Chapter 109: The Taste of Ten Milliliters

“Xiao Zi, what a coincidence! How come you’re not with Xiao Qian today?”

“Xiao Qian got stuck with some special class-rep homework from the teacher, so she’s busy at home.”

“And this child is?”

“My little sister~! I brought her out to play today!”

“Eh? I never knew you had a little sister. Well, have fun, you two!”

“Mhm, you too~”

They had barely arrived at the biggest amusement park in the city center when Su Xiao Zi started running into classmates and friends left and right near the entrance.

There were surprisingly many students who’d decided to come out on this school holiday. Most came in pairs; some were even sweet little couples on dates.

A few were still boldly wearing their school uniforms; you could spot them here and there.

“Looks like everyone realized Friday is the perfect day: only our school is off, so it won’t be as packed as the weekend.”

“Yeah. The reason I almost never come on weekends is exactly because of the crowds. Standing in line is hot and exhausting. Normal people would rather find somewhere quiet but not lonely.”

While answering Su Xiao Zi, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly felt dizzy and light-headed.

Her body grew weak; her heels felt like they were filled with lead as she dragged her steps.

She secretly pulled the glass vial of blood from her pocket.

She realized she had reached the point where she needed to replenish.

The breakfast she ate at the restaurant this morning had given her a little energy, but for a Bloodkin body it was far, far too little.

Yet it was human blood. Su Xiaoxiao hesitated; she used to hate that metallic stench.

And she had no idea where Evran had gotten it. Surely… she hadn’t hurt anyone, right?

Still, if she didn’t drink it she would collapse right here. That would only worry Su Xiao Zi.

Su Xiaoxiao quietly unscrewed the cap and downed the contents in one gulp.

She had braced herself, eyes squeezed shut, expecting it to be awful.

But the taste… was surprisingly not bad at all. There was even a faint, pleasant fragrance.

The instant the blood touched her mouth, heat spread through her entire body.

It felt as though her blood vessels all over were stimulated into expanding; circulation surged to life.

Her crystal-clear pupils flashed crimson for a split second, but she quickly suppressed the urge and they returned to normal.

The dizziness vanished completely.

Her body felt filled with boundless strength.

Su Xiaoxiao was stunned that a mere 10 ml could produce such a dramatic effect.

It was like a parched traveler finally reaching an oasis.

“Xiaoxiao, what’re you secretly drinking? Milk? Soda?”

The sharp-eyed Su Xiao Zi naturally noticed the hidden motion and bent down curiously.

Su Xiaoxiao snapped back to reality and frantically looked around.

No one should have seen; she was short enough that everyone’s gaze was aimed forward or upward.

She hurriedly stuffed the empty vial back into her pocket and put on an innocent grin.

“Nothing! Just some blue-bottle calcium.”

“Blue-bottle calcium? Why are you drinking that?”

“Because I’m still a little kid. I wanna grow up fast, so I need extra nutrition.”

Even as the words left her mouth, Su Xiaoxiao thought her improvisation was painfully lame.

Yet Su Xiao Zi simply hummed in acknowledgment and bloomed into a flower-like smile.

“I didn’t expect it, but Xiaoxiao is actually pretty mature~ Big Sis is very proud!”

“Ah… haha…”

Su Xiaoxiao laughed awkwardly, amazed she’d actually gotten away with it.

Truthfully, she really didn’t want Su Xiao Zi to know she had just drunk blood.

Even though it was perfectly normal for a Bloodkin, humans would definitely feel repulsed.

A small part of Su Xiaoxiao herself; the part that was still human; had felt disgust and rejection just moments ago.

The obedient, cute, whiny little sister act? She could put that on to make Su Xiao Zi happy.

But this side of herself; she never wanted her to see it.

After that one question, Su Xiao Zi looked up toward the ticket booths and asked nothing more.

However, once they were inside the park, Su Xiao Zi stayed unusually quiet, as if lost in thought.

After a long while, when even Su Xiaoxiao started worrying that her normally bubbly sister was being too silent,

Su Xiao Zi suddenly crouched down, gently placed both hands on Su Xiaoxiao’s shoulders, and looked straight into her eyes with a soft gaze.

“W-What is it, Xiao Zi?”

“Onii-chan.”

“Eh? Why’d you suddenly call me Onii-chan again?”

“If you ever need blood, I’ve already prepared myself anytime. So you don’t have to hold back. When you need it, just rely on me. In my heart, I can always be Onii-chan’s little sister, and I’ll always support you from behind. The bond between us can never be severed by anyone. Even if Onii-chan has become a Bloodkin, to me you’re still the same you as always.”

“Today probably isn’t the right day to say this, but… from now on, all sorts of people will doubt you, oppose you, even try to hurt you just because you’re a Bloodkin. What I want to say is; I’m ready for all of it, anytime.”

Su Xiao Zi spoke with utmost seriousness.

As expected, her little sister had seen right through her.

Su Xiaoxiao opened her mouth slightly, wanting to speak, but in the end only nodded with deep emotion.

Su Xiao Zi gave a small smile, relieved smile, then instantly reverted to her previous cheerful self. She said a little shyly but happily,

“But right now I’m the big sister, so I should be the one giving big-sister care and tolerance! When you’re sad, come cry to your big sis anytime~ I’m totally fine with love consultations too!”

She playfully winked at Su Xiaoxiao.

“You don’t have a single bit of dating experience yourself, though!”

“Ehehe~ That’s completely unrelated! Single friends always give the best love advice, right?”

“I feel like there’s something seriously worth retorting there…”

“Ah! Xiaoxiao, let’s go there first! The carousel, or whatever it’s called!”

Su Xiao Zi excitedly pointed at the colorful big-top canopy in the distance, grabbed Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, and dashed off.

If the whole world refuses to believe in Onii-chan, I’ll block out every last bit of noise and keep believing in him anyway! Because my entire world is built on the absolute trust that Onii-chan is a good person! Even if I have to betray everyone else to do it.

In the room far away, Evran, still asleep, listened to the conversation between the two sisters and murmured softly in her dream.

Angels will abandon their beloved for the sake of the world.

Demons will abandon the world for the sake of their beloved.

So, Su Xiao Zi…

Just which one will you turn out to be?