Chapter 58

*Deviation*
Calm voice—calm face—if Zhu Yu had not stood seeing bloody wound—might think blood smell unrelated.
Lotus from mud—she seemed extracted from pain—calm amid chaos—smile at Zhu Yu.
“Only flesh wound.” “Soon fine.”
Stoic brow cleared—Zhu Yu’s sting worse—she knew sensitivity—light touch trembled—teeth flame worse.
Hurt should cry.
Happy should laugh.
Human nature.
Why act indifferent when hurt?
Zhu Yu near tears.
Bit lip—suppress churn—wanted mature—share burden—
Hard—like elder sister with second child—love split—even unique bond—still sad.
Indulgence near self-harm—calm with bird—emotional substitute—body pain escape—
What happened years ago?
Not clear yet—cannot sit still—
Fix bit by bit.
Bird knelt—atmosphere solid—Zhu Yu stepped—bird hid behind Bai Shuzhou.
Doctors used sedatives—resistance—mind risk—Bai Shuzhou banned violence including forced injection.
Cannot hit scold—spoiled bird.
Zhu Yu misleading smile—“Not your fault—come.”
Bird looked both—mixed scent warm healing—
Snacks from box—fished bird out.
“Want?” Two hands—“want—not.”
Bird took cherry cookie from “want.”
“Why bite—body pain or fear?”
Pain.
“Bite her—ease your pain? Can—cannot.”
Bird hesitated—touched “can.”
Zhu Yu laughed angry.
“Bite me—ease your pain? Can—cannot.”
Bird blink—firm “can.”
Ginseng logic.
“Fine—bite.” Arm offered.
Bai Shuzhou frown: “Unnecessary—between us—you—”
Zhu Yu teacher pressure—“Bite.”
Bird hugged arm—light nip.
Breath held—holy—feeding eagle—
Ban on violence—all careful of fire—
Great education—reform her?
Vines silent—brow knit—coiled waist—pull apart—
Zhu Yu felt—no look—“Flesh wound.”
Bai Shuzhou grit—Zhu Yu punishing her!
Bird bit hard—Zhu Yu wolf howl.
Bird shook—doctor stunned—leopard gloves—Zhu Yu not Bai Shuzhou—
What game.
Unlike Bai Shuzhou’s endure—Zhu Yu wailed: “Hurts—my arm—!!!”
Bird stopped—teeth on lip afraid.
Before—Bai Shuzhou hugged soothe—now only screams.
No sweet energy—no hair pat.
Between sobs: “Useful? You bit me—you still hurt? Pain—no pain.”
Bird touched her face—
Pause—really cried.
Kitten never taught bite hurts—
Plan part two—spank after bite—
Spank kid maybe useless—but satisfying—
Face touch—white lashes full of her—
“You spoiled her…!” Accusation thin sob—huff at Bai Shuzhou.
Indulgence breeds boldness—hidden pain—bird pushed—
Indulgence feeds greed.
Alone—bird pulled sleeve—eyes begging.
Warning again—no hurt Bai Shuzhou—warm light into thin body.
Bird better than Bai Shuzhou—few cracks—yet half-dead—constant feed—
Bai Shuzhou’s wound unchanged.
Why legs still no walk—close contact—channels almost whole—
“I’ll manage her now—” washed face—red eyes—puffed chest—“Obedient early—why not me?”
Last fight same—resentful—“Why endure hide wound?”
“If I hadn’t come—never tell?”
“Many times…”
Bai Shuzhou decided alone—never discussed—mouth decoration besides kisses—butterflies fly if open.
Gentle eyes on Zhu Yu—cool finger on red eye—
Touch like spring—alarm—block hand—flat: “Not crying—acted—monkey leash each—why not tell?”
“Distrust—cannot solve—fear I hurt her? Two better than one hide!”
“I hate behavior not her—helpless—if you die I never forgive her or me.”
“Fine now.” Thin lip in hair—cut rage.
Healed hand—flawless arm—face touch—blue eyes mature—“Angry you…”
“So cute.”
Scent on cheek—ears red—still gripped finger—“Answer—no cute escape.”
Wrist pressed to pearl necklace—low: “Thank you for trouble.”
“Gifts enough—swear no more lies?”
“Dislike?” “Reward.”
“Not like issue—lab too—tell me—we’re partners—talk—right?”
Nod—hand on heart—
Broken mm from throat.
“Dislike?” smile ask.
“Morning bite still swollen.”
Cool finger on back—soft under—face burn—hem twist—“Rub—no heal—um…”
Butterfly kiss on cheek—rain on hill—green from touch—
Dazed—pearls on Bai Shuzhou’s neck now on Zhu Yu’s wrist.
…Weak!
Self-scolded.
Protest—slept here—supervise—crowded small bed with bird—
Small healing bribe.
Good dream—childhood Bai Shuzhou from white—rose in bottle by machines—
Only red in room—life burning—
Thought bird’s dream like before Bai Shuzhou’s—
Slept deep—did not see bird awake—bright eyes on warm hands—gray lashes—confused want.