put Wang Worldwide out of business. 

"It's not any of the former members of Wang Worldwide, I've done a thorough check; they're loyal to us now since we didn't entirely give them the boot," Long Jie said. 

Long Huojin weighed in his words, considering it. 

His family, the Long's, were like a forest of Dawn Redwoods and Cypresses, scattered with autumn leaves, and nearby river banks. The Wang's were the blight that infected the trees, but so long as Long Jie can take them on, the blight would not spread. 

His father exhaled deeply. "I encourage you to take extra precautions with Song Luli. If she's ever harmed, you will anger the Song family. They aren't just in the entertainment industry; they're also with the pharmaceutical industry; they own law firms. Individually, they are small, but together, they're powerful." 

Long Jie nodded, clenching his fists. "I understand," he said. 

His mother re-entered the room, returning with steeped tea, sitting next to his father.

His father smiled grimly. "Have you two made any progress?" he asked Long Jie, referring to Song Luli. 

Long Jie glanced at him. "What?" he asked. 

Xue Guangli's mouth hung open, appalled. "Have you not attempted to woo your wife?" she questioned him.

Long Jie furrowed his brows. "Am I supposed to?" 

Xue Guangli clicked her tongue. "Poor girl. Her husband doesn't try to be affectionate. It's a pity," she said in dismay. 

Long Jie was taken aback. "But it's mutual--"

"It's truly a shame," Xue Guangli interrupted him. 

Long Jie pinched the space between his brows, feeling helpless. His mother then circled his father's shoulders, and Long Jie rolled his eyes as a result. 

It had been like that his whole life. They showed off their affection for each other. And though he grew up with loving parents, his cynicism derived from fear of being steady--committed. Before, he never settled in one place for more than a year, never hung out with the same people. 

It was his family that remained constant. It was Han Ru whom he met him in Venice years ago that became a consistent friend, because he was wealthy enough to go on the same trips as him, to be as reckless as him. In the summer, they would enjoy themselves with Yin Hao and the others. 

Long Jie rose from the floor mat, he approached his mother, kissing her on the cheek. He then shook his father's hand and stalked away. Before he left, his mother said, "I invited the entire Song family for when I renew my vows with your father. Please make sure that you're on good terms with Luli. Her parents must worry about her." 

Long Jie gaped before he exited the room. 

He thought long and hard on the way home. His mind felt hazy. He had to protect Song Luli in some way. 

In the end, he realized he had to be firm with their relationship. He had to stop the game of theirs; he wouldn't heed to his parent's advice. Long Jie could not deny his physical attraction towards her, but he wouldn't go beyond what they've done so far. 

If he were to fuck her, then there would be no thinking of divorce. She would be bound to him for life, and he would do anything to keep her. But as long as they continue to keep their distance, and if it came to divorce, it would be easier for her to leave him when they haven't crossed those boundaries. 

Instead of going home, he went back to the office, drowning himself in work. It wasn't until midnight when he returned home. 

It was dark inside the house. Long Jie had put his keys away, along with his coat and shoes. He then walked towards the staircase when the lights from the living room flicked on. Song Luli was wearing a short black nightgown with thin straps. The hem of her dress ended way above her knees, and it was a small piece of material. 

Long Jie's throat dried. 

"Long Jie?" Song Luli called out to him worryingly. 

His eyes met hers, trying not to look down any further. 

"Why are you still awake?" he asked her. 

Song Luli shyly glanced away, and it was a rare moment to witness. She was rarely ever bashful. "You're not usually this late," she said to him. 

At that moment, Long Jie felt like bashing his head. She was, indeed, adorable. 

"Hm. I will be coming home late from now on. Matters at work need to be tended to," he said flatly. 

Song Luli's eyes widened, almost as if she didn't like that idea. "All right," she responded softly. 

Long Jie began to ascend the stairs when she reached out to grab his forearm, forcing him to face her. "Are you okay?" she asked him, worried. 

Inwardly, Long Jie had to suppress an impulsive urge to tell her everything. He wanted to keep it a secret. If protecting her meant that she needed to leave him one day, then so be it. 

He pulled away gently. "I'm fine," he responded coldly. He then ascended the stairs, stepping into his bedroom. He loosened his tie, sitting on the edge of the bed. He hadn't smoked in a long time, so he took a cigarette from his nightstand. He approached his balcony, taking a deep drag. 

Song Luli went back to her room. She didn't plan to wait up for Long Jie. It wasn't the first time he didn't make it in for dinner. But it was the fact that he didn't send her a message saying that he would be late. So when the night deepened, she kept wondering where he was and why he wasn't home. But when he finally arrived, she was happy to see him. But what she didn't expect was for him to shrug her off, as if it was nothing. 

So, she went to her room, slumping on the bed. She turned over to her side, wondering why she even cared.