109 Whos the Father (1/2)
Yu Zhen peered down at her, examining her features from the way her eyes were lit up from the smile to the little dimple on one side of her cheek. She was on her tippy-toes for him again, her legs shaking and swaying. He grabbed both of her hands that were now resting on his shoulders in a feeble attempt to see him eye to eye.
”Pft, you're so short,” he taunted her, wishing to see the irritation fill her eyes like it always does.
She loved to dish out insults but found it hard to swallow some herself. This sassy and foolish side of her, he relished in it. He liked her unrestrained wit and with each passing time he saw her, he wished he could see all of the faces she was capable of making.
”At least I'm not annoying.”
”Are you running out of insults now, Sunshine?” Yu Zhen laughed, using the hands he had grabbed to steady her back onto her feet, worrying for her balance.
Li Xueyue couldn't find a snappy reply to his question and glowered at the floor. She had lost track of how many victories and losses he had.
He bit his bottom lip upon seeing the moping expression on her face, a tiny pout admitting her defeat.
”Now, now, don't go glum on me.” He placed a finger on either side of her lips, tilting it upwards but she responded by attempting to bite him.
”Wow, I can already imagine what type of kid you'd raise.” Yu Zhen hummed, pulling his hand back in time for her to stick her tongue at him.
”I can probably raise them better than you ever could.”
”Oh yeah? And who's their father?” he asked.
”Anyone but you.”
”Uh-huh.” He nodded, ”We'll see about that.”
”What?”
”What?” he mimicked her expression, pinching her on the nose when her eyes widened.
”As if anyone wants to have your kids!”
”Tell that to your future self.”
”Where did you learn to be this shameless?” she exasperated.
”I picked it up after meeting you,” he deadpanned and before she could retort, he reminded her, ”I can bicker with you all day, Sunshine.”
”Hmph, good luck getting to the Capital without your horse.” Li Xueyue attempted to steal his horse's loyalty but was yanked into his arms, her back colliding against his chest.
”What are you doing?” He scowled, his flawless features morphing into a man refusing to accept defeat.
Yu Zhen noticed she didn't even protest, whether it was out of tiredness, or she was daft enough to not realize it. He doubted it was the latter.
Her words rang in his head, 'All of my moves are calculated.' What wasn't calculated? Were her lowered guard and invisible walls a mere ploy to capture him in? His thoughts spiraled to all of the questions he wanted to ask but couldn't.
”Well? Are we going to the town?” Li Xueyue asked, snapping her fingers in front of his dazed expression.
Suddenly, an abrupt and crazy question came to mind. He couldn't help himself when he uttered out, ”Do you know who's behind the curtain?”
”What curtain?” Li Xueyue responded, tilting her head.
”The Emperor bullies you too much, don't you think?” he suddenly said, noting the skepticism shrouding her features.
Li Xueyue didn't expect his questions. She pushed her hands at his arms but he held her in. She rapidly blinked upon realizing something. His loose arms were a mere illusion and that he was seemingly giving her the option to run, but there wasn't an escape. It was a trap that would notify him to embrace her more tightly.
”Does it look like bullying to you?” she asked.