Between The Pages {Liu Yuxin x Reader}

Y/N

I was still half-asleep when I made my way to the kitchens. Lazily rubbing at my eyes as a yawn would slip out every couple of seconds. I do not even know why we have to wake up this unnecessarily early. The worst thing is that Meipo's shrieks are what I woke up to. It put me in an even more sour mood. No one really wants a raging woman to greet them first thing in the morning.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Anqi spoke up as I took a seat next to her.
"Morning..." I mumbled under my breath as I rested my cheek on my hand and closed my eyes.

"Tea?" I heard her offer.

"Don't we have coffee? I need something stronger to function."

I heard the little laugh she gave out before I felt her stand up. I sighed and rubbed my eyes again. My eyebrows felt too heavy to even open and there was nothing in mind at the moment other than sleeping. I lightly slapped my cheeks as I forced myself to sit up straight. Meipo might come around the corner and yell at me again.

"Here you go!" A cheery voice said before a bowl was placed in front of me.

My squinted eyes looked up and there I saw Jiaqi smiling down at me. How come she is so happy and cheerful so early in the morning? Is she not tired after last night? The smile on her face did not even falter as she took a seat on my other side. I just huffed and looked away.

"Where did you run off to last night, Aihan?" She asked out as she started to eat her own bowl of congee. "You missed the fire show and even the communal dance!"
"Sorry..." I replied, tone sheepish as I picked up a spoon. "I was really tired so I decided to just rest early."

"Is that so? Then why do you look like you have not even slept  a wink?" A cup of steaming black liquid was set next to my bowl along with Anqi's questioning voice.

I did not answer and just chose to focus on the coffee first. I missed this. I have been drinking nothing but tea for the past few days. A content sigh flew out my mouth as the familiar taste washed over me. However, that relief vanished as I opened my eyes and saw the questioning looks being sent my way.

I set the cup down and gave them a small smile. the truth is that I did not sneak off to sleep last night. After the story the Princess told me, I could not shake off the thought that it was somehow connected to what was happening to me. I did not come from a blue flower or anything, but just what if? Those thoughts kept me up last night. Wondering and trying to piece everything together.

So far, all I managed to figure out for sure was that the flower that Lanmei came from was probably from the Fusang tree.

"There's not much to say. I really was just tired," I answered and shook my head. "Besides, isn't it too early to be awake?" I pointed out as I turned to look outside. It was still dark out. Not even a dark blue, the sky was still black.

The questioning looks on their faces lingered for a bit more until Anqi decided to speak up, "I guess that is true. But Meipo was insistent that we still have to clean up and prepare enough food to help the royals feel refreshed after last night."

I just nodded along and busied myself with eating. At least the food would make up for all the hours of sleep I lost. The other helpers are quiet as well. I'm taking it that like me, their brains are just not made to function well in the morning. I could even see some of them slumped over the table and dozing off. the silence was only broken by the sound of another bowl being placed on our table.

"Aihan! I cannot believe you did not return last night." It was Lin Fan. Her lips were way out into a pout as she grudgingly took a seat across me. "You told me you were just going to the lavatory and the next thing we know, the show ended and you still have not returned."