Chapter 33 - Maybe He Doesn’t Like Women? (1/2)

While fate's scribe Shun Tao feared for his head, Hong Bao sat on a stone bench in the corner of the courtyard, where she was supposed to observe the gods, and furiously chomped into a cookie.

Leng Jin Yu extended his hand, but the cookie casket was moved out of his reach. Hong Bao swallowed and took another one.

”What is the problem? Am I not pretty enough? Or not intelligent enough? Is it, because I am only a lowly servant? Or does he not like conversing with me? Aren't my remarks witty enough for him? Really, have a look at my face! Is it bad?”

Leng Jin Yu shook his head and leaned forward, his breath tickling her skin. Hong Bao blinked, her cheeks still bulging like a squirrels because of the cookies. She returned Leng Jin Yu's gaze, unsure what he was trying to do.

Oh no. He couldn't have fallen in love with me, could he? This can't be! I'll only ever accept Shun Tao. I have to reject him decisively, so that he won't harbor hopes any longer! But I also can't —

Leng Jin Yu reached over the table between them, interrupting Hong Bao's thoughts. The hopes, that he harbored … were fulfilled, when he finally took the casket out of her hands. As fast as lightning, he scooted further from her and pressed the casket to his chest.

”Didn't you make them for me? Why are you eating them yourself?”

Hong Bao blinked and stared at the casket he had just stolen. ”Leng —” She coughed, patted her chest and swallowed the last cookie crumbs. ”Leng Jin Yu, how can you be so greedy? I brought some over every day and I made them! At least let me have some!”

”You already had some. Look at this!” He showed her the cookies still in the casket and scrunched up his brows. ”What is this? You nearly ate half of them!”

Hong Bao puffed up her cheeks. ”Is that all you've been paying attention to?”

”Of course not.” Leng Jin Yu set the casket down next to him, where Hong Bao couldn't reach, and finally treated himself to a cookie. He closed his eyes and sighed. ”Ah, I feel like I'm in heaven.”

”You are.” Hong Bao leaned back and crossed her arms.

Leng Jin Yu took a peek and sighed again. ”You're probably thinking too much. He's the fate's scribe and he approached you because he needed help. Isn't it already great, that you can work for him?”

”It is! But what about next week? It's only this one assignment. As soon as he finds the one he'll take in he doesn't need me anymore.”

”And?” Leng Jin Yu took the next cookie. Really, it was so worth it, to have made that deal with her.

”What and? And then I can't see him anymore!”

”Why not? Just go there and have a chat with him. He wouldn't have asked you for help, if he'd really mind your status.”

”That's not the same.” Hong Bao crossed her arms on the table and propped her head up.

”How is that not the same?”

”It's for work! If it's not for work, how could I just go and inconvenience him?”

”Why do you care so much? Don't you love him? Just try it. In the worst case, he'll kick you out. If not, you're good to go there again.”