Chapter 43

*Compensation*
The undercurrent between the two—White Bird noticed none of it.
Also Alpha, her gland was damaged—scent dulled. Zhu Yu’s gift had surged; clasped palms jolted like electricity. White Bird shrank, sneezed, a puff of flame.
Body trembled—but Zhu Yu’s energy was warm as sun, melting ice in her frame…afraid, she still gripped Zhu Yu’s hand hard.
Chill spread from frail White Bird—shock woke bad memories—lips open, silent “heh-heh.”
Zhu Yu’s hand was caught—she woke, held with both hands, shook hard, hoping to soothe.
White Bird went pale—pulled Zhu Yu—about to kneel to Bai Shuzhou—other hand raised, begging.
Help me…it hurts…
Compared to lab memory, pirate suffering was nothing.
Strength huge—Zhu Yu just smiled was yanked to the floor—felt girl’s arms spasming on hers.
She did not know why—but heart tightened—eyes up at Bai Shuzhou.
On the bed in white, faint red still on nose, paler face, glass-clear.
She sat, watched White Bird, stunned, bit lip—cloud god over chaos—pale blue all mercy.
Powerless.
Lids dropped—Zhu Yu felt pain around her thicken—ink on white—cannot fade—buried in silent snow.
Zhu Yu half-kneeling hugged White Bird—hesitated—first time treating someone besides Bai Shuzhou—hands tight, warm palms, patted shaking spine.
White Bird thin—bones under back—light as breakable—curled in Zhu Yu’s arms.
Body better than Bai Shuzhou’s—healing soon calmed her—empty eyes on Zhu Yu, then Bai Shuzhou, confused.
Spirit damage worse—clutched Zhu Yu’s clothes until med staff came—for isolation Zhu Yu could only strip shirt for her to hold and go with.
Through thick glass White Bird’s hollow look faded—Zhu Yu’s chest stuffed wet cotton, heavy.
Leaving her alone was cruel.
She understood—but treatment needed—Zhu Yu could not follow.
What had those experiments done to them?
Anger, despair, hate—surged—strange—Zhu Yu rarely this negative—did not know whom to hate.
In rising death-wish she bit down—remembered Bai Shuzhou’s merciful eyes.
Heart hammered ribs.
Zhu Yu pressed chest, leaned cold corridor tile, bent for air.
Spine slid down wall—falling from height—saw that porcelain hand again.
Pale vein, red mole like target—hate found aim—arrow drawn—shot at sky-blue eyes.
Still falling—wind—voice at ear:
Do not hope, do not trust, do not…like her…
Hate…Bai Shuzhou…
?!
Thought pierced fog—woke from nightmare—ice plunge—shirt back sweat-soaked.
Ptoo. Pinch wrist, breathe, snarl back.
Materialist warrior—not afraid—mere nightmare.
“I don’t care what you are—get off me now!”
“We are fated match—destiny—your turn to object, monster!”
Fist tight—yelled—felt better.
Voice firm—cords vibrate—chest hum—wrist pulse real—alive on solid ground.
Long exhale.
About to lean and recover—a hesitant voice: “Your Highness Zhu Yu—are you all right? Need a check?”
Yellow hair—Yu Yan—and strangers in white coats, small federation emblem on collars.
Federation emblem.
Head buzzed again.
Exchange science team?
Humiliation international aaaaa!
Distance unclear what they saw—certain they heard both lines.
Polite smiles, silent sigh—sound louder than words.
Imperial People’s Star, princess-certified Alpha partner, yelling in Academy hall—ghost possession…ha.
She leaned wall, sharp waistline, flicked black hair—white beam could not enter black eyes—melancholy strong, faint smile, hoarse:
“Low blood sugar. Fine.”
“Welcome to the empire exchange visit. Hard work.”
Federation woman in front lit up—scanned Zhu Yu—data streams in lenses.
“Please care for your health,” Yu Yan pretended not to see the shift, bowed, blocked federation from chatting, led another way.
Zhu Yu should not contact federation much—princess before amnesia had warned.
Relations stiff—visit already hard-won from opinion and many sides.
“So that’s Zhu Yu—the only D-rank top-line mech pilot?”
“Body data good—minus detector variance—higher than published—hard for a hybrid.”
D-rank minimum to link mechs—Zhu Yu barely scraped top-line bar.
Federation tech ahead—scientists’ evaluating tone, cold accent, no hiding.
On empire soil—not tactful topic.
Red-haired federation coughed, smiled easy at Yu Yan: “She often like this?”
“Not low sugar—more PTSD. Warrior mental health matters—can she pilot? Want a youth psychology form?”
Flippant—not as arrogant—worse. Yu Yan frowned flat. “Royal matters—ask snow leopards if curious.”
Caught—ask slowly.
Woman laughed, hands up. “You imperials can’t take a joke. Don’t be so stiff.”
Zhu Yu watched backs—pose collapsed—proud grass wilted.
Someone looked like Nan Gong—bad luck—maybe something followed—need to pray…no—what exorcism in space age?
Peach blossom and health—long safe together—wealth god needless—home had dragon dropping treasure—no lack money.
Ah no lack money—energy up saying it.
Money precious—“giving money” like material “I love you”—Zhu Yu learning Bai Shuzhou’s love language.
A million a month—all cotton could crush her.
How deep the love! Of course love.
Musing—washed face, retied hair in mirror—normal—opened Bai Shuzhou’s door.
Hidden well—but first glance Bai Shuzhou’s lip corner dipped—if dragon tail remained it would curl sad.
Zhu Yu spoke first: “She’s fine—sedated—monitors—will notify.”
“Zhu Yu.”
“Hm?” Blink.
“And you.”
“I’m fine—met federation scientists—they—”
“Lie.”
Cold finger parted bangs—droplets rolled—jade knuckle tapped eye corner—thin voice:
“Don’t lie to me.”
Forehead pressed—breath light—blue poured into black depth—drop by drop—temples kneaded.
Light rose scent—soul unrest vanished.
“Healers empathize strongly—spirit link with others—you may be affected…”
“Sorry—too much for you?”
Lashes brushed—breath stuck—Bai Shuzhou apologized—voice low:
“As compensation—what do you want?”
Face held—blink.
Money, gems, house, power—
Not much she could vow—yet all worldly wants.
Someone unmoved—only held her fingertip—lip pressed—shy squeeze.
Smart—picked the most expensive.
Still sky rippled—light through cloud—bird dove deep, fish flew sky—heartbeat with fingertip stroke—tremble, closer.
She laughed sudden—leaned kiss lip corner—cold finger along eye, into hair, light scratch.
Lover’s breath like feather on heart’s softest place—Zhu Yu wanted to scream in quilt—face cupped gentle, no escape.
Silver hair low—forced into pale blue eyes:
“You want…me?”