Hera's Modern Life: Chapter 3

 Chapter 3.

A Bastard Remains a Bastard Wherever He Goes

Tossing the roses casually into the nearby trash bin, I straightened my clothes, instinctively thinking of changing into something more expensive, because Zeus always liked the best, whether it was food, wine, clothes, or men and women. But as I moved my fingers, I suddenly realized, the force of habit is too strong! Even now, occupying the main memories of my consciousness is still Han Xiaole. As a modern woman, why should I try to please a scumbag with my looks? If I could file for divorce, I wonder how much alimony Zeus would owe me.

Unfortunately, in our realm, divorce is not an option. I am still the goddess who governs marriage, and divorcing is akin to slapping oneself in the face ten thousand times. Just look at Aphrodite and Hephaestus, constantly engaging in passive-aggressive behavior because of their strained relationship. Hephaestus, with such a good temper, couldn't even bear it and went to catch her and Ares in the act. They probably haven't spoken in millennia, yet they haven't divorced, have they?

With a heavy sigh, I casually tidied my messy hair and went downstairs. Zeus wasn't accustomed to waiting, and apart from the issue of mistresses, I've never truly defied him. Even as the goddess Hera, I am still his subject; in this world, everything belongs to him. I would love to slam the door in his face with flair, but the horrifyingly long memories in my mind make it difficult for me to do so easily.

After all, I've been his wife for so long, and I've obeyed him for so long. It’s too difficult for Han Xiaole's twenty-six years of memories to contend with Hera's memories spanning thousands of years. Perhaps I just need a little time.

Once downstairs, there was no need to search for him; the stares and expressions of the waiters and other guests were the best indicators. Following their gaze, I found Zeus occupying the best spot in the hotel, leaning against the window with one hand and impatiently tapping the table with the other. His golden hair swayed gently in the sea breeze, and I could clearly hear a European lady nearby sighing in ecstasy.

"Oh my, he's so handsome."

Hey, lady, you're old enough to be his grandmother! Though his real age could make him your great-great-great-great-grandfather with no issue. Rolling my eyes inwardly, I walked up to him and pulled out a chair to sit down. He turned his head, smiling warmly, exuding charm—it's just a habitual instinct for him. This man can't help but sprinkle his pheromones around; if he doesn't, he might as well be dead. I quickly averted my gaze.

Everyone (men and women alike) was looking in our direction, but he didn't care at all; he was completely intoxicated by this attention, basking in it, radiant and self-satisfied. Seeing a gentleman in his forties, his tea cup overflowing and spilling onto the pristine tablecloth, but he didn't even notice, still holding up the teapot. I couldn't help but rub my temples.

"Can't you be a bit more discreet, adopt a more normal look?"

"Why? I am Zeus; I never hide or change my appearance."

I wanted to calmly point out that in the long years past, to have affairs, he did more than change his appearance. He even turned into animals. He was extremely skilled at turning into a cute little bird sneaking under a woman's skirt. But at that moment, the waiter finally remembered his duty and began serving the dishes, so I bit back the words that would surely enrage him.

"Sir, your order is ready."

The young waitress blushed, her hands trembling as she held the plates, and said nervously. Zeus glanced absentmindedly at her, raised an eyebrow, and curled his lips. Suddenly, I felt like the poor girl's freckles were about to ignite on her face.

"Thank you. By the way, did I mention how beautiful your eyes are?"

The girl squealed and covered her face, almost tripping. I stared at him disapprovingly.

"Mortals can't resist your divine charm; that's cheating."

"Darling, you're still so jealous. Relax, she's not my type; it was just a little praise." He lazily said, reaching out to touch my face intimately. In an instant, I heard countless hearts breaking and teeth grinding around us.

"Kind lies can keep them happy for a whole year. What's wrong with that? I'm a loving god," he said, playfully winking at me. I sighed wearily, nothing had changed, he was still the same.

Of course, he definitely didn't like that girl; his taste had been spoiled by all sorts of beauties, both men and women that his standards were ridiculously high. But every time he saw me jealous over such trivial matters, he always seemed pleased.

"Let's eat," I said with a stern face, not wanting to be led by the nose by him.

Sometimes I wondered, is he really the god of thunder? He clearly possessed the power of the god of love, Eros, so he could easily make men and women swoon with just a flick of his finger. Without the power of a god, he would just be a superficial handsome blond bastard! Thinking of this made me angry, so I angrily stabbed at the food on my plate with my fork, imagining it was Zeus's face. 

It's strange, even though we share the same blood, Hestia is still a virgin goddess, Hades hardly ever leaves the Underworld, and apart from Zeus, I have no other lovers. So why is it that he and Poseidon, along with Demeter, can shamelessly indulge themselves, siring offspring like planting potatoes, one after another?

"Darling, don't be angry. You know who my favorite woman is."

He seemed quite satisfied with my reaction, condescendingly giving me an affectionate smile. I gripped the fork tightly, really wanting to poke a hole in his head. There were two personalities battling fiercely within me; as Hera, I loved him to madness regardless of everything, but I also hated him, gnashing my teeth. As Han Xiaole, I despised this super stud and wished never to see him again.

"Xiaole, why are you up so early? Weren't you complaining about being tired yesterday..."

Hearing that familiar voice, I inwardly cursed, too much had happened, I had even forgotten that I came with my best friend. If she saw me sitting with Zeus, the gossip-loving woman would probably spread it all over the world in no time!

"Wang Li, um, I'm not!"

Getting up in a panic, I tried to explain, but it seemed that my friend, who had been my classmate for over fifteen years since elementary school, was already stunned, standing there absent-mindedly looking at Zeus. However, as expected of the queen who exudes a powerful aura and dominates all male creatures, she immediately regained her composure, still smiling and reaching out to shake hands.

"Hello handsome, I'm Xiaole's friend. Mind if I join you?"

Wang Li spoke in English, while Zeus had been speaking Greek to me all along, but he smoothly switched to English, in the most standard Oxford accent. "Of course, it's my pleasure."

With that, he gallantly took Wang Li's hand and kissed it, making Wang Li giggle. I looked at her in horror; she hadn't made such a terrifying laugh since we graduated from junior high!

"Hey, Xiaole, not bad, you've actually hooked such a catch. Don't worry, I won't tell your future husband, it's okay to indulge yourself a bit before your wedding."

After sitting down, she playfully nudged my waist with her elbow, laughing lasciviously and ogling Zeus, whispering, "He's really handsome. If it weren't for you, I would have definitely gone for it! I bet at least twenty people here are fantasizing about taking off his pants and having sex with him. Xiaole, you can't lose face!"

Covering my face in despair, I didn't want to look at Zeus's ambiguously smiling face. As an all-powerful god, he could understand any language, so please, Wang Li, don't think speaking Chinese in front of foreigners makes it safe!

"Wedding? Darling, what wedding? Didn't we have our wedding millions of years ago?"

Sure enough, the next moment, this restless fellow immediately switched to fluent Chinese, in a perfect Mandarin accent, asking.

“No!”

"What?!"

Both Wang Li and I exclaimed loudly, but Wang Li's initiative seemed to have the upper hand. She completely ignored why this foreigner could speak Chinese and directly seized on the main point.

"Wedding? Xiaole, you’re married to this guy?"

"Yes, we got married a long time ago, under the blessings of all the gods, declaring it to the whole world." Zeus frowned, pondering with uncertainty, "It should have been three million, seven hundred and forty thousand years, plus one hundred and twenty-one days, right?"

"It's three million, seven hundred and forty thousand, one hundred and nineteen days." Correcting through gritted teeth, I grabbed Wang Li's shoulder, forcing a stiff smile. "Don't listen to his nonsense; he's just joking. Actually, I've only known him for less than ten minutes."

Wang Li stared at me suspiciously. "But he doesn't seem like he's joking. I feel like he's quite familiar with you. Hey, Xiaole, I don't mind you having a fling with a handsome man before marriage, but Dong Zi is really good to you. Don't be stupid; you won't find a better man than him."

"I know, so I didn't!" I yelled in frustration.

With a defeated sigh, I didn't know how to explain this chaotic situation clearly. If I were Hera, according to my previous temperament, I should have decisively erased all memories left in the mortal world, and followed Zeus back to Olympus to continue being a goddess. But as Han Xiaole, living for twenty-six years, I liked my current life and didn't want to change it at all. I even started to resent Zeus; since he initially said he'd send me down to suffer in the mortal world, why bother coming to find me? Wouldn't it be better to just wait for my natural death and let my soul return peacefully?

"Darling, no explanation?"

Zeus said coldly, tapping the chair's armrest impatiently. This was his expression when he was impatient. My husband might seem frivolous and shameless, indulging in affairs everywhere, appearing empty-headed, but he was the king of gods, and his wrath was truly thunderous. Perhaps in the next moment, he would mercilessly destroy this place, kill everyone, to express his anger at being ignored.

After taking a deep breath, I turned around. "I think we should talk."

"Xiaole."

Wang Li obviously sensed something wrong. The golden light of divinity radiated from Zeus, invisible to mortals but palpable in its pressure and fear. Yet she still stood in front of me, habitually wanting to protect me.

"It's okay, don't worry, I'll handle everything."

Putting my hand on her shoulder, I infused my words with divine power, making it sound like an advice. After a moment of confusion, Wang Li silently complied, sitting quietly and starting to eat the food on the table. I silently apologized to her in my heart.

"Not here, let's go out and talk."

Turning away and walking out the door, I didn't want to argue loudly with him here. Zeus clearly wasn't accustomed to my indifferent calmness; he cursed a few times and quickly walked up, grabbing my hand.

"Hera, what are you trying to do! I've warned you, don't try to challenge the authority of the king of gods."

"Yes, my husband, my flame of soul, the eternal light."

I replied sarcastically, following my previous habit.

"Of course, no one wants to challenge your authority, but the orders of the king of gods cannot be violated. The punishment you gave me isn't over yet."

He narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Until the lifespan of this mortal body comes to an end, I cannot return to Olympus. That is your order, dear husband."

I replied coldly.

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