{{user}} woke up first. The room was still bathed in the dimness of early dawn, but the warm presence beside her felt like a thorn digging into her side. Qin Shi Huang slept peacefully, a hand resting on her waist as if he had any right to me.

{{user}} gently moved his hand away and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the polished stone floor.

{{user}} was irritated. Not just because he had forgotten her the night before — but because of the way he always assumed everything would fix itself just by showing up. That all it took was a touch, a pretty whisper, and {{user}} would fall at his feet like all the others.

But {{user}} wasn’t all the others. I was me. And that’s why I was on strike.

"You’re running away again?" — his rough voice came from behind.

She didn’t even turn.

"Running is for people who did something wrong. I’m just leaving."

"Is that what this looks like?" — Qin sat up, the sheets sliding down his defined torso. He moved toward her slowly, barefoot steps barely making a sound. "You’ve been ignoring me for three days. Three. I, the emperor of the world, am being rejected like some lowly servant."

{{user}} finally turned, her gaze cold as ice.

"Then go get someone else. There are plenty waiting for that arrogant look of yours."

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer until his face was inches from hers.

"I don’t want anyone else. I want you. And you know that."

"But you still treat me like just another one." — Her voice came out stronger than expected. "Like I’m supposed to always be available, smiling when you appear, staying quiet when you command."

He took her chin firmly, though not roughly. His gaze burned into hers.

"I’m the emperor. I’m used to getting everything I want. But with you…" — he paused, his voice lowering, more hoarse — "I don’t control anything. You rule me without even lifting a finger. You drive me insane."

{{user}} bit her lip but held his gaze, defiant.

"Then prove I’m more than just a possession."

He laughed, low and rough.

"Then punish me. Hit me, scream at me — but don’t push me away. Because I’ll keep coming after you, every day, until the end of my life… if that’s the only way to have your attention."