Chapter 18

*The Deal*
Losers die.
Black Hat slumped—lungs burning—nose maybe broken—blood choking breath.
She watched Zhu Yu dismantle the exoskeleton left arm with an electric screwdriver—rose pressure fading—synthetic rope on limbs.
Black Hat closed her eyes.
Official stories—low-born People’s Star—sunny smile—confident—ambitious.
On the highest podium at honors: “Anything is possible—never give up hope.”
Before killing surrendered unarmed Federation scientists—same words.
Medal stained with her comrades’ blood—those scientists almost cracked humanity’s great puzzles.
Such dangerous rose—how only D-rank Alpha? Empire lied to confuse enemies!
Black Hat never thought—that pressure came from an Omega.
Inside gauze the lark shifted human—sobbed in Bai Shuzhou’s arms. Zhu Yu circled anxious—approached to comfort—bird quieted, trembled.
Zhu Yu sighed—turned to Black Hat.
Woman lifted chin—blinked clear—memorize this demon’s face.
Girl bland as a sigh—pills from a bag—forced down her throat.
Poison?! Struggle—wrists raw—glared as crew dragged out—bound in yard.
Midway Zhu Yu frowned—touched waist—straightened spine.
On the bed Bai Shuzhou flickered—patted the lark—whispered—girl wiped tears out. Zhu Yu ruffled hair—smile—“No thanks needed!”
Thought it was thanks—girl bowed shy—helped carry.
Black Hat held breath—stomach burning—poison working—how would she torture—
She waited for death.
Zhu Yu bound everyone in the yard—called girl to wash—soap several times—back to cooking.
First fight—hands still shook—hid in routine—normal—reliable calm.
Voice low, magnetic:
“Any food allergies—garlic, ginger, chili?”
“Oh—you serve rice—three bowls—no guests—lid the cooker after.”
Bai Shuzhou laughed lightly.
Zhu Yu caught it—laughed too—exhaled—from panic to shoveling food—heart landing.
Smoke out the window—world’s noise elsewhere—full belly mattered most.
Smell to the yard—starved smugglers drooling—lips cracked.
After meal the lark—Mo Jingchun—glanced at Bai Shuzhou—permission—water to One-eye—woman glared—drank desperate.
“Ahhh—spicy—spicy—! What did you put in the water—!!!”
“Water—water—please—!!!”
Lark had wanted to retreat—seeing pirates beg—slow blink.
No triumph—but she shook remaining chili oil on every face—neater this time.
—
Caterpillars writhing on the ground.
Zhu Yu gaped—Bai Shuzhou unsurprised—book.
Mo Jingchun—beautiful name—scout card on commute—sing audition—Federation star.
Scams—imperials caught—trained—exotic pets sold.
Zhu Yu remembered cat’s embroidery class—same playbook.
Hope into abyss.
Bai Shuzhou bandaged the bird—night deep—girl insisted home—family waiting—Zhu Yu escorted.
“Are you Zhu Yu?” Soft at last.
Nod—mess inside—waist still aching—sneak attack had been vicious.
“I’ve heard your name—” soft hope—savior—“You’re so strong—you’ll save the others? Auction tomorrow—sold means never home—please—”
Sorry—I’m not that Zhu Yu—industry, maybe army—I only have a chainsaw.
But shining eyes—words stuck like gum—Zhu Yu nodded silent.
Family wept—mothers forced gold chain—refused—almost crushed by enthusiasm—left with pastries.
Bai Shuzhou liked them.
Detour Helan’s shop—dark—Helan at grandma’s with Heming—when return?
Helan helped enough—must not drag them into danger.
Night wind—head cooled—thought of a woman.
Villain extra—wanted—beat smugglers—days wilder than her whole past.
Zhu Yu laughed.
Home—quiet yard—sharp eyes—no scare this time—Black Hat wriggling—pulled gag—“What?”
Blood stopped—clinic meds work—complex stare—“You won’t kill me?”
Zhu Yu: “Kill you—kids released?”
“No.”
Sigh. “Then useless except vent.”
She wanted to rally—bind Black Hat—raid den—save youths—movie hero.
Couldn’t—movies had cannon fodder routes.
Nobody wants that—she wasn’t tiger general or fox politician—villain extra—plot beat—not even Nan Gong.
Protect Bai Shuzhou—send home—merit—leave. Plan long set.
Skilled hands—small home—four dishes soup.
Piggy bank out—knew the sum—not enough for star tickets.
But gems—Bai Shuzhou’s gems.
Thank goodness—gems.
Maybe after sending Bai Shuzhou—run with money—Federation—far star—live calm.
Backlit with ridiculous piggy bank.
“Zhu Yu.” Cold low—vine on shoulder—“Crying?”
“No.” Turn—smile—“You’re still up.”
Vine lifted hem—purple waist—soft lamp—soft eyes—pain sharp—breath dull.
Mat dirty—sat bed edge—healed self—gauze hook loose—shadows—her fingers guided Zhu Yu’s hand inches lower.
Warm—gentle—jade.
Eyes followed red mole on wrist—looked away—light fading at waist.
Black Hat squad missing—pirates would search.
Zhu Yu low: “Dangerous here—I want to send you first—you send people—only you can save them.”
“Good.” Gentle in night—pinned her fears—heart quiet.
Thump. Thump.
Room—heartbeat.
Blue eyes on her: “We—not together?”
“Oh—us.”
Pinch wrist—“we” ached—voice tight: “Leave together—save them—then—”
Small turn.
“Then—won’t kill me?”
Embarrassing to ask—woman paused—slow smile—amused.
Not Zhu Yu.
So Zhu Yu.
After Bai Shuzhou slept—Zhu Yu lifted tail on her—covered quilt—out.
Smugglers gone—wall—red hair—moon—Nan Gong laughed: “No wonder you fetched me at night—big business.”
“Not that!”
Nan Gong spread hands. “Same thing.”
“Who are you—Federation army or smuggler?”
Nan Gong dropped from wall. “Don’t lump me with trash.”
No time—fast enough—maybe stop tomorrow’s auction.
“Two tickets to the empire—transfer to imperial capital best.”
“Your chips aren’t worth that.”
“Money—and gems—buy energy planets.”
Nan Gong checked bag—glanced at Zhu Yu and shut door—grin—“Not enough—I want something valuable.”
Fist tight. “Don’t push!”
Nan Gong smiled. “You’re asking, dear.”
Eyes on the ring—Zhu Yu covered—Bai Shuzhou’s!
Tsk. “Trade or not? My time’s precious.”
Grit teeth—merit medal from inner pocket.
Not first pawn—but shame burned—heart fast—breath slow.
Nan Gong glanced—laugh—“Fine. One direct ticket.”
“Two—and no direct route here?!”
“Still playing dumb, Comrade Zhu Yu?” Raised medal. “You handed yourself over.”
No warrior drops honor medal.
No choice.
Shoulders shook—tears on ground.
“Hey—not that bad!” Nan Gong leaned—“Really crying?”
Cold on her heart.
Face up—exoskeleton click—folded muzzle—last tear down cheek.
Heart wild—surface calm dry laugh.
“Swear on your house—she leaves safe—or we die together.”
“This world’s a game—death’s an exit—I don’t care—you do?”
Steady hand—quiet madness—spider aside.
“You’re insane!” Nan Gong believed she’d do it.
Damn—underestimated her—act this well?!
“Won’t you break oath?”
“You won’t, Nan Gong Xun—you care about face.” Mean smile. “Break it—forums get your electric bunny-ear cute video.”
“…”
Silence.
Smile gone—eyes cold—mismatch with flirty shell.
“White Horse tell you?”
Zhu Yu only smiled.
She’d found the real name long ago—common huge clan—politicians.
Not personal grudge—definitely not—repeated searches.
Who throws hundreds of thousands on a wheelchair—despises army and smugglers—hides as waitress in Chaos?
Muzzle hot on chest.
Nan Gong cold: “Fine. House oath—princess to imperial star.”
Eyes narrowed—flash inside—someone watching—arms wide around Zhu Yu through exoskeleton—whisper:
“Remember the debt—I hate threats.”
Moon—embrace like beasts locked in death.
All seen by ice eyes.