In the past, Tao Tao would speak her mind without hesitation. Now, she even knew how to ask questions in return, showing confusion at her owner's inquiries.
Lying on the bed with her face turned toward the wall, her expression resembled a wilting plant with curled leaves from lack of water. "Yu yu doesn't even like me, but you want me to... like you the most?"
Today in class, she had learned a new concept: 'most' refers to the highest rank or priority, and 'like the most' means one's favorite.
Yu yu was so greedy—wanting to be her 'most liked' while unwilling to offer the same in return.
Lou Yuzhu heard her murmuring, indignant despite her lack of reasoning. She rubbed the back of the girl's neck, just as she used to massage her little parrot. "My love for you doesn't change because of anyone else. Look at you—making your first friend and acting like this. In a few days, will you not want to come home at all? When you first hatched, I got up every two hours to feed you milk, raising you to this point. My patience, money, effort, and every good quality I have—you've experienced it all. Who could possibly treat you better than I do? If I'm not your favorite person, who else could it be?"
Tao Tao was almost guilt-tripped into submission. Blinking, she mumbled from her position on the bed, "Li Hua... her name is Little Li Hua..."
Lou Yuzhu didn't really care about Tao Tao's deskmate's name and had only asked casually. What she truly wanted was an answer to her own question.
Patting Tao Tao on the head, she pressed further, "Tao Tao likes me the most, right?"
The girl pulled the blanket over her head, hiding in her cocoon as she muttered, "Not telling you."
Her bird baby had already cooled toward her on the first day of school, leaving Lou Yuzhu feeling a bit dejected.
After coaxing Tao Tao to sleep, she turned off the bedroom lights and went to the living room to scroll through her phone, venting to Fu Ye in a flurry of texts.
[Lou Yuzhu: Birds really do prefer their own kind. No wonder so many parrot owners say their bird babies aren't affectionate with people. If they have companions, they don't need us; only when they're alone do they rely on their owners. Tao Tao didn't even greet me when she got home today. She just took a bath and groomed her feathers. And the hair clip I gave her? Not in her nest, but the one her deskmate gave her is! (sad emoji)]
[Fu Ye: Isn't this what you wanted? When she clings to you, you're scared. When she doesn't, you act crazy.]
[Lou Yuzhu: I haven't even mentioned you yet. What's going on with you and Lu Ling??? You two are so ahead of the curve I can't keep up. Is she secretly in love with you? A friendship turned sour! I get it!]
Although curious, Lou Yuzhu didn't plan to dig too deep. If Fu Ye didn't bring it up, it was clearly something she wasn't ready to share. Lou Yuzhu didn't like prying into others' private lives, so she only teased her a bit, not expecting any real revelations.
However, a few minutes after her message, Fu Ye unexpectedly called her.
Surprised, Lou Yuzhu closed the bedroom door before answering.
"How did you know about me and Lu Ling?" Fu Ye's tone carried a faint weight.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Lou Yuzhu replied, "I didn't know. The new girl told me Lu Ling had her imitate your voice in bed. Seriously, that's wild. I never thought President Lu was into that sort of thing. She seemed so aloof and melancholic at work..."
Even after a day, Lou Yuzhu was still baffled by the revelation. She had expected Fu Ye to be furious or disgusted by such behavior. After all, being treated like that was offensive, wasn't it?
She was even prepared to echo Fu Ye's outrage, but instead, there was silence on the other end.
Lou Yuzhu's playful expression shifted to confusion. "Don't tell me... something really happened between you two?"
Fu Ye stayed silent for a long while before letting out a long sigh. "We did date for a while. We broke up last month, and this month has been nothing but fights and back-and-forths. She's taking her anger out on people around me—not just you, but other friends too. I wanted to tell you... but I didn't know how. Xiao Yu, I'm really... so sorry."
Even through the phone, Fu Ye's conflicted feelings were palpable. Lou Yuzhu, who had been feeling slightly drowsy, was now wide awake, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Learning that her job transfer was a result of this left her speechless. "Lu Ling can go to hell! What are you apologizing for? Don't overthink it—this is all on her! What kind of person does this? Breaking up is normal. Why go to such lengths for revenge? She's so petty. Seriously, Lu Ling can just go to hell!"
As her best friend, Lou Yuzhu unconditionally took Fu Ye's side. Although shocked that Fu Ye had dated a woman, she was furious that Fu Ye had been subjected to such vengeful behavior.
"Why are lesbians like this too? I thought only awful men did things like that!"
Before Lou Yuzhu could finish her rant, Fu Ye's next words sent her emotions on another rollercoaster.
"Xiao Yu, don't confront Lu Ling. The breakup is my fault. Remember when I went to take that exam? I visited a friend in the neighboring city. That friend had confessed to me during a game of Truth or Dare in the past. It wasn't anything serious, but Lu Ling was convinced I cheated on her. We just weren't compatible..."
Hearing this, Lou Yuzhu shot up from the couch, pacing back and forth in the living room. "Do you even hear yourself? No wonder you don't want me confronting Lu Ling—you're the one at fault!"
Why would someone take time out of an exam trip to visit a friend in another city?
And that friend had even confessed to her once? The classic line, 'It's my fault,' paired with 'We just weren't compatible,' had all the hallmarks of guilt.
Fu Ye's tone wavered, as if trying to explain herself. "I didn't cheat. I didn't do anything with that friend. Am I not allowed to visit friends? Lu Ling is just too controlling and unreasonable. You've seen how she lashes out at others—you know what she's like."
Regardless of whether or not Fu Ye crossed a line, in Lu Ling's eyes, it was betrayal. What else could have happened besides a breakup?
Lu Ling's resentment didn't allow her to let go, and since Fu Ye's work was tied to the research institute, she couldn't touch Fu Ye directly. Instead, she targeted her friends.
These past weeks had been miserable for Fu Ye. Even begging Lu Ling to let things go had only resulted in humiliation.
Lou Yuzhu shouldn't have taken this call. Despite their long friendship, this was the first time she and Fu Ye found themselves at such an impasse.
"I don't get your whole lesbian drama. Are you and that 'friend' really just friends? Why do something like that on the way to an exam? It makes it look like the exam was just an excuse. You weren't even in the same city—why go out of your way? Of course, Lu Ling's angry. How can you blame her for being upset? Sure, she's not a great person, but your actions don't seem... right, either."
She struggled to find the right words, hesitant to be too harsh out of consideration for their friendship.
Fu Ye, unable to offer a clearer explanation, only insisted, "I didn't cheat. She even slapped me. I've never taken her money, so we're even. I can't control what she does with others anymore."
Even though she was the one who had been slapped, Fu Ye sounded utterly defeated.
The truth of the situation was beyond Lou Yuzhu's grasp. After exchanging a few more awkward words, she ended the call, her thoughts in turmoil.
This was terrifying...
Putting down her phone, she crawled into bed. "My baby, let me hug you."
Still shaken, Lou Yuzhu sought comfort, waking the only other living soul in the house. Holding Tao Tao in her arms, she rocked her gently. "My good baby, are you hungry? How about I make you some milk?"
Tao Tao had been weaned earlier that year, but there was still an unfinished can of formula at home. Occasionally, Lou Yuzhu would give her some to drink.
Tao Tao had never had milk in her human form before.
The girl woke up without complaint, yawning as she rested against her owner. Her innocent, slightly dazed eyes were tinged with sleepy confusion, not having heard what was said.
Originally intent on preparing milk, Lou Yuzhu froze when she saw the girl's face. Tao Tao was already so grown up—still drinking milk seemed inappropriate.
Moreover, she felt a bit embarrassed to feed her...
Silently, Lou Yuzhu set Tao Tao down and tucked her back in. "Go to sleep."
* * * *
The next morning, when she dropped Tao Tao off at school, the girl lingered in the passenger seat, looking hesitant to get out.
Concerned, Lou Yuzhu asked, "What's wrong? Did someone at school bully you?"
Tao Tao tugged at her long braids, mumbling, "I want twenty yuan for milk tea."
"..."
Realizing the issue, Lou Yuzhu burst out laughing. No wonder she looked like that—it was just about money. Exactly the same as her own school days.
"What kind of milk tea costs twenty yuan?" Lou Yuzhu opened her wallet and handed over two 100-yuan bills. "Get the 26-yuan one with pudding!"
She tucked the cash into Tao Tao's backpack but pulled her back before she could step out. "Wait a minute. Aren't you going to answer my question from last night? Have you figured it out?"
She should obviously be Tao Tao's favorite person. It was only natural!
Tao Tao lowered her head, her response the same as before: "Not telling you."
Seeing that they still had time and wouldn't be late, Lou Yuzhu pressed further. She had spent all night wondering—if not her, then who could it be?
"Why won't you tell me?"
Playing with her hair, Tao Tao sensed her owner leaning in and panicked. Flustered, she blurted out, "I just won't tell you! Little Li Hua said not to tell you so you'd think about it all day."
Softly, in her lilting voice, she repeated, "Yu yu, think about me all day..."