The covers on the soft couch shifted, and a ball of snow-white fluff slowly arched up, revealing Yaoyao’s messy white hair as she slept.
At the tips, there was still half a dried flower petal clinging on.
She rubbed her drowsy red eyes and sat up, the neckline of her nightdress slipping off one side, exposing a faint layer of fluff on her neck.
Her tail tip unconsciously swished gently at the edge of the couch, exuding the laziness of just waking up.
Her gaze swept over the scattered clothes and soft ropes beside the bed, then landed on the two of them.
Yaoyao tilted her head, her nose twitching as she sniffed the lingering sweet, metallic scent in the air.
A sly glint instantly flashed in her crimson eyes.
She didn’t get off the bed, but propped her chin and leaned over the edge of the soft couch, her toes touching the floor and swaying lightly.
Her voice was sweet and soft, but carried unabashed mischief: “Lilia-jie, Big Sis, what fun were you two playing last night?”
Yiyi looked at Yaoyao, pulled the covers over herself, and shrank inward, her face burning hot.
Seeing Yiyi retreat into the blankets, Yaoyao’s eyes gleamed with even more mischief.
Her tail tip swished even more energetically, and she simply slid down from the soft couch, running barefoot to the bedside with a pitter-patter, clutching the bed frame and poking her head in: “Big Sis, what are you hiding from?”
Her gaze landed on a flushed wrist peeking from under the blanket, then glanced at the soft ropes on the floor.
Her voice, still soft, now feigned sudden realization: “Oh~ I get it! Were you two playing a ‘game’? No wonder Big Sis’s face is so red!”
Yiyi was stung all over by her blunt words, wishing she could wrap herself into a cocoon.
Her cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg, and tears welled up again in her eyes.
A muffled voice came from inside the covers: “I-it’s not… Yaoyao, don’t say nonsense!”
Clutching the bedframe, Yaoyao beamed with crescent-shaped eyes, her crimson pupils full of triumphant mischief.
Her tail tip even deliberately swept over Yiyi’s exposed wrist, tickling lightly: “Is that so? Then what are those ropes on the floor for? Last night I think I heard Big Sis’s… mmph—”
Before Yaoyao could finish, Yiyi hurriedly pulled her into her arms, tightly covering Yaoyao’s mouth with her hand, her voice urgent and tearful: “Yaoyao, don’t say that.”
Suddenly pulled into a warm embrace, Yaoyao was surrounded by the sweet, soft scent of the bedding.
She blinked her red eyes, her long lashes brushing Yiyi’s burning palm, her tail tip still unconsciously swishing lightly at Yiyi’s waist.
A muffled “mm mm” sound came from her covered mouth, but the mischief in her eyes only deepened.
She even deliberately rubbed Yiyi’s wrist with her tiny nose, sending a fine itch.
“Big Sis’s arms are so comfy…”
Yaoyao wriggled out from under Yiyi’s hand, murmuring softly, but her gaze inadvertently fell to the foot of the bed.
Suddenly her eyes lit up as she pointed at the torn bathrobe scraps scattered on the floor.
“Ah! Big Sis, where are your clothes? Hm? Why are they on the floor?”
Her gaze lingered on the torn bathrobe for a moment before turning back to Yiyi, her crimson eyes brimming with innocent confusion, but her tone carried pressing curiosity: “And it’s all ripped up? Big Sis, just what were you and Lilia-jie doing last night?”
Yiyi’s heart clenched in panic, tears welling in her eyes again.
She quickly tightened her arms, hugging Yaoyao even closer, her voice soft and weary, pleading like a puddle of water: “Yaoyao… don’t ask, just stay with me and sleep for a while, okay?”
She gently patted Yaoyao’s back, her movements so tender as if coaxing a fragile treasure.
“Big Sis was busy all night, didn’t really get to rest. Yaoyao, just keep Big Sis company and take a nap, alright?”
Yaoyao was warmed all over by the gentle pats, the familiar sweet, soft scent lingering at her nose, and her earlier curiosity was mostly soothed away.
She blinked her red eyes, looking at Yiyi’s reddened eyes and pale cheeks.
Obediently, she nodded, nuzzled into Yiyi’s arms, and found a comfortable position to lie down: “Okay, then Yaoyao will sleep with Big Sis.”
Her tail tip rested gently on Yiyi’s waist, swaying like a little tail.
“Big Sis, hurry and sleep. I’ll be good, no talking or causing trouble.”
Yiyi let out a breath, her tense body finally relaxing.
Her eyes grew hot, and tears slipped from the corners, falling onto Yaoyao’s white hair.
She closed her eyes, burying her face in Yaoyao’s soft locks, feeling the small one’s steady breathing and warm body in her arms.
The shame and fluster in her heart were gradually replaced by a gentle warmth.
Lilia stood by the bedside, watching the two snuggle together, her eyes full of deep tenderness.
She gently pulled over a thin blanket, carefully covering them as if afraid of disturbing a dream.
Then, she turned and took a clean set of clothes from the wardrobe, quietly closed the door behind her, and left.
She wanted to take a bath while the two slept, washing away the exhaustion of the previous night.
Only the gentle sounds of morning light filled the room.
On the bed, Yaoyao quietly opened her eyes.
She blinked her clear crimson eyes, her gaze falling on Yiyi, who was already fast asleep, holding her.
Yiyi’s lashes still held traces of dried tears, her nose tinged a faint red.
Her breathing was even and shallow.
The usual hint of haughty pride on her face was completely gone, leaving only vulnerability and softness.
Yaoyao reached out a tiny finger, gently poking Yiyi’s flushed cheek.
A warm touch spread from her fingertip.
Her tail tip stopped swaying, obediently pressed against Yiyi’s waist, as if silently keeping watch.
The earlier questions still circled in her mind, but looking at her sister’s tired sleeping face, she suddenly didn’t want to ask anymore.
She quietly nestled closer into Yiyi’s arms, her small head resting against Yiyi’s neck.
Just then, Yiyi’s tail suddenly draped over Yaoyao’s waist.
“Hmm?”
Yaoyao’s red eyes widened, her nose instinctively rubbing Yiyi’s neck.
Her soft body froze instantly.
The tail tip, cool to the touch, rested gently at her waist.
Yaoyao could feel the tail was damp.
“Wet…”
Yaoyao’s voice was as soft as a mosquito, laced with confusion, her red eyes full of puzzlement.
She cautiously lifted her chin, her gaze falling on Yiyi’s tail tip over her waist.
That pink-white tip was stained with slight moisture, cool to the touch—not as clear as morning dew, but with the warmth of body heat.
She didn’t dare move much, only nudged Yiyi’s neck with her nose, trying to discern the source of the dampness.
Was it tears from when Sis cried last night?
But the tail had been at her waist, so how could it have gotten tears on it?
Or… something else?
The curiosity that had just subsided bubbled up again.
Yaoyao reached out her tiny finger, just about to touch the damp fluff when Yiyi’s tail suddenly tightened, pulling her waist even closer.
With that slight motion, Yiyi’s brows furrowed, and a muffled, weary hum escaped her lips, as if she sensed something in her sleep, but still didn’t wake up.
Yaoyao’s small brows furrowed, the confusion in her red eyes instantly replaced by a trace of distaste, her voice soft and fluffy:”Mm… Big Sis is all sticky… and stinky…”
She instinctively shrank back, but the smell—a mix of sweetness, metal, and sweat—still lingered at her nose, not like the usual fresh scent of her sister.
The warmth of the hug, which had felt comforting just now, now seemed sticky and uncomfortable.
Even Yiyi’s tail over her waist made Yaoyao wriggle slightly.
But after only a couple of squirms, Yiyi’s arms instinctively tightened, holding her closer.
Another whimper, filled with grievance, slipped from her lips, as if afraid she’d run away.
Looking at Yiyi’s still-sleeping face, her lashes trembling slightly, her red-tinged nose looking pitiful, Yaoyao’s brief annoyance was instantly replaced by a wave of softness.
“Mm…” She bit her lower lip, nuzzled closer into Yiyi’s arms, deliberately avoiding the sticky parts.
Her tail tip lay quietly at Yiyi’s waist.
“Forget it, forget it, Big Sis must just be too tired…”
She quietly lifted her little hand, using her sleeve to gently wipe the tear stains from Yiyi’s face, her voice even softer: “When Big Sis wakes up, you definitely have to ask Lilia-jie to help you wash up, or else if you’re stinky, no one will want you.”