Chapter 56: Lunch Plans
I wake up sore.
Everything aches, deep muscle soreness that radiates from my hips, my thighs, my lower back, places I didn’t even know could hurt this much. The sheets are tangled around my legs, and when I shift position even slightly, my body protests with a thousand small pains that remind me exactly what happened last night.
The other side of the bed is empty and cold, Bael already gone to work before I even opened my eyes. I glance at the clock on the nightstand and blink.
Past ten.
I haven’t slept this late since... I can’t even remember when.
My stomach chooses that moment to make its opinion known, growling loud enough that I hear it clearly in the quiet room, hunger hitting me all at once with sudden urgency. I force myself to sit up, wincing as my body reminds me of every position Bael bent me into last night, every thrust that left me gasping, the knot that locked us together for what felt like forever.
My face heats up just thinking about it.
Stop.
I’m not thinking about that right now, I need food first, then I can deal with the mortifying memories.
The bathroom is a trial, every movement making muscles I forgot existed scream in protest, but I manage to get through a shower without collapsing, letting the hot water ease some of the soreness, washing away the dried sweat and other evidence of last night’s activities.
When I look in the mirror, I stop, there are bruises everywhere. Dark marks on my hips in the exact shape of Bael’s fingers, bite marks scattered across my neck and chest and shoulders, hickeys blooming purple against my skin.
I look like I got into a fight.
Or more accurately, I look exactly like what I am...someone who got thoroughly fucked last night.
Meanwhile Bael probably doesn’t have a single mark on him because I completely forgot to leave any, too busy being overwhelmed to think about strategy.
Great job, Runze.
Really excellent execution of your plan.
I get dressed carefully, choosing a high-necked shirt that covers most of the damage, and head downstairs to find Mrs. Wen. She takes one look at me limping slightly and her expression shifts into something knowing and amused that makes me want to sink through the floor.
"Good morning, Young Master," she says, tone perfectly neutral. "Breakfast?"
"Please," I manage.
She serves me enough food for three people, and I eat all of it, barely tasting anything through the fog of hunger and lingering exhaustion. But even while I’m eating, even while I’m trying to focus on the meal in front of me, my brain won’t stop circling back to last night.
It’s not like it was our first time having sex, we’ve done this before, multiple times, in multiple positions, but last night felt different somehow. More intense, more consuming, more like he was trying to prove something or claim something or mark me so thoroughly that I’d never forget who I belonged to.
The thought sends heat through me that has nothing to do with the food, I shake my head, trying to clear it.
This is stupid.
Seducing Bael while we’re home doesn’t actually stop Xue Lian from making his move, I realize with growing frustration at my own lack of planning. I only managed to occupy one night, and now Bael is at work where Xue Lian can show up anytime he wants, can arrange more convenient lunches, can touch Bael’s hand across the desk while I’m sitting here covered in hickeys that I forgot to return.
I need to hog Bael’s time when he’s not home.
That’s the actual strategy, to make sure Xue Lian has no opening, no opportunity, no chance to worm his way back in.
So today, just like I planned yesterday before I got distracted by ice cream and seduction, I’m bringing lunch to Bael’s office.
I look up at Mrs. Wen, who’s watching me with that same knowing expression.
"Mrs. Wen," I say. "Can you prepare lunch for me today? Something really nice, packed to go?"
"Of course, Young Master, for how many people?"
"Two," I say, then pause. "Actually, make it enough for three. Just in case."
She nods, already moving toward the kitchen. "What time will you need it?"
"Eleven thirty?"
"I’ll have it ready."
***
By eleven thirty, I’m dressed in clothes that hide the worst of the marks, hair styled to cover the ones on my neck that the collar doesn’t reach, looking as presentable as possible given the circumstances.
Grandmother is in the sitting room when I pass through, and she glances up from her tea.
"Going somewhere?"
"Bringing lunch to Bael," I say.
Her expression shifts into something approving. "Good. A spouse should take care of their partner."
I nod, not mentioning that my motivations have absolutely nothing to do with spousal duty and everything to do with territorial competition.
Mrs. Wen hands me an insulated bag at the door, packed carefully with containers that smell incredible even through the packaging.
"Thank you," I tell her.
"Enjoy your lunch, Young Master."
Liang Feng and Qiao Jun are already waiting by the car, and the drive to Wuchen Group headquarters is quick, traffic light at this time of day. We pull up to the entrance and I get out, taking the lunch bag with me, and head straight for the elevators.
Several employees do double-takes when they see me, recognition flashing across their faces as they bow, but no one stops me as I make my way to the top floor.
Shen Rui is at his desk when I arrive, and he stands immediately when he sees me.
"Young Master Wuchen," he greets, polite and professional as always.
"No one disturbs our lunch," I tell him before he can say anything else. "No calls, no meetings, nothing unless the building is literally on fire."
His lips twitch slightly. "Understood."
I don’t wait for further acknowledgment, just walk past his desk and push open Bael’s office door.
Bael is at his desk, looking at something on his computer, and he glances up when I enter, surprise flickers across his expression, subtle but visible.
"Runze," he says. "What are you doing here?"
"Can’t a wife bring lunch to his husband?" I reply, closing the door behind me and walking over to the small table by the couch.
I start unpacking the containers, laying everything out with careful precision, the smell of Mrs. Wen’s cooking filling the office immediately. Bael is watching me with an expression I can’t quite read, something between amusement and suspicion.
"What are you up to this time?" he asks.
I just smile at him, settling into one of the chairs and picking up my chopsticks, then I start eating without waiting for him, without calling him over to join me, just diving straight into the food because it smells incredible and I’m still hungry despite the massive breakfast.
The first bite is perfect, savory and rich, and I can’t help the small sound of satisfaction that escapes.
Mrs. Wen really outdid herself.
"Didn’t you just say you brought lunch for your husband?" Bael’s voice cuts through my food-induced haze.
I glance up at him, still chewing.
He’s leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, looking at me with that dry amusement. "If someone else heard that, they’d think you were a very good wife. They wouldn’t know you’re just a bratty wife who doesn’t care about his husband."
I swallow my food and smile at him, subtle and sweet.
Then go back to eating without answering.
Who cares about some husband?
I’m only here to stop a rat named Xue Lian from getting anywhere near him.
If Bael wants to eat, he can get up and join me himself.
I’m already mentally planning what to ask Mrs. Wen to cook for tomorrow’s lunch, maybe something with seafood, or those dumplings she makes that are absolutely perfect, or...
Actually, I should probably bring lunch every day this week, make it a routine and establish territory, and show Xue Lian that Bael’s lunch hour is occupied, claimed, completely off-limits.
I take another bite of food and allow myself a small, satisfied smile.
This plan is going to work perfectly.