Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Xue Zhao’s face was held captive, Xiu Jixin’s arm around his lower back, leaving him unable and unwilling to move.

He felt a little lost, completely unable to fathom Xiu Jixin’s thoughts.

First, a sudden mention of a cat, then an abrupt compliment on his beauty…

Unsure how to react, he felt his face flush.

Before… Xiu Jixin had never spoken like this.

So, would this Xiu Jixin also harbor feelings for him?

But they had only met a few hours ago…

[System]: What exactly is he trying to do?

From the moment Xiu Jixin first appeared in the shelter, the System sensed something amiss, though it couldn't pinpoint what.

Had it not been for their interactions in the previous two planes, it would have immediately urged Xue Zhao to stay as far away from this person as possible.

However, even if escape were an option now, a new opportunity would be needed, and Xue Zhao still relied on Xiu Jixin to reach the central district.

The System inwardly scoffed, thinking that if it later discovered the regional blockade was a sham, it would… it would simply tell Xue Zhao to ignore this person.

Xue Zhao also vaguely sensed something, but…

But Xiu Jixin’s blood smelled truly enticing.

Especially when Xiu Jixin held his chin and spoke closely, the sweet scent of blood seemed to meld with his very breath.

If only he could drink a little more…

Xue Zhao suppressed his urge, his moist black eyes fixed on Xiu Jixin, cheeks still faintly red, appearing both shy and nervous.

Xiu Jixin’s grip involuntarily softened, his fingertips gently caressing Xue Zhao’s chin, his gaze unreadable.

At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hallway, seemingly from the guesthouse staff.

Xiu Jixin released Xue Zhao and whispered, "Get up."

Xue Zhao stepped back slightly, steadying himself against the doorframe as he stood.

It was indeed the guesthouse owner and two staff members. Xiu Jixin had apparently notified them at some point.

The room, having been breached by a vampire, required immediate cleaning and disinfection; it couldn't accommodate guests for a while.

Items damaged by the blood hunter would be compensated by the regulatory agency.

Several bullet holes also needed attention. Seeing the lingering bloodstains and half a wing on the wall, the owner’s expression turned grim.

"They’re truly audacious… It’s fortunate you didn’t leave last night."

That vampire had previously injured someone nearby, and after the blood hunter team arrived, it had remained hidden for a long time.

The owner also believed that because the rest of the blood hunter team had departed during the day, the vampire, unaware of Xiu Jixin’s continued presence, dared to appear boldly, and harbored no suspicion towards Xue Zhao.

Xue Zhao stood to one side, head bowed, listening to their conversation.

"This place will be locked for now, and the disinfectors will arrive during the day… Would it be alright if you moved to this room instead?"

Before Xue Zhao could respond, Xiu Jixin interjected, "No need, he’s staying with me tonight."

Xiu Jixin lived alone, but the room had a double bed, making it perfectly suitable for Xue Zhao to move in.

Moreover, vampires are highly vengeful creatures. Even if it failed its hunt and was injured, it might still find a way to return for retribution.

Xiu Jixin was a high-level blood hunter, but his teammates were absent. His willingness to stay with Xue Zhao meant they could look out for each other.

The owner nodded, murmuring "Alright, alright," and instructed someone to tidy the other bed in the room.

Seeing this, the System felt a flicker of worry: "Are they really going to stay together?"

Xue Zhao also felt a pang of regret at that moment. Had he known Xiu Jixin would bring up the cat and act so unpredictably, he wouldn't have spoken up earlier.

But now that things had come to this, refusing would only make him seem more unusual.

[System]: But there isn’t much HP left, so staying together is fine.

He could use his skills in the dead of night and secretly drink blood.

The plan had been disrupted. Xue Zhao’s HP was down to a mere 16 points, and he would consume more the following day. Even transforming into a cat at night wouldn't suffice.

After this careful calculation, the System grew anxious once more.

Xue Zhao’s intake was too low; he needed to drink more each time.

Although the risk remained significant… in the current circumstances, treating Xiu Jixin as "emergency rations" was, surprisingly, the most reliable approach.

The thought of being able to drink blood again secretly quickened Xue Zhao’s heartbeat, a thrill of excitement.

The guesthouse staff swiftly tidied the bed and replaced some amenities. The adjacent room’s door was also locked.

Gazing at Xiu Jixin standing by the door, Xue Zhao clenched his hands and followed him into the room.

"Get some rest early; we’ll depart at eight tomorrow."

Xiu Jixin instructed Xue Zhao to wash up, speaking as he did so.

He no longer brought up their earlier conversation, as if nothing had transpired.

Xue Zhao, equally disinclined to revisit it, softly "hmm-ed" and hurried into the bathroom.

Closing the bathroom door tightly, he looked at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. Now alone in the room, Xue Zhao finally relaxed a little.

Whether by coincidence or not… upon arriving in this new plane, he was still entangled with Xiu Jixin.

Xue Zhao took a deep breath, turned on the faucet, and reached out to feel the continuously flowing cool water, seeking to calm himself further.

After he emerged, Xiu Jixin entered the bathroom for a shower.

Xue Zhao had already turned off his light, curled up in the covers, and closed his eyes.

He felt no sleepiness whatsoever, eagerly anticipating the arrival of midnight.

Time ticked by. At one o’clock in the morning, Xue Zhao opened his eyes.

The System was instructing him: "Later, still bite his hand. You can also use fangs in human form. You need to prepare a bit to save some HP. Get up at four in the morning to transform again…"

Xue Zhao quietly turned over while reading the message.

He was still a little nervous, afraid of being discovered by Xiu Jixin. He even wondered if Xiu Jixin had already figured it out.

However, these hesitations were ultimately overshadowed by the allure of "food."

Xue Zhao mused, Xiu Jixin had been with him twice already, and tonight he had even held him and called him beautiful…

Even if he were truly discovered, it might turn out like the previous two times.

Moreover, he had to work hard to earn money and bring so many Xiu Jixins home. To achieve that, he had to complete the task. What was wrong with drinking a little of his blood?

The more Xue Zhao thought about it, the hungrier he became, licking his lips.

He checked the time sent by the System; it was almost 1:30 AM.

Xiu Jixin lay on another bed not far away, seemingly already in a deep slumber.

Perhaps because his companion wasn’t present, he had no intention of tracking that vampire tonight either.

Xue Zhao lifted the covers and sat up, silently observing him for a while, then activated his Stealth Skill.

Otherwise, drinking blood in human form would also leave behind the scent of a vampire.

Then, Xue Zhao followed the System’s method, concentrating on growing his fangs.

About five minutes later, he raised his hand to touch them, and indeed, two small fangs had emerged.

There were still two more below, but Xue Zhao felt they weren't necessary, so he simply made do with these.

Unable to wait, he activated his Sleep Skill.

[Skill target confirmed]

[Skill "Sleep" is in effect—]

Xue Zhao got out of bed in the darkness and slowly approached Xiu Jixin, finding his hand beneath the covers.

The bite mark on the inside of his arm from before seemed to have healed and vanished. Xue Zhao felt around for a moment, then couldn't resist leaning down and biting.

The fangs in human form were a bit dull. He struggled to bite for a long time, taking a moment, and finally broke the skin.

Including the HP deducted for maintaining his form, his HP was already below 10 points. When he tasted the fresh blood, Xue Zhao even held his breath, eagerly lapping at it.

And perhaps because his HP had dropped so low, or because he had already drunk twice in a row, this time, Xue Zhao accidentally drank a little too much.

It wasn't much, perhaps just two or three drops, but his HP instantly surged to 50.

Seeing his HP reach a new high, the System finally felt a sense of relief.

Xue Zhao was utterly content, burying his head and continuing to lap for a long time.

Until the wound stopped bleeding, he shifted forward slightly and lay down, clinging to Xiu Jixin dependently.

Xue Zhao was utterly relaxed, his eyes narrowed like a kitten’s, rubbing against Xiu Jixin’s neck, then unable to resist kissing him.

Secretly, only he knew, and only he remembered the past of the previous two planes, feeling a mysterious thrill of excitement.

Xue Zhao even burrowed under the covers, wanting to embrace Xiu Jixin’s waist.

He was satisfied and disoriented, completely unaware that Xiu Jixin’s breathing had gradually deepened.

The System constantly monitored the remaining time of the skill, and also observed the surroundings through scanning, while instructing: "Retract your fangs first, so you won’t be afraid even if the Stealth Skill fails."

Xue Zhao dully licked his fangs and obediently complied.

The System also wanted him to return quickly to his own bed to sleep, otherwise, he would surely be groggy if he woke up early tomorrow.

Just as it was about to type, a message popped up.

[Detecting intimate behavior by the Host, peeking is prohibited]

System: ?

System: ???

Xue Zhao paid no attention to the System’s sudden silence, continuing to draw close to Xiu Jixin.

His mind hazy, he reached out to touch Xiu Jixin’s arm again, muttering softly, "I’m sorry…"

To conserve a few HP, he hadn't reverted to his vampire form. His fangs weren't very effective, and it seemed he had bitten a little too hard.

The Sleep Skill lasted for two hours. Xue Zhao remained by Xiu Jixin’s side for a long time until he barely sobered up and noticed the System’s unusual quietness.

He called out but received no response, finding it strange.

Fortunately, there was still an hour left on the Sleep Skill, ample time to erase any traces.

Xue Zhao smoothed the bedsheet and began to tidy the covers when the System finally reappeared.

It asked nothing and appeared very calm, first assisting Xue Zhao in "destroying the evidence."

It wasn't until Xue Zhao returned to his own bed that the System hesitated, then finally spoke: "I was blocked just now."

Originally, it thought it might be Xue Zhao…

But after coming back online, Xue Zhao showed no signs of abnormality. If he had caused the block, he would surely be shy.

Indeed, Xue Zhao was stunned: "Blocked? Why?"

The System remained silent, secretly observing Xiu Jixin through its scan.

This person… hmph.

Although in a dream, it was indeed possible for the body to react for some reason without the person being aware.

The System ultimately said nothing, telling Xue Zhao to rest for a while.

In a flash, it was four in the morning. Xue Zhao quietly got up again and went to the bathroom to transform once.

He returned to bed, burrowed under the covers, and yawned.

On the other side, Xiu Jixin lay with his eyes closed, seemingly in a quiet, deep sleep.

—

The next day, six in the morning.

The System saw Xiu Jixin get up, alone, and go into the bathroom, immediately raising its guard.

This was the third time… hopefully, he wouldn’t be discovered.

Inside the bathroom, the shower was turned on, and water rushed against the walls.

Xiu Jixin’s eyes were half-closed, and his breathing grew heavier.

He, of course, knew everything that happened last night.

The bite marks on the inside of his arm were also deeper, leaving two blood spots.

Quite bold.

But he didn’t want to directly confront Xue Zhao yet.

As for why, perhaps it was because Xue Zhao’s disguise as a human was too beautiful, and he was somewhat reluctant.

However, how could he make this "little cat" more obedient?