Accusation

Lou Yuzhu was immediately flustered. "This… this doesn't seem appropriate…"

She stood awkwardly by the bed, her hands clenched into loose fists, but the mere thought of what Tao Tao had just said made her feel a wave of embarrassment. Even though the room was empty except for the two of them, she couldn't help but feel deeply self-conscious.

Who on earth holds someone's foot like that? It was such a strange request. Other interactions with Tao Tao she could rationalize to herself as innocent, but this… this was crossing a line in her mind. She just couldn't get past the weirdness of it.

As she hesitated, fidgeting and uncertain, something soft and warm slipped into the palm of her hand.

She looked down, and there it was—the culprit. Tao Tao's foot.

The delicate curve of her instep revealed faint blue veins, and her skin was almost unnaturally smooth and translucent, like it might bruise if touched too roughly. The mischievous foot nudged and brushed against her palm, the sensation tickling her unbearably.

Lou Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat as she froze, suddenly holding her breath. She glanced at the girl's youthful, innocent face—those bright, lychee-like eyes radiating clueless mischief. How could someone with such a pure expression do something so… so provocative?

"You…"

Lou Yuzhu started to say something but then faltered, unable to find the right words. She wanted to scold Tao Tao but didn't even know what for. Her entire hand felt like it was on fire.

Tao Tao didn't play for long before withdrawing her foot.

Just as Lou Yuzhu was starting to feel relieved, Tao Tao extended her other foot.

In the same playful manner, she nestled it into Lou Yuzhu's palm, clearly enjoying herself. Even though Lou Yuzhu remained completely still and didn't respond, Tao Tao happily continued her little game, her giggles bubbling up.

Watching how much fun Tao Tao was having, Lou Yuzhu was the only one who felt like she was riding an emotional rollercoaster. Annoyed, she pinched Tao Tao's foot lightly in retaliation.

The silly, carefree expression on Tao Tao's face immediately disappeared. She froze for a moment, staring blankly at her owner.

Lou Yuzhu acted as if nothing had happened. "Be good now. It's time to sleep."

She turned off the light, and the room plunged into darkness.

As parrots are naturally attuned to light, they grow quiet and follow their owners' schedules when it's dark.

But not long after Lou Yuzhu lay down, she felt a sudden warmth near her neck. In the past, Tao Tao used to curl up in the crook of her neck to sleep, but her current size made that impossible. Yet she still tried, pressing close to her owner, her breath hot against Lou Yuzhu's ear. Lou Yuzhu even felt something soft and damp—Tao Tao's lips.

Lou Yuzhu instinctively pushed her away. "Tao Tao, you're too close! It's hot. Go sleep on the other side, okay?"

It was autumn, and the night air was crisp enough that even a thin blanket felt chilly. Her excuse was flimsy at best.

During the day, Lou Yuzhu was at work, leaving little time to spend with Tao Tao. The little parrot had to wait all day just for the few hours of companionship she could get in the evening.

Even now, Tao Tao didn't want to sleep in the birdcage. Hearing her owner complain about the heat, she grabbed the blanket and flung it onto the floor.

"…"

Lou Yuzhu sat up, staring in disbelief. Before she could say anything, Tao Tao moved to take off her shirt. The white T-shirt joined the blanket on the floor.

"What are you doing?!"

Her voice went up an octave as a sudden chill swept through the room, brushing against her face.

In the next instant, she was enveloped by an overwhelming warmth. The scent of grain filled the air as soft feathers brushed against her skin. Tao Tao's wings, powerful and plush, wrapped around her shoulders, pressing her back onto the bed.

Now, it wasn't just her ears—Lou Yuzhu felt as if her entire body was surrounded by Tao Tao's presence. Every inch of her was engulfed in the girl's warmth, the closeness making every sensation painfully vivid.

"I… I think I might actually be a little cold now," Lou Yuzhu stammered awkwardly, not daring to move a muscle. "Let's, uh… let's put the blanket back on. I'm not hot anymore."

Her arm brushed against a soft, delicate curve, leaving her so flustered she didn't know what to do. She pretended to casually stroke Tao Tao's wing, using it as an excuse to lift her arm slightly.

She had no idea what part of Tao Tao she'd accidentally touched, but the girl let out a soft, breathy hum.

Lou Yuzhu froze in panic. Her hand remained suspended in midair, and she was on the verge of tears. "Tao Tao!"

Sensing her owner's nervousness, Tao Tao's cheerful mood dimmed. She sounded hurt as she mumbled, "You don't… don't like… hugs…"

It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

Most highly intelligent animals could easily discern their owner's mood from tone alone. Parrots, with their keen perception, were no exception.

Lou Yuzhu didn't know how to explain herself. After a long pause, she simply said, "That's not it."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Tao Tao withdrew one wing and rolled herself to the other side of the bed, facing the wall.

Lou Yuzhu sighed, picked up the blanket from the floor, and hesitated before grabbing the T-shirt. After some internal debate, she placed it over Tao Tao's back.

But a second later, the shirt was tossed back onto the floor.

Lou Yuzhu's patience snapped. "Fine! I'm going to sleep. If you're cold, wear the shirt. If you're not, then stay like that. I'm done spoiling you!"

She was supposed to be taking care of a pet, not catering to a spoiled little princess.

Sigh. Lou Yuzhu steeled her resolve. If Tao Tao cried, so be it. She wasn't going to give in this time. She needed to be firm.

After all, she had been far too soft on Tao Tao. Ever since the incident with Fu Ye, where Tao Tao had bitten her, she should have started enforcing stricter discipline. Tao Tao had become too unruly—a bad bird who didn't know her place in the household.

Lou Yuzhu repeated this criticism over and over in her mind, trying to convince herself.

Though Tao Tao likely didn't understand most of her words, she could sense the reprimand in Lou Yuzhu's tone.

Her feathers metaphorically ruffled, Tao Tao propped herself up on the bed in an awkward sitting position, her hands pressing against the mattress. She leaned forward indignantly, her posture resembling that of a duck.

She began 'chirping' loudly, her tone sharp and her words indistinguishable—a mix of angry human speech and bird-like noises.

When Lou Yuzhu ignored her, Tao Tao grew more agitated, leaning closer until her face was practically pressed against Lou Yuzhu's ear. Her voice grew shriller and more frantic, but when she still received no reaction, she suddenly gasped for air, her breaths loud and uneven. Her face turned red, and her entire body trembled.

Lou Yuzhu immediately noticed something was wrong. She couldn't stay cold anymore. Tossing aside the blanket, she reached out to Tao Tao. "Come here."

Tao Tao didn't move, turning her back to her owner. The room filled with the unsettling sound of her labored breathing, each breath uneven and alarming, like a patient suffering from a severe asthma attack.

Lou Yuzhu gave up her stern facade. She sat up, gently stroking the back of Tao Tao's head, her hand smoothing down the silky strands of hair. As she patted Tao Tao's back soothingly, she murmured, "Okay, okay. I'll hold you while you sleep. Don't get upset, all right? Tao Tao wants to be held, doesn't she? Come on, don't catch a cold. It'll be miserable if you get sick."

She lifted the corner of the blanket, wrapping it around the girl. Tao Tao, now nestled in her arms, gradually warmed the shared space beneath the covers.

Lou Yuzhu had hugged close female friends before, back in school. It had felt casual, no different from using a human-sized pillow. But this was different.

She had never held someone who wasn't wearing any clothes.

Lou Yuzhu had no concept of same-gender attraction. She had always thought that people with the same anatomy couldn't possibly spark those kinds of feelings. But now, holding Tao Tao in her arms, she realized she wasn't as unaffected as she had imagined.

Her nervousness was overwhelming. She didn't dare move, terrified of touching something she shouldn't.

But even if she didn't move, she couldn't block out every sensation. The warmth of Tao Tao's body, the soft, sweet scent lingering in the air—it all made her ears burn hotter and hotter.

Tao Tao, however, wasn't done being upset. Still sniffling, she whimpered softly in her owner's arms, "You don't… don't like Tao Tao…"

Lou Yuzhu gave the same answer as before. "No, I don't dislike Tao Tao."

Warm tears soaked through the neckline of her shirt. Tao Tao was crying so hard, her sobs heartbreakingly sincere.

"Then why… why can't I feel it?" Tao Tao asked, her voice trembling with hurt.