It was nighttime when the limousine arrived at the palace.
Jun Xiqing got off the car and stretched out lazily. She felt like she had gotten a really good sleep. But her lips felt swollen and her tongue a little numb.
“Ping Ping, were my lips stung by bees?” Jun Xiqing asked suspiciously.
Ping Ping blushed and quickly averted her eyes. How to tell Her Highness that she hadn’t been stung by bees, but was… kissed thoroughly by President Lu.
President Lu had kissed her for a long, long time.
He had more or less been kissing her the entire journey. It was like he was taking advantage of her deep sleep to bully Her Highness.
But there was nothing she could say at all.
Jun Xiqing and Ping Ping entered the palace. At night, Ping Ping helped Jun Xiqing brush her long hair. “Your Highness, do you know what day it is tomorrow?”
“Dongfang Ruoli’s birthday. I see that the palace has already made preparations for a huge party.”
“Your Highness!” Ping Ping poked Jun Xiqing’s forehead. “You forgot that tomorrow is also your 23rd birthday!”
What?
Jun Xiqing really had forgotten her own birthday.
What was even more surprising was the fact that she and Dongfang Ruoli had the same birthday, and that they were both 23 years old. It seemed they were born on the same year, the same month and also the same day.
What were the chances?
In the past, she had always spent her birthdays with her elder siblings. But the moment she thought of her elder sister Jun Xiyan, Jun Xiqing lowered her long lashes.
“Ping Ping, you can return to your room. Have an early rest.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
…
Ping Ping left the room and saw a tall, lean figure in the corridor. It was Lu Yeming.
Lu Yeming had one hand in his pocket while Fan Men was beside him making a report.
“President Lu.” Ping Ping walked up.
Lu Yeming turned and looked at Ping Ping.
“President Lu, I have a favor. Tomorrow is Her Highness’ 23rd birthday. In the past, we usually celebrated before dawn. I hope to have President Lu’s assistance in preparing a birthday cake.”
Lu Yeming raised one brow as he looked past Ping Ping toward Jun Xiqing’s tightly-shut room door.
Tomorrow was her birthday?
…
Jun Xiqing didn’t sleep at all that night. She didn’t know if it was because she had rested too well during the car ride, or because in the past, her siblings would always push open her room door to celebrate her birthday before dawn.
But there were no siblings here with her this year.
The room was lit with a warm, yellow light. Jun Xiqing sat on the bed hugging her knees as she gazed at the night sky outside.
Her cell phone rang.
It was her brother Jun Chulin.
Jun Xiqing’s expression grew warm. She pressed the button to accept the call and smiled girlishly. “Hello, Elder Brother.”
“Qingqing.” Jun Chulin’s angry voice rang out. “Xiyan just returned and told us everything. You are besotted with Lu Yeming and even made a move against your Elder Sister?”
Jun Xiqing turned pale. “Elder Brother, I can explain…”
“Qingqing.” It was Second Sister Jun Xiling. “You have truly disappointed us this time!”
“Second Sister…”
They hung up, leaving behind the beeping dial tone.
Jun Xiqing regarded her family and her country with the utmost importance. She also had a protective nature and was willing to sacrifice her own life for her family.
Elder Sister Jun Xiyan’s matter was not as simple as it appeared. Sometimes, Jun Xiqing was unwilling to think too deeply into this matter. She had no idea what her Elder Sister said, but she had a bad premonition that Country Z was in trouble.
More precisely, her family and country, both of which were of utmost importance to her, were in trouble.
Jun Xiqing called Jun Chulin but her call was cut off.
When she tried again, a cold mechanical voice said, “Sorry, the number you just dialed is not available.”
Jun Xiqing clutched her cell phone tightly It was her 23rd birthday but she felt like a little kitten who had been abandoned. Her eyes turned red and she lowered her head to bury them between her knees.
Knock knock.
Jun Xiqing looked up. Her room door opened and a tall, lean figure stood there.
Lu Yeming was wearing a black shirt and black pants. His eyes were like black diamonds, quietly watching her red-rimmed eyes. Calm, yet affectionate.
Jun Xiqing’s tear-filled eyes narrowed. She never expected him to barge in at a moment like this. What was he here for now?
Lu Yeming strode over to the front of her bed.
With his back facing the light source, he blocked out the light from her line of sight.
She saw him raise his hand.
Almost instinctively, Jun Xiqing retreated backward.
His palm landed gently on her eye area, caressing her swollen lids.
“Don’t cry.”
It was just two simple words but his low, magnetic voice made Jun Xiqing feel as if a feather was brushing lightly across her heart and leaving behind gentle ripples.
He reached out and hugged her slim body, carrying her off the bed.
As he placed her gently on the floor, he was still holding her from behind. Half carrying her, he nudged her outward.
“Lu Yeming, what are you doing?” Jun Xiqing asked.
Soft lips kissed her hair as Lu Yeming murmured by her ear, “Happy Birthday.”
Jun Xiqing heart jumped. She never expected him to be the first to wish her happy birthday today.
Her Elder Brother’s phone call earlier had chilled her to the core. Now that she was snuggled tight against his chest where she could hear the strong thump of his heartbeat. Jun Xiqing suddenly felt a glowing warmth.
This man’s warm embrace could shield any woman from the elements and make them feel protected.
Reaching out, Lu Yeming pushed the door open. Two huge fireworks burst out over Jun Xiqing’s head. Holding two sparklers, Ping Ping ran over happily.
“Your Highness, happy birthday! You are a year older now.”
Fan Men smiled. “President Jun, Happy Birthday. I hope that you will be like a flower forever.”
Jun Xiqing looked at the fireworks filling the sky with their radiant sparks and her heart warmed.
“Thank you.”
Her lips curled as she smiled happily like a child. She took the two sparklers over from Ping Ping and went to light them up.
Sparks danced from her hands.
Wow, this is so fun.”
Watching the lights dancing in her hands, Jun Xiqing happily spun around. She had not had so much fun since becoming the president three years ago.
“Your Highness, look. A shooting star! Quickly make a wish!” Ping Ping cried out.
Jun Xiqing looked up and saw that there was really a star shooting across the sky.
Flinging her sparklers to the ground, she quickly clasped her hands together, shutting her eyes to make a wish.
Dear Heavens, please bestow me with a good husband!
Done.
She made her wish.
She heard that a wish made in front of a shooting star was the most potent.
Jun Xiqing happily opened her eyes and turned. She immediately bumped into Lu Yeming, and stared into his deep, almond-shaped eyes.
He was standing right in front of her.
