Chapter 68 - Sleepover (1/2)
It was actually Eunuch Li's idea for the Emperor to come have dinner with Lei Xing.
The Emperor had asked after Lei Xing and was informed she woke up a short while ago and should be getting ready for dinner now. Then Eunuch Li then advised that a meal together was a great stepping stone forward and so, the Emperor immediately made his way here, just in time for dinner.
Sat at Lei Xing's dinner table, the Emperor happily picked up the chopsticks and went to start eating. He glanced at Lei Xing who was sitting on his left with a strained smile watching him. He then placed the bowl of chicken soup in front of her.
Lei Xing moved back and blinked at it.
The emperor then covertly glanced at Eunuch Li who nodded in approval, then he went and placed the spoon in the bowl and smiled at Lei Xing, then went back to eating himself.
Lei Xing slowly picked up the spoon and sipped the soup, while skeptically eyeing at him.
{...At least, it seems you still have a conscience...Just waltzed in here like you own the place to hijack my dinner...I guess he technically owns the place but still -_-)...}
A second set of rice and vegetables was quickly brought in, they even brought extra and Lei Xing was able to fully enjoy her meal, despite the uninvited guest. After they were done with dinner, the two moved to sit on the side.
Lei Xing sat down eating her usual small bowl of berries, occasionally casting suspicious glances at the Emperor on the side, he was sitting down and picking at his own bowl of berries facing forward.
{...Why are you here? You're not going to state your business?... Okay, I guess I'll ask then -_-)...}
Lei Xing hesitantly began, ”Your majesty...how may I help you? Do yo-” Then she stopped when the Emperor turned to her with raised eyebrows and a completely bewildered expression, like what she was making no sense at all.
Then he looked forward and popped a berry in his mouth and behaved like he did not even hear the question.
Lei Xing blinked and knit her brows. Before she could process what was going on with the Emperor, Eunuch Li came back into the room walked up to them with a smile and then said to the Emperor, ”Your majesty, your bath is ready.”
The Emperor went, ”En.” and then proceeded to leave the room with Eunuch Li following, leaving Lei Xing frozen holding a berry to her mouth watching their departure.
Lei Xing blinked a few times, and popped the berry in her mouth and slowly chewed on it.
{...Bath. Bath where? Here? No, no...Yes...You can't just waltz in here and hijack my palace...Actually, he can...But why?!... Okay, I'm not an idiot! So I can understand that maybe - but I'm injured!... Okay, I guess a quickly fading bruise on my neck and a sore shoulder does not preclude one from THAT...but...}
Lei Xing dropped the plate of berries, got up and started pacing around.
{...Okay, I don't care...I actually don't care, so it should be fine...Well, ye- No. I don't care but, bu - But it'll be my first time...in Ever!... But does it matter? No, it's not like I was saving it or anything, I don't care and technically, it's not even mine now...And it's not like it'll kill me or anything -_-)'...Yeah, so it doesn't matter...}
Lei Xing came to a conclusion, stopped pacing and sat down and folded her arms and crossed her legs.
{...Yep, it doesn't matter...It shouldn't matter, especially given the situation...So I can - we ca-...}
Lei Xing's eyes went wide as she came to a more startling realization.
{...Bigger problem, CONTRACEPTION. I need contraception. This, I definitely care about - a whole lot!... I do not want to have a baby, never wanted one, don't want one!...}
Lei Xing frowned, got up and started pacing again.
{...Of course, I may have had some fantasy of at some point in my life, of maybe meeting someone I liked enough and considered potentially being open to maybe contemplating and compromising on one, JUST ONE because it is a painful, PAINFUL process that I have never had ANY interest in whatsoever! Also, kids are work...
...In fact, I had prepared to live myself SOLO until this unexpected interruption...and I refuse, REFUSE to have a child in a situation that I am unhappy in!...}
Lei Xing then stopped and was looking around the room in thought. She spotted the 'Art of War book' that she had dumped on a table on the other side.
She stared at the table for a while, and then got an idea and quickly went to sit behind the table and opened the book, focusing on it.
{...While I am aware that we are technically ”married”, despite my lack of consent but there's nothing I can do about that, apparently...And I can't avoid him forever, without potentially suffering dire consequences...