Chapter 37: Facing reality

“Takeout.”  

Just as the atmosphere was about to turn worse, a voice from outside called out.  

“I’ll go get the takeout.”  

Sniffling, Lu Weizhu slipped out from Bai Lu’s embrace.  

She trotted to the door and opened it, revealing a Delivery Worker carrying a large bag.  

Wearing an orange-yellow uniform and a helmet, with yellowish hair poking out from the helmet’s gap, she was tilting her head to hold a phone, talking to someone.  

The Delivery Worker looked young, but her face was already lined with hardship.  

“Here’s your takeout. Please leave a five-star review.”  

After saying this, the Delivery Worker handed the bag to Lu Weizhu.  

“Sis, I still have to work. Take care of Mom, okay? I have to go now—talk to you next time.”  

She hung up and ran downstairs.  

Her heavy footsteps thudded repeatedly, pounding into Lu Weizhu’s heart.  

Her mood was still bitter but somewhat relieved.  

“I’m already lucky enough.”  

She comforted herself.  

It was only humiliation, after all. 

Without this face, she might not have been much different from that Delivery Worker.  

She etched the Delivery Worker’s image into her mind—how much does she earn in a month? 

And how much do I earn?  

“No one else could ever have what I have…”  

Comforting herself, Lu Weizhu settled her emotions.  

She carried the big bag back inside.  

Setting the food on the table, Lu Weizhu glanced at Bai Lu on the sofa.  

She touched her bitten shoulder and lowered her head.  

She walked slowly over to Bai Lu.  

“Dinner’s ready…Master…”  

Struggling, Lu Weizhu said the two words she didn’t want to say.  

Bending slightly, she looked at Bai Lu carefully.  

The patron’s face showed little emotion, somewhat indifferent.  

“… About what happened earlier, I’m really sorry…”  

Biting her lip, Lu Weizhu muttered an apology.  

The bitterness in her heart deepened.  

“My younger sister means a lot to me. If she found out what I’m doing, she’d hate me.”  

Bai Lu reacted.  

Wiping her mouth, she looked up at Lu Weizhu.  

“… Ma…Master.”  

Feeling Bai Lu’s gaze, Lu Weizhu felt embarrassed.  

“…”  

Taking a deep breath, she fought an inner battle.  

She had even called her “Master” — what else could she not do?  

She steadied herself on her legs and slowly knelt down.  

“Please don’t let my sister know what I’m doing. She would definitely refuse treatment. If that happens, I have no reason to live.”  

Lu Weizhu bowed her head.  

Bai Lu’s eyes flickered.  

The little cat knelt earnestly before her, begging—should she agree?  

Bai Lu wasn’t keen on hiding her identity; she still wanted to assert her dominance.  

Yet, looking at Lu Weizhu’s sincere expression, she hesitated.  

Her intuition told her this girl was serious. 

If her sister had any problems, she might truly give up on life.  

Bai Lu pressed her lips.  

“….”  

After a long moment, Bai Lu agreed to Lu Weizhu’s request.  

She stroked the girl’s hair.  

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”  

Her heart beating heavily, Lu Weizhu swallowed her bitterness.  

She grasped Bai Lu’s outstretched hand and slowly stood up.  

Her right knee ached slightly but was bearable.  

“Master…let’s eat.”  

The title still felt awkward, her cheeks flushed. 

Holding Bai Lu’s hand, Lu Weizhu came to the table.  

The dishes on the table were fairly ample—four meat dishes, two vegetable sides, and a soup.  

“Mm.”  

Bai Lu sat beside Lu Weizhu.  

Picking up a bowl of rice, she took a piece of meat.  

Only after Bai Lu started eating did Lu Weizhu dare to eat.  

Silent, she nibbled on her rice quietly, careful not to make any chewing noise.  

Her mind was tense; this should count as the first proper meal they shared together.  

They had spent time together before, but back then Bai Lu barely cared about her, and Lu Weizhu hadn’t had to suffer and stay on edge like now.  

“Eat more meat. You’re too thin.”  

Bai Lu glanced at the obediently eating girl.  

She pushed a plate of meat dishes towards Lu Weizhu.  

The girl was undoubtedly pretty, but indeed too thin—no meat on her bones, light as air, without any substance or feel.  

Bai Lu was in a good enough mood today to take the initiative to care for Lu Weizhu.  

“Ah, um, thank you.”  

Flattered, Lu Weizhu looked at the plate pushed before her, then back at Bai Lu, hesitating. 

Not wanting to offend, she picked up a bite of the meat dish.  

Potato and shredded pork—tasted pretty good. 

The Delivery Worker hadn’t taken long, and the food was still warm.  

Glug.  

Swallowing, Lu Weizhu looked at Bai Lu and gave a pleading smile.  

She had basically accepted reality: no matter what, she couldn’t escape the two patrons’ control anytime soon.  

All she could do was please them, avoid suspicion, and try to earn more money.  

Questioning herself over and over only made her suffer more. 

Maybe zoning out could ease her pain.  

“Your smile isn’t good enough.”  

Bai Lu watched the girl’s stiff smile and commented, though her mood brightened further.  

No matter what, the little cat was making peace with her, wasn’t she?  

“Give me a spare key later. When I have time, I’ll come here to see you.”  

While eating, Bai Lu issued a command.  

“….”  

Lu Weizhu hesitated.  

The Landlord had only given her one key.  

“What’s wrong?”  

“I only have one key. Sorry…this might not work.”  

Lu Weizhu shook her head.  

“Only one key?”  

Bai Lu was taken aback.  

“Yeah.”  

Lu Weizhu nodded.  

“Well then, how about adding me as a WeChat friend? Whenever you want to come, I can prepare in advance.”  

Unwilling to say “Master” too much, Lu Weizhu tried to avoid the term.  

“… Fine.”  

Bai Lu agreed to Lu Weizhu’s suggestion.  

She took out her phone and added Lu Weizhu using a Private Account.  

After marking Lu Weizhu as “White Kitten,” she turned off her phone.  

“Don’t message me casually.”  

She warned Lu Weizhu.  

“Okay, I understand. I won’t bother you…”  

Beside her, Lu Weizhu buried her head in the phone.  

Bai Lu’s profile picture was a potted Cactus—what could that mean?  

Her Moments mostly shared daily life.

Lu Weizhu could see interactions between Bai Lu and Ning Wan.  

How did she recognize Ning Wan? 

Naturally, because Bai Lu wouldn’t flirt with just anyone.  

Ning Wan’s WeChat profile picture was a Water Kettle—matching Bai Lu’s Cactus avatar.  

Putting away the phone, Lu Weizhu fell silent. 

She planned to take a good look through Bai Lu’s Moments later to see if she could find any useful information.  

The meal ended quietly.  

After eating, Lu Weizhu cleared away the leftovers and went to the bathroom to wipe her body with a towel again.  

Returning to the living room, Bai Lu was lying on the sofa, bored, watching her.  

Silent, Lu Weizhu closed her eyes. 

Bai Lu was definitely not a herbivore.  

Lu Weizhu lay softly in Bai Lu’s arms on the sofa.