Chapter 31

*The Contract*
Give me a hint—even a small one.
Bai Shuzhou’s act was perfect—you cannot wake someone pretending sleep.
But as Zhu Yu’s lashes trembled and she almost gave up—the signal she waited for came in the dark.
She could stay silent—even without words Zhu Yu would leave—“get out” was invitation with eyes closed.
Zhu Yu watched the thin glacier back—silver hair loose—neck a cold arc in dim light—
Silent laugh.
Bad mood meant closed shell—softness hidden in pearl—
Even in the shack she had been cool-gentle to children—
Lip press—pressure drop—snow before storm—do not approach—
Even clingy Heming backed away—
Heming joked silent Bai Shuzhou wouldn’t cry if she kicked the bed—dark joke for immobile legs—
Zhu Yu was the bed corner—
Corner sat bold—one finger poke blanket—
Side face in moon—soft voice:
“Don’t you wonder why we married?”
Ear tip under blanket twitched—
Killer question—who could resist—
If she woke married and divorcing—panic—
Teen Shuzhou after mother’s death—lost—
Versions: Qianze legal education—public romance or scam—
Soft warm ask:
“How old are you now, Highness?”
Almost coaxing—eighteen hated being treated child—sat up—
Moon on cold noble face—lying talk to outsider improper—must not look weak—
Zhu Yu pillowed her—skin touch—both startled—habit—
For Shuzhou it was trespass—yet no rejection—
Warm dry palm vs cold dragon—
Tiny crack in ice face—soft as imagined—
Callus left pale red on arm—
Zhu Yu red ears—where to look—worse intimacy before—now fingertip—heart race—
Shuzhou calm detached—made Zhu Yu feel wrong—
—
Pillow—half lid—judging Zhu Yu—
Jaw line—blue eyes flat—
“I was eighteen when I differentiated Omega.”
Not happy news—
Weak body hoped adult change—
Spirit too strong for flesh—disappointed many—
Zhu Yu missed sorrow—eyes bright—“Eighteen is great!”
Incredible—eighteen Shuzhou—
Jade cold—chin up—sharp beauty—
Looked older than twenty-five—
Thorns before rose—
Snow in her eyes—on purpose cold—
“So why did we marry?”
She had files—wanted Zhu Yu’s mouth—
“Because—we love each other!”
Flat—“You lie. Out.”
Honest sit—knees—“Well… marry first love later?”
“Love?” ice smile—“You came for divorce papers.”
“I won’t love anyone—” cold verdict—“Don’t waste effort.”
Zhu Yu saw ice face—remembered kissing night—body doesn’t lie—melt in arms—
Contrast hooked heart—
Eighteen should dream future—
Hard mouth soft lips—
Topic open—she thought too—
Mood lifted—takoyaki flipped gold—
Learn bad-woman type—clumsy display—
Mirror practice—smile like Eden snake—
Finger people on blanket—
“I can not be human—” low magnetic tail—“You’ll like me.”
Shuzhou closed eyes—
How could I like—
“Get out!”
Too rude—she startled herself—
“Sorry!” head down—“Future you will—chance to pursue?”
“We lived outside—broke smuggling case—”
“You spread wings—guided my spirit—”
Sheet grip—“How long together—birthday—anniversary—why irreplaceable—why should I like you?”
Barrage—sweat—didn’t know original timeline—no birthday! Scum—
Blank exam—fill with food facts:
“No cilantro—red braised meat—wide noodles—carrot chunks—mushy rice—”
Shuzhou cold—“My chef knows that.”
Piercing eyes—nowhere hide—
Irreplaceable value!
Careful hold fingertip—warm light between skin—
Crack in ice—stronger than first power—
Disbelief—soft sigh—bitten back—
Blank moment—beautiful—
“You—”
“Yes!” pinch proud—“You taught well.”
“Stay—no divorce—useful—” pause—“very useful.”
Not just cooking—
Silence—hair behind ear—“You taught that too?”
Tone—ears burn—why so flirt at eighteen—
Interest alliance—formal contract—handshake extra seconds—
Heh Qianze doubted—Shuzhou still chose her—
Grin—Shuzhou low—“Only contract—not like—not love—don’t cross—clear?”
Clear—nod—she said same before—later…
If it calms her—good—
Too official—stung heart—
Autumn wind—empty—
Press own gland—weak pain not her skill—
Wood rose mix—Shuzhou dodge—
Sensitive more than Zhu Yu knew—
No marks left—hate good heal—
Diamond from pocket—layers open—blue star—
—
“After heat period—you gave me.” Not “engagement”—rubbing—shy—
Gem—scent—proof they loved—
Night—gem light on girl face—
Marry first—contracts—heat help—gift—
Cough lip—“So—we are bed partners?”