Chapter 26

*Visiting the Sick*
Visit scheduled deep night—
Mysterious family consciousness—changed clothes all afternoon—nothing fit—
Scumbag wardrobe miracle dress-up—wild styles—
Formal too stiff—not family—
Mirror sit—imagined camera reporter—strange—
Front preset outfit—flashy shirt—invisible lines—broad shoulders narrow waist—v neck—collarbone—perfect—
Novel—back itch—peacock—
Mirror girl wave—“Long time sister”—magnetic—
So fake—
Smile stiff—alert—original wore this—Bai Shuzhou likes bad-woman style?
First meet after that night—show better side—like more—maybe won’t leave without word—
Mimic others bad—but no patent—wear!
Play original safer—forced… guilty excuse—
Butterfly outfit killed—steward ruler at dinner—“No.”
Gland exposed—no—
Factory QC—fail stamp—redo—
Academy under Feng—but data honest—illness real spirit fluctuation—Feng not all lie—
Zhu Yu not cleared—protected—
Wink practice failed—oversized white shirt—all buttons—obedient—
Steward twitch right eye—
Later—full PPE Michelin bread—utility door into Academy—
Understood caution—public figures low profile—secret affair vibe—
Exciting—special—
Steward Melnor—noble—long surname forgot—call sis—
Sweet mouth pays—junk star learned—
Iron Melnor—tighter PPE—human shape barely—
Fish seducing master—forbidden—
Night—Academy lit—long white corridor—cold tech—
Footsteps echo—
Window saw staff—hard work—
Inside—nobody—
Repeating white—ghost wall—
Escape hard—
Nervous—numb fingers—afraid place—
Disinfectant—doctor mother—sensitive—
Tip-toe—Melnor noticed—slow—grab—faster—
End corridor low—“See Highness—don’t say wrong—understand?”
No—but nod—palace loves riddles—
Door—blond researcher from data—met bread Zhu Yu—both tense—
Stand straight—researcher stood—
Saw Melnor—bow—no questions—
Melnor high rank—side eye—
“Take her—blood draw.”
“Blood?!”
“Still want see Highness?”
“…”
Fine—blood—
Strip layers—arm out—“Less please?”
Young polite—“Sorry no—gentle okay?”
“Oh thanks—”
Arm only—no face—needle slow—“You’re Zhu Yu?”
How tell! Silent—default—
“Wait—Emperor inside.”
Bai Qianze hates Zhu Yu—known—
Rose—slum girl—mismatch—understand—
Future daughter yellow hair—no trust—
Cold entering—lucky—
“Thanks saved me—”
“No need—” pause—“Livestream—we admire you.”
Admire—shock—pure gaze on her—not original shadow—
Blood done—handshake—monitor corridor—wait emperor leave—
Small help—
Late—Bai Shuzhou sleep by midnight—half hour left—
Wave nutrition block—
Screen flash—eyes bright—not Bai Shuzhou—Bai Qianze—
Sisters alike—silver blue—but Qianze deeper—devouring—
Shuzhou sky blue—sapphire light—
Legend cold emperor—cloak hugging woman—hidden—pale ankle swing—
Fragile—
Staff heads down—
Emperor mad gentle—researcher startled—glance Zhu Yu—
Zhu Yu frown—
Saw Shuzhou in frame—“No socks—sick—AC low—”
Researcher: THAT’S the point?!
“You—”
Wrapped ran—
Emperor just left—bread cat peek Shuzhou room—
Remembered route—faster than Melnor—suite—foyer only—fluffy white tail—
Snow leopard knight—
Run—Melnor iris scan—pushed in—
“You out first—” to knight—
“Yes.”
Knight glance calm leave—
Emperor allowed?—secret happy—
Inner not white—gold imperial—one wall—
Academy to palace—richer than her wing—
Shuzhou private room—
More time here than palace—
Familiar word—canary—
Not canary—dragon—strong dragon!
Colder in suit—
Bed woman white as snow—eyes closed—clock midnight—
Bell—
Warm light side face—transparent veins—fragile—
Nose ache—touch fingertip—
Tired lashes—no strength open—finger tiny hook—
Lips part silent—soft hoarse—
“Zhu Yu.”
Cold room—felt each other—snail touch—
Mask off—lean kiss—warm light palm—wrist grabbed hard—
Eyes open—wet cold blue—
Pull—
Kiss nowhere flee—snow on hair brows—
Knee bed edge—hold cold hand in warm palm.