Chapter 69

*Provocation*
Zhu Yu did not like being watched by too many people—it made her uneasy. She had grown up in a quiet greenhouse and was especially sensitive to complicated outside gazes. Even in lecture hall public courses she arrived half an hour early and hid in the least noticeable corner.
In this world she was already the civilian star everyone watched. No choice but to harden her scalp, walk to the front, accept admiration—and under vanity, unexpectedly not bad.
Now, realizing the sky above was dense with monitors, that old discomfort returned—countless gazes licking over her skin, physiological nausea rising with it.
She remembered Bai Shuzhou’s dream: a room cold as ice, little her surrounded by many eyes. Not bloody horror-film eyeballs, not cold pure machinery—each eye flashed sharp, rational light, looking down in forced judgment.
Even if Bai Shuzhou seemed calm, her brain should have ordered: *Take her and leave at once!*
They had stayed under surveillance so long without noticing… Fortunately they had only said embarrassingly sweet nonsense.
Zhu Yu clenched her fist, after-fear cold. From her first step into the Academy’s white corridor she had wondered how to escape. Everything here floated within order—science, debate—the Empire’s cleverest gathered.
Clearly unrelated to chaotic things like “fairies”—yet the Academy seemed to run on swallowed human flesh and spirit.
She had felt a trace of guilt sneaking Bai Shuzhou here to slack off—but soon realized: not that no one was looking for them; simply no need.
Her supposed rebellion—all in others’ palms.
Grand vows—but carrying Bai Shuzhou so lightly, “leaving” only meant returning to that luxurious room. A finer cage.
*What if—I force our way out with Bai Shuzhou?*
The thought flashed—like courage flooring the accelerator when wolves surrounded her. Unarmed now—but back then she could not even pilot a starship, only knew basic gas, brake, clutch.
*Like before. Like the dream. Escape together!*
Even if impossible now—she would find a way.
Facing things that might bring Bai Shuzhou painful memory, Zhu Yu instinctively blocked her view with her not-wide back, pulled the coat on her shoulders tighter, held her carefully in arms.
Bai Shuzhou pushed her back a little without allowing refusal. She stared deep at the false starfield, looped Zhu Yu’s arm, opened her terminal—slender fingers input a dizzying string of complex commands.
Highest-permission confirm screen popped. Bio-camera scanned Zhu Yu’s pupils.
*Beep!*
A sharp tone echoed on the empty rooftop.
Zhu Yu’s heart shot to her throat. Muscles tight. She scanned around alert, brain racing—if trouble came, where to put Bai Shuzhou first for safety.
One suffocating minute passed. Aside from the first tone, the scenery seemed unchanged.
But Bai Shuzhou’s hand rested on Zhu Yu’s shoulder. Pale blue eyes locked precisely on the roof edge. “There,” she said low.
“What?” Zhu Yu looked blankly. Approaching she startled—the cloud-piercing building’s edge had a layer of nearly invisible transparent steps blended into environment.
Zhu Yu swallowed. Throat tight. “Go up?”
Unlucky thought of heaven—this height was close enough for someone afraid of heights.
One look down and legs went soft—let alone carrying someone up.
Zhu Yu tested with toe—the glass felt brittle. She stepped harder.
“Forget it.” Bai Shuzhou felt Zhu Yu’s hesitation. “Go back.”
“How can we forget!” Fresh oath—Zhu Yu hardened scalp, stepped onto the first stair.
Bai Shuzhou frowned slightly. “Don’t force yourself.”
Zhu Yu firm: “Not forcing!”
Cool hand gently wiped sweat from her brow. Noble voice with faint softness: “Good job.”
That praise like rain—floating courage rooted at once. Zhu Yu smiled lost in it, all attention on transparent steps below. Strides grew larger, firmer.
Forced growth was fastest. Step by step she steadily carried her princess upward through empty air.
Back soaked thin sweat—body strangely light as if bonds loosened. Wind at height brushed hems.
At cloud’s end they stood shoulder to shoulder with stars. So close—still no flaw to naked eye. They still swayed at ancient unchanged rhythm.
A door slid open silently. This cloud world like Pandora’s box—interior almost identical to ground. Zhu Yu dazed a moment.
*Closed loop? Climbed so long—back to ground?*
“Welcome to Genesis—” familiar voice broke her fog.
Muscles holding Bai Shuzhou tightened. Zhu Yu almost instinctively on guard.
But Feng Jiang approaching slowly only smiled, reached out, under Zhu Yu’s wary gaze poked the green button on the wall.
*Ding.*
A seamless transparent elevator running heaven and earth appeared silently before them.
*There was a direct lift?!*
Zhu Yu looked at the sky-piercing transparent lift, Feng Jiang’s calm face—teeth itched with anger. Deliberate! Who knew how long she had laughed behind the monitors!
Zhu Yu held Bai Shuzhou tighter.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” Feng Jiang showed no guilt at being exposed—looked kindly at Zhu Yu. Settled mature aura stronger. “Will you join us?”
Bai Shuzhou pressed Zhu Yu’s hand back. Gaze fixed outward, not falling. She asked back: “What’s above?”
Feng Jiang smiled: “Sky.”
Bai Shuzhou: “AH-001 is here too?” Question—affirmative tone.
“Sorry. Cannot disclose.”
“How many survivors were there that year?”
“Sorry. Cannot disclose.”
Whatever Bai Shuzhou asked, Feng Jiang only had that cold line.
At last she paused, tone tinged helpless: “This is His Majesty’s will. Please don’t make it harder for me.”
Bai Shuzhou tired of maintaining face. Smile gone entirely. “What do you want Zhu Yu to do?”
“Lady Zhu Yu loves her wife and wishes to contribute to your health—joining Genesis isn’t good? Of course, only an invitation.”
Bai Shuzhou: “She knows nothing.”
“I disagree.” Feng Jiang answered slowly, gaze turning to Zhu Yu, meaningful. “And Your Highness’s heir concerns the Empire’s future. Married years without pregnancy—Alpha should bear some responsibility. Her mission. Technology can assist if needed. His Majesty hopes you plan early.”
Feng Jiang habitually invoked Bai Qianze to suppress her—that trick always worked.
Seeing Bai Shuzhou silent, Zhu Yu hurried to defend her wife: “Private matter! None of your concern.”
Feng Jiang’s gaze mild on Zhu Yu: “Illness needs no shame before doctors. Modern science—a new formula can raise spirit rank briefly, effect one hour. Perhaps you could try.”
“…?!”
Zhu Yu felt her ability deeply doubted. Grit teeth secretly—*When my skill peaks I’ll enchant right fist with fire punch you, left hand heal you!*
*Pfft—* behind Feng Jiang a bold woman’s voice actually laughed—unhidden—Zhu Yu’s face red with anger, looked up furious.
Seeing who—it went white, odd guilt, glance at Bai Shuzhou.
*Nan Gong Xun you bastard! Here too—won’t leave us alone.*
Feng Jiang introduced in turn: “This is Ms. Yan Xun, Federation exchange expert in neuroscience, also assisting Life Tree repair.”
Fox words always half hidden—neuroscience expert, Federation person clearly here for Genesis too.
Bai Shuzhou blank-faced: “Elder Sister’s idea too?”
“Mm.” Feng Jiang nodded, brow showing proper worry, gaze sliding Zhu Yu. Low: “May Her Highness speak privately?”
Zhu Yu alert, nonsense: “No! Princess has limited mobility. You’re Alpha too—I don’t trust alone time.”
Feng Jiang: ?
Even she who had seen the world could not help laugh. “I watched Shuzhou grow up. No need for this.”
Zhu Yu: “But Princess is injured. I must care for her.”
“Surgical wound still not healed?” Nan Gong’s gaze passed Bai Shuzhou’s limp legs, sudden interjection, playful smile. “If strength insufficient, exoskeleton can assist standing. Princess—want to try?”
That night’s holo—wine-red hair unforgettable. Bai Shuzhou recognized at one glance.
Nan Gong Xun had eyes that looked devoted even at a dog. Gaze wandered, interested in Zhu Yu’s sapphire earlobe and new cheek wound.
Top agent—such details very interesting. Only someone fake-proper like Feng Jiang could ignore that abrupt ear stud symbolizing fierce possession.
Nan Gong had broken a leg herself. However well Bai Shuzhou faked, fine cracks escaped her. Even gentle tone now carried faint acid edge.
Bai Shuzhou frowned—thick displeasure and crisis.
*What does she want?*
Zhu Yu brightened, fatally answering: “Exoskeleton? Neural assist? Could try!”
Bai Shuzhou bed-bound, often depressed—Zhu Yu wanted her standing, walking toward her bright future.
Nan Gong Xun through many flowers—silently compared ice in Bai Shuzhou’s eyes with Zhu Yu’s innocent joy—caught subtle tilt in their relation. Seemed intimate now—but imbalance clearer than Zhu Yu’s drunk day.
Unequal intimacy was lethal—unsolved contradictions piled like sand until one day collapse—worse than death.
Nan Gong smiled over Zhu Yu’s brooch scratch, teasing light: “People’s Star—long admired. Why so wretched? Not like I imagined. That on your face… wife hit you?”
“Heard Imperial Star folk fierce—true today.”
Military-born Alpha wounded by Omega—bad for reputation.
Zhu Yu chest out—on principle defended self and wife: “You’re single. What do you know!”
That familiar interaction beyond polite formality fell into Bai Shuzhou’s eyes unchanged. Long lashes lowered, hiding dark thought.
Cool voice faint: “Wrongdoing needs punishment.”
Bai Shuzhou’s gaze passed Nan Gong, landed on Zhu Yu—ice with warning. “Zhu Yu is young, ignorant. Picks up outside filth and brings home.”
Nan Gong hands behind back, leaned near Bai Shuzhou, silent grin showing white teeth, tone ambiguous: “Afraid once you throw the thing away, hands are already dirty. Chains and punishment can’t hold her, noble Highness.”
She stared unblinking at Bai Shuzhou. Red hair made the face more uncanny. Eyes full of provocation and cruel knowing. Light laugh:
“You need her… willing to go back. Kneel at your feet.”