Gou Yu was delivering food.
His mood now, while delivering, was completely different from how he felt before.
If it had been a month ago, there was no way he would have had such complicated feelings.
Complicated to the point even he couldn’t explain.
Right now, he wanted to take a couple more orders outside to earn extra money, so he could provide living expenses for both Zhu Niao and himself.
He obviously knew about that black card; he had even seen Zhu Niao take it out once while staying at a hotel by the seaside during a trip.
But he knew Zhu Niao well enough to understand that stubborn girl wouldn’t use that card unless she truly became his girlfriend, unless they really went to the civil affairs bureau and came out holding two red booklets.
Otherwise, she would never take out that card.
Even if she did use it, it would definitely be under the pretext of borrowing his name.
He had to admit, even though the money was already handed over to her, she still refused to use it.
If he wanted Zhu Niao to start using that money, their relationship had to make significant progress.
He could only say, it was still a long way off.
On the other hand, his tangled emotions were more direct, colliding exactly with his earlier thought of wanting to deliver two more orders.
He wanted to go home early, to see Zhu Niao waiting for him at home.
He knew Zhu Niao wouldn’t be like those perfect wives in TV dramas—cooking, tidying up the house, then asking if he wanted to eat first or shower first or…
A honk from the electric bike behind suddenly snapped Gou Yu out of his daydream.
Startled, he quickly started the vehicle and rushed across the street.
Though Zhu Niao wasn’t a perfect wife like those in dramas or other literary works, she made him want to get close, want to stick around a little longer.
Maybe Zhu Niao wouldn’t cook for herself and would make him cook instead, but even then, he would be cheerful.
As long as he was with Zhu Niao, he was happy. Just thinking about her made him happy now.
After being stopped countless times by the gatekeeper who forbade entrance to the community, Gou Yu left the food at the gate, took a photo, and turned around on his electric bike to prepare for the next delivery.
Before he could even check where the next order was going, a call came through.
It was Zhu Niao’s call.
Gou Yu raised an eyebrow; he could hardly imagine what Zhu Niao would have found to call and disturb him during his delivery.
Logically, the understanding and sensible Zhu Niao wouldn’t call him while he was out driving delivering food.
At that moment, Gou Yu even thought maybe Zhu Niao was suddenly kidnapped while walking outside, and the kidnappers were calling him for ransom, threatening to harm her if he didn’t pay.
He thought about it and still answered the call.
Even if the only money he could offer kidnappers now was the 837 yuan he’d hidden under the pillowcase in the bed sheet.
It was definitely Zhu Niao’s call, and that faint voice on the other end was indeed hers.
But the voice was so weak, so faint, Gou Yu had to press the phone right against his ear to hear it clearly.
“Old Gou, save me, come back quickly to save me…”
Gou Yu froze.
He knew he still had two deliveries left in his food box.
But Zhu Niao needed him now.
He didn’t ask what had happened—that would only distract Zhu Niao’s already fragile state.
He would do his best to get to her side as soon as possible, so at least there would be someone with her.
He didn’t know if he could really help, because he hadn’t asked what was going on, but the fact that Zhu Niao called meant that his presence would surely help.
“Don’t panic, try to make yourself as comfortable as possible, stabilize your condition. I’m coming right now, right away.”
Gou Yu said, placing the phone on the phone holder without hanging up.
Maybe just hearing his voice would give Zhu Niao some comfort.
But if he could, Gou Yu hoped it wouldn’t be such an emergency.
Maybe luck was on his side, or maybe fate took pity on him, because Gou Yu didn’t hit a single red light on the way, rushing like the wind straight to his front door.
Using his own key, he opened the door and before he could call out “Little Bird,” he first heard a cat’s meow.
Honestly, the cat they had picked up had been very well-behaved and understanding so far—only meowing twice when called and otherwise quiet and peaceful, unlike other kittens.
But now, the kitten was meowing loudly, one call after another, louder than before.
Gou Yu’s heart suddenly sank, as if he imagined something bad.
At that moment, he even started to regret why he had to go out to deliver food today, why he couldn’t just stay home and accompany Zhu Niao for a couple of days.
Following the cat’s cries, Gou Yu hurried to Zhu Niao’s bedroom.
What met his eyes was Zhu Niao sitting propped against the headboard, her face pale, and the little cat anxiously circling beside her.
“Ah, Old Gou…”
Zhu Niao’s voice was ethereal, and now, paired with the early autumn chill and her pure white camisole nightdress, it carried a fading sense of unfamiliarity—like feathers drifting in the air, impossible to grasp, shattering into holy fragments the moment touched.
Gou Yu’s steps slowed.
Just then, the orange kitten stopped its loud howling, trusting him like that, yet he hadn’t been by Zhu Niao’s side.
He knelt beside her bed, looking her straight in the eyes.
Her long, straight black hair made her pale face even more striking, especially with the expressionless exhaustion—the kind that showed no strength left for even the smallest gesture, so fragile and shattered.
Like a perfect porcelain cracked all over, ready to break into irreparable pieces at the slightest touch.
And yet, Zhu Niao forced out a faint smile.
“Little Bird, how do you feel?” Gou Yu had already thought of the worst possibilities.
“I bled a lot,” Zhu Niao said.
Gou Yu was stunned—he hadn’t expected it to be this serious.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen so much blood from down there,” Zhu Niao’s words carried pain, “and it really hurts.”
Gou Yu’s mind raced a bit.
Judging by Zhu Niao’s way of handling things, he could roughly guess what might be going on.
Maybe it wasn’t as severe as he feared.
He spoke cautiously, testing the waters, “Your hemorrhoid burst?”