Chapter 3

*Kiss and Flight*
Glass shattered—rose and blood in the air.
Yellow sand—a clumsy old craft punched through cloud—Alphas gaped as it accelerated, splitting the wind.
They thought Zhu Yu had fled alone—room empty but a bloodied cape.
“Chase!” Gray wolf’s face hardened—Zhu Yu could go—the princess could not!
Their gear outclassed hers by decades—no D-rank would steal their prey.
Silver ships formed up—erased crests flashing clear in sun.
Zhu Yu floored the throttle—sky sliding past—eyes forward. Head snapped on inertia—princess’s helmet caught her chin—pain kept her awake.
Aerospace major—never thought she’d actually fly.
Coach used to joke “you gonna fly a plane”—and here she was. Almost laughed.
Blood in her mouth—old boot lag—then a female voice:
【Welcome back. Imperial glory stands with you.】
Familiar—like English listening tests. Dead memories stirred. Zhu Yu barked: “Auto cruise!”
“Level-two shields!”
“Air conditioning!”
“Everything on—lose them!”
Pause—【Affirmative. All presets engaged.】
First on—the speakers—white mist from the grille—saxophone *Going Home* filling the cramped cockpit.
Stable flight—hands free—ice melted—AC on herself—heat unchanged—rose from the bone.
The woman in her arms burned—fresh from a hot spring—biting her lip against broken sounds—pain past limit—unconscious press to Zhu Yu’s chest—nuzzle.
Green vines coiled waist and wrist—pulse—pop—a rose bloomed, gold-edged petals.
Zhu Yu wiped tears again and again—endless—soaked her front—low sobs into arm wounds—salty, sore.
How to ease her?
Zhu Yu hugged her—gentle pats on shaking spine—mother used to when she was sick.
“Mm—!”
Lashes down—she bit Zhu Yu hard—all grievance and hate in teeth—white flesh—shared pain.
Zhu Yu hissed—held tighter—low: “It’s okay—we’re safe—no one will hurt you—I swear.”
Gold light over her palm—brightened with motion—flowing between skin—clear, soft, impossibly light.
Girl-scent like cloud—night wind eased the fever—blue eyes lifted through dim light to Zhu Yu’s jaw.
She surfaced from fog—legs numb now tingling—warmth in limbs—disbelief: “You have healing power……?”
“Ah—I didn’t know.” Hands opened—light faded to fireflies.
Power from mental force—rare—Imperial Academy caged gifted for study.
Transmigrated—worse than power—dissection if found.
Shiver—“Does that help?”
Ice eyes met hers—complex—bitten lip—small nod.
“Good.” Gland burning—throat tight—no full embrace—held her hand—tried to pour energy in.
Light flickered—no growth—only red thin skin.
Cases said A-rank and up—Zhu Yu was D—second from bottom.
3S Bai Shuzhou chose her—scandal—Life Tree said 100% match.
Because of that?
Face dark—low: “Zhu Yu. Closer.”
She obeyed—wrist near—flinched—rose hit—
Afraid of another slap.
Mask torn off.
Eyes wide—blue eyes—breath on nose—blood on tongues.
Wrist around her neck—no retreat—
Gold surged—they seemed to fall into roses—every petal soft.
She answered the taking—from stream to sea—fingers in hair—deepening—
Silver and black tangled—dizzy—double vision—
So beautiful—so fragile—not a fox spirit—her wife.
Duty to protect.
Why was she crying?
No oxygen—blank—hand to wipe sorrow.
Mental field open—unguarded—filling cracks—deep, sticky.
Light in her eyes—vines wild—roses crushed—juice in heat.
Exhaustion kills.
Fingers trembled—Zhu Yu owed her—all pain from her—why play gentle?
Rough young fingers—scarred—careful on her cheek—tears gone.
“Don’t be afraid—we’ll get you home safe.”
Pulled back—cupped her face—kiss should bring happiness.
Bitter tears—light on lip wounds.
“If you don’t like this—we’ll find another way. Don’t be afraid—”
Tears broke.
Mechanical voice: 【Apologies—tracked by Morison missiles. Open comms?】
【Autopilot cannot evade. Manual recommended.】
Missiles?
Radar—Alphas behind—sun on warheads.
Mad—the princess is aboard!
The emperor adored his only sister—surely treason to fire—
“Request comm!”
【555—declined.】
555? Cute system.
【444……】
“Countdown?”
【Missiles.】
“Why so calm—you’ll be scrapped too—think!”
【Manual. Warp jump. I believe in you—strongest human——】
Static.
Glance at Bai Shuzhou—no time for flattery—lips still warm—rose faded before death.
Strongest waste college kid—manual license not cleared—no highway alone.
Pulled from scent—already flying—dizzy, weak legs.
Bai Shuzhou watched—blue eyes washed bright with tears.
【333, 222——】
Grit: “Warp jump!”
Coordinate leap—old machine might manage—nowhere else—gamble.
Better than waiting.
Hands on controls—mind linked—spine burned—vision expanded—cockpit to—space—
Body uncontrolled—senses hollow—missiles slow—space folding—
【Welcome back. Imperial glory stands with you.】
……
Fire—spinning stars—cold hands.
Dark swallowed them.
Less real than dreams—yet not afraid.
Bai Shuzhou gripped her—ten fingers locked—palms overlapping— not alone.
Alice down the rabbit hole—world reversed.
Maybe she had been falling all along—into a world with Bai Shuzhou.
Sink forever—return home?
Safe—warm—hot meals waiting.
But Bai Shuzhou?
Mom—can I bring her home?
Mom……?