Chapter 55: A Crucial Step

At 1:40 a.m., Luoyao finished washing up, ready for class.

Xiaan wanted to go with her.

But Xiyue’s new blood s*ave might be there.

Running into her would be awkward.

So Luoyao told Xiaan to stay home.

Awkwardness aside, it was safer.

Xiaan didn’t argue, agreeing quietly.

She sat on the sofa, watching Noah see Luoyao off at the door.

Envy stirred in her heart.

So warm, like a working older girlfriend sending her student lover off.

Even at Xiyue’s kindest, Xiaan never felt this.

Little Luoyao, you must’ve saved the galaxy in a past life to meet someone this good.

Her nose stung as she turned to the night outside.

Seconds later, the door closed.

Xiaan flinched, instinctively grabbing a throw pillow.

Envy was one thing, but Noah was still a blood-drinking vampire.

Alone with such a monstrous girl, Xiaan felt a flicker of fear.

Fear was easy to spot, especially for someone as sharp as Noah.

She sauntered from the door to the living room.

She stopped two or three meters from Xiaan, staring.

Under the light, her crimson eyes gleamed.

Xiaan had faced such stunning, desire-filled eyes before.

She swallowed nervously, half-standing. “I-I’ll clean the house.”

“Don’t move. Sit.”

“…Okay.”

The living room felt oddly cold.

Xiaan could almost hear the hum of the ceiling light’s current.

Head down, she clutched the pillow tighter.

Even without looking, she felt Noah’s gaze.

Like a hunter eyeing prey.

After a tense ten seconds, Xiaan broke. “Lady Noah… if you want my blood, I—”

“Rawr!”

“Ahh, don’t come near me! Don’t! Aaaah!”

“Hahahahaha—”

Laughter erupted nearby.

Xiaan peeked from behind the pillow, slowly opening her eyes.

The silver-haired vampire, after faking a lunge, was doubled over, cackling.

Her laughter… came from the gut.

Xiaan felt embarrassed and annoyed but couldn’t snap.

Noah’s mirth was infectious, and she started giggling too.

Xiaan sighed. “Lady Noah, how could you…”

“No way, I’m dying—hahahaha—relax, I won’t touch you. Don’t be so tense—hahahaha—”

Xiaan buried her face in the pillow. “Maybe finish laughing first…”

“Alright, give me ten minutes. Hahahaha…”

Seriously, how could Luoyao’s master have such a mean streak?

Xiaan groaned inwardly.

This Noah was different from other vampires.

She was… kinder, not hurting humans for fun.

But she had a mischievous side, like scaring Xiaan just now.

One word summed her up:

Mischievous.

So mischievous!

Noah wasn’t a vampire—she was a mischief vampire!

A few minutes later, Noah’s laughter faded.

She patted her aching cheeks, calming down. “Okay, okay, done laughing.”

“I—rawr rawr!”

Xiaan deadpanned. “Lady Noah, the same trick won’t work twice.”

“Tch, fine.”

Noah dropped the act, stretching lazily. “I’m going back to sleep. Do what you want—watch TV, eat snacks, rest. Just keep it quiet.”

“Mhm, thanks, Lady Noah.”

“Ugh, I said stop calling me ‘Lady’ twice now.”

Xiaan pursed her lips. “But you said not to call you ‘sister’…”

“Pfft, what a hassle. Who’s older, you or Luoyao?”

“Luoyao’s two months older.”

“Then call me sister-in-law.”

Xiaan: ?

Lady Noah, get a grip—human family titles don’t work like that!

After settling things, Noah didn’t linger.

They weren’t close.

Plus, there was that absurd jealousy drama before.

Noah had a kind side but wasn’t selfless enough to take in a pitiful abandoned s*ave.

Letting Xiaan stay was purely for Luoyao’s sake.

Without that, Xiaan might not have survived last night.

Xiaan knew this.

Having someone help her at her lowest was already a miracle.

She didn’t dare ask for more.

Noah returned to the bedroom, closing the door.

Xiaan set the pillow down, standing slowly.

She tiptoed to the balcony, gazing into the endless dark.

Cicadas and owls hummed.

She recalled her mother’s words.

“Mom, why name me Xiaan?”

The gentle woman stroked little Xiaan’s head, smiling.

“Live like summer flowers, at peace wherever you are. Xiaan.”

She closed her eyes, a tear sliding down.

“Mom… finding peace is so hard.”

***

A knock startled Xiaan.

She bolted upright, glancing at the door.

Her first thought: Xiyue was back.

But then she remembered—Xiyue had returned.

And didn’t want her anymore.

For days, Xiaan had hoped for a knock at her door.

The last time, it was Xiyue with her new s*ave.

Clearer now, Xiaan stood from the sofa to open the door.

Then Noah bounced out of the bedroom.

“Little Luoyao~ My sweet Luoyao~ I’ll get the door~ Gimme a kiss, Yao~”

“Silver-haired goof, see who it is before you pounce!”

A blonde beauty thrust out an arm, smacking Noah’s face, pushing her back.

“Huangwei? Why you? Where’s my Luoyao?”

“Right here, right here~”

Before she finished, Luoyao darted from behind Huangwei.

Like a little mouse, she scurried to Noah’s side.

Noah grabbed her hand, eyeing Huangwei. “Why’d you bring her home? Teacher doing a house call?”

“What’s there to check on you two? Your bedroom alone would scare me off.”

“Don’t exaggerate. It’s not just the bedroom—kitchen, balcony, living room, sofa, you name it.”

At that, Xiaan shifted on the sofa, scanning warily…

Huangwei sighed, brushing her bangs. “Enough, I’m here for business.”

“What business?”

“Luoyao told me about Xiaan. Oh, hey, Xiaan, just saw you.” Huangwei waved.

“Good evening, Teacher.” Xiaan replied politely.

“I don’t know if you’ve found her a new master, but I’ve got a candidate.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Not…”

Before she finished, a petite figure hopped out from behind Huangwei.

“Good evening, Senior Noah. I’ve decided to take the most important first step in my life as a vampire.”