Chapter Thirteen: “Think What You Will”

Chapter 13 "Think What You Will"

Luo Le turned back, clutching at the corner of his garment. "Didn't you just whisper to him? Huo Lanjing, for these past four years, you've been waging wars across the lands and haven't returned to the empire."

"I'm asking you, are there truly that many battles? Or is it simply because you're avoiding me?"

Huo Lanjing turned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want to say?"

Luo Le felt like retreating under his gaze.

But the memory of their whispered conversation fueled her anger once more.

"What's your relationship with Deputy Chen exactly? Is that why you haven't come back for these four years?"

Looking at the irrational person before him, a cold glint flickered in Huo Lanjing's deep eyes.

"Think what you will."

He reached to pull back the corner of his garment but Luo Le held on tightly.

Luo Le looked at him eagerly, his eyes slightly reddened. Was Huo Lanjing admitting it?

The thought of all the years he had dedicated to Huo Lanjing, only to receive such indifferent responses, tugged at Luo Le's heart.

For some reason, tears began to fall from his cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

Seeing this, Huo Lanjing paused. He couldn't bear to see Luo Le cry; it agitated him.

He wanted to say something comforting to stop the tears, but the words came out differently.

"Stop crying."

With that somewhat cold tone, Luo Le's tears fell even faster.

Through sobs, he retorted, "W-What's wrong? Am I not even allowed to cry anymore?"

Huo Lanjing was taken aback and noticed the still-open door from the corner of his eye. He walked over to it.

Assuming that he was leaving, Luo Le clung onto him tightly.

"Please don't go. I won't ask anymore."

Huo Lanjing closed the door with his hand and then looked at him expressionlessly. "Are you trying to tell the entire galaxy that I've bullied you with this attitude?"

Luo Le couldn't help but think to himself, Isn't that exactly what you're doing?

Upon realizing that Huo Lanjing wasn't leaving, Luo Le released his grip.

Huo Lanjing glanced at him and said coolly, "Don't worry, our marriage was arranged by Great-Grandma's generation. I won't bring up divorce."

Upon hearing this, Luo Le's disappointment turned into anger.

The implication of those words was that their marriage was an arranged one.

He had no feelings for Luo Le at all, but he wouldn't initiate a divorce to avoid any gossip.

Was it then that Huo Lanjing's actions all these years were meant to force him to initiate the divorce?

With this realization, his grievance turned into anger.

Luo Le took a step forward, grabbing hold of his collar and pulling him down.

Huo Lanjing merely gave him a fleeting, indifferent glance. "You," he started, but didn't finish his sentence.

His lips were kissed by Luo Le, who was standing on tiptoe.

One could sense his hand clasped tightly around her neck.

Luo Le's lips were soft, and his kissing technique was rudimentary, merely clumsily nibbling, with his sharp canines occasionally grazing against his lips.

Her body gradually growing warm, Luo Le closed her eyes, unable to meet his gaze.

Perceiving something, Huo Lanjing's pupils constricted slightly.

He tried to push Luo Le away, but the grip around him was too tight.

A flicker of intensity passed through Huo Lanjing's profound eyes.

With a firm hold on the nape of Luo Le's neck, he bit down hard on his lips as if to punish him.

He persisted even after tasting the metallic tang of blood.

Luo Le yelped in pain and instinctively tried to break free.

However, Huo Lanjing didn't release him, instead changing the spot to deliver another harsh bite, seemingly unsatisfied.

"Ahh..."

It hurt so much.

Luo Le exerted force to push him away. This person was truly petty, only kissing him once yet biting twice.

In that moment, the door suddenly swung open from the outside.

Upon seeing the scene inside the room, Captain Lin was stunned and couldn't help but curse himself for entering in the first place. Silently, he tugged at the door, intending to close it. Huo Lanjing noticed this, released Luo Le, and faced Captain Lin directly, his voice low and solemn. "What is it?" Captain Lin had no choice but to steel himself and report, "General, the 9th Planet's military report." As he spoke, he caught sight of Luo Le tidying up her clothes. The General's wife seemed to have been crying. Was the General really engaging in such exhilarating activities with his wife in broad daylight? Captain Lin suppressed his gossiping instincts. With slightly reddened lips, Huo Lanjing walked over to the chair and sat down. "Bring it here." Captain Lin hurriedly entered the room, placing the military report on the table.

"General, please have a look first. I'll be on my way."

Huo Lanjing nodded slightly and then focused intently on the military report in his hand.

Lieutenant Lin turned to leave, but Luo Le called him back.

"My lady, is there something you need?"

Luo Le glanced at the person on the chair before looking at Lieutenant Lin.

"I've heard that General Huo has arranged accommodations for me. Please show me the way."

"Wait a moment."

Both of them looked at each other in confusion, unsure who Huo Lanjing was addressing.

"You may leave first."

Huo Lan gave Lieutenant Lin a brief look.

Lieutenant Lin understood the unspoken message and replied, "I see."

Before leaving, he heard Luo Le's voice laced with anger, "Why can't I leave?"

Huo Lanjing ignored him, focusing instead on the military report in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed.

Luo Le knew how seriously this man took his work, so he silently sat down on the sofa.

He retrieved a mirror from his storage ring.

Sitting like this was inconvenient, so he moved to sit on the floor, parting his lips to reveal two bright wounds on the inner walls, not shallow at all.

Muttering indistinctly, Luo Le cursed, "Damn it, beast, you're really ruthless."

Huo Lanjing heard him and understood, but chose to ignore it.

Luo Le felt a sticky sensation in his mouth, making him nauseous, so he headed to the bathroom.

After a quick rinse and washing his face, he felt slightly better.

Back at home, Luo Le sat on the sofa for quite a while without seeing Huo Lanjing lift his head.

Yawning, Luo Le commented, "I overslept this morning and am feeling a bit drowsy now."

He rubbed away the tears in the corners of his eyes. "Hey, do you have a resting room here? I'm tired."

Hey?

Huo Lanjing frowned and looked up. This was the first time Luo Le had addressed him like that.

Luo Le was still simmering with anger, exacerbated by being completely ignored. However, he didn't dare to meet Huo Lanjing's gaze.

Huo Lanjing stared at him intently for a moment before pointing to a room nearby.

Luo Le got up and walked in the direction Huo Lanjing indicated, entering the room.

It wasn't a large space but contained a bathroom, a sofa, a coffee table, and a bed in the far left corner.

He was indeed too exhausted. Stripping off his coat and trousers, he only left on his shirt before slipping under the covers.

When he woke up, dusk had already settled in, casting a tangerine glow through the window.

Luo Le picked up the clothes beside him, dressed properly, and washed his face.

Exiting his room, he found Huo Lanjing standing tall and straight by the entrance, arms crossed.

Still not fully awake, Luo Le, upon catching sight of him, instinctively leaned forward and rubbed against his arm.

"Hubby."

His voice was slightly raspy due to having just woken up.

Realizing what he was doing, Luo Le's body froze.

Huo Lanjing looked at him with a half-smile, half-not.

Retreating, Luo Le coughed lightly to cover his awkwardness.

Huo Lanjing pretended nothing had transpired and said, "Let's go back."

Luo Le gave a dry laugh, not pressing the matter further, and followed closely behind him.

In the hovering vehicle, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Luo Le leaned his head against the cushion and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

Huo Lanjing gazed at the person who was at a distance from him, feeling a strange sensation in his heart.

These past few days, Luo Le had been acting incredibly peculiar.

"Hold on, let's talk."