“It’s alright, come here. Big Sister will help you dry off, then it’s time for bed.”
Yiyi gritted her teeth and steadied herself, her other hand slipping around Yao Yao’s waist, gently lifting the little one upwards with the help of the water’s buoyancy and holding her firmly onto the shore.
She picked up the dry towel from the stone stool and carefully wiped the droplets of water from Yao Yao’s body.
The hem of her bathrobe, soaked and chilly, clung to her legs, mixing with the lingering tingling sensation at her neck, sending a fine shiver throughout her body.
But seeing the little one in her arms with teary eyes, all her panic melted away and was replaced by a deep ache in her heart.
Warmth bloomed in Yiyi’s heart.
She lowered her head and kissed the crown of Yao Yao’s head, her voice so gentle it seemed as if water would drip from it: “I’m fine. As long as you’re not hurt, Yao Yao.”
Holding the little one, she walked over to the stone stool by the pool, picked up the dry towel, and wrapped it around Yao Yao’s damp body, carefully drying her hair and limbs.
“Next time, if you want to climb up, you must call for Big Sister. You’re not allowed to do it by yourself, understand?”
“Mm!”
Yao Yao nodded obediently, but suddenly her small hand grabbed Yiyi’s wrist, her fingertip lightly brushing over the red marks exposed by the collar of Yiyi’s bathrobe at her neck.
She tilted her head curiously.
“Big Sister, your neck is all red. Did a bug bite you?”
Yiyi stiffened, instinctively pulling her bathrobe collar tighter.
Her cheeks instantly burned, and her voice carried a hint of flustered evasion:”Y-yeah, maybe the bath was too damp and a little bug bit me.”
She hurriedly changed the topic, picking up the floating wooden duck from the stone stool and stuffing it into Yao Yao’s hands.
“Look, the little duck is still here. It didn’t get lost.”
Yao Yao’s attention was immediately drawn to the wooden duck.
Her tears gave way to laughter as she clutched the duck and shook it, her round eyes curving into crescents.
“Little duck! I’m so glad you’re okay~”.
She lowered her head and whispered a few words to the wooden duck, then rubbed her cheek against Yiyi’s chin, her soft, nasally voice betraying that she’d just been crying.
“Big Sister, from now on Yao Yao will wait for you obediently, and not climb up by myself.”
Yiyi finally breathed a sigh of relief, her fingertips gently combing through Yao Yao’s damp pigtails.
The chilly sensation of the bathrobe hem was still there, but the warmth in her arms made her heart feel hot.
She was just about to say something soothing when the sound of light footsteps came from behind.
Turning around, she saw that Aze had somehow already gotten out of the water, her bathrobe loosely draped over her shoulders, her silver-white tail dripping with water as she leaned against the doorway, watching them with an amused, half-smiling look.
“Idiot is as idiot does. You can’t even look after a child.”
Aze raised her brow, her usual teasing in her tone.
Her gaze inadvertently swept over the red marks on Yiyi’s neck, and a faint glimmer of understanding flashed in her eyes.
“But those bug bites of yours are quite unique.”
Yiyi’s cheeks instantly flushed red again.
She hurriedly pulled Yao Yao closer to cover the obvious marks, her voice rising in indignant protest: “Mind your own business!”
“Yao Yao, let’s go.”
She held Yao Yao even tighter.
Yao Yao instinctively snuggled closer to her chest, responding in a soft, sticky voice: “Okay~”
Her small hand still gripped the little wooden duck, and she waved it at Aze as she turned back.
“Goodbye, Sister Aze.”
Aze arched her brow, but said nothing, only watching as the two hurried away.
Her silver-white tail gently swept over the ground, droplets of water falling onto the bluestone and making faint, scattered sounds.
Yiyi hugged Yao Yao and quickly left the bath.
The cold wind in the corridor made her shiver.
The damp chill from the bathrobe hem crept up her legs, mingling with the lingering tingling at her neck, and the heat in her cheeks refused to subside.
The little one in her arms was already too sleepy to keep her eyes open.
Her head rested heavily on Yiyi’s shoulder, her breathing gradually evening out.
“Big Sister… Yao Yao is so sleepy…” she mumbled, her small hand unconsciously gripping Yiyi’s clothes and burying her face deeper, nose pressed against the faint scent of soap lingering on Yiyi, making her close her eyes contentedly.
Yiyi slowed her steps, carefully supporting the little one’s bottom, afraid to wake the tiny figure in her arms.
When she entered Lilia’s room, she gently placed Yao Yao on the nearby soft couch, covered her with a soft blanket, then bent down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, her voice low as a whisper: “Be good, Yao Yao. Sleep now.”
Yao Yao seemed to feel comforted, her brows relaxing, lips curling unconsciously into a soft smile.
The hand holding the little wooden duck loosened, and her breathing became more peaceful and long.
Yiyi sat at the edge of the couch, her fingertips lightly brushing aside the sweaty hair from Yao Yao’s forehead, her touch as gentle as if handling fragile glass.
“Is Yao Yao asleep, Yibao?”
A familiar voice sounded behind her, hoarse from just now.
Before Yiyi could react, a pair of warm arms circled from behind, tightly wrapping around her waist.
Lilia’s cheek pressed against her face, strands of hair tickling her skin with a faint itch, and the next second, a warm and damp sensation landed on her cheek—Lilia had just licked her.
Yiyi froze, unable to move as if under a binding spell, her cheeks burning hotter than they had in the bath.
Lilia’s scent was familiar—soap mixed with a faint hint of blood—and it brushed against Yiyi’s ear, sending shivers all over her.
“L-Lilia! Don’t do that…”
Her voice was barely more than a mosquito’s buzz, thick with embarrassment and panic.
She tried to turn her head away, but Lilia’s arm only pulled her tighter into her embrace.
Her back pressed firmly against the warmth of Lilia’s chest, the other’s steady heartbeat echoing through their skin, mingling with her own racing pulse, making even her breathing quicken.
On the couch, Yao Yao seemed to be stirred by the slight commotion.
Her small brows furrowed and her grip on the little wooden duck tightened, her mouth letting out a vague sleep-talking sound: “Big Sister… my lady…”
Yiyi’s heart leapt to her throat.
She hurriedly raised her hand to press Lilia’s shoulder, eyes full of tension and helplessness, signaling her not to make a sound.
Lilia, however, was unconcerned and even let out a low laugh.
The vibration from her chest spread through their close contact, reaching Yiyi.
She leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Yiyi’s ear, her voice husky and bewitching: “Don’t worry, she’s not awake.”
As she spoke, Lilia’s fingertip lightly traced along Yiyi’s neck, deliberately avoiding the glaring red marks, then finally paused on her flushed cheek, gently caressing the spot she had just licked.
Her movements were gentle, yet carried a possessiveness that couldn’t be refused.
“Yibao’s cheeks are as sweet as your blood.”
Her voice was pressed so low it was nearly a lover’s whisper, yet full of irresistible temptation.
Yiyi’s face grew even redder, her gaze dodging in panic.
She dared not meet Lilia’s eyes and could only stare fixedly at Yao Yao on the couch, terrified that the little one might suddenly wake up.
Yet the person behind her showed no intention of stopping.
Instead, she rested her chin on Yiyi’s shoulder, gently nuzzling the crook of her neck, her breath tickling the sensitive skin, making Yiyi feel weak all over, almost collapsing into Lilia’s embrace.
“You promised me, Yibao.”
Lilia’s fingertip gently hooked Yiyi’s chin, forcing her to turn her head.
In her eyes surged an affection and possessiveness so strong it could not be dissolved.
“Now, no one can disturb us.”
Her lips slowly drew closer, carrying a tenderness that brooked no resistance, little by little approaching Yiyi’s lips.
Just then, Yao Yao on the couch suddenly turned over, her small head facing their direction.
Though her eyes remained closed, she mumbled vaguely: “Big Sister… my lady… want a hug…”
Yiyi’s whole body tensed.
She shoved Lilia away, panic flashing in her eyes as she instinctively tried to get up and comfort Yao Yao.
But Lilia’s arms locked firmly around her waist, refusing to let her move.
Shaking her head with a teasing smile, she whispered in Yiyi’s ear: “Don’t go. Let her sleep.”
Her fingertips gently traced Yiyi’s lips with a lingering warmth, her voice even more seductive: “Let’s continue, shall we?”
“C-c-continue what?”
Yiyi’s voice quivered, her cheeks flushed so deeply it seemed the color might seep out, her gaze full of confusion and embarrassment.
“Hehe, you’ll know soon enough, little Yibao…”