X
Xiluo’er breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad to have anticipated this situation and prepared a backup plan. After slipping out of Eve’s window, Xiluo’er swiftly scaled the wall back to her own room, then expertly climbed through her window, jumped into bed, and feigned sleep in one seamless motion.
Sure enough, Eve hadn’t found her in her room. Xiluo’er knew there was a high probability Eve would double back to her own room for a search. Had she been even a moment slower, Xiluo’er was certain she would have been exposed that very night.
Xiluo’er stifled a wide yawn, feigning the grogginess of someone just roused from sleep.
“Ugh… Sister Eve, is something wrong?”
Eve shook her head.
“Nothing,” she replied. “I just came to see how well you were sleeping.”
Eve refrained from telling Xiluo’er the truth. The child had seemed to be sleeping soundly just moments before, and Eve didn’t want to ruin Xiluo’er’s night with news that members of the Chaos Cult had infiltrated the area.
‘Just checking how I’m sleeping… That’s not a very good excuse, is it?’ Xiluo’er mused inwardly.
‘What’s the difference between this and opening the door, turning on the light, waking someone up, and then telling them to ‘go back to sleep’?’
Despite her internal complaints, Xiluo’er obediently accepted Eve’s excuse. She knew perfectly well that Eve wasn’t the only one harboring secrets.
Eve fixed her gaze on Xiluo’er, trying to ascertain if she had indeed been asleep and oblivious to everything.
“Xiluo’er, you didn’t hear any strange noises just now, did you?”
“Ugh, no…”
“I went to bed very early today and have been asleep ever since. I haven’t heard a thing.”
“Did something happen, Sister Eve?” Xiluo’er asked, perfectly feigning a curious gaze.
‘See? One moment she’s making excuses about ‘checking on my sleep,’ and the next she can’t help but probe!’ Xiluo’er thought.
After spending so much time together, Xiluo’er felt her previous impression of Eve from the game was incomplete. This woman was far too cunning!
‘But little Xiluo’er knows nothing, oh no. Little Xiluo’er was sleeping.’
“It’s nothing, just… hmm, I think there might have been a mouse earlier. You go back to sleep, Xiluo’er.”
Xiluo’er internally clicked her tongue in displeasure.
‘What does she mean? Is she subtly mocking me, calling me a mouse?’
“By the way, Xiluo’er,” Eve continued, her gaze still fixed on Xiluo’er, who lay obediently in bed, tucked under the covers. “Would you like to come sleep with me tonight?”
Eve had to admit, she had no ulterior motives this time. Given that the Chaos Cult member might not truly be gone, it would be safer for Xiluo’er to sleep with her tonight.
Yes, it was purely business; truly, there were no other thoughts involved. Really!
“Maybe… another time, Sister Eve.”
Xiluo’er offered Eve a strained smile, but a cloud of suspicion had already formed in her mind.
‘Has Eve guessed I’m planning something tonight, and wants to monitor and restrict my actions by having me sleep with her?’
“Alright, then forget it.”
Eve nodded, not pressing the issue. At worst, she would just be extra vigilant tonight.
Her check on Xiluo’er was supposed to be over, but as she prepared to leave, Eve frowned, looking at Xiluo’er in bed.
“Xiluo’er, are you very cold?”
Xiluo’er lay in bed, her body completely covered by the quilt except for her head. From Eve’s angle, she could only see Xiluo’er’s small head resting on the pillow.
Though autumn had arrived, it wasn’t *this* cold recently. Was Xiluo’er’s blanket too thick? Perhaps she should ask the association to get Xiluo’er a warmer blanket.
Unlike Eve, who was genuinely concerned for her little protégé, the very girl she worried about was now breaking out in a cold sweat.
‘This…’
Of course, she had to keep the blanket pulled up tightly! It had been a rush to climb back from Eve’s room, scale the wall, and then lie in bed feigning sleep. Xiluo’er had no choice but to use the quilt to conceal her black cloak.
If the blanket were to slip even slightly, she would be exposed today. Moreover, she had to maintain a perfectly flat posture, or the large hood at the back of her head would also give her away.
‘Eve must have guessed something; that’s why she’s asking!’ Xiluo’er was now certain.
“This… that…”
“Ugh, it’s not because I’m cold. It’s just that I feel like I might be getting a bit of a cold.”
This was the most plausible explanation Xiluo’er could think of at the moment.
To her surprise, Eve reacted strongly to Xiluo’er’s words.
“A cold? Are you alright? Is it serious?”
Eve immediately forgot all other concerns and, without another word, moved to check on Xiluo’er’s condition.
Seeing Eve approach her step by step, Xiluo’er instantly panicked.
If Eve so much as laid a hand on her, she would be finished today! The black cloak was simply too loose to perfectly conceal her body.
“No, no, no, don’t come any closer! Sister Eve!”
Eve, who had been about to touch her without a second thought, was forced to stop by Xiluo’er’s vehement reaction.
‘Honestly, why is this child reacting so strongly? I’m not here to do anything bad. Uh… at least not this time.’
‘Oh no, has Xiluo’er become wary of me?’
“Um, um, Sister Eve, I’m afraid I might infect you. Let’s just… keep some distance, okay?”
‘So, she wasn’t wary of me after all.’
Eve breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a warmth spread through her heart. This child was truly thoughtful and caring towards others.
“It’s alright, Xiluo’er.”
Eve smiled, consciously softening her tone to sound more gentle.
“It’s just a cold. If we’re careful, it won’t spread.”
“How about I call a doctor for you? It’s always better to treat an illness early if you’re truly sick.”
Xiluo’er sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of difficulty.
‘Sister, are you determined to make things difficult for me today?’
Aside from the risk of exposure if a doctor were called, even if she could find a way to change her clothes beforehand, there wasn’t enough time! While she didn’t know Rona’s current situation, Xiluo’er felt she couldn’t afford to waste a moment.
So, Xiluo’er could only force a smile and try to persuade Eve.
“No need, Sister Eve.”
“It’s so late now; calling a doctor would be too troublesome. It’s better to get some rest.”
“Sister Eve has been working very hard lately, too.”
“If Sister Eve wears herself out, I’ll be heartbroken…”
When all else fails, play the emotional card!
Seeing Xiluo’er’s adorable expression, Eve opened her mouth but ultimately decided not to insist. Alas, what could she do? Xiluo’er was just too cute, making it impossible to refuse her.
Moreover, this child was truly a bit *too* thoughtful. Still, judging by Xiluo’er’s demeanor, even if she did have a cold, it probably wasn’t serious. Everything should be fine.
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore Ever Since My Roommate Started Sleepwalking. Start reading now!
Read : Ever Since My Roommate Started Sleepwalking
