Lu Yeming stood by the door, watching her calmly.

That grin on her face was fake. Her eyes were cold without the slightest bit of warmth.

Lu Yeming walked toward her with steady and patient footsteps. His long legs were clad in smart, tailor-made pants, his every step full of power and strength.

When he came before her. Jun Xiqing didn't step back.

Lu Yeming gazed at her as his lips curled up in a slight smile. "Qingqing, you already said that I can vent myself on you any way I want. How do you expect me do it now?"

Jun Xiqing's smile faded and a nonchalant look crossed her face. "Oh, I have no opinion. I will just listen to whatever President Lu says."

With that, she continued taking off her dress.

But one large hand stopped her from completely undressing. "Let's have dinner first. You have not eaten anything tonight."

The door to the room opened and a maid brought in some delicious-looking food.

"I had someone stew some porridge for you. Have some first."

It was true that Jun Xiqing really hadn't had anything to eat yet and was hungry. "Thank you President Lu."

So she went forward and sat down. Taking the small spoon, she started to eat the porridge.

As she ate, Lu Yeming continued to look at her. Her movements were elegant, her long lashes gently lowered and forming a fan-like shape on her face.

"Qingqing, let's get married."

What? Jun Xiqing's lashes fluttered slightly. "You want me to marry you, but what leverage do you have against me? From what I can see, there is only my brother and Ping Ping. Ping Ping is Fan Men's woman—although he is totally loyal toward you, I think you can still try and see how Fan Men would choose if forced to decide between his master and his woman.

"As for my brother, you saved him and I only promised to sleep with you."

Having said that, Jun Xiqing turned to look at Lu Yeming. "President Lu doesn't have enough leverage against me, so I cannot marry you."

A shadow crossed over her as Lu Yeming stood in front of her, his tall, strapping figure. "Qingqing, I really like you. Marry me, okay?"

His low voice was full of affection and charismatic allure. It also held traces of power and might. Any other woman would have been deliriously happy.

But not her, not anymore.

Perhaps once upon a time.

There was a moment of silence as Jun Xiqing took her time eating her porridge. "Could you please take back your pathetic and laughable 'like' you're referring to?"

"What's so bad about marrying me? Qingqing, don't be foolish. Would you rather be a shameful bed companion, instead of my rightful Empress?"

With that, Jun Xiqing put down the spoon and gazed up at him. Her red lips curled up slowly. "Of course it's bad to be married to you.

"Because… I will definitely leave you one day. By then, I will be living a good life and taking good care of myself. I will find a decent man who is willing to love me and embrace my past. I will marry him, become his wife and bear two children for him.

"If I marry you, although we can divorce, I would have to have a second marriage. A woman is worth less in her second round. So for you, it's not worth it."

When he heard what she said, Lu Yeming's eyes immediately turned as black as ink, becoming two viscous bottomless pits. He gripped her face hard, watching her squirm and turn pale in his hands.

A terrible ball of frustration was stuck in his chest, making him feel pained and constricted.

Frowning, he tried to imagine her lying beside another man, not requesting him to put on a condom…

A reddish tinge immediately tainted Lu Yeming's cold eyes. "Qingqing, why are you always making me angry? Don't worry, if that day really comes, I will personally kill that man… before killing you."

Even though Jun Xiqing saw the strong murderous intent in his eyes, she didn't really care but just replied, "Let go, you're hurting me."

Lu Yeming slowly loosened his grip.

"President Lu, I will take a shower first." Jun Xiqing entered the bathroom.

…

In the bathroom.

Jun Xiqing stood under the shower and let the warm water flow over her, making her entire body wet. She reached up to wipe the water beads off her face.

Clack. She heard a door opening. Someone had entered the bathroom.

She was certain she had locked the door.

In the next second, the door to the shower cubicle was opened from the outside. A tall, lean figure entered.

It was Lu Yeming again.

He stood there against the light, watching her with dark eyes, as if he was a wild beast eyeing his delicious meal.

"Don't lock the door next time, it's useless." He smiled, revealing straight, white teeth.

Ignoring him, Jun Xiqing reached for the towel to cover herself up. Her eyes were frosty. "President Lu, you can't even wait for just a short while?"

Lu Yeming whipped off his leather belt and tossed it into the bamboo basket nearby. He started to undo his sleeve buttons. "Let's bathe together, hm?"

"Get out!"

Jun Xiqing grabbed something and flung it at him.

Lu Yeming ducked and avoided the blow perfectly. He entered the cubicle in a leisurely manner.

The warm water hit his body. Reaching out his hand, he pushed Jun Xiqing against the wall. Then he pinned her between the wall and his own chest, before lowering his face to kiss her.

When Jun Xiqing kicked him with all her might, it was to no avail.

Slowly, her two white little hands dangled powerlessly by her sides. Numb, she let him kiss her, no longer struggling.

Lu Yeming kissed her soft lips. He slipped his tongue between her teeth, forcefully drawing on her sweetness.

Raising his lids slightly, he saw her pale, vacant expression. She looked like a trampled doll, completely devoid of life.

At this, Lu Yeming raised his eyebrows. "Give me some reaction, hm? I don't like doing corpses."

A short left her lips. "It's good enough that you can do it. Appreciate whatever you can get."

"Ha." Lu Yeming patted her little face. "Do you know what are the consequences of provoking a man in such matters? Jun Xiqing, I think you are really asking for it."

Lu Yeming shoved Jun Xiqing against the wall.

She closed her eyes, with no intention of resisting at all. She just said lightly, "President Lu, can you put on a condom?"

Lu Yeming narrowed his eyes, which flashed with a malicious light. "Alright, I can put on a condom."

Jun Xiqing didn't display any signs of relief. The Lu Yeming she knew would never be so compliant without any conditions.

As expected, Lu Yeming pressed himself against her from behind and held her ear between his lips.

"Call me Hubby."