Chapter 57

*Cover-Up*
Late.
Zhu Yu rode Bai Shuzhou’s ceremonial craft—imperial flags—silver dragon wind-loud.
She liked low profile—daily commute did not need parade—Chaos Belt she walked—on capital a chauffeured sedan was already much.
Looking down from height—towers small—afraid of heights—legs weak—stared forward—thin cool smile—imagined heading to change human fate—morning drill.
But the princess car was soft—wanted to lie—no vertigo watching outside.
Cabin wide—screen tracked body and mood—Zhu Yu played—pulled Bai Qianze photo—mood curve dropped—flipped Bai Shuzhou event photos—heart rate soared.
Rosewood table sank—portal—flash—hot luxury breakfast—her favorite snacks—pretty plates.
Swallowed—gasp: “AI this advanced?”
Empire tech not all backward.
Already nutrition drink full—but greedy—snacks fine.
Snow leopard in mirror watched her sit formal to flat—cheeks bulging—happy hamster.
Fold box—packed leftovers—stacked like architecture.
Departure had been melancholy 45° sky hands behind—politics or life’s meaning?
Stop not random—Bai Shuzhou ordered last night—including packed snacks.
Dawn leopard half-closed eyes let Zhu Yu in bedroom—longer than plan—clock circles—thought no trip today.
Four hours thirty-seven minutes late—fine intimidation.
Today’s task—tour academy—show nobles Bai Shuzhou’s stance.
Pale blue eyes personally descended—
—Who bullies my Alpha?
Leopard rank high—emperor’s direct—picked most royal uniform set.
Uniforms all looked alike anyway.
Zhu Yu nervous—transfer requested yesterday—late today—private reasons—guilt.
Leopard should ride motorcycles escort—tails and bikes matched.
Traffic control—royal standard—
Engine roar—Zhu Yu clung leopard—refused continue.
Snacks packed—“Drop me side gate—I walk in.”
Chin up proud: “Your Highness—we never use side gates.”
Flags seen—crowd part—whispers.
“Princess escort—here?”
“Thought she hated fighting?”
“For Zhu Yu?”
“Tsk—love-brain Omega? Narrow view—phoenix—I heard…”
Nobles sprinted to buildings—pose for romantic encounter.
Leopard jumped—bowed—opened door—silence—long leg—slow step—
Not her!
Leopard behind—Zhu Yu in sun—smile—rose scent—sharp edge—collar neat—different aura.
More relaxed—confident smile—victory in pocket.
Cold showers—flush gone—but after lover’s arms—satiety in bone—late bloom charm—
No words needed—everyone knew why late today.
Black eyes sweep—nod—surprised gazes—brow up—bright smile—victory bare.
Slow walk—not old rush—each step on noble hearts—gossip crushed.
Low profile once invited bullying—political animals smell fast.
Crowd guessed her thoughts—pride arrogance message?
Slow on purpose—
Not to flaunt—others’ unreachable favor was her daily—heh.
She had not figured Zhu Zhao.
Zhu Zhao reminded mother—want near—fear—
Zhu Zhao hit hard—crushed old scientist fantasy.
First meeting—white coat—open hate royalty—transfer royal pressure—Zhu Zhao’s face ugly.
How did Bai Shuzhou convince her?
Surprise split her—sandwich mood—sweet crunch.
Glad to learn under lighthouse—dream closer—afraid offense.
When Zhu Zhao hated—heart sting.
Before—disguise hat glasses back row steal lessons—
Only Zhu Yu thought discreet—dragon scent—hat arrow “look at me.”
Zhu Zhao endured long.
“Zhu Yu!” Yzelia dropped from sky—angry stride—wanted to lift her—
Leopard watching—fake smile shoulder slap—hiss: “Busy fixing your mess—why so late?!”
Zhu Yu hand up—grand excuse—guilty firm: “For the empire’s future.”
Many bound Bai Shuzhou with empire—only dragon heir decides future—Zhu Yu knew future in Bai Shuzhou’s hands.
Make wife happy matters most!
Tiger king aura—bruised left eye—purple ring.
Yzelia froze—volcano—red white—shame: “Shameless—broad daylight!”
In her ears like thunder: “Yes—late for daylight dragon-making—long live empire!”
Why ask that extra line?
Zhu Yu gentle: “Your face?”
Cold bruise smile: “Fell—none of your business. While you wasted life—I finished Her Highness’s errand!”
“Got punched?”
“Said not your business!!!” Tail stepped—tiger eyes—point: “All Zhu surnames rotten.”
So Zhu Zhao punched her.
Even battlefield Yzelia—Zhu Zhao held back on Zhu Yu that day.
Ashamed—Yzelia hurt for her—fist coming—Zhu Yu caught hands sincere:
“Great debt—sis—lunch my treat.”
Sis?! Crowd stunned.
Peace after stealing boss’s crush?
Goosebumps—wanted to cut hand—
Why cut hers?!
Angry again—but Zhu Yu soft—bullying weak ungeneral—done—lunch owed.
Cafeteria—subsidized—leopard and Yzelia—card—most expensive—
Left leopard right tiger—fear 800 meters—twisted praise match princess.
Yzelia endured blessings—faint.
After—Zhu Yu glowing in mech lab touching everything—Yzelia laugh rage: “Know the price? Treat me 37-credit meal?”
Baffled: “Costs money?”
Guest instructor—why pay school.
“Princess bought with her assets—you think free toys? Advanced repair license? Normal—you cannot enter.”
“Bought…” stare room—repeat whisper.
“Princess said don’t tell—not that Zhu woman’s mercy—hear your name she frowns—sneak punch me—vile sneak—I argued back.”
“Don’t thank me—not for you—thank princess—any conscience—how repay her?”
How repay?
Dream float—love heavy.
Gifts—algorithm fails for love.
Bai Shuzhou said happy—do what you want.
Mud ahead—People’s Star should help her rise—she would pay—
Bai Shuzhou did not.
Late anyway—full day off—early leave.
No punch clock—wanted value here.
Busy filled empty soul.
Today rushed back—hours apart—expectation beat love of lab.
Much to say—not only morning softness—minutes in center—future with Bai Shuzhou—
Too early—hurrying doctors in hall—
—Bai Shuzhou hurt.
White Bird bit again—leopard pull—bird fireball—burned hand—near gland.
Inside treating—Zhu Yu director access—records—not first—hidden—knew Zhu Yu would rage—cover up.
Zhu Yu knew nothing.
Morning promised distance from bird.
Distance—hide from her?
Chest dull pain—hate injury first—hate lie second—doctor dressing bloody arm—“fast drug—no scar half hour.”
Skilled hands—Zhu Yu stopped—quiet—Bai Shuzhou looked—eyes flick tearful bird—
Zhu Yu’s morning seat.
Sheets changed—traces erased.
“You’re back?”
“Not her fault.”