Chapter 55: The Weight of a Kiss

Xiluo’er harbored suspicions about Eve’s current display of frailty.

Nevertheless, she conceded that Eve’s need for bed rest and recuperation was, in some way, her own fault. After all, Eve had rescued her from the maw of the Carrion Wolf leader.

How could she now refuse to even feed her?

Although the method was a touch peculiar, Eve’s logic seemed undeniably sound. Wasting food was indeed a cardinal sin, wasn’t it?

While Xiluo’er remained lost in her internal struggle, Eve exhibited no unusual movements. With an impassive expression, she simply scooped up a spoonful of porridge, weakly blew on it for a considerable time, and then swallowed it with visible effort.

This simple act appeared to drain her energy significantly. After each mouthful, Eve would rest for a moment before repeating the motion.

Witnessing this scene, Xiluo’er’s sense of guilt deepened.

‘Ugh… fine, it’s just feeding her, just feeding her!’

After much deliberation, Xiluo’er gritted her teeth. She picked up a pinch of greens with her chopsticks and chewed them.

She failed to notice the subtle, pleased curve of Eve’s lips as the latter caught her movements from the corner of her eye.

“Mm-mm…”

“Um, Sister Eve…”

With her mouth full, Xiluo’er’s words were a little unclear.

“What is it, Xiluo’er?”

Eve blinked, appearing genuinely unaware of Xiluo’er’s intentions.

“It’s just, th-that…”

After much stammering, Xiluo’er gave up trying to articulate her thoughts. She closed her eyes, gently cupped Eve’s face, and cautiously leaned in.

Seeing this, Eve stopped teasing Xiluo’er. It wouldn’t do to scare away the duck already in hand.

Xiluo’er clearly lacked experience, relying entirely on Eve to take the lead.

Though Eve also lacked practical experience, she had read many books. As the saying goes, within books lie houses of gold.

After extending her tongue to claim the morsel, Eve gave a light peck, concluding the exchange.

It was best to quit while ahead. After all, it was their first time, and she should indulge Xiluo’er a little. Otherwise, she might become shy again.

The flushed little face recoiled. Clearly, Eve’s restraint had been in vain; the shyness was inevitable.

Xiluo’er forgot all about feeding. Covering her face with her hands, she bolted out of the room.

“Sister Eve, once you’re done, tell me, and I’ll clean up for you!”

A loud *bang* echoed as Xiluo’er slammed the room door shut.

This was the first time Eve had seen such a strong reaction from Xiluo’er. The child was usually so careful around her, as if afraid of provoking her anger.

‘Well, well, there’s no rush. Slow and steady wins the race.’

****

After closing the door, Xiluo’er didn’t return to her own room. Instead, she squatted by Eve’s door, still clutching her flushed face.

Her heartbeat was exceptionally clear. It took Xiluo’er a long time to calm herself, allowing the crimson flush on her cheeks to slowly recede.

Reason once again took precedence in her mind, and Xiluo’er began to meticulously ponder Eve’s recent actions.

Thinking back now, Eve’s excuse earlier had been rather far-fetched. No matter how weak someone was, they shouldn’t be *that* debilitated, should they?

“Woohoo!”

The sudden, excited voice belonged to Freya.

No doubt, that one had been secretly up to something.

“Xiluo’er, I was right! The more intimate your gestures, the more magic I can absorb!”

“Freya, let me ask you a question.”

However, Xiluo’er paid no mind to Freya’s excitement, instead contemplating a different matter.

“Do you think there’s a possibility that Eve… likes me?”

Though it seemed absurd, after Eve’s actions just now, Xiluo’er inexplicably entertained this possibility.

“Huh? You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

Freya’s classic response did not appease Xiluo’er.

“Aren’t you a deity who governs [Procreation]? How can you not know such a small thing?”

“I only handle birth, not romance.”

‘Oh, so your divine divisions of labor are quite clear, then.’

“However, if she really likes you, isn’t that a good thing? The game’s protagonist likes you! With such a powerful backer, what do you have to fear?”

“Alright, alright, my talk time is almost up for today, so I’m going to rest now. Why don’t you think of ways to get more magic for this great one?”

Regardless of whether Freya had truly gone into slumber, Xiluo’er’s mood was far from pleasant.

Being liked by Eve was certainly not a good thing!

She considered the implications. If Eve hadn’t fallen for her, then so far, she hadn’t done anything that would get her cut into eight pieces by Eve.

The autumn encirclement, despite many unexpected turns, had ultimately been a close call but without major incident.

But if Eve truly liked her, then everything would be different.

‘Ah—so Xiluo’er, you were only acting this way to me to infiltrate, weren’t you? You don’t actually like me at all, right?’

‘Hey, do you know the consequences of deceiving others, Xiluo’er?’

Eve utterly despised being deceived in matters of affection. Xiluo’er, having played the original game, understood this perfectly.

In the later stages of the game, Eve had become utterly corrupted precisely because most of her companions had died, leaving only Xiluo, a friend who wasn’t particularly close. When she discovered Xiluo was actually an internal spy, Eve had completely succumbed to darkness.

If Eve truly liked her, and then discovered she was an internal spy… Xiluo’er probably wouldn’t even get a quick death.

‘No, no, things probably won’t escalate to that point.’

Xiluo’er calmed down and reconsidered. Although Eve’s actions just now were ambiguous, it didn’t necessarily mean she had fallen for her.

Just recently, Eve had suspected her identity, even following her all the way to the dessert shop where she met Irene, hoping to play a long game and catch a big fish. In such circumstances, the possibility of Eve liking her was slim.

Moreover, Eve herself had said it was just about feeding. Perhaps Eve truly just wanted her help with a meal?

After all, she was a girl now, whereas Xiluo in the original story was a man. Eve’s acceptance of her, being the same gender, might be higher than her acceptance of the male Xiluo.

Having a good girlfriend help with a meal was far more normal than having a male friend help, right?

However, regardless of whether Eve truly liked her, it was even more imperative now that she didn’t discover her true identity!

Xiluo’er vividly remembered the terrifying sight of Eve’s descent into darkness that day.

“Xiluo’er?”

“Ah!”

The sudden voice startled Xiluo’er. She looked up to see Eve emerging from the room, holding the empty bowls and chopsticks.

“Why are you squatting by my door?”

“Ah, that…”

Seeing Xiluo’er unable to offer a coherent explanation, Eve didn’t press the matter, simply assuming the little one was still shy.

“Oh, Sister Eve, please go back and rest. I’ll take these downstairs for you.”

Xiluo’er stood up, ready to take the bowls and chopsticks from Eve, but Eve refused.

“No need, I’ll take them down myself. You go back to your room and get ready. We’re going out in a little while.”

‘Hm? Going out? Didn’t she just say she was too weak to even eat? How can she go out now?’

Watching Eve descend the stairs, Xiluo’er began to doubt her earlier conclusion.

‘Her hand was trembling while holding a spoon just now, but now she can carry bowls and chopsticks down the stairs without a problem, huh?’

‘It’s quite impressive that your stamina can recover so well after just one meal. You’re like Popeye eating spinach.’

‘Although he eats spinach and you eat greens, it’s pretty much the same, isn’t it?’