In truth, compared to his agreement, what she could do with him after he agreed was what she truly desired. Of course, that was something far too embarrassing to say aloud.
That night, on the bed in the Evernight Palace, Fan Li rubbed her aching shoulder blade; the area had turned bruised from where she had bumped against the wall earlier. Her knees, needless to say, were covered in black and blue marks. Now that she touched them, they stung intensely, though she hadn't felt a thing in the heat of the moment. She brushed her long hair behind her shoulders and stretched, running her hands down her arms as if trying to wipe the lingering numbness from her skin.
Her entire being radiated an air of laziness and exhaustion. This was a side of Fan Li that she would never normally show. She likely didn't even realize what an alluring aura her every movement exuded.
Su Shiye walked over and whispered in her ear, "You’ve been in your terrestrial form for two and a half hours."
The mature atmosphere from a moment ago vanished instantly, and Fan Li blushed. "Today was an accident."
"There is a saying that power is a woman's best aphrodisiac..." Su Shiye murmured against her lips. "Even though I know why you’re saying these things and doing these things, I don’t mind."
"What exactly do I have to do to prove I’m being sincere?"
"You don't need to prove anything." He stroked her cheek and gave a faint smile. "As long as you serve me well, I don't care what’s actually in your heart."
Fan Li understood the meaning behind those words.
Su Shiye was a man of intense desires, and he was difficult to satisfy. But one day, he would be. Until that day came, he only wanted to objectify her and enjoy her to his heart's content; as for whether there was any love involved, he didn't care.
"Fine." She didn't try to defend herself further. "Then I’ll head back first. Call me when you need me."
"It's too late. Sleep here. I’ll go to another room."
Just as Su Shiye was about to leave, Fan Li caught his hand and looked up at him. "Can you stay with me?"
"Stay with you?" He looked as if he had heard an absurd joke.
"I want to sleep with you."
He intended to refuse, but her hand was smooth and soft, possessing a magic that was impossible to resist. She pulled him onto the bed, unbuttoned his clothes again, and pushed him down. He frowned slightly and turned his back to her. Without a second thought, she pressed against him, hugging him from behind and resting her head against the center of his back. "Brother, we haven't slept together like this in so many years."
"Don't call me brother," Su Shiye said coldly. "Don't talk to me. Just sleep."
Fan Li ignored his resistance entirely. She rolled him over onto his back and then sat atop him, leaning down to kiss him. "I love you. I’ve lived for six hundred and ninety-four years, and you are the only man I have ever loved."
"You say you love me with every breath, and then you go and marry another man?"
"That was for the sake of the Light Sea, you know that."
"You are still doing this for the Light Sea now."
"No, I’m really not. How can I prove it..." Fan Li shook her head, her fingers interlacing with his as she whispered, "Once you feel I’ve served you enough, how about I bear your children?"
In the darkness, Su Shiye’s breathing quickened significantly, but his voice remained low. "Why?"
"I’ll give you as many as you want. You don't have to marry me, you don't have to give me anything. Just let me kiss you and hold you whenever I want, and that will be enough..." Fan Li kissed his earlobe.
"Fan Li, you’re really playing foul." Su Shiye closed his eyes, his voice sounding like he was speaking through gritted teeth. "You know exactly what I want, so you use it to tempt me."
"This isn't just what you want; it's what I want." Fan Li chuckled softly. "Having my brother’s child has been my dream since I was little."
Su Shiye breathed quietly, instinctively rejecting the honeyed words she was pouring into his ears.
However, he was also instinctively unable to withstand the temptation of being close to her.
She shifted around in his arms, leaving his mind in a daze. Finally, he decided not to speak, not to make promises, and not to be deceived by her. He simply pulled her silently into his embrace, drawing in her scent with the slowest of breaths.
"Sleep," he said, his voice cold and calm, like the seawater seven thousand eight hundred meters deep outside the window. "We’ll talk about these things later."
"Okay, Brother."
He didn't miss her sweet, quiet giggle—like a little rascal of a heart-thief who had finally succeeded in her scheme. Su Shiye sighed soundlessly, his eyes half-lidded, yet he wasn't sleepy at all.
Because Fan Li was acting as a mediator, the smoke of war between the Empire and the Light Sea government dissipated invisibly. The representatives of the Light Sea government proposed that the Abyss Empire collect patent fees on their behalf; the Empire’s response was to use those funds to invest in the transportation infrastructure of the Storm Well. The Storm Well was the bridge connecting the Light Sea and the Abyss. This proposal from the Empire further promoted exchange between the two sides and increased opportunities for future cooperation. The Dictator’s government quickly agreed to this requirement and expressed a willingness to meet with the Empire for detailed talks to deepen mutual trust and maintain a peaceful and stable relationship.
Consequently, the Crimson Moon Emperor, Su Shiye, sent an invitation to the Dictator’s government, inviting the Dictator and the Jasi Clan to the Abyss Empire for a state visit.
When Fan Li heard this news, she was in the lab writing an observation report on the chromosomes of trench worms. She was so startled that her glasses slipped, causing her to draw a long streak right across the report.
"His Majesty Su Shiye invited the Jasi Clan to visit Bamanboya?" Fan Li pushed her glasses up. "Did I hear that wrong?"
Xiami looked at the newspaper headlines and said with a smile, "Our Majesty is just that magnanimous and broad-minded."
Su Shiye, magnanimous? She believed it. But she also believed that Su Shiye’s magnanimity definitely had nothing to do with charity. She flipped through the newspapers from the past few days and saw news of the leader of Windsong Ridge visiting the Evil Shark Nest and the Red Moon Sea in succession.
So that was it. The recent trade war had shifted the political landscape of the Light and Dark Seas. Windsong Ridge and the Evil Shark Nest were both built upon hydrothermal vents on the other side of the ocean. Although their national strength was weak, their attitude was anything but. After several border frictions with the Abyss Empire, they had slaughtered many of each other's citizens. If it were any other country, Su Shiye would likely have sent warships over to wipe them out, but he hadn't done so with these two small nations.
For an energy giant like the Abyss Empire, the hydrothermal vents were a treasure trove of wealth. The Shark race of the Evil Shark Nest were incredibly stubborn; if he attacked them by force, they might very well destroy the vents entirely, which would defeat the purpose of starting a war.
"Still eyeing other people's hydrothermal vents." Fan Li propped her chin up as she read the news, shaking her head helplessly while twirling her pen. "Why is he still so aggressive? Even when taking a detour, he’s still so aggressive."
Xiami: ???
What was with the High Priestess’s non-sequitur of an answer?
Compared to the temptation of the hydrothermal energy, the centuries-old blood feud with the Jasi Clan seemed to have been tossed to the back of Su Shiye’s mind long ago.
Because she knew the purpose behind Su Shiye’s invitation to the Light Sea representatives, Fan Li knew it didn't have much to do with the Light Sea itself. Thus, she didn't follow up on the news, instead immersing herself entirely in her research. Her recent study of trench worms had made new progress, causing her to lose interest in many outside matters. She had even turned down Su Shiye’s invitations multiple times.
"You’re getting bolder and bolder," Su Shiye said over the phone, sounding somewhat displeased.
"I want to see you too, but I’ve made new progress in my work... Has Your Majesty forgotten the reason you called me to the Abyss Empire?"
"I can't tell that you want to see me."
"I really do. You’re the man I love most. Please, just give me a little more time. Once I’m done with this stretch of work, all my time will be yours, okay?"
"By then, I’ll be visiting other countries and won't have time to see you."
"Then I’ll wait quietly for you to return in Bamanboya," Fan Li said with a sweet smile. "In the meantime, I’ll have to trouble Gexi to keep you company."
What Gexi? He didn't want to see Gexi!
Su Shiye almost blurted it out but forced himself to hold back, hanging up the phone immediately.
This woman was very goal-oriented, very annoying, and very difficult to handle. If he stayed away from her, she would cry pitifully and act like a victim; if he gave her a little sweetness, she would toss him aside as if she had just completed a task quota.
She had been living in the lab for over a week. What could possibly be so busy? He also worried about the Empire's affairs, but no matter what, he could carve out an hour to see her. She, on the other hand, couldn't even squeeze out five minutes for a phone call, always acting impatient to end the conversation after just two minutes.
But there were no special ties binding them, so demanding frequent meetings felt unjustified.
The Emperor's irritability was obvious. Qusha, who was out on campaign and had just captured a new territory, called to ask for his next set of instructions.
"Keep fighting. Attack the Blackstone Kingdom in four days," Su Shiye said.
"Blackstone Kingdom? We investigated their troop deployments before; our side might..."
Before he could finish, Su Shiye interrupted him. "There will be reinforcements. Wait at the station. Rest for a few days, get into top form, and take it down in one go. If they don't listen, fight them until they’re dead."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Aize heard everything clearly from the side. As a fellow man, he understood Su Shiye well and felt a bit sorry for him. Thus, he whispered, "Your Majesty Su Shiye, the Permafrost Tribe just presented us with gemstones and Lady Xingxia as tribute. The Eclipse Tribe has offered you the Glacier Twins, suggesting they serve as your personal stewards."
"Glacier Twins?"
"Yes, they are a pair of eighty-five-year-old twin girls from the Shadow Race. Their hair and eyes are both aqua blue, which is why they are called the 'Glacier Twins'."
"Mm."
After waiting for a long time without a follow-up, Aize spoke again. "You’ve been busy for a week straight; you should take a proper rest. Should I call for Lady Xingxia, or the Glacier Twins?"
"What about Lady Xingxia? What is she like?"
"Oh, Lady Xingxia is a masterpiece. A purebred Flame Demon, two point zero five meters tall, 89-63-92. Her fel light is red and silver-white; when she swims, it’s like she’s carrying a small galaxy on her body. She’s the mature type, and her face is even more beautiful than the twins'."
"Fine, call Lady Xingxia over."
"Understood."
A few minutes later, Lady Xingxia arrived. She was exactly as Aize had described. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at Su Shiye, and her high chest heaved with her rapid breathing.
Su Shiye glanced at her, his expression becoming as gentle as water. "Truly a beauty, one that could topple nations."
"Your Majesty Su Shiye..." Lady Xingxia said coquettishly.
"Lady Xingxia, in your homeland, you must have many admirers, right?"
"Even if they were all added together, they wouldn't amount to a ten-thousandth of Your Majesty..."
"Welcome to the Abyss Empire. Treat this place as your own home; don't be a stranger."
Lady Xingxia gasped, pleasantly surprised, and lowered her head with infinite bashfulness. She remembered what the tribal chief had said before she left: "Serve Su Shiye well, and you will be the heroine of our tribe." Although she had long known that the Crimson Moon Emperor’s looks were misleading—he could easily pass for a kept man of the wealthiest woman—she also knew he was a man of powerful means. So, she had come with the resolve to face death, only to find that the Crimson Moon Emperor himself was a good person, devoid of any royal arrogance, and very elegant and polite.
"Aize has been my loyal subordinate for many years, and he is also the Privy Minister of the Abyss Empire and the leader of the House of Elites. If there is anything you don't understand about life here, feel free to ask him." Su Shiye checked the clock and said to Aize, "Take good care of our allied nation's beauty. I’ll be going now."
Both Aize and Lady Xingxia were dazed for a few seconds.
"This one is quite good, you keep her. Give the twins to Huange," Su Shiye said to Aize through a soundproof barrier as he passed by. "But don't tell Huange that the twins are your leftovers. Otherwise, with his temper, you know he’ll be throwing a fit at me for days."
"This, this, this..." Aize was even more overwhelmed than Lady Xingxia. "B-but, Your Majesty, the intention of those two tribes was for you to..."
Su Shiye didn't give him a chance to finish and walked straight out. The moment he turned the corner of the long corridor, the spring breeze on his face vanished, replaced once again by total irritability. Then, he took out his communicator and dialed a number.
After a long ten seconds, a girl's soft voice came from the other end. "Brother, what is it now?"
"I want to see you right now. Now." His tone was entirely commanding.
"But didn't we just agree..."
"If you don't come, I’m coming to find you."
"Fine, fine, fine, I’m coming. But I don't have much time today. I can see you for an hour at most, okay?"
"Two hours."
"I can't. I have to observe experimental results in two and a half hours. I need to set aside some time to get back early and wait..."
"Then don't bother coming."
"Mhm, okay, we’ll do it another day..." At this point, Fan Li paused slightly. "Wait, you’re not planning on coming over here, are you?"
"I'm on my way."
"Ah! Then don't be too fast, I have to tell them to leave first..."
So tiring. Maintaining a lover's relationship with Su Shiye was truly exhausting.
This man was clearly her "brother," yet he was often as willful and childish as a small boy. If he wanted something, he had to have it immediately; if he wanted to do something, he had to do it right then, without any consideration for others' feelings.
Not only did she have to spend a massive amount of time on her experiments, but she also had to find time to accompany Su Shiye. Fan Li wished there were forty-eight hours in a day. Because her life was so busy, two weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Before she knew it, it was December 21st—the day the Light Sea Dictator and the Jasi Clan were to visit the Abyss Empire.
She had pulled an all-nighter for her last experiment, not going to sleep until six-thirty in the morning. She was so tired her body ached, and her stomach hurt from hunger. Lacking the energy to eat, she collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep instantly. She woke up just before eleven in the morning, feeling her hair was greasy and her body was sticky; her whole person emitted a sour, unpleasant odor. She scratched her hair, tied it back with a seaweed hair tie in a daze, put on her glasses, and squinted as she ate a few bites of the takeout Shasha had ordered before heading back to the lab.
"Wait, Li-zi..." Hege looked at Fan Li’s back with an expression like she had seen something disgusting. "Don't you want to take a shower before going in? You’ve been in the air for several days. You know, if you don't touch water for a long time, it’s not very hygienic..."
"Taking a bath in the Dark Sea is a waste of time. I’ll wash before I see Su... before I see people." Fan Li lifted her arm and sniffed. "It’s fine, not particularly stinky."
Once Fan Li went in, another three hours passed. Shasha and Hege were bored to death in the research institute and were planning to go out for a stroll, but just as they stood up, they heard a burst of dainty laughter.
Then, led by Aize and Qiong, a group of Light Sea people entered.
Leading them were Jasi Xitian and a pure, beautiful blonde Poseidonian girl.
Xitian was in a good mood. He had met with the Dictator and Su Shiye at the Palace of Infinity that morning to briefly discuss the development policies for the Light and Dark Seas. That evening, they were to attend a banquet prepared for them by the Empire. Everything was going smoothly. However, as the High Priestess and his ex-wife, Fan Li hadn't been there to receive him in Bamanboya immediately, which left him a bit disappointed. Upon hearing she had been busy with work, he came to the research institute to see her.
"Is she inside the lab?" Xitian looked through the glass window on the lab door and indeed saw Fan Li walking back and forth inside.
"Yes, I’ll go call her," Shasha replied.
The blonde girl who came with Xitian followed as well. "I’ll go too. I haven't seen Sister Sui in so many years; I’ve missed her."
"And you are?"
"Just call me Qiaoqiao." Qiaoqiao smiled with innocent sweetness, while simultaneously stroking her still-flat belly. "I am Lord Jasi’s girlfriend and the mother of his child. Sister Sui knows me."
"Oh..."
Shasha led Qiaoqiao into the lab, but as soon as they entered, they saw Fan Li waving them away with her back turned. "Out, out! Can't you see I’m busy?"
"High Priestess, Jasi Xitian and Qiaoqiao are here to see you."
"Huh?"
"Sister Academician Sui, it’s me, Qiaoqiao."
Fan Li turned around, looked at Shasha, then at Qiaoqiao. She pushed up her glasses and blinked for several seconds.
In those few short seconds, Qiaoqiao’s mood shifted from anticipation, nervousness, and a desire for victory to disappointment, guilt, and pity. She had never been able to forget the stunning beauty and the sense of shame she felt when she first met Academician Sui. Back then, she was merely Lord Jasi’s mistress; she had knelt on the ground begging for Academician Sui’s forgiveness. Academician Sui had been wearing a white lab coat, her hair as thick and beautiful as seaweed, calm and composed, standing high above her—an image etched into her memory.
Now, she had finally met Academician Sui again, but she hadn't expected her to still look the same—and even more disheveled than before. Her glasses weren't on straight, her hair was a bit greasy, and she was pinching the corpse of a trench worm in her hand—limp, long, and fleshy, absolutely disgusting. Although her features were still exquisite, a woman who didn't groom herself at all couldn't be called radiant... Even worse was Academician Sui’s aura. As Academician Sui looked at her, she seemed shocked by her refined appearance and luxurious clothing. Academician Sui probably never imagined that the pathetic girl who had knelt and begged her would now, thanks to her child, become Jasi Xitian’s official girlfriend.
Academician Sui must have a psychological shadow regarding this pure and harmless face of hers.
Fan Li was indeed shocked. Because she had completely forgotten what an important day it was. As the High Priestess of the Light Sea, she hadn't gone to welcome the Dictator and the Jasi Clan immediately, and she couldn't even recognize who this girl in front of her was.
Seeing how young the girl was and her poised attitude, she must be some newly appointed important figure from the Light Sea.
Sigh, balancing academia, diplomacy, and politics was truly difficult. She still had to find time to deal with that clingy pest, Su Shiye.
Thus, she shot a pleading look at Shasha, wanting her to give a subtle hint as to who this Qiaoqiao was. But Shasha’s eyes were vacant; she turned her head like an owl, completely oblivious to the SOS signal.
This unreliable, silly Sha.
Fan Li looked at the trench worm in her hand, quickly tossed it onto the table, clapped her hands, and smiled at Qiaoqiao. "Hello, Qiaoqiao. Long time no see. You’ve become so beautiful I almost didn't recognize you." A foolproof opening. Fan Li praised herself in her heart.
The pity in Qiaoqiao’s heart grew even deeper.
Sigh, it really was true that a woman shouldn't divorce too many times, shouldn't live too willfully, and shouldn't lack emotional intelligence. A woman of Academician Sui’s status had, because of repeated divorces, married worse and worse each time, until finally she was exiled to the Abyss Empire to do hard labor—and she had been here for ten years. By the time she returned to the Light Sea, she would surely be far from the center of power. So, what was the use of a woman studying so much? She wasn't a little girl anymore; in the end, she would have nothing.
The former Saintess of the Light Sea, the sole goddess in the hearts of the Light Sea people, was truly finished.
Even though they were once rivals, Qiaoqiao felt genuine sympathy for Fan Li. She stepped forward and said softly, "Actually, Sister Sui, I’ve always felt especially guilty. It’s all my fault that you’re living so poorly... So, if you have any requests for the Light Sea, please feel free to ask."
"Huh?" Fan Li was completely bewildered. Was this girl Su Shiye’s long-lost younger sister or something? Every other sentence was "If you have requests for our country, just ask."
"Although I don't have much of a say, I am the mother of the child, after all. And you are the child’s father’s ex-wife, so you’re practically half a mother to the child. You don't need to be polite with me."
Finally, Fan Li remembered.
This was Xitian’s little girlfriend! she almost said, "Oh, it's you," but thinking that would be too rude, she smiled instead. "You’re having a baby? That’s wonderful, congratulations to you both."
As she spoke, Fan Li checked her communicator and saw five missed calls, all from Su Shiye. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Sister Sui, you really are a good person." Qiaoqiao was so moved she was nearly in tears. "How can you be so kind... If it weren't for me, you clearly could have lived a better life... Don't you really blame me for being here all alone in the Empire, suffering and being neglected..."
"I don't blame you, I don't. Anyway, I have something to take care of..."
"Sister Sui, you must have suffered a lot of grievances here, right? How about we stop working and go back to the Light Sea? You don't know, Xitian just helped the Light Sea and His Majesty Su Shiye improve their relationship. If he asks His Majesty Su Shiye to let you go now, he probably won't refuse. How about I have Xitian go talk to him for you..."
Fan Li really had no time left. She strode out of the lab, waved to Xitian, and said apologetically, "Xitian, I’m so sorry. I’ve been overworking lately and completely forgot such an important matter. You guys go rest first, and I’ll receive you properly at the banquet tonight."
Xitian had been sitting on the sofa, but when Fan Li appeared, his eyes lit up. He stood up slowly and said, "Alright. See you tonight."
Hege was nearly nauseated. After they left, she rolled her eyes. "Jasi Xitian’s little mistress is so disgusting, coming here to show off. Whether our Li-zi is living well or not, what does it have to do with her?"
"She and Gexi are quite alike; they’d definitely become best friends," Shasha said with her mouth full of bread.
Fan Li didn't have time to join the conversation. she quickly finished the work at hand, rushed home to get ready, and arrived at the Palace of Infinity exactly at ten minutes to six. Seeing the sixteen rows of Royal Cavalry lined up in the plaza and the colorful flags of the Light and Dark Seas flying above the palace, Fan Li’s mind began to feel unbalanced. Thus, even when Su Shiye called her, she stood at the door in a huff, refusing to speak to him.
"Someone who disappeared for an entire morning has the nerve to be angry?" Su Shiye walked over and whispered, looking down at her.
"Don't talk to me. I’ll talk to you when I’m in a better mood." Fan Li looked outside expressionlessly; the Light Sea delegation had already arrived at the center of the plaza.
"You should at least tell me the reason you’re angry."
"Don't talk to me."
Seeing the Dictator and the others swim out of the vessel, with the soldiers on both sides bowing in unison to greet them, Fan Li felt even more disgruntled—she was the High Priestess of the Light Sea. When she first arrived at the Abyss Empire, why didn't she get this kind of treatment? This bastard Emperor Su Shiye!
"Oh, I know why now." Su Shiye glanced outside, his eyes overflowing with amusement. "I didn't expect our darling to care so much about these formal things."
"Hmph." Fan Li looked outside, her cheeks puffed out in anger.
"If you want a ceremony, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow." Su Shiye gave her wrist a gentle tug. "Be good, stop being angry."
"I’m the High Priestess! Do you know what being the High Priestess means? I represent the Poseidonians of the Light Sea clans. How could you treat me like this?" Fan Li was still very upset.
"I don't consider your coming to the Abyss to be of a visiting nature."
"You..." Fan Li turned to glare at him, but it lacked any real sting. "You had already prepared to keep me here?"
Su Shiye only smiled. After a few seconds, he said, "Is this the first day you’ve known me? Some questions don't need to be asked."
"I am the High Priestess of the Light Sea! You need to be clear about my position!"
"Of course, Distinguished High Priestess Sui."
Fan Li was fuming, seriously wanting to build up the Light Sea’s public image. But to the onlookers, it didn't look like that at all. To the Prime Minister, the ministers of the House of Elites and the House of Citizens behind them, the Dictator who had just disembarked, Jasi Xitian, the accompanying Light Sea politicians, and Qiaoqiao, the scene they saw was this: High Priestess Sui, wearing a silver evening gown, looking beautiful and noble, yet with a flushed face as she slightly turned her head away. The Crimson Moon Emperor, in a black military uniform with silver hair like snow, peerlessly handsome, was leaning down to coax her with soft words, his eyes full of smiles.
"Lord of the Deep Blue... those two couldn't be in a relationship, could they?" someone in the Light Sea delegation whispered.
"Don't talk nonsense, it's impossible," Xitian snapped. "Su Shiye could never win her over."
Seeing Fan Li’s appearance that night, Qiaoqiao was already quite shaken. Xitian’s words only added to the frustration building in her heart. "It’s more likely she’s not good enough for Su Shiye."
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Her 4.3 Billion Years | Chapter 107 | The Emperor's Public Favor | Novela.app | Novela.app
