Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

When Lee Tae Yang left the neurology department after his schedule it was around ten in the night,

According to his normal schedule, leaving the hospital before midnight was considered a rare opportunity.

He was able to leave early only because he had a busy day at the hospital.

Since Chi Yan was on leave, he had to assist two surgeries in a day and even had to sit for the outpatient consultation,

He was tired to death and wished to reach home as soon as possible,

When he came downstairs the night sky was filled with rain clouds and it was about to pour down,

It is almost summer and why there is rain at this time? He wondered and headed towards the place where he parked his car.

Under the yellow lights in the parking lot, his gaze fell on a forlorn figure sitting next to his car.

Xiao Li!!! He mumbled, "What is she doing here at this time,"

He hurried towards his car and called the girl who was leaning on the door,

"Yangyang," Li Juan smiled cheerfully.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ah nothing, I was about to go home, so I thought I will drop by,"

The academic year ended in the schools and universities all across the country and it was the time of annual examinations. 

The libraries and reading halls in S city were filled with students especially those who were appearing for their graduation exams,

Li Juan who was undergoing home-schooling also worked hard to catch up with her studies. Whenever she came across with some difficult questions or portions, Lee Tae Yang was the one who helped her. He even brought her books and prepared notes for her to get a better understanding of the subjects. She often visits or calls him to clear her doubts,

"Why didn't you call me?" He was curious,

"I tried, but your phone was switched off," She answered plainly,

"Ahhh my phone's battery died in the evening and forgot to bring the charger, I am really sorry Xiao Li,"

"No, it is okay,"

"Did you eat something?"

Li Juan slightly nodded, 

"Get inside, I will drop you at home," Lee Tae Yang gave her a hand and pulled up from the ground and opened the car door for her.

Li removed her backpack and got inside the car,

"Did you inform your mother that you will be late?" He inquired as soon as sat on the driving seat,

"Hmm," Her reply was meek and it gave a vibe that something went wrong,

"Hmm?" He narrowed his eyes and asked her again,

"I told mom that I will be coming late," She enunciated each word and hugged her backpack,

Lee Tae Yang started the car engine and drove off, 

Once the car entered the main road, he gave a sidelong glance at the girl who is sitting silently on the shotgun seat.

What is this awkward silence? 

He was well aware of the fact that Li Juan was hesitant to initiate a conversation with others, but not with him.

whenever she is with him, she never had hesitations or scarcity of topics while talking to him. 

Then what is with this cold shoulder?

"Xiao Li," He called her in a docile voice, "Did I make any mistakes?"

"No,"

"Then why are you silent?"

"Nothing," She smiled, "It is going to be rain, so drive carefully"

"Yes madam, I will carefully drive you home," He replied with glee,

"There is no one at home," Her words lacked any emotions, "Mama got a double shift, she won't be coming home today,"

"Xiao Li, why don't you tell your mother to look for some other job? She is working day and night, it is not good for her health," Lee Tae Yang suggested. Even though he knew Li Juan for almost three months, he rarely saw her mother. Li Qin worked on countless part-time jobs to meet the two ends of their life.

"Do you think I haven't tried yet? She gasped and continued, "I told her countless times. Mama refuses me by quoting that we need to move to somewhere better and she is saving for the new home,"

"Xiao Li, is it okay if I get you home?" He asked all of sudden,

"I am not planning to get married early," Li Juan said with an expressionless face, "So Mr Lee, you cannot tempt me with a betrothal gift,"

"I didn't mean that...I just want to-" He stuttered while explaining the reason behind his offer.

"I know, you are worried about me and want to help me, but Yangyang, no matter how much we love each other, these kinds of help are bit burdening," Li Juan affirmed,

"Once I am done with the exams, I will look for some part-time jobs and we will be alright,"

"Hmm, understood," He replied and focused on the driving,

After a while, the car engine started to make low rumbling sound and he parked the car at the side of the road, 

"Let me check what's wrong," Lee Tae Yang got down from the car and opened the bonnet, only to get attacked with thick smoke rising from the engine.

"Shit," He gritted his teeth and looked at his phone, It is already dead,

"Where is going to get a car mechanic at this time?" He cursed inside,

"Yangyang, what is wrong?" Li Juan got down from the car and inquired,

"I forgot to take the car for servicing," He touched his neck and sheepishly said, "It's getting late and...let's go and take the car from home,"

"You have two cars?" Li Juan forgot about his status for a moment and asked a stupid question only to regret afterwards,

"Ahh it is not mine, its Tian's, he left his car at my place," Lee Tae Yang closed the bonnet and faced her with an apologetic look, "I live nearby, it won't take much time,"

"I am not in a hurry to get home," Li Juan assured him with a smile, "Let's go,"

Both of them opened the doors to fetch their belongings and locked the car,

"Is it okay to leave your car like this?"

"I will inform the service centre to pick up the car tomorrow," He told her and began to walk,

While they were halfway to his house, it started raining,

"Aisshhh," He gnashed and scrunched up his face in disappointment,

What an unlucky day,

Firstly he was over-exhausted by work, made Li Juan wait for who knows how long, his car broke halfway across the way and finally, the rain,

"Hey, it is only a drizzle. Why are you worrying?" Li Juan tried to ease his trouble, "We can still walk and get your car, no big deal,"

"I am really sorry Xiao Li," Lee Tae Yang began to apologize and it lasted until they reached his home.

Lee Tae Yang lived in a two-storey beach house like a villa next to the beach,

They ignored the drizzle, but by the moment they reached his home, both of them were drenched in rain, especially Li Juan who wore a white tee shirt appeared like a baby chick with wet feathers,

"I am really sorry," Lee Tae Yang unlocked his door and let her get inside,

"How long are you going to apologize," Li Juan chortled and stepped into the living room,

"Woof, woof," Yasook who was waiting for Lee Tae Yang to come home, ran towards them,

"Yasookie!!!!" Li Juan bent down and picked up the golden retriever puppy in her hands, "How are you? Did you miss me?"

"I will get you a towel," Lee Tae Yang told her and went towards his room,

Li Juan whose clothes were wet refused nudge from the entrance and stood there while playing with Yasook,

Lee Tae Yang came back immediately with a towel,

"Why are you still standing there? why don't you take a seat?" He asked her in a reprimanding voice,

Li Juan swept a glance across his living room which is neatly arranged and had a pure white and sky blue interior, giving off a bright beach vibe,

Even the cushions on the white sofa remained intact,

It seems like he did take care of his house pretty well,

"It is so neat and tidy, I don't want to ruin it,"

Lee Tae Yang stared at her as if she talking some alien language,

"I was sitting on the ground for a long time," She explained with a wimpish look, "I don't want to stain your sofa,"

"God, this girl," Lee Tae Yang walked towards her and pulled her towards the sofa,

"Yangyang, no..." She struggled to stay back,

However he made her sit on the sofa and crouched beside her to dry her hair,

"I can do it," Li Juan took the towel from Tae Yang who remained with a sulky face, "You are spoiling me, way too much," 

She removed a pink and white headband from her hair and began to dry her hair,

Lee Tae Yang picked up the wet headband and stared curiously,

Li Juan never paid any attention in dressing up. Whether it was a date or normal meet up, she always wore casual clothes and hoodies, but today there is something different with her clothes.

He scanned up her with dubious eyes,

Li Juan's plump lips had a pinkish glow and her eyes appeared darker than usual,

Did she wear makeup today?

Is there any speciality for today? He stood up from the ground and looked at her, she was even wearing new clothes,

"Xiao Li," He scratched his head and called her,

"Did you wear makeup today?" He wanted to ask her, but once he met with her sparkling eyes, he hesitated to continue, "Let me get you something to change,"

She nodded in agreement and Lee Tae Yang ran back to his room,

"Oh my God!!! It is our 100th day of love," He touched his face,

like seriously? He forgot his birthday, he forgot to take his car for servicing, now this day. How can he forget all these days?"

He opened his wardrobe and picked up a big box,

He even brought gifts for her and yet forgot about the day,

He got out of the room and brought the box with him, hiding it behind his back,

"Many many happy returns of the day, Xiao Li," Lee Tae Yang said and kneeled beside her,

Li Juan smiled and pinched his cheeks, "finally you remembered,"

"I am sorry, sorry," He bowed before her with an apologetic smile and Li Juan immediately caught his broad shoulders,

"Aiggoooo, my forgetful baby," She cupped his face in her palms and gave a quick peck on his cheeks, "Happy hundredth day of love, Yangyang,"

He shut his eyes in embarrassment and took out the box, "Sorry, I forgot to wrap it,"

"What is this?"

"Open it and see yourself,"

Li Juan gently opened the box and took out a beige trench coat and white turtle neck sweater,

"Aww, this is so cool... I always wanted to buy a trench coat. Thank you so much Yangyang,"

"Look at the buttons," He suggested,

Li Juan looked at the big black buttons on the trench coat, on every one of them an L&L symbol was engraved,

"It is a custom made couple-clothing. I also have a similar pair," He said with a sunny smile, "Normally everyone gives couple rings on 100th day, but I thought you might not like it, that's why I thought of getting something useful for you...It came to my notice that your body is always cold, "

"I like it, I like it so much," She replied with moist eyes and threw her hands over him to enclose him in a tight embrace,

"I am happy, that I have you in my life...I am happy that I met you,"

"I feel the same, Xiao Li," He wrapped his hands over her and placed a kiss on Li Juan's wet hair,

All of sudden, he felt a hot liquid trickling down his shoulder which is followed by a stinging pain of piercing teeth,

He released her from his arms and looked at her red eyes,

He only brought her some clothes and why is she crying?

"Xiao Li, why are you-" Lee Tae Yang's words were stolen by a pair of wet lips,