Chapter 11: I Don’t Like

Droplets slid from the tips of her hair.

The silver chain at his neck burned hot.

The bathroom was silent for a long time.

Gu Wanting let out a soft laugh, walking through the haze of steam until she stood before Yu Zhu.

The hem of her black dress was drenched, clinging against her pale, slender legs, beading with scattered drops of water.

“New Year is coming soon, Zhu Zhu.”

She set down the showerhead, reaching to brush aside the wet strands of hair from his face, her smile softening.

“The basement must be very cold in winter, isn’t it?”

Raging winds howled through the pitch-dark corridor, carving like blades of ice.

They cut into the skin, froze the blood in veins, a cold so brutal that even blocks of ice would crave to cling to warmth.

Her damp hand slid downward, stopping at his soaked collar, seizing the chain that trailed along the floor.

“All wet.”

Water smeared across her palm.

She wiped it carelessly against his cheek, then rose, tugging the leash as she walked forward.

“If you don’t want to speak, then don’t. Let’s go back, Zhu Zhu.”

Still dripping from head to toe, Yu Zhu suddenly sank to his knees on the tiles.

His legs went numb, the pain dull and slow.

He was used to it.

In his mind, he imagined kneeling on clouds—soft, endless, stretching toward the sky.

Nothing but a boundless blue.

It was the only comfort he could grant himself.

Dark trails of water soaked into the thick carpet, winding forward.

Things were knocked askew as he was dragged along, collar tightening at his throat.

Black spots flickered across his vision.

His breath grew harsh, air thinning.

Suddenly, the darkness spread, swallowing everything.

Yu Zhu fell completely into the void.

Gu Wanting stopped at the door.

She turned, gazing at him collapsed on the floor.

The drenched boy lay beside the sofa, raven-dark hair spilling down his back, veiling the pale skin faintly visible through his shirt.

On the cheek revealed beneath his hair, steam left a faint blush against skin white as snow.

The collar bit against his throat, bursting fine veins, blooming patches of red—beautiful, and yet violent.

“The little dog is sick again.”

She released the chain.

Lifting the robe she had left draped on the bed, she carefully wrapped it around his wet body.

Her lips brushed his pale ones.

“Zhu Zhu, you should dream of me.”

It must be her.

An irrefutable command, fading together with the faint perfume clinging to the robe.

Stepping over the whip discarded on the floor, Gu Wanting carried Yu Zhu back to the basement.

She secured the chain carefully, then stood under the dim light, staring at him for a long time before turning to leave.

The corridor outside was narrow, cold, and utterly dark.

She did not turn on the lights.

Her footsteps echoed slowly and evenly.

Tap.

Tap.

Just as when she arrived.

Not a step misplaced.

“It’s snowing again.”

Outside the villa, Gu Wanting paused at the steps.

Snow drifted down from the sky.

A thin white sheet covered the ground, like a sheet of rice paper unevenly dyed, concealing the filth of the world beneath.

She had changed into a pale yellow dress, with a cream-colored coat draped elegantly over it.

Tall and graceful, she stood like the most delicate blossom at the heart of a flower.

Beautiful.

Alluring.

Stepping into the snow, she opened her palm.

A flake melted at once, leaving only cold dampness.

She closed her hand, raised her umbrella, tilting her face toward the falling snow.

Crystals clung to her cheeks, her hair, her lashes—turning to drops of water against her skin.

“Hello, I am Gu Wanting.”

In the snow, a calm, detached voice spoke.

“Hello, I am Gu Wanting.”

Again it came—this time warm, elegant, serene.

She wore the shell the world expected of her.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile.

Without a sound, she opened her umbrella and walked toward the silver Bentley.

The snow grew heavier.

Streetlamps flicked on all at once, glowing like diamonds in the dark.

Gu Wanting drove slowly.

Outside the window, villas stood still and quiet, shrouded in falling snow.

Only endless flakes filled her vision.

“Laba Festival…”

Last night, the announcer’s solemn voice faded into background noise.

The boy had woken with clouded eyes, still soft and dazed like a young beast.

Only when a drop of cool, sweet apple juice slid down his cheek did his eyes snap wide, startled, shining faintly with the same fear as always when looking at her.

So… cute.

After the Laba Festival, New Year would come soon.

But aside from tedious ancestral rites and bland relatives’ visits, that day meant nothing special to Gu Wanting.

Equally dull.

Equally tiresome.

Equally hateful.

“This year…”

This year, what gift should she buy for her little dog?

A collar.

A bracelet.

A new cage.

Or—

Her thoughts drifted.

A flash of white crossed her vision.

She reacted instantly.

The car slid several meters before screeching to a halt.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

A plump middle-aged man in a black down jacket rushed forward, scooping up the small dog that had darted into the road.

It was a beautiful dog, snowy fur blending seamlessly with the winter ground, soft and fluffy.

Two faint triangles of ears poked up from its head.

Big black eyes stared at her, wet and pitiful.

“I’m sorry, miss. I wasn’t paying attention. Little Yuan ran out onto the road. Are you hurt?”

The man pressed the excited dog down, hurrying to her window.

Gu Wanting rolled it down, smiling gently.

“I’m fine. I braked in time. Is your dog alright?”

“Little Yuan is fine.”

He raised a paw to wave as proof.

“That’s good. Walking a dog without a leash in the snow is very dangerous. You were lucky nothing happened this time. But next time might not be.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right. I’ll leash him next time. I’m terribly sorry.”

“It’s alright. Just be careful.”

Her smile did not falter.

The window slowly rose.

“Miss Gu, are you alright?”

A uniformed security guard hurried up, breathless, baton in hand.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

The glass sealed shut, muting the colors outside.

“Miss Gu, be careful on these slippery roads.”

The car moved forward.

In the mirror, she saw the guard bow.

Her smile vanished like a drop lost in the sea.

Expressionless, she faced the road.

The wind rose, scattering snow.

The guard stood straight, turning toward the man at his side.

“You’ve been looking all afternoon. Where’s your other dog?”

“I really don’t know, young man. It ran too fast. Slipped right in through the gate and vanished. I’ve searched everywhere in this snow, not a trace.”

“Honestly, do you think this is some novel? Wandering into a villa district, hoping to meet a rich lady? And your dog nearly ran into Miss Gu’s car. Do you realize that car is a limited edition? Even if you worked for two lifetimes, you couldn’t pay for a scratch.”

“Yes, yes, I know. I nearly fainted just now, I was so scared.”

“Good. Now, are you going to keep searching or what?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll—”

“Woof! Woof!”

A snow-white bichon burst from a drift, barking madly, racing to its master.

“Xiaobai? I’ve been looking for you all afternoon! Where did you go?”

The man ran to meet it, scooping it up, soaked fur clinging.

“You really gave me trouble.”

Muttering loudly, he hugged both dogs and trudged away.

Snow buried his tracks.

The storm carried off his final murmur, barely audible.

“That young lady… doesn’t seem to like dogs.”

TL Note:

• Laba Festival (腊八节): A traditional Chinese festival on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, associated with eating Laba porridge. It marks the approach of Lunar New Year.
• Canary imagery: In earlier chapters, Gu Wanting compares Yu Zhu to a canary—fragile, beautiful, and kept for display. Here, her disdain for ordinary dogs contrasts with her obsession with Yu Zhu.