Chapter 5 A Good Night’s Sleep
1754 Words
Soft morning light seeped through the gaps in the curtains and fell across the bed.
Yun Wan had finally collapsed into a deep, exhausted sleep last night. Now she slumbered in a completely unguarded, messy pose. She curled up into a small ball, one leg draped carelessly over Xiyuelisi, her toes brushing lightly against his waist.
Her head lolled sideways on the pillow, her hair tangled and scattered across the sheets. Her cheeks were slightly puffed, her lips pressed gently together, her face looking utterly innocent in sleep.
Her sleeping posture was utterly ridiculous. Gone was the terrified girl from the night before. She resembled a kitten that had fully relaxed, with no trace of wariness left.
Xiyuelisi had woken long ago. He looked down at the human curled against him, her leg flung across his body. His silver hair framed his deep crimson eyes. There was no trace of impatience in his gaze, only a faint flicker of surprise.
This was the first time anyone had leaned against him, tangled up with him in sleep. She felt soft and warm, and for some reason, he did not mind it at all.
Lost in deep slumber, Yun Wan had no idea whose bed she was in. She mumbled and rolled over. The movement sent her toes thudding lightly against Xiyuelisi’s abdomen. The force was minimal, no more than a kitten’s unconscious kick.
Xiyuelisi’s hand, resting at his side, stilled.
He stared down at the little human in his arms, fast asleep with her messy posture, her leg still brazenly draped over him, her toes having just “attacked” him. She was curled tight, breathing steady, not stirring in the slightest.
In all his long years of life, no one had ever dared to kick him like this.
And to do it so brazenly while asleep.
A faint flicker of irritation stirred in Xiyuelisi’s crimson eyes at her reckless disregard. This human had quite the nerve, bold enough to act so freely even in her sleep.
He lifted his hand. His fingertips were cool, and he pinched Yun Wan’s soft cheek with just enough pressure to rouse her.
Yun Wan was deep in sleep when the sharp pinch jolted her. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and she blinked awake, still groggy. Her mind had not yet caught up to reality. Pain pricked at her eyes, making them glisten, and she stared blankly at the figure before her.
For a heartbeat, she could not tell where she was, nor who was holding her.
Then her pupils shrank sharply.
Right in front of her was Xiyuelisi’s face, so close she could feel his breath. Silver strands of hair fell across his forehead, his dark red eyes fixed on her, the air around him heavy with menace.
Fear from last night crashed over Yun Wan all at once, and all trace of sleep vanished. Only then did she register her own position.
Her leg was still draped boldly across his body. She had even kicked him moments before.
Panic surged through her. She scrambled to pull herself back, limbs flailing in a fluster. Her cheek still burned from the pinch, her voice thin and trembling, thick with the hoarseness of just waking.
“I‑I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean it…”
She nearly tumbled off the bed, shrinking into a tight ball. Her eyes stung, terrified he would give in to his bloodlust and devour her.
Xiyuelisi watched her terrified reaction, the faint softness of her cheek still lingering on his fingertips. He frowned and released her, his voice cold and impatient.
“Stay still.”
The robot’s translation echoed in the room. Yun Wan held her breath, obediently drawing her leg back. She did not dare move an inch, not even daring to breathe too loudly. She huddled into a tiny ball, her wet eyes fixed on him like a small animal that had just gotten into trouble.
Seeing her frightened yet docile state, the faint irritation in Xiyuelisi’s heart faded considerably.
He had lived for countless centuries, and had never truly slept well. Light, restless slumber, perpetual vigilance, was baked into his very bones.
Yet last night, simply holding this soft, timid human, he had actually fallen into real sleep. Not mere resting with his eyes closed, not guarded light dozing — he had slept straight through until dawn.
No restlessness, no unease.
Only her faint, unusual scent, and the unbelievable softness in his arms, had slowly loosened the thousand‑year‑old tension coiled inside him.
The feeling was foreign, peaceful… and utterly perplexing. He stared at her flushed little face, a strange emotion stirring in his chest.
So this fragile little thing, who trembled at the slightest scare and might cry at any moment, was the one who had given him a proper night’s rest?
Yun Wan remained motionless, stealing quick glances at him, wondering what he was thinking so deeply.
Was he plotting how to eat her?
Xiyuelisi pulled himself back to the present. His tone stayed cold, yet the sharp edge of hostility had dimmed.
“Get out of bed. Wash up.”
The robot’s translation followed.
Yun Wan let out a quiet breath of relief. Her hands still shook slightly. She nodded meekly and climbed out of bed, glancing back over her shoulder every step, terrified of making another mistake.
Xiyuelisi leaned against the headboard, watching her skittish, flustered movements. She was absurdly soft, and her timidity bordered on ridiculous.
When Yun Wan finished washing and stepped back into the room, she stood timidly a short distance away, unsure what to do with her hands.
The moment she appeared, Xiyuelisi’s gaze locked onto her. Seated on the edge of the bed, his silver hair disheveled, crimson eyes dark, he spoke in a cold command.
“Come here. Stand before me.”
The robot relayed his words clearly.
Yun Wan’s heart skipped. She did not dare hesitate. Keeping her head bowed, she took small, quiet steps toward him. The closer she drew, the faster her heart hammered. She could not bring herself to look up, dreading that one wrong move would make him devour her.
How could a vampire be so strikingly handsome?
Xiyuelisi lifted his eyes and studied Yun Wan standing before him. Freshly washed, her face clean, her hair still slightly damp. She kept her head lowered, small and soft, like a cornered kitten with nowhere to hide.
His gaze swept over her, devoid of obvious emotion, yet enough to make Yun Wan’s whole body tense. She was genuinely terrified of him.
He turned his head toward the robot and spoke in a cold voice.
“Bring some clothes.”
The robot bowed and turned to fetch them.
Yun Wan stood frozen, watching him speak to the machine. She understood none of the alien language, only clutched the hem of her garment, her heart pounding.
Once the robot had left, leaving only the two of them in the chamber, Yun Wan ducked her head even lower. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and she held her breath, fearing she might displease him again.
Xiyuelisi noticed her confused, anxious state. His crimson eyes darkened, and he spoke again.
“Clothes for you.”
The robot’s residual translation reached her ears. This time Yun Wan understood.
She froze, darting a quick glance up at him before dropping her gaze again, her voice small and timid.
“…Thank you.”
Xiyuelisi’s eyes traveled over her small frame. He spoke plainly, asking a question.
Yun Wan stared blankly, unable to comprehend a single word. She twisted her fingers nervously, looking up at him helplessly.
The robot translated immediately.
“Mr. Xiyuelisi asks how tall you are.”
Yun Wan caught on. She hesitated, then answered softly.
“I… I’m a little over 160 centimeters…”
“Tch.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Xiyuelisi’s red eyes.
Only a little over 160 centimeters?
To him, that was incredibly short. Short like an under‑grown child. Standing before him, she did not even reach his shoulders. He could wrap her entirely in one arm.
He had spent eternity surrounded by tall vampires. Even young, underage bloodsuckers were almost all over 180 centimeters, tall and statuesque.
This little human was soft, tiny, fragile enough to break with a light squeeze. Nothing like any creature he had ever known.
He studied her silently, a thought forming in his mind.
She’s like a child who hasn’t finished growing.
Before long, the robot returned carrying several outfits, setting them gently on the bed.
All were dresses, and every single one was a stark, cold black, with no hint of other color.
Yun Wan’s eyes fell on the black gowns. Her lips pressed together faintly. She did not care for black much; it felt heavy and oppressive, like a shroud of shadow.
Yet when she met Xiyuelisi’s heavy crimson gaze, the words on her tongue died away. She dared not complain, dare not pick and choose, dare not refuse.
She blinked, looking dejected, and murmured quietly.
“…Alright.”
She gathered the black dresses and stepped into the changing room.
When she emerged, the black fabric made her skin look even paler, her figure smaller still. She looked like a kitten trapped inside a cage of black velvet. Her head stayed down, fingers twisting at the hem of her dress, still afraid to meet his eyes.
Silence hung heavy in the room. Then a soft, loud gurgling sound echoed out from Yun Wan’s stomach.
The room went completely still.
Yun Wan stiffened all over. Her face burned bright red, spreading all the way to her ears. She wished she could vanish into the floor.
Why did her stomach have to choose this exact moment to growl? She was mortified.
She hastily covered her abdomen, head bowed, tongue tied with embarrassment. “I’m… I’m sorry…”
Xiyuelisi did not laugh or mock her. He merely shot her a calm glance, his tone unreadable.
“Are you hungry?”
The robot translated.
Yun Wan clutched her clothes, her head bowed further, and nodded softly. Shame threatened to bring tears to her eyes. She had expected him to find her bothersome, to grow annoyed and kill her.
Instead, Xiyuelisi merely turned toward the robot and ordered coldly.
“Prepare food.”
Yun Wan understood. She stared in shock, stealing one quick glance upward before looking down again. Her voice was thin as a mosquito’s hum, shaky and obedient.
“Thank you…”
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