Chapter 45

*Civil Affairs*
The little flower lived in a glass cup on the bedside cabinet, beside books Bai Shuzhou often read.
So small, easy to miss, edges still green with birth.
Once held in those cold pale long hands it seemed gilded—leaves delicate and proud—swaying in crystal.
Zhu Yu bloomed inside—as if not the flower but she herself were cupped in dry cool palm, soothed.
Though Bai Shuzhou’s face was stern—spirit entities must not be cut loose—dangerous—she asked Zhu Yu to try reabsorb it.
Sadly Zhu Yu’s gift flickered off again—she did not know how she had done it.
Making flowers—the main thing is forget your roots.
Whether like owner or born from Bai Shuzhou’s catalyzing scent—the bud clearly favored Bai Shuzhou.
Fingertip down—petals nuzzled soft—nutrient fluid rippled.
When Zhu Yu tried to take it—the bud wilted visible, edges yellowing—Zhu Yu’s head ached in sympathy—she gave up.
Outwardly she sighed fake regret.
Past the door her lip corner shot up—inner cheers bursting.
So good! A piece of her could stay day and night, rightfully beside Bai Shuzhou!
Tiny plant-person in priceless glass, expensive bath, cold jade fingers stroking—life so fine Zhu Yu wanted to swap.
But this big plant-person had work.
Smile dropped crossing the cold corridor. Hidden cameras blinked faint red on a face turning calm and sharp.
Bai Shuzhou. White Bird. Human experiments.
First time in the Academy’s white she had feared. Now facing secrets under the white—strange calm.
Hard? Bai Shuzhou was fate’s heroine—bright future ahead. Foxes and tigers would bow as generals.
And Zhu Yu was greater—
The only certified wife—divorce about to be canceled!
Royal bearing intact, she knocked on Yu Yan’s door.
Director Feng had opened high access—but the internal system was a maze of codes—gibberish to outsiders.
Luckily Yu Yan.
Living encyclopedia—every long code’s meaning—mind like a tree to the sky.
Whatever obscure question—clear answer—magic.
Zhu Yu swept two hundred thousand credits from pocket money as labor fee.
Sister said—be generous abroad—people remember and help next time.
Yu Yan choked at the transfer, gripping terminal. “No results yet—labor fee?”
So tragic. Zhu Yu patted her shoulder with villain-mentor tone: “Little Yu—you had potential the moment I saw you—amazing—I believe in you—go!”
“Buy real food—not paste and bars—no nutrition.”
“There's a clean place near where I shop—24h delivery—scan this boss if you want—”
Zhu Yu could not research—only offer access, loiter as mascot, tiny mood value.
Ordinary chatter—but Yu Yan’s fingers paused.
Academy talk was rare—data, survival—no one cared what to eat except cafeteria staff.
Dorms were good—independent rooms on crowded imperial capital—precious quiet.
Few truly rested—must run to stay in place.
Everyone wanted to win—only Zhu Yu wanted happiness.
Yu Yan truly hoped they got it.
Once Bai Shuzhou had sketched a blurry beautiful future.
On Zhu Yu it landed real and warm.
Top access meant empire’s most secret files—no researcher unmoved.
At first Yu Yan shyly asked to borrow two cross-field papers.
Then cold sweat—every pull logged—Feng’s trap? Map Bai Shuzhou’s faction?
Superiors never lose—every move has deeper math.
Famous Feng giving access was itself suspicious—
Like bait along a trail.
Zhu Yu said easy—yelled in common-researcher chat—anyone helping the empire could borrow.
Others’ flowers, capitalist expense—no guilt.
Researchers wept thanks, wrote disclaimers—if sharing for science was politics—they accepted!
Many hands. Yu Yan organized by specialty—reverse tasks.
Genesis reboot—original records scrubbed.
Zhu Yu stuck—almost asked Feng—Yu Yan calm: “We reverse-engineer.”
Huge work—but geniuses in the room.
Zhu Yu stepped back: ha.
Each piece separate—Yu Yan integrated.
Data showed White Bird AH-003, Bai Shuzhou AH-002—ranked by a metric.
Empire-federation joint project—57 subjects—stopped by force—except Bai Shuzhou all declared dead.
Thin pages heavy—each line a life.
AH-003 also “dead” in system.
People lie—data too.
Genesis claimed genes and spirit—Zhu Yu sure it was gift human trials.
Anger burned fingers numb—pinch wrist to still shake.
Yu Yan rose—mint blast nutrient fluid down her throat.
Ice killed burn—mint to skull—Zhu Yu waved off more.
Yu Yan worried—tomorrow formal sign—not divorce—cancel divorce.
I’m fine. Zhu Yu opened mouth—no sound.
Hand on throat—vibration tiny—pain like sand—must rest.
Tomorrow mattered more.
Melnor vanished—no one said where to sign—Zhu Yu searched net—hot tips—notes.
Alphas dragging cooling period were usually trash—cheap gifts to fool Omegas back?
Anonymous civil clerk sneered—wrong directions—to “confirm divorce” office—two retired marine guards at door.
Imperial folk honest—Zhu Yu believed.
Throat medicine before bed—love letter in flowers for tomorrow.
Never married—jump to cancel divorce—throat tight with excitement.
Sign—fate changes!
Could not sleep—tried clothes.
Original too flashy—maids’ picks no—found uniform.
Still suspended—epaulets off—still sharp—red eyes from all-nighter looked rakish.
Bai Shuzhou watched military channel—might like this?
Six a.m. while world slept—selfies hit Bai Shuzhou’s terminal.
First message after clearing inbox.
Felt thirsty—like staying up to seduce—
Tried to recall—keep one no-face—
Only clothes.
Too late—cannot recall—silent wail—minute-by-minute terminal—dragged AI ask if special-alert delayed.
Empire AI dumb—said no—net advanced—
Annoyed AI: 【Terminal fine. Alerts don’t delay. Love does.】
Zhu Yu silent.
Searched how to kill built-in AI forever.
Six-thirty fake jog—flower market—strolled to civil affairs.
Throat sore—hot water—thermos burned tongue—rage.
Nothing going right—careful.
Seven—guard recognized her—opens nine.
Could not speak—smile nod mysterious wave.
Seven-ten—ground shook—sonic boom—guard yanked posing Zhu Yu into booth—locked door—muscles tight.
Three warships from void—worn insignia—unknown flag—killing air.
Familiar—gold figure dove—tiger roar—ears ring—hair undone.
“Zhu Yu!” roar.
While Zhu Yu and Bai Shuzhou warmed slow, Yzelia had bled days to return this day.
Before leaving—heard amnesia—emperor hinted the seat suited her better.
Sister-mother logic—sick princess—emperor decides.
With that pie she hunted pirates—kill on sight—compressed schedule—jumped home.
First time Zhu Yu saw beast advantage—blood gold tiger—green eyes—scar on left—
Not foppish nobles or bugs—Yzelia had reason and kill scent—cold step blood drip—
Real soldier off the field.
Before with Bai Shuzhou nearby Yzelia seemed dumb, hot, straight—tail cute.
Now blood made throat burn—could not look close—could not look away—might pounce.
Yzelia scanned her—divorce office behind—sneer—“Your mess—I cleaned up—good news at last.”
Seven-thirty tiger human—apologizing on terminal—illegal jump into city—
Cool entrance—defense hotline exploded.
Tigers fear that?
Zhu Yu wanted laugh—could not—twisted half-smile cold.
Eight fifty-nine—clerk cracked door—two plague gods—no one approached.
Blond general Yzelia arms crossed.
Black-haired Zhu Yu flowers—calm.
Ex superior and rival.
Silent stare.
Whispers—divorce or duel for her?
Emperor unmatched—Bai Shuzhou carried dragon line—sacred.
Nine—reporters beat the director.
Director ran red lights—street media wall—cameras ready—crowd thought photoshoot.
Legs weak crossing crowd.
Royal business usually home visit—she knew cancel divorce today.
But bloody Yzelia beside Zhu Yu—threat? Coup?
Not civil affairs—ready to punch federation and universe.
Director smiled careful:
“You two honor us today—to process divorce with Her Highness?”