Chapter 51

*Appetite*
“Yes…!”
When rose scent peaked, Bai Shuzhou’s always-cool face took an almost fey flush.
White teeth pressed swollen lip—rubbed once.
She had pulled back to study prey—yet that cold gaze against burning state split Zhu Yu’s soul—
Falling into warm swirl—dizzy—
Only the cool strong hand holding her—rock in rapids—breath stolen—
Alarm dulled in depths—heartbeat and breath betrayed reason—closer—heat mingled—
She really wants to eat you, idiot!
Reason yanked her ear—ear already numb from Bai Shuzhou’s heat—even pain would not make her retreat.
If Bai Shuzhou…being eaten was fine—small firm answer inside.
Dragon blood ran cool—heartbeat slower than most.
Long cold hands guided Zhu Yu’s—to the nape—most fragile gland.
May I…?
Omega sensitive—Bai Shuzhou refused marking—Zhu Yu never touched—even kisses avoided.
Now Bai Shuzhou stroked her little finger—led her—sacred permission.
Zhu Yu’s hand not soft—battle scrapes—repair calluses.
Held breath—light touch—rough still shocked the gland.
“Mm…yes…continue…” cold voice broke off.
She trembled too.
Suppressed—up close—crack in perfect ice—moonlight only for Zhu Yu leaked.
Warm healing into pale skin—silver hair hid—light licked fingertips.
Familiar warm power.
Lashes shook—Bai Shuzhou watched Zhu Yu’s profile—touch on gland—desire peaked.
She wanted to bite there.
Looked…delicious.
Throat rolled. Zhu Yu’s pour not enough for greedy hollows in soul.
Tongue on teeth—primal appetite.
Mark me.
Fill me.
Fingers tight—sweet wood-scented cake did not flee—leaned in—cooperated.
Silent allowance—Zhu Yu moved—not scent command—instinct—moth to light.
When teeth closed—hoarse unknowing: “Zhou…Zhou…”
Danger—still no let go.
The name made blue eyes shudder.
Lashes like old film focusing—haze cleared—saw Zhu Yu’s pained brow—
Almost—deepest bond—stream into her desert—
Zhu Yu closed eyes—pushed away at last—air cold between.
Vertical pupils—hand on hot gland—breath—long while to calm surge.
Voice after—hoarse distant: “Enough—for today.”
Pulled away fast—as if drowning had been illusion.
Hair neat—flush not gone—sated indifferent—knuckle wiped lip.
“Ah—” gap stunned Zhu Yu—touched small tooth mark on cheek.
Before words—Bai Shuzhou lifted pillow—jewelry box—offered.
“Good work—for you—replenish.”
Gem box heavy—pain in palm—through lid—deep green jade on velvet.
Extra pay.
“Not hard—” throat blocked—blank—finally: “I’m healthy.”
No need supplement.
Sat up—numb hand—stumbled—fish on land.
Pale after heat—embarrassment red again.
When so weak?
Should not be—eating well lately.
“You—worry I can’t keep up—right.” Clutching box—no eye contact—dull—“I’ll train—spirit and body—”
“I’ll satisfy you!!!”
Loud—not oath—no raised hand.
Until Zhu Yu gone—Bai Shuzhou bit lip—released thigh she had dug nails into.
“Mm…” breath escaped.
Not heat period—no scent—only Zhu Yu—pull this strong.
Damn—what did she do?
Must not let Zhu Yu mark—or total loss of control…!
Silver hair crushed pillow again—face up—thigh nail wounds—pain rings slow.
Bent leg—stopped—lifted ankle disbelieving.
Her legs…back?
Wanted to throw blanket—verify—hand stopped at edge—scan room—eyes dim.
Only pulled hand in—pinched top to toe—hard—bruises purple-red—to prove not dream.
That night no massage—door between—snow leopard relayed: “Princess says you worked hard—sleep early.”
Zhu Yu: “Mm night.”
Such nonsense need relay? Stared—leopard back to princess.
“Her Highness Zhu Yu says—mm night.”
Leopard out flat to Zhu Yu: “Night.”
“Night.” Soft smile.
“Tone changed—relay this too?”
“Ah no—that’s for you. Thanks. Night.”
Hug thermos—wolfberry chrysanthemum.
Long love need not one night!
Early sleep for health!
……
Next day terminal pings woke her.
Too much calm tea—insomnia—forgot mute—half public figure.
99+—no pinned “Rock Sugar” reply—selfies hung—could not face photos—scanned others.
Congrats, curses, friend “Professor!”
Half hour later—puzzle solved.
Past midnight Defense ministers met—04:37 appointed Zhu Yu “Imperial Royal Academy Strategic Studies Senior Guest Instructor.”
Princess spoke—they must give face.
Military seat sensitive—Zhu Yu sensitive—seat filled—packed her to alma mater.
Polished lie—inflated fake medical record—“such talent needing rest—train next generation!”
Many sleepless.
They asked princess—
Surprise—strict princess still awake—meeting end—one word: “Good.”
Bai Shuzhou in dark—thought much.
Same night Zhu Yu dreamed two kissing fish black and white in pond.
Net exploded while they were quiet.
Guest instructor not unique—but obvious demotion—real power to classroom—not same system.
Academy noble-heavy—common grad teaching them?
Provocation.
Talents “look forward to guidance”—Zhu Yu black vision—not PowerPoint guidance.
Never took military courses—how teach!
Some mocked young thin resume—ruin freshmen—
Zhu Yu liked comment—fixed ID known to friends—noble poster—
Un-like looked guilty.
Cannot shame Bai Shuzhou.
Typed under like: heh wait and see [thumbs up]
Feng Jiyan woke to news—special follow on hates—found Zhu Yu’s stance.
【Feng Jiyan: ?】
【Zhu Yu: ?.?】
【Feng Jiyan: …】
【Zhu Yu: !!!】
Childish. Feng typed: thoughts on appointment?
Fox chat—alert—
【Zhu Yu: everyone slept late.】
04:37 post only—caught.
Failed probe—when Zhu Yu smart?
【Feng Jiyan: know who was slated for your old slot?】
【Zhu Yu: no.】
Feng sipped grape juice—wait curiosity—
Two minutes—gray avatar—offline.
She does not care?!
Academy better than battlefield—strategic sounds liberal—no blades…right?
Noon leaders escorted her—read plaque—
“Strategic Command and Advanced Combat Department.”
Command—elegant—
Conductor with stick in head—
Roman colosseum—chains rust—majestic—
Smile until leaders left—sign—
Practical training ground.
……?
Wrong!
Waved goodbye—searched syllabus—all combat tech scout tactics—genius generalists—
Mech department normal—spirit training—calling—
Honor title—change major?
Borrow Feng banner—
One second hesitation—happy stride.
Likes machine oil—metal cold—comfort—
Body knew path—quiet trail—
Semicircle lab—parts neat—
White coat ponytail—heartbeat slow—
Turn—through glass—eyes met—
Not mother—familiar enough—pinch wrist—bright smile.
Nameplate: Zhu Zhao.
Same surname—maybe kin long ago.
Clear eyes—Zhu Zhao dazed—complex scan—
Door open—rose on Zhu Yu—face ice—
Bai Shuzhou’s scent—sovereignty mark—safe road—
First time—not awe or greed—but disgust.
Zhu Zhao covered nose—step back—cold:
“Not welcome here.”
Heart stab—then sponge flatten—bitter sweet—
“You” meant Zhu Yu and Bai Shuzhou—tacit—
Liked the tacit—also despair—is this masochism?!
Body masochist?!