Bai Li stood on a small stool, meticulously plating the dishes with all her heart.
However, her current young body was simply too petite.
Even while standing on the stool, she still had to stand on her tip-toes.
In the past, she could manage simple cooking, but today, she was putting in every ounce of effort to prepare a magnificent feast for Ziya.
It wasn’t just the cloud-soft soufflés; there were also handmade cakes and cold, creamy ice cream.
These were all of Ziya’s favorite treats.
‘Ugh… this young body is such a hindrance…’
Bai Li grumbled inwardly.
Unfortunately, her complaint was overheard by Baining, who was secretly slacking off nearby.
Baining stepped lightly behind Bai Li and, without warning, bent down to scoop her up by the waist.
“Wah! Baining, what are you doing?!”
Startled by the sudden movement, Bai Li stiffened in panic.
“I saw you struggling so hard on your tip-toes, so I came to give you a hand~”
Baining wore a brilliant smile, though she was secretly delighted at the chance to take advantage of the situation openly.
“But… Baining,” Bai Li said, feeling speechless.
“Have you noticed that when you hold me, I’m not even as high as when I was standing on the stool…?”
Only then did Baining realize that she wasn’t much taller than Bai Li herself.
By holding her like this, their height was indeed lower than the height of the small stool.
Silence filled the room, save for the metaphorical sound of a few crows cawing.
“Uh… haha… it seems like you’re right.”
Baining scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“Then hurry up and put me down, you stupid daughter!”
Bai Li spoke with a mix of shame and annoyance, her temper flaring.
“Aha, I’ve got it!”
As if struck by a sudden bolt of inspiration, Baining didn’t put Bai Li down.
Instead, she used her foot to hook the small stool toward herself and stepped firmly onto it.
“And so, the scene became…”
Baining holding Bai Li, with both of them standing together on the small stool.
“See? Now we’re much taller~”
“Ah! Put me down this instant! This looks ridiculous…”
Bai Li’s cheeks burned.
She stole a glance at the nearby maids and servants, feeling as though she had lost all dignity.
She wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
“Oh, come on. You’re my daughter right now, so what does it matter~?”
Baining leaned in close to her ear.
“Besides, Ziya is almost here. Don’t you want to finish preparing all the dishes on the table quickly?”
Bai Li fell silent for a moment before finally softening her tone.
“…Only this once! Hold me steady, and don’t let me fall!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I could hold you up with just one finger~”
Baining puffed out her chest with confidence.
“…”
And so, the two white-haired little ones continued their busy work in the kitchen in a strange and somewhat intimate posture.
A short while later, Fei Yi, who had been waiting at the city gates, walked in quickly.
“Queen, Lady Ziya has arrived.”
“Mhm, let her in.”
“Ziya is here… Perfect, the plating is almost done. Baining, put me down.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry. Look, the strawberry on the ice cream is crooked. Also, for my portion of the soufflé, pour a bit more maple syrup~”
“I know, I know! But put me down first. I can do those while standing on the ground… It’s really not good if Ziya sees us like this.”
“Why isn’t it good? It doesn’t matter if Ziya sees.”
“Of… Of course it matters! Hurry up and put me down!”
“Mmm~ Bai Li, fix the strawberry first~”
“Tsk!”
Bai Li hurriedly straightened the strawberry and quickly drizzled a few more circles of maple syrup onto the soufflé.
“Done! Now you can finally put me down, right?!”
“Hmm… but I don’t want to.”
“Huh?”
Bai Li blinked, subconsciously turning her head to look at Baining.
“What do you mean by—mmm!!”
Before she could finish her sentence, her lips were gently blocked by something soft.
It was Baining’s kiss.
As if the timing had been calculated perfectly, the kitchen door was pushed open at that exact moment.
A petite purple figure bounced inside excitedly.
“Sister! Father! Ziya missed you so… ah?”
Ziya was still clutching the local specialty that Baining had specifically told her to bring back.
The sturdy glass bottle containing the succubus blood slipped from her hand and hit the floor.
“Clang — clang —”
The glass bottle rolled helplessly across the floor.
The crisp sound was piercing, shattering her heart which had been full of joy.
“Sister…? Father…?”
Ziya froze in place.
Her eyes were filled with shock, her pupils trembling, and even her breath seemed to stop for a beat.
These were the two people she was closest to and cherished the most.
These were the two people she had run all the way back for, her heart full of anticipation to see them.
The two pairs of lips slowly parted.
“Ziya, you’re here.”
Baining spoke as if nothing had happened, her tone remaining gentle and relaxed.
“Father made your favorite soufflés for you.”
“…Ah, I’m so happy.”
Ziya forced out a response, but her voice was so airy and low that it was almost inaudible.
It was a sense of loss so profound that she could barely maintain her facade.
“Wait, Ziya! It’s not what you think! Let me explain!”
Bai Li spoke in a hurry, then turned to bark at Baining.
“Put me down! You rebellious daughter!”
Only then did Baining obediently and gently set her down.
The moment Bai Li’s feet hit the ground, she rushed over to Ziya and reached out to hug her gently.
“Ziya, Baining… she was just…”
“There’s no need to explain, Papa… Father.”
Ziya softly interrupted her, her voice so quiet it was heartbreaking.
“As long as you two are… happy, that’s enough. I… Ziya is really okay.”
The more sensible she acted, the more it tugged at the heartstrings.
A thousand words were stuck in Bai Li’s throat, but she couldn’t say a single one.
She could only watch as the small purple figure forced herself to remain calm.
“Um, Sister Baining.”
Ziya bent down to pick up the blood bottle from the floor and silently handed it over, her fingertips trembling slightly.
“This is the blood you specifically asked me to bring back. The desserts on the counter are meant for the big table outside, right? I’ll help carry them.”
“Ziya, you don’t have to do that—!”
Before Bai Li could finish, Ziya had already silently picked up two plates of dessert.
With her head lowered, she walked out of the kitchen without another word.
She walked steadily, but her back looked incredibly lonely.
The moment she stepped out of the kitchen and turned her back to everyone…
A shallow but hot tear finally rolled down her cheek.
She bit her lip hard, using every bit of strength she had to keep from crying out loud.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
It felt as though a piece of her heart had been carved out, leaving it empty and aching so much she could hardly breathe.
She didn’t understand.
This was the scene she had always looked forward to.
For her sister and father to be on good terms and cherish each other should have been the happiest thing.
“But why…?”
Why did her heart hurt so much?
Why were her tears so disobedient, falling uncontrollably?
She hated herself for not being sensible enough.
She hated that she felt aggrieved when she should have been offering her blessings.
Most of all, she hated… that she was still so small, and such a crybaby.
She could only stand to the side, watching the two people she cared about most grow closer and closer.
Meanwhile, she felt like an unnecessary outsider.
Clearly, she was the one who wanted to be hugged the most.
Clearly, she was the one who wanted to be valued the most.
Clearly… she was the one most afraid of being left behind.