What’s it like to keep a Fujiang Splitter in your desk?
Not great—the splintered body part is extremely clingy.
The bad news: Since class started, Yu Duojiaye’s left hand had been inside the desk drawer, letting her cling to it.
The good news: The splintered body part knew better than to make noise and cause trouble, so it just hugged Yu Duojiaye’s finger, rubbing against it incessantly.
At the same time, Yu Duojiaye discovered something: Fu Jiang’s splintered body part could maintain a mini size—tiny, like a Thumbelina.
As soon as school ended, Yu Duojiaye declined Azuma Saburo’s invitation to walk home together, carefully and swiftly tucked Mini Fu Jiang into his pocket, and dashed out of the classroom like a gust of wind.
“Tsk, love makes people blind~”
Watching Yu Duojiaye hurry away, Azuma Saburo thought he was rushing off to apologize to Fu Jiang.
On the bus, Yu Duojiaye’s left hand in his pocket created a noticeable bulge in his pants, fearing that in the crowded bus, someone might accidentally crush Mini Fu Jiang.
Rushing frantically into his home, Yu Duojiaye quickly closed his bedroom door and took Mini Fu Jiang out of his pocket.
“Jiaye~ hold me~”
In a voice as sweet as Fu Jiang’s but slightly sharper, the naked Mini Fu Jiang sat on the desk, facing Yu Duojiaye with her arms outstretched, asking him to hold her.
Yu Duojiaye looked at Mini Fu Jiang, identical to Fu Jiang in every way, his expression complicated.
“Jiaye~ Jiaye~ hug~”
Staring at the overly clingy Mini Fu Jiang on the desk, Yu Duojiaye felt conflicted.
He wasn’t a born killer, let alone someone who could easily dispose of a twisted mass of flesh and a living, intelligent being—the psychological burden was worlds apart.
Mini Fu Jiang sensed Yu Duojiaye’s hesitation, a flicker of sadness crossing her face as she slowly lowered her arms, her small body curling into a ball.
Yu Duojiaye sighed. Just then, heavy rain began to fall outside, and a gust of wind blew through the window, making Mini Fu Jiang’s naked body shiver.
Seeing this, Yu Duojiaye hurriedly found a clean, soft towel and carefully wrapped her in it. Mini Fu Jiang’s face relaxed into a comfortable expression.
Sitting in his chair, Yu Duojiaye watched Mini Fu Jiang on the desk, rubbing her cheek against the soft towel, looking utterly content.
The little one’s expressions were undoubtedly much more vivid than Fu Jiang’s own.
But once she grew accustomed to the towel’s texture, Mini Fu Jiang gazed longingly at Yu Duojiaye again.
They stared at each other in silence, listening to the rain outside.
Wait for the rain to stop, he thought. Once it stops, I’ll do what needs to be done. For now…
Consider it palliative care.
Having convinced himself, Yu Duojiaye gently placed his finger in front of Mini Fu Jiang.
Seeing the finger almost as wide as her own body, Mini Fu Jiang giggled happily like a child.
She leaned halfway out of the towel, shivering in the cool breeze, but still reached out her small hand to press against Yu Duojiaye’s finger, guiding it into the towel with her.
After adjusting her position and pressing down the gaps in the towel to ensure no wind could seep through, Mini Fu Jiang leaned against it with a look of utter contentment, as if cradling the world’s most precious treasure.
“Jiaye~ Jiaye~”
Fu Jiang truly lived up to being the embodiment of beauty and allure. Watching Mini Fu Jiang’s intimate attachment, Yu Duojiaye couldn’t help but feel waves of tenderness welling up in his heart.
He raised his right hand and gently ruffled her hair, eliciting a satisfied giggle from the little one.
“Hehe.”
The delicate texture, reminiscent of Fu Jiang’s own hair, inadvertently brushed against her shoulder, transmitting a porcelain-like warmth through his fingertips.
In the silent tranquility, Mini Fu Jiang had unknowingly drifted into a deep slumber.
Gazing at the little creature nestled entirely within the towel, snuggled against his hand and occasionally emitting soft snores, a faint smile unconsciously surfaced at the corner of Yu Duojiaye’s lips.
The heavy rain continued to pour. Yu Duojiaye slowly withdrew his finger and went to the kitchen to prepare his dinner.
Just as he was about to finish cooking, his peripheral vision caught sight of the oatmeal in the corner. After a moment’s thought, Yu Duojiaye found a plate, soaked the oatmeal, crushed it with a spoon, and brought it to the dining table.
Mini Fu Jiang gripped the edges of the towel with both hands as if clutching a blanket, peeking out to watch Yu Duojiaye emerge with the finished dinner.
After placing the dish of mashed oatmeal porridge on the desk, just as Yu Duojiaye was pondering what to use as utensils for her, Mini Fu Jiang crawled out of the towel on her own, climbing onto the plate with her bottom in the air. Seeing this, Yu Duojiaye hurriedly stood up to close the window.
She dipped her head to take a sip of the milk-soaked oatmeal and let out a contented sigh. Though her posture was somewhat inelegant, Yu Duojiaye dared not look too closely—miniature though she was, little Fu Jiang lacked none of her defining features.
As they silently enjoyed their meal, Yu Duojiaye watched Mini Fu Jiang get milk stains all over herself and a thought crossed his mind: A white tiger is still a cat.
After eating her fill, Yu Duojiaye fetched warm water, pulled out some tissues, and lifted Mini Fu Jiang to wash her in a bowl. Once she was clean, he carefully dried her with tissues. During the process, accidental touches consistently provoked innocent, cheerful laughter from the little one.
However, the rain curtain was bound to disappear eventually.
With the final raindrops falling, the time reached nine in the evening.
On the desk, Mini Fu Jiang—who had fashioned a simple little white dress out of tissue paper for herself—was happily dancing ballet.
“Jiaye, do I look pretty?”
Yu Duojiaye looked down at the little creature on the table and forced a smile.
“Pretty.”
Mini Fu Jiang seemed oblivious to Yu Duojiaye’s mood. After completing her final move, she gracefully bowed to conclude her performance.
“Jiaye, take me out to see your yard.”
“…Tomorrow. I’ll take you tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Mini Fu Jiang pursed her lips into a smile, looked up at him, and softly said, “Let’s go today, Jiaye~”
In their silent gaze, Yu Duojiaye smiled with complex emotions in his eyes and nodded.
Then, holding Mini Fu Jiang in his hands, he brought her to the yard. The damp grass emitted the fragrance of earth as Mini Fu Jiang leaned back against Yu Duojiaye’s chest.
“Jiaye.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s getting late. After you put me back, you should go rest soon.”
“…”
Yu Duojiaye remained silent.
“Hurry up now, it’s just dealing with an accident. If you miss me, just call out—I’ll be right next door~”
Upon hearing this, Yu Duojiaye glanced toward Fujiang’s house next door. After a long pause, he stood up, cradled her, and carried her to the stove.
Clang.
The sound of the stove opening reached his ears as Mini Fu Jiang slowly stepped down from Yu Duojiaye’s palm.
“Pass me the lighter.”
Yu Duojiaye’s heart trembled at her words, but he suppressed his emotions, pulled out the lighter, and handed it over, watching Mini Fu Jiang who was barely larger than the lighter itself.
“Close it quickly and go back~”
He watched as Mini Fu Jiang turned her back to him, tore off her little white dress, and used her hands and feet to move the charcoal beside her, staining her pale body with grime.
Gazing at her tiny silhouette, Yu Duojiaye felt a sharp pang in his chest.
Gritting his teeth, he slowly closed the stove with his eyes shut, then walked into the house without looking back.
Yet, sitting on the sofa, Yu Duojiaye’s mind kept replaying the image of Mini Fu Jiang’s frail but determined figure laboriously moving the charcoal.
Just then, a flicker of flame suddenly flashed through the stove’s cracks.
In the dark yard, it was blindingly vivid.
Whoosh!
Unable to bear the torment any longer, Yu Duojiaye flung the door open and rushed into the yard.
Clang!
He yanked the stove open and saw Mini Fu Jiang, who had arranged the burning charcoal around herself and lay quietly at the center as if closing her eyes in resignation, her brow furrowed in pain but not a sound escaping her lips.
The flames licked at her hair, sizzling loudly.
The scorching heat made her clench her jaw and frown uncontrollably, but a sudden loud crash from above startled her like thunder. She looked up to see Yu Duojiaye filling her entire field of vision.
“Jiaye…”
Panicked, Yu Duojiaye brushed aside the burning charcoal and scooped Mini Fu Jiang into his hand.
Seeing her body already charred black in patches from the fire, his heart ached. Ignoring the pain in his own hand, he rushed her into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, next door, Fujiang slowly opened her eyes in bed.
Visions of a hellish scene full of flames, the stinging pain on her skin, and Yu Duojiaye’s bloodshot eyes.
“Baka…”