Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“By the way, did my father tell you to do it?”
“Well. . .when he saw the cameras out there, he was surprised—”
“I’m sure he was so surprised.” Lei rolled his eyes. “I bet he called them.”
“Well. . .he said that it may be good to give my condolences to the reporters, but only if I wanted to. . .if I felt the calling to do so. Also. . .he said that in regard to anything else, I could say whatever came to my heart, and that. . .if I had a good heart, I would say the right things.”
“Another test.”
I blinked. “Fuck. Are you serious?”
“I thought it was odd that there were already so many cameras down there, and how the rest came so quickly.”
“But. . .he didn’t know that he would. . .”
“What? Kidnap you? I’m sure he did, but he would have to do it, once I was near. That was the only way he would get out of the East and also have you and I in front of the cameras.”
Shocked, I sat up. “Hold on. He knew we would talk in front of the cameras?”
“He hoped we would. It was a test for us both.”
“A test.”
“The whole day was a bunch of tests. He wanted to make sure we will really do good by the East, when he is gone.”
“And what do you think? Did we pass?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Does it matter?”
A little embarrassed, I frowned. “Is it wrong that I want to pass?”
“No. All my life, when it came to my father’s tests, I always wanted to pass.” He rubbed the inner part of my wrist. “What is it about my father that makes people want to please him?”
“I wanted my speech to please you too.”
“It did.” He looked up at me. “More than you will ever know. When I saw you talking to the reporters, my entire soul was moved. I saw my mother, then. . .after the shock of it all. . .I saw my future wife. . .and. . .the mother of my kids.”
My whole being shook from that confession while my eyes widened and my mouth fell open in shock.
“So. . .you wonder if we passed my father’s tests, I know we did. I’m certain of it, but even more. . .I don’t give a fuck. I’m just happy you’re in my life.”
“I’m happy you’re in my life too, Lei.” I lay back down, but this time I rested my head on his chest, forcing him to roll onto his back.
He wrapped his arm around my waist. “After your speech at the tea ceremony—”
I groaned in annoyance.
He laughed. “You’ll wait. Mom said that. . .the process of steeping was a metaphor for patience and the unfolding of one’s true nature over time. It was a moment of quiet reflection, where the tea absorbs the essence of the leaves and transformed into amber liquid.”
“She was deep.” I looked up at him.
“She wanted to be a poet, but. . .”
“But what?”
“She ended up being the Mountain Mistress instead. . .my father would not let her have time for anything else, but the East and raising my sister and me.” He gazed down at me. “But you will have time for anything you want.”
“Damn right I will.” I gave him a nervous smile. “After the steeping is done, then what?”
“You will pour, and that is something my aunts will probably bother you about early in the morning. They’ll make you practice it over and over.”
“Why?”
“It’s a style called Practiced Grace. You’ll pour it, yet appear submissive. It will be at an odd angle and very uncomfortable.”
I was utterly confused, but took more mental notes.
“You’ll pour the tea into small, delicate cups. And. . .the idea is that. . .each cup is to be filled with not just tea, but with intention and care.”
Fuck. I would just like to make some tea and be done with it.
I let out a long breath.
Welcome to the East, indeed.
“But this is the most important part,” Lei continued. “You will offer the first cup to the man you love, and you will do so with both hands in a gesture of respect and humility.”
“This is why you knew your father figured you would be at the ceremony?”
“He knew I wouldn’t let it happen unless I was there. Your first cup of tea is mine, and no one else’s.” This fierce possessiveness flashed in his eyes. “Any man who grabbed that cup. . .”
“What?”
“I would cut off the hand that touched it.”
“Lei, you’re being extra—”
“I’m not—”
“I don’t like any violence over me—”
“Then, you should not have given me any pussy.”
I scowled at him.
“Back to the tea.” He winked at me. “When you bring my cup over.”
“Oh my God.”
“Our eyes will meet.”
I blushed.
“And. . .there will be this silent exchange between us.”