Chapter 29: Late

“Phew…Now, it’s time to find Ning Wan.”

After seeing Bai Yun off, Lu Weizhu stood up.

“Ow…it hurts so much…”

The moment she stood, a sharp pain shot through her right knee.

The previously ignored ache had come back to haunt her.

Lu Weizhu held onto her right arm.

Her forearm was wrapped in layers of bandages, noticeably thicker than the left one.

The off-white bandages stood out starkly against her pristine white shirt.

“No time to change clothes now.”

Lowering her head, Lu Weizhu noticed bloodstains on her pants and shirt.

Walking outside like this was definitely eye-catching.

But Lu Weizhu didn’t have time to care about that anymore.

She had wasted too much time at the hospital treating her wounds.

Leaving the hospital, Lu Weizhu recalled the address Ning Wan had sent her.

“Wanping North Road 78, huh…”

Muttering to herself, Lu Weizhu hailed a taxi.

The sky darkened, streetlights flickered on along both sides of the road, and pedestrians occasionally passed by on the sidewalks.

Except for late nights and early mornings, this city was always bustling.

Neon lights and vibrant street scenes flashed past her vision, but Lu Weizhu knew none of that belonged to her.

“Driver, can you go a little faster?”

She quietly urged the taxi driver.

“Young lady, it’s not like I can just speed up whenever I want.”

The driver glanced at her but said no more.

Lu Weizhu waited in the car, feeling drowsy from blood loss.

Her right hand was carefully placed in front of her to avoid accidental bumps.

After an unknown length of time, they finally arrived.

“We’re here.”

“Hmm? Okay, thank you, Master.”

Out of habit, Lu Weizhu thanked him, paid, and got out of the car.

Wanping North Road 78 — a restaurant that looked somewhat luxurious.

Private Room.

Standing in front of the three-story restaurant, gazing at the resplendent golden sign, Lu Weizhu glanced down at her shabby shirt and pants.

If she remembered correctly, the two pieces of clothing together had cost no more than thirty yuan.

Was she even allowed to enter a place like this?

“Ah!? It’s already eight o’clock?”

She checked her phone and wiped her eyes, startled by the time.

Exactly eight o’clock.

Her phone had suddenly accumulated over a dozen missed calls, all from Ning Wan without exception.

“Damn, damn, damn…”

Ignoring how shabby she looked, Lu Weizhu hurried toward the address and entered the restaurant.

The bloodstained clothes and bandaged arm drew attention, with both guests and waitstaff frequently casting glances her way.

“Ugh…my leg’s killing me, hurry up…”

Lu Weizhu had no time to care about their stares.

She jogged, dodging waiters running up and down the stairs, and finally reached the third floor, where Ning Wan had requested.

“Hah…hah…sorry, Miss Ning! I’m late…hah…”

She pushed the door open roughly, holding onto it as she bent over, gasping for breath.

“Apologies!!”

Inside the private room, Ning Wan sat silently at the head of the table, legs crossed, dressed in an expensive pale blue long dress and wearing a pair of pearl earrings.

She wore no makeup, but it was clear she had made an effort to look good.

Holding a nail clipper in her hand, Ning Wan coldly watched the panting girl.

“You’re late.”

Ning Wan’s voice was icy.

She had been waiting for Lu Weizhu here for two hours.

The food was cold, and her previously pleasant mood had soured completely.

“… Uh, ah, I’m sorry, Miss Ning. I, um, had an accident. I fell asleep in the car and missed your calls. I really…”

Closing the door, Lu Weizhu apologized nonstop.

Sweat beads slid down her gaunt face, glistening under the light.

Looking down, her voice was tense.

Ning Wan said nothing.

She simply stared at Lu Weizhu quietly, her gaze resting on the girl’s slender swan neck, as if wanting to grasp it and watch her struggle and beg, tears flowing uncontrollably.

A silent fury spread throughout the private room, and Lu Weizhu clenched her fingers tightly.

A burning pain radiated from her palm, causing her to panic.

She dared not raise her head, pressing her lips tightly together.

“Come here.”

After a long pause, Ning Wan finally spoke.

“O-okay…”

Lu Weizhu nodded hurriedly and stepped forward a few paces.

The large round table was laden with a variety of dishes, though most were cold now.

Looking around, the only empty seat was beside Ning Wan.

Nervous, Lu Weizhu cautiously sat down beside her.

Feeling a bit awkward, she placed her hands on her lap.

Silently, Ning Wan pinched a strand of Lu Weizhu’s white hair.

Rubbing the strands between her fingers, she closed her eyes.

What was the point of calling Lu Weizhu over?

Probably to be a little kinder, to coax more obedience in return.

But the girl beside her didn’t seem to appreciate it.

Lu Weizhu’s image remained frozen in that rainy night —

Ning Wan had grasped her hair tightly and pulled out three strands.

“Ugh.”

With a muffled grunt, Lu Weizhu raised her head.

“Miss Ning, I’m really sorry. I was late because I hurt my hand at work and had to go to the hospital to get it treated, so I lost time.”

Lu Weizhu explained.

“Work? Then just quit.”

Ning Wan tilted her head.

“What kind of job is more important than making me happy?”

She grabbed Lu Weizhu’s right arm.

The fingertips felt the texture of the bandages—rougher than skin, but unexpectedly nice to touch.

“Ni…Miss Ning?”

Lu Weizhu wiggled her fingers, trying to pull her hand free.

Her injured forearm was trapped, making her uneasy.

“Lu Weizhu.”

Ning Wan said her full name directly.

She was displeased, naturally.

Lu Weizhu would have to pay the price for that.

Her grip tightened, fingers closing bit by bit, and pain began to flare.

The ache in her right arm intensified, and Lu Weizhu’s shoulder trembled.

“… Heh.”

With a forced, unamused smile, Ning Wan held Lu Weizhu’s forearm and raised her hand, causing Lu Weizhu’s body to tilt accordingly.

“Ooh hah…ooh hah…it’s…so…painful…”

Lu Weizhu furrowed her brows, gasping.

Ning Wan’s expression didn’t change as she sat upright, enjoying the pain etched on Lu Weizhu’s face.

She looked beautiful when soft and obedient, but if that was impossible, fear on her face would do as a consolation.

“Ugh!?”

Suddenly, Ning Wan kicked the chair over.

Lu Weizhu fell to the floor, her upper body propped up by the hand that was still held, forcing her to look up at Ning Wan.

“Lu Weizhu.”

Ning Wan placed one foot on Lu Weizhu’s shoulder.

It was a humiliating posture, but Lu Weizhu had no choice but to endure.

“Do you need me to explain what our relationship is?”

She smiled.

“Our relationship is that of Owner and Pet. Remember that, and don’t misunderstand it. Got it?”

Ning Wan released her grip.

Her body went limp, and Lu Weizhu lay face down.

Her eyes trembled violently.

Although she knew her place was humble, hearing the word “pet” still stung deeply.

But what could she do about it?

Her heart shuddered, her vision partially obscured by falling white strands of hair.

“I…understand…”

Her voice trembled.

In her mind flashed Ning Wan’s relatively gentle demeanor during her fever.

Were they really the same person?

Closing her eyes, Lu Weizhu emptied her mind, struggling not to dwell on things that made her suffer even more.