Sleeping Together
"Lucky, are the radishes peeled yet?" In the kitchen, Lily Evans poked her head out, busy as ever.
"All done, Lily!" The fierce look on Lucky's face vanished in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he was back to his silly, adorable self—her goofy husband. He happily held up the radish and rushed to the kitchen, circling Lily Evans to show off. "Lily, let me slice the radish for you. Should I cut it into slices, shreds, or sticks?"
"Slice it thin, and be careful not to cut your hand," Lily Evans reminded.
"Got it!" Lucky replied cheerfully, wielding the kitchen knife with the same hands that once brandished a sword, now happily slicing radishes.
Outside the door, Leonard Li watched the warm and busy scene between the couple in the kitchen and suddenly felt a bit defeated. But then he thought about the imperial edict, the arranged marriage, and General Alexander Hayes—such a powerful figure. Neither the Emperor nor the Marquis Weiyuan’s household would ever let him marry a powerless village woman.
But he was different. As the only son of the King of Huainan, he’d always been known as a notorious playboy and wastrel. No one ever expected him to shoulder any grand responsibilities. If he insisted on marrying Lily Evans, his family would eventually have to give in.
Thinking of this, Leonard Li felt he still had a good shot at winning her heart.
That night, Lily Evans prepared a table full of dishes, making Leonard Li drool with envy. He couldn’t stop praising her cooking skills.
After dinner, Lucky immediately tried to kick Leonard Li out, not wanting him to linger and be an eyesore.
But Leonard Li turned to Lily Evans and said, “Lily, I rushed here to Greenfield City so quickly, I didn’t even bring my household staff. If I go back now, there won’t be a single hot meal waiting for me. When I left the capital, my father was furious. If I go back now, I’ll definitely get a beating. I’d better wait until after the New Year when he’s cooled down. How about I just spend the New Year at your place?”
Lucky’s face immediately fell. He thought to himself, Leonard Li really has no shame—he’ll do anything to steal my wife!
Lily Evans considered it. He’d left everything behind and traveled thousands of miles just to save her, and now he couldn’t go home because of her. With New Year’s approaching, kicking Leonard Li out seemed a bit heartless.
"Alright, you can stay. I’ll have someone prepare a guest room for you—just stay in the one you used last time," Lily Evans said with a smile.
Leonard Li instantly beamed, looking triumphant as he winked at Lucky.
Lucky snorted and called Sean Hayes over to whisper a few words.
That night, Leonard Li hummed a little tune, basking in the joy of shamelessly getting to stay. But before he could finish celebrating, the door swung open and Egghead came in, carrying his bedding. Without a word, Egghead plopped his bedding right onto Leonard’s bed.
"Egghead, what are you doing in my room?" Leonard Li stared at Egghead’s expressionless face, itching to kick him out, but unfortunately, he knew he couldn’t win in a fight.
"I’m afraid of the dark. I don’t like sleeping alone." Sean Hayes, still stone-faced, shoved Leonard further onto the bed and then lay down on the outside.
General Alexander Hayes had ordered him to keep an eye on Leonard Li and make sure he didn’t try to charm Lily Evans. After weighing his options, Sean Hayes decided it was safest to watch Leonard up close.
"Are you kidding me? Get lost and let me sleep!" Leonard Li was so angry his nose almost bent out of shape. Sean Hayes—a top martial artist—afraid of the dark and unable to sleep alone? What a terrible excuse!
"My general said: either you sleep in my room, or I’ll toss you out into the wild for the night. Take your pick, Young Lord," Sean Hayes replied.
Leonard Li was so mad his teeth itched, but there was nothing he could do. He blew out the candle, lay down with a scowl, and muttered, "Just go to sleep, Egghead!"