The morning light in the corridor filtered through the carved window lattice, scattering delicate spots of light across the wooden floor, like carefully cut fragments of warm sunlight, quietly laid upon the wood.
Lilith held a “little white dumpling” in one arm, her other arm gently wrapped around them, her steps especially light, even her breathing deliberately soft, for fear of disturbing the tender, affectionate closeness of the little ones in her arms.
Nestled in the crook of her left arm, Yiyi still bore the lingering flush of sleep on her cheeks, her little head tilted, snuggling softly against Lilith’s gentle shoulder, her long lashes drooping.
Hidden beneath her pink dress hem, the heart-shaped tip of her tail was especially lively, quietly hooking the small hand of Lilia on the right—hooking once, then gently letting go again, with that careful, cautious closeness unique to children.
Meanwhile, Lilia pressed her little face tightly to the crown of Yiyi’s head, her silvery-white hair like scattered moonlight, swaying gently with her breath and tickling Yiyi’s neck.
She turned her head slightly, leaning close to Yiyi’s ear, her voice very soft: “Yiyi, you smell so nice, and you’re so soft.”
Yiyi shrank her neck under the ticklish touch, the blush on her cheeks deepening even more, like a ripe little peach.
She raised her little hand, gently pushing Lilia’s shoulder, grumbling with a hint of coquettish protest in her tone: “Go away, don’t do that.”
But under the hem of her skirt, the tip of her tail quietly wrapped around Lilia’s fingers—the very picture of someone not actually wanting to push her away.
“No~”
Lilia shook her head lightly, her silvery hair brushing even more, her tone full of spoiled playfulness, with no intention of moving away at all.
Lilith looked down at the little ones’ interactions in her arms, a gentle smile rising in her eyes.
She patted their small backs, helpless and doting, and said softly: “You two little rascals, really now.”
After a while, Lilith carried the two little ones to the end of the corridor and pushed open the office door.
She carefully set Yiyi and Lilia down onto the warmed sofa at the side, tidied their rumpled skirts, then quietly closed the door behind her.
“You two little ones stay here and play, be good. I’m going to handle the morning meeting and I’ll be back soon.”
Lilith stood at the door, gave another gentle reminder, and only after seeing the two little ones nod obediently did she leave, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
As soon as Lilith left, Lilia immediately turned around.
Her formerly obedient demeanor instantly shifted to lively.
She reached out her little hand, catching Yiyi’s small foot clad in white knee-high socks, and with a gentle tug, pulled her close.
Then, smiling mischievously, she pressed Yiyi down onto the sofa, bracing her hands on either side of Yiyi’s body, eyes shining as she stared at her—like a little fox discovering a favorite toy, she let out a wicked giggle: “Yibao, hehe!” Her laughter was full of mischief.
Yiyi was pressed into the soft sofa, her body sinking into the plush blanket, her little hands gripping her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white.
The flush on her cheeks had yet to fade, now tinged with a bit of panic.
Even her breathing was a little rushed, her eyes shining with unshed tears, helpless and unsure.
She raised her little face to look at Lilia, her voice soft and timid, yet she tried her best to frown a little, showing a touch of seriousness, like a kitten trying hard to look fierce: “Wh-what do you want?!”
Her voice trembled a little, but she still tried to sound imposing.
“Yibao, I’m a bit hungry. I really want to taste you, so let me have a bite, okay?”
Liliya lowered her head, her nose almost touching Yiyi’s cheek, her tone sticky with playful wheedling.
She even pouted her lips deliberately, like a child begging for candy.
“N-no!”
Yiyi immediately shook her head, her little head wobbling like a rattle drum, her cheeks growing redder, pink creeping down her neck.
She raised her hand to push against Lilia’s cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin in her palm, her voice tinged with aggrieved childishness.
“Just this once, I promise I won’t hurt you. Please?”
Lilia wiggled a little, acting all spoiled, and even quickly licked her two little fangs with her tongue.
Her eyes were fixed intently on Yiyi’s flushed cheeks, like she was eyeing a tempting little treat, her tone full of pleading.
She even bumped her forehead against Yiyi’s, as if to add to her playful begging.
Seeing Lilia’s determined expression, Yiyi’s cheeks were almost dripping red.
After hesitating a few seconds, she muttered quietly: “O-okay, just—just this once.”
“Hehe, then I’m going to bite now.”
Before her words had faded, Lilia bent down, opened her little mouth, and bit down on Yiyi’s neck.
As her little fangs broke through Yiyi’s skin, a faint tingling itch spread before any pain, warm blood slowly seeping from the tiny wound.
Lilia gently suckled at that patch of skin, her movements surprisingly gentle, not rough at all.
Rather, it was as though she was savoring a rare, precious pastry, drawing carefully.
Yiyi felt a stab of sharp pain, but what followed was a hard-to-describe tingling numbness.
It was as if tiny currents of electricity slipped through the wound and into her body, making her tense up involuntarily, then go limp in the next instant.
Her little hands wrinkled the plush blanket, and tears welled up instantly in her eyes—but they did not fall.
She simply bit her lower lip and swallowed back a soft whimper.
After a few sips, Lilia gently let go, sticking out her tongue to delicately lick over Yiyi’s little wound on her neck.
The skin instantly turned a faint red.
“Lilia… don’t—don’t lick…”
Yiyi’s voice was soft, with a nasal note and breathless undertone, her fingers tugging at Lilia’s sleeve, her manner a little coquettish.
Lilia straightened up, a faint blush still at the corner of her mouth.
Her eyes were shining, like they held tiny stars, and she smiled as she spoke: “Yibao’s blood is so delicious! So much sweeter than what I usually drink, a million times better!”
She reached out her finger and gently touched the little wound on Yiyi’s neck, her touch very light.
“It doesn’t hurt at all, right?”
“I’ve decided—starting today, I’m going to bite you every day and taste your flavor. That way I’ll never be hungry again.”
As she spoke, Lilia even raised her chin proudly, as if making some grand announcement.
Hearing this, Yiyi’s eyes went wide, her cheeks turning even redder with a hint of indignation and grievance: “You villain! You lied to me! You said it was just once!” She raised her hand and patted Lilia’s arm, her strength very light, more of a coquettish protest.
“Hmph, so what? Who told Yibao to be so tasty?”
Lilia wasn’t even the least bit guilty, instead leaning closer to Yiyi, pinching her flushed cheek gently.
“I declare from today on, Yibao, you’re mine! Only I get to bite you.”
Yiyi could only pout and mutter, “Villain,” but the coquettish look in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
She struggled hard: “Lilia, let go of me! I want to get up! I’m not your blood bottle!”
But Lilia not only didn’t let go, she snuggled even closer, her eyes curving into little crescent moons: “Mother hasn’t come back yet, so why not let me try again? Just one more bite.”
“I don’t believe you, hmph💢!”
Yiyi turned her head away, cheeks puffed like an angry little hamster, her small hands gripping the edge of the sofa tightly, obviously determined not to give in.