Chapter 317 - 316

Joanna was determined not to be tempted by the delicious food, but her stomach wouldn’t cooperate. It let out a loud GRUMBLE, blatantly announcing to the world just how greedy she was.

Joanna: "..."

’So disappointing. What a complete letdown!’

She felt even more deflated. ’I’ve really let Simon Lockwood walk all over me,’ she thought. ’It’s practically a habit now. All it takes is a couple of nice words and I’m placated.’

"Your luggage is packed. The black bag on the very outside has beef jerky and chocolate. The bag inside that has your underwear."

Simon Lockwood wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her out of her sulk and into his embrace. He even thoughtfully tucked the blanket in around her. "After you eat, check and see if I’ve forgotten anything."

A suitcase sat on the floor, its contents perfectly organized. A quick glance revealed that he had even packed her daily medications; it was more thorough than if she had packed it herself.

’I wonder when he packed all this.’

’He packed my suitcase, he cooked... and he even made time-consuming things like pumpkin cakes and purple sweet potato buns.’

A warmth spread through Joanna’s chest, and her tone softened unconsciously. "I could have packed it myself..."

"Mm, Joanie’s the best," Simon said.

Joanna: "..." ’Don’t think I can’t hear how you’re patronizing me.’

Joanna said resentfully, "Simon, I’m older than you, you know?"

She was trying to say she had more life experience and that he should stop coddling her like a child.

Simon was very cooperative. He kissed her on the forehead. "Mm, you’re the best."

Joanna: "..."

Joanna gave up, deflated. She dropped the argument. Simon wouldn’t fight back or argue back; there was no fun in teasing someone like that.

"I’m going to get ready." Joanna tilted her face up, pushing away from his embrace. "You should go. And don’t watch me get dressed."

"..." Simon took a deep breath and relented. "Alright."

In the living room, Simon took the food out of a thermal container and set it on the dining table. Then he ladled out a bowl of meatball soup and a small bowl of sweet egg soup with brown sugar.

He’d made a wide variety for breakfast, but the portions were small, so nothing would go to waste.

When Joanna finished getting ready, she shuffled out of the room, looking very uncomfortable. Her brow was furrowed as she walked, and when she saw Simon coming toward her, she shot him a glare and held out her arms imperiously. "Carry me."

A moment ago she’d been adamant about not being held, and now she was ordering him around. But Simon didn’t find her behavior the least bit unreasonable. He obediently scooped her up. His movements were gentle, and his tone was laced with concern and regret. "Is it really that bad?"

How was she supposed to answer a question like that? Joanna said stubbornly, "Of course not. It’s not like you were all that great."

"I just don’t feel like walking. Don’t overthink it," Joanna said, putting on a serious expression.

Simon glanced at her slightly trembling legs and instinctively snuggled her deeper into his arms. He was considerate enough not to call her out on it. "Mm, alright. I won’t overthink it."

Joanna was very pleased with how "perceptive" Simon was. But when she saw the brown sugar drink on the table, her composure vanished. Her eyes widened. "Wh-what is that?"

"Sweet egg soup with brown sugar." Simon saw nothing wrong with having prepared it. He even picked up the bowl, intending to feed it to her.

The white porcelain spoon touched her lips, and Joanna turned her head away, nearly exploding with rage. "Simon, why are you making me drink this?!"

’I’m not recovering from childbirth or anything! Who on earth drinks this the morning after doing *it*?!’

"To replenish your vitality," Simon said with a straight face. When she didn’t cooperate, he added patiently, "This is good for you."

Joanna: "..."

’The best thing Simon could do for me right now is shut up. Replenish my vitality? My ass! Do I look that weak to him?!’

"I’m not drinking it! If you want it drunk so badly, you drink it!" Joanna refused, ready to die on this hill.

Her face was a little pale, with faint dark circles under her eyes. She looked like a delicate flower nipped by frost. And she had actually fainted last night. At the thought, Simon’s brow furrowed. "Joanie, be a good girl."

Joanna was the perfect example of someone who was all bark and no bite, and to make matters worse, she loved junk food. Simon had painstakingly nursed her back to health with herbal tonics, and seeing her revert to her old ways made him feel both anxious and regretful.

Anxious about Joanna’s carelessness with her health, and regretful for going too far last night.

"How about just half a bowl?" Simon said. "I’ll drink the rest."

It might seem like Simon always gave in to her, but in reality, he managed her life down to the last detail. Getting the hyper-controlling Simon to concede felt inexplicably satisfying. Joanna said, a little smugly, "Fine, then..."

The sweet egg soup was delicious, with goji berries mixed in. It actually tasted quite good. Simon fed her a spoonful, and she drank it. Before she knew it, she had already finished most of the bowl.

Joanna refused the last spoonful, turning to the meatball soup instead. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Simon drink the last of it with a deadpan expression. Her mood instantly soared.

’If we’re drinking it, we’re drinking it together. I’m not going to be the only one who’s "weak."’

She stretched her breakfast into lunchtime. Afterward, she got a text from Mindy Morgan saying an assistant would pick her up at 4 p.m., so she should be ready.

What was there to get ready for? Simon had already packed her bags. There were still four hours until the assistant arrived.

With nothing else to do, Joanna lounged on the sofa watching TV. Then a thought struck her. She headed for the bedroom, and as she passed the guest room, she saw Simon bent over, folding clothes.

"What are you up to?" Joanna asked pointedly. "Trying to move into my bedroom while I’m away?"

She never learned her lesson, having completely forgotten how thoroughly he’d tormented her last night. She leaned against the doorframe, looking at him with wide eyes. "It’s no use moving in. I’m leaving this afternoon to film the show, and I won’t be back for half a month."

And half a month was just a conservative estimate. Any unexpected delays could extend the filming schedule. The thought made Joanna wish again that Simon could go with her.

They had originally agreed that Simon would go with her as her assistant, but Howard Thorne would never approve.

Simon’s looks and aura were too striking; he didn’t look like an assistant at all. He’d draw too much attention.

"Simon, I’ll text you," Joanna couldn’t resist saying.

In contrast to her reluctance to leave, Simon showed no obvious emotion, though a flicker of a smile touched his eyes. "Mm, okay."

"I’ll text you too," Simon said.

Joanna was very satisfied. She walked off, humming a little tune, and so she missed the black suitcase behind him.

A text popped up on his phone. The message was simple, just a reminder not to be late. Simon’s fingers tapped out a quick reply: "Mm."

In the bedroom, Joanna packed the "Blue Rose" from her nightstand, then carefully tucked it away between the layers of her clothes.

Ever since she’d won the "Blue Rose" at auction, she had kept it on her nightstand as she slept. It had become a habit.