Ye Ning’s mind felt as if all thoughts had been suddenly yanked away, leaving an empty void.
Even her fingertips tingled with a faint numbness.
Her eyes, usually soft and moist, were now fixed straight on the Blood Butterfly before her, pupils slightly dilated.
The next second, she flinched as if burned by that sudden, appraising gaze.
She instinctively buried her head deep into her knees, arms tightly wrapped around her legs, curling herself into a small ball.
Her shoulders uncontrollably trembled, and fragmented, shameful whimpers leaked from the gap of her arms.
With a thick nasal tone, vague and fragile, she said: “Don’t look at me… Please, don’t look at me…”
That voice was as light as a feather, yet wrapped in full embarrassment and helplessness.
Even the tips of her ears were red enough to bleed, and the skin on her neck flushed with a faint pink tinge.
The situation.
Blood Butterfly’s hand, holding her weapon, paused in midair, her fingertips lightly curling.
She was facing such a dilemma for the first time—whether to attack or not.
This child in front of her inexplicably gave her the odd illusion that if she really did attack, she might catch a case of stupidity.
“Furthermore…”
Her gaze inadvertently swept over the nearby witch’s wet skirt hem, the dampness spreading downward, stained with some dust, looking somewhat disheveled.
Then her eyes landed on the suspicious, faintly glistening liquid on the ground.
Her eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, a trace of surprise flickering in her eyes.
She silently mused: ‘Are little witches these days all playing this wild?’
This scene really opened her eyes.
Just as she was distracted, a blurry figure appeared silently behind her like a ghost.
Its presence was faint as mountain mist, almost merging with the surrounding air, not stirring even a breeze.
“Who?”
Blood Butterfly’s vigilance instantly maxed out.
She reacted with lightning speed, her body darting like an arrow from the bow.
In an instant, she moved to the base of the opposite wall, her weapon pointed directly at the blurry figure.
But the other party gave no response, neither attacking nor speaking.
The next second, a thick, impenetrable black mist slowly rose from the ground, rapidly spreading.
It leisurely enveloped Ye Ning, who was curled up on the ground, completely concealing her figure within the black mist, leaving no outline visible.
Ye Ning lifted her head a little from between her knees.
Her bangs were wet with tears, sticking to her smooth forehead.
Her eyes were red, like a grievance-stricken little rabbit.
She just started to whimper out two words, her voice still thick with nasal congestion and lingering sobs.
The next moment, a warm, soft hand gently covered her mouth.
The temperature of the fingertips transmitted through her skin, carrying a familiar, reassuring scent.
Before she could react, her body was tightly wrapped in a warm force.
That familiar aura instantly enveloped her.
Together with the thick black mist, they vanished from the spot as if they had never been there, leaving only a faint, fleeting trace of black mist on the ground.
Almost the instant they disappeared, an arrow carrying blood qi shot through the air.
The arrowhead glowed with cold, sharp light, howling as it pierced the lingering black mist.
With a dull “thud,” it firmly embedded into the ground.
The arrow’s tail still trembled slightly, kicking up a few small specks of dust.
Blood Butterfly walked over slowly, looked down at the remnants of black mist on the ground that were about to dissipate.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
She lightly pinched the faint residual aura in the air, her voice full of doubt: “Gone? That was fast.”
She paused, her eyes filled with even more confusion, murmuring softly: “It’s strange. These two witches seem different from all the witches I’ve ever met. On the contrary… somewhat odd.”
After a moment, she lightly shook her head.
The doubt in her eyes gradually faded, and her tone returned to its usual calm.
“Forget it, let’s leave it at that. I’ll leave the rest of the mess to the police. I need to hurry and accompany Xiaohe so she doesn’t worry.”
With that, she bent down, lightly flicked her finger, and picked up the A-rank Disaster Beast’s crystal core from the ground.
The core glowed with a faint light, cool to the touch.
A faint shimmer appeared at her fingertips as she stored the core.
The next second, her figure vanished like a ghost into the shadows of the alley entrance.
Back at the Safe Zone, a faint warmth greeted her.
She looked up and saw Hua Niao chatting with Xu Zhihe in a corner.
Xu Zhihe sat on the sofa, leaning forward slightly, listening attentively.
Her eyes, originally carrying a hint of distance and coolness, instantly softened when she heard footsteps and looked up.
The tight corners of her mouth lifted into a slight smile, the worry in her eyes gradually fading, and her body relaxed.
All good.
“Sister, you’re here?”
Xu Zhihe’s voice was gentle, with a trace of imperceptible delight. Her gaze rested on Xu Zhiyuan, as if confirming whether she was safe and sound.
“Mm, I’m back.”
Xu Zhiyuan responded, the gravity in her tone gradually fading.
She subconsciously glanced around and felt a bit confused.
She paused in her steps, looked at Hua Niao, and asked softly, “Where did Miss Ye Ning go? I don’t see her.”
“She went to the bathroom.”
Hua Niao said with a smile, looking up.
A trace of slyness flickered in her eyes.
As soon as the words fell, Ye Ning returned.
Her long lashes were lowered, covering her emotions.
Her bangs had been tidied a bit, but her hair was still slightly messy and damp from a recent wash.
The corners of her eyes still bore a hint of fading redness, as if she had just cried.
The faint moisture in her eyes made her look even more pitiful.
Most noticeably, she walked with a slight limp, pausing unconsciously with each step.
“Miss Ye Ning, what’s wrong?”
Xu Zhiyuan immediately stepped forward, her voice full of concern.
Her eyes locked onto Ye Ning’s leg, filled with care.
She even instinctively reached out to help her.
“Did you get hurt just now? Is it serious? Should I find some medicine for you?”
“Ah… no need, no need. Thank you, Miss Xu Zhiyuan.”
Ye Ning felt even more embarrassed under her gaze.
Her cheeks instantly flushed with a light pink, the redness spreading to her ears.
She quickly lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
She shook her head lightly, her tone carrying shyness and awkwardness.
“Earlier, when I came to the Safe Zone, I accidentally stepped on a pebble, fell, and twisted my leg a little. It’s really not serious. It’ll be fine after resting a bit. No need to trouble you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Hua Niao stood up and walked over.
She gently pulled Ye Ning into her embrace, arms tightly around her waist.
The movement was tender yet firm.
She smiled at Xu Zhiyuan, a warm smile, but her tone carried a faint, almost imperceptible distance, as if staking a claim.
“No need to trouble Miss Xu Zhiyuan. I’ll take care of our Ningning myself.”
Ye Ning seemed even more reliant on Hua Niao.
She burrowed deeper into Hua Niao’s arms, her cheek pressed against her chest, feeling her warm body temperature and familiar scent.
The shyness and awkwardness in her heart gradually dissipated a bit.
She gave a muffled response.
Xu Zhiyuan watched this scene, her lips slightly pursed.
A trace of barely noticeable disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything more.
Instead, she withdrew her gaze and subconsciously reached out to ruffle Xu Zhihe’s hair.
Her force was a bit uncontrolled, as if hiding her feelings, leaving Xu Zhihe’s hair quite messy.
“Sister, my hair’s a mess.”
Xu Zhihe wrinkled her nose helplessly and lightly tapped Xu Zhiyuan’s hand.
Her tone carried a bit of indulgent complaint, but there was no real anger in her eyes, only a faint smile.
“Oh, oh… sorry, Xiaohe. I didn’t mean to.”
Xu Zhiyuan belatedly realized her actions and quickly let go.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
She awkwardly reached out to tidy Xu Zhihe’s tousled hair, her movements becoming much gentler, her voice full of apology.
After the police announced the matter was resolved, the crowd dispersed, and the four of them parted ways at the exit.
Back home, Ye Ning’s head drooped.
She muttered softly, “I’ll go shower first,” then picked up the pajamas she had prepared earlier and quickly walked into the bathroom.
She didn’t even dare look at Hua Niao, as if deliberately avoiding something.
The bathroom door was gently closed, separating their figures.
In the bathroom, warm water flowed slowly from the showerhead, the pattering sound gradually filling the white bathtub.
Ye Ning took off her clothes, carefully stepped into the bathtub, and slowly soaked in the warm water.
The warm water enveloped her body, dispelling the chill, but the heat in her heart did not diminish; instead, it grew stronger.
The shameful images from the daytime flooded her mind uncontrollably like a tide, every scene as clear as if right before her eyes.
Her brain began to heat up, her cheeks burning hot.
Even the skin on her ears and neck turned red, and her breathing became a little rapid.
“Ahhhh, how did this happen?!”
The girl was extremely annoyed.
Suddenly, the bathroom door was gently pushed open.
A “creak” broke the silence of the bathroom.
“Huh?! Hua, Hua Niao? Why are you in here?”
Ye Ning froze in shock, her body shrank abruptly.
She hurriedly sank deeper into the water, blowing bubbles from her mouth, leaving only a pair of timid eyes visible.
Hua Niao walked over wrapped in a bath towel.
The white cloth slipped from her body, and she stepped into the bathtub.
The warm water flowed slowly over her skin, creating ripples and splashing tiny droplets, making soft sounds.
She stepped behind Ye Ning, bent slightly, and reached out to embrace her from behind, arms tightly circling her waist.
Her soft, warm body pressed firmly against Ye Ning’s back, the delicate sensation transmitted through the skin, carrying familiar warmth and scent.
Ye Ning’s body instantly tensed, her breath caught, and her heartbeat grew more frantic.
Hua Niao’s chin lightly rested on top of Ye Ning’s head.
Warm breath brushed past her ear, carrying a faint fragrance.
Her voice was low and tender, whispering, “Ningning, are you angry with me?”
Her voice was very soft, her fingertips gently stroking the skin on Ye Ning’s side, movements tender and delicate.
Ye Ning bit her lower lip, her fingertips tightly gripping the tiles on the edge of the bathtub, her knuckles whitening.
Her voice was faint: “I’m not angry… really, I’m not.”
She tilted her head slightly, her cheek lightly brushing against Hua Niao’s cheek, feeling her warm temperature.
Her tone carried shyness and dependence.
“After all, you saved me. Without you, I would have become a monster-like witch already.”
“And… becoming your possession was my own choice. I don’t regret it, and I’m not angry.”
“I just… I just feel too embarrassed, especially being seen by Xu Zhiyuan. I feel so shy.”
Hua Niao buried her head in the crook of Ye Ning’s neck.
“I actually regret it. I only want to see my Ningning’s sexy appearance myself.”
Ye Ning nudged Hua Niao with her head.
“Hua Niao, you’re an idiot!”