Chapter 62

*Poaching*
“Leave me alone.”
Muffled from arms—fake harsh hoarse—not usual.
Redhead laughed—squat—poke—“I’m your fan.”
Poke—“Star—so cold—ignore fans.”
Annoy—corner—fur wrong way—no cat—fish on shore—breathe dark—shuffle away.
Soft tone—follow snail—“Who hurt our star?”
Almost coax—“People’s Star” still stings—not hers.
Thin body—medals heavy—cannot breathe—
Last hide—must play Zhu Yu—not hers—
Only wanted live—why greedy?
Rare fight—admired Zhu Zhao—screamed useless line—
Maybe Zhu Zhao warned—
Heart hammer—squat choke—hug self—
Hoarse not hers: “Don’t call me that.”
“Then what—Instructor—Teacher—Highness?”
“……”
“Let me guess—dear princess?”
Obvious—smirk—should explode—tremor slowed—quiet breath—
Wrong—should not be—
Brow—pat shoulder—sampler to nape—
Light—Zhu Yu moved—
Tree up—shoulder throw—
Vent plus earned—
Redhead wall kick—land graceful—still holding hand—
Perfect one second—Zhu Yu predicted—ram wall—thud—
Pure force—Zhu Zhao déjà vu—
Learned once—replicate—
Should not be helpless—should—
Soft flash—give up—“Comfort you—this thanks?”
Expected tears—had tissues—no snot hug disgust—
No cry—cold—holding something—eyes dim—
Wrong person?—danger—
Not hurt—dangerous—
Prick—attack strong—
Fresh—strange—
Last like military poster—vertical line—sword eyes—universe cannot stop—
She sneered “pretty poster—star effect.”
Now—lip tingle—blood hot—
Repeat—release—low: “Stop bullying me.”
Flat—not threat not plea—
Watch each other—
Red braid—tassel—crystal chip—glass glint—
Plain face—red lipstick sharp—
“Federation—Yan Xun—long heard.” Hand out.
Grip—flip—sampler gone—
“Federation people this warm?”
“Passing—worried—” tissues—“Cry—Alpha cry not crime.”
“Worried me?” took tissues—odd.
“Yeah—your fan.”
Deep eyes—touch burned hole—
Thanks—relax bit—
“Federation respects talent like you.”
“Thanks.”
“Federation Star would not sideline you for unstable experiment—” slow “experiment”—hook—
Knife out—“Ticket to Federation—how much.”
“Not stirring—empire dirty—merit less than prediction data—princess won’t—His Majesty—ticket?” brake loud.
“Yes.”
“Ticket for what?”
“How much.” repeat.
“Joking—welcome—state guest—”
Formal—princess wife—foreign ministry—
Informal—unknown price—
“How much—I count three.” blank.
“Serious?” brow—
“One.”
“Wait!”—layout chaos—smell wrong—“Drunk? Know what you say?”
Short “mm”—chin up—“Your goal—what price—consider.”
Smile—“Nan Gong—how much am I worth now?”
Yan Xun—Nan Gong Xun—showy—red hair clue—narcissist—
Absurd want laugh—relax—enemy familiar ha—
Nan Gong frozen too—
Amnesia erased small planet—closest knower is enemy spy—
World fake—lazy how—
Nobody true—
Only her selling matches—child trade—
Nobody lied—you’re stupid—
Weren’t you willing?
“Tired—” want laugh cannot—stomach—wall—eyes shut—“Clear price—if needed.”
Silence—“Leave?”
Poach task—married—too easy—
Once ticket home for Bai Shuzhou—she stayed—
Now wants leave ticket—
Leave means Federation—chip not cost—
“What do you want?” equal.
“I want to live.”
“Visit old planet—Chaos Belt army—scattered—can’t reach them.”
“You’ll live—I promise.” pat—
Punch her—“Don’t hit.”
Hurt—fine—Nan Gong grin—
Live Zhu Yu worth more—love double edge—
Arm—“Drinks on me.”
“Heartbreak—Omega dump—rival—have pride—”
Coat on Zhu Yu—EM cover—agents tail—
Agents whisper—no report yet—major fault—
Nan Gong grin passing search—
Zhu Yu thoughtful drunk dull—
Walk sync—step back—
Arms overlap—poach fun—
Club—black card—best wine beauties—
Zhu Yu regular—girls furry “sister”—Nan Gong ignored—
Who refuse fluff moon eyes—
Another drink—cough—does Bai Shuzhou see her like pets?
Terminal “Rock Sugar” pinned—Zhu Yu ignore stiff—
“Someone calling—” Nan Gong smile—
Frozen red—standby—
Drunk balance broke—tree fall—
Nan Gong catch table—girls help—
Accidental answer—
Screen—Zhu Yu in red arms—beauties on shoulders waist—
Bai Shuzhou first call Zhu Yu—
Saw this.
“Hi—uh—” half sober—Nan Gong hold face—
Stare—click hang—
Lights out—Nan Gong roar:
“Don’t puke on me!!!”