Chapter 56: Gentle Coaxing: “Sister’s the Best, I’m the Worst”

Clear, pale light illuminated every corner of the room. Shen Mingjin leaned back in the soft chair, facing the vanity mirror as she examined the ambiguous marks.

The slight swelling on her lips could still be covered, but the dense, compact sucking marks were much harder to hide.

Large patches of soft white on her chest were mixed with pink, and there were a few small bite marks on the back of her neck. The greedy rabbit had truly treated her like a sugary pastry, sparing no spot that looked sweet and soft. Thinking back to last night’s pleasure, Shen Mingjin still felt a bit sore in her waist.

She probably needed to change into a high-collared, thick piece of clothing.

Just as Shen Mingjin’s thoughts turned to clothes, she saw Ye Xi, who had finished tidying up, emerge from the bathroom. Ye Xi wore only a simple low-neck sweater, with the bite marks on her neck completely uncovered—or rather, it was clear Ye Xi had no intention of hiding the traces of their lovemaking. She did it on purpose.

The realization dawned clearly, and Shen Mingjin’s gaze toward Ye Xi grew a bit more resentful.

She had bitten Ye Xi mostly when her body was out of control and her mind was fuzzy, without any restraint in her bites.

The marks on Ye Xi’s neck were heavy, slightly bruised with hints of blood threads, looking shocking.

The resentment in her eyes turned to heartache. Just as she lifted her hand, Ye Xi bounced over energetically. “Sister!”

Even mixed with some playacting, Ye Xi’s enthusiasm toward her was enough to stir anyone’s heart.

She truly resembled a lively, adorable little rabbit—though a picky eater who didn’t like cabbage or carrots, only meat.

The more Shen Mingjin thought about it, the more depressed she felt. Heartache and reproach intertwined in her eyes. Ye Xi blinked in confusion. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Shen Mingjin didn’t answer Ye Xi’s question. Her gaze lingered on the side of Ye Xi’s neck, watching the skin around the red mole turn completely red. A thin mist of distress welled up in her eyes. “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt!” Ye Xi happily leaned closer to Shen Mingjin, her fluffy head nearing her chest as she half-flopped into Shen Mingjin’s embrace. Tilting her head up, she admired Shen Mingjin’s concern for her, then suddenly changed her tune as an idea struck. “It hurts! Sister, it hurts so much.”

Shen Mingjin’s heart had just leaped up when Ye Xi climbed a bit higher, hugging her arm.

She brought the spot with the red mole on her neck close to Shen Mingjin’s lips. “Sister, blow on it.”

Shen Mingjin’s gaze froze for a moment, not yet grasping Ye Xi’s intention.

Ye Xi stretched her neck even closer. “Blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore.”

Shen Mingjin finally realized what Ye Xi was up to. She wasn’t really in pain; she just hadn’t gotten enough of taking advantage.

“Little liar.”

The soft, coquettish tone wrapped around her ears. The one calling her a little liar still leaned in, gently blowing on the slightly stinging spot on her neck.

Warm breath carried a unique sweet fragrance, the skin tingled with faint heat, and her nostrils caught a subtle sweetness.

Ye Xi’s eyes curved into slits with laughter. She pulled her neck back, her lips dropping to capture the ones so close by. “Sister, my heart is truly yours. If you don’t believe me, you can dig it open and check anytime.”

Her sweet nothings came effortlessly. Shen Mingjin couldn’t be so direct, nor as passionate as Ye Xi, but she would gaze at Ye Xi gently, silently memorizing every word she said. While accusing the little liar, she was once again ensnared by the little rabbit’s exaggerated declarations. “I never said you weren’t sincere.”

Ye Xi admitted she had a bit of a wicked streak.

She liked that Shen Mingjin cared about her, and liked seeing Shen Mingjin blush while coaxing her.

Ye Xi lifted her chin, boldly pointing to the ‘battered’ side of her neck. “Sister, it really hurts. Blow on it more.”

Shen Mingjin’s skin was truly thin; the obvious intent made her face flush bright red, her pretty ears tinged with pink.

She shyly lowered her head, her fingertip rubbing the fabric of Ye Xi’s sweater. “How old are you, exactly?”

“Whatever age Sister says I am, that’s how old I am.” Ye Xi touched her face, obediently pulling up a chair to sit beside Shen Mingjin. She clasped her hands neatly in her lap, doing her best to appear docile and well-behaved. “I listen to everything Sister says.”

“Little liar.”

“Sister, am I really that naughty?” Ye Xi’s smile was sly; she didn’t resemble an obedient rabbit at that moment but more like a cunning fox. “Then tell me, Sister—how exactly have I been naughty? When did I ever not listen to you?”

Ye Xi’s sparkling eyes swept lightly over Shen Mingjin’s neck hollow, where traces from a few days ago lingered, along with the greedy layers she’d added last night.

Shallow and deep marks overlapped messily, lingering in the hollow, the peach-colored hues even more vivid.

Their occasionally intertwining gazes grew ambiguous.

She knew better than anyone when exactly she’d been ‘naughty,’ but she wanted to hear Shen Mingjin say it herself. The mist in Shen Mingjin’s eyes thickened, deep affection and faint resentment swirling around them, but no sound escaped her throat—it was coquettish, not accusatory.

Whenever their gazes locked, Shen Mingjin was always the first to look away.

Her thin skin couldn’t hold out in a prolonged stare-down.

Shen Mingjin lowered her head again, letting her shy gaze meet the floor. Her right hand unconsciously lifted, gently pressing her slightly aching waist.

A great demon wouldn’t be ruined by kisses, but this time, the rest period had been a bit too short.

The pleasure from last night still lingered in her body, residual heat seeming to cling to her skin. Shen Mingjin hadn’t fully absorbed the demon power that had returned to her body, nor had she used it to strengthen herself. The softness had seeped into her very bones, leaving her unable to relax.

Ye Xi noticed Shen Mingjin’s small movement and reached out to check her waist. “Sister, are you hurting?”

Shen Mingjin watched Ye Xi’s hand approach, memories of entanglement flashing in her mind. Blushing, she dodged it. “N-No, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Sister’s the liar.” Ye Xi pressed one hand on Shen Mingjin’s shoulder and the other toward her waist. Feeling Shen Mingjin’s faint struggle, Ye Xi added a bit more strength to the hand on her shoulder. “Don’t move, Sister. Let me massage it.”

“We still have to go to the…”

The words “General Bureau” hadn’t fully left her mouth before Shen Mingjin’s voice halted.

She discovered Ye Xi was genuinely massaging her waist, deliberately avoiding more intimate touches. This was somewhat unexpected.

“Xiao Xi…” The upright Ye Xi was like a different person from the cheeky one, exuding a mature steadiness that inspired a sense of security.

A flash of fascination appeared in Shen Mingjin’s eyes, fading slowly without fueling Ye Xi’s greed further.

She often called Ye Xi’s name like this, then said nothing more. Though love surged in her heart, ready to spill out, it dwindled to just the name on her tongue, unable to even pick a topic.

Fortunately, Ye Xi was always eager to start new ones herself.

Ye Xi didn’t massage for long—Shen Mingjin’s body was too sensitive to withstand prolonged touch.

Shen Mingjin understood this too. After escaping Ye Xi’s palm, she pondered again how to cover her marks before entering the General Bureau.

Ye Xi didn’t rush her, simply watching quietly.

After this brief propriety came an even less proper Ye Xi.

Ye Xi’s lashes fluttered rapidly as she asked solemnly, “Sister, how many seals have been unlocked?”

“Twenty.”

Shen Mingjin answered offhandedly without much thought.

Ye Xi tilted her head, bringing her bright, laughing eyes right up to Shen Mingjin’s. “Sister, I’m really amazing.”

Shen Mingjin couldn’t handle Ye Xi’s teasing; her already flushed face grew even redder.

She shifted her gaze slightly, avoiding the heart-fluttering Ye Xi.

Ye Xi gleefully followed her movements, forcing Shen Mingjin to meet her teasing eyes again and again. Finally, helpless, Shen Mingjin looked at her. “Xiao Xi.”

Having gotten her wish to see Shen Mingjin’s face red enough to drip blood, Ye Xi switched back to her obedient demeanor. “Sister, what are your orders?”

Watching Ye Xi change faces like a magician, Shen Mingjin didn’t dwell on the recent teasing. She gently pointed to Ye Xi’s neck. “Xiao Xi, we’re going to the General Bureau. Cover your neck, or others will see.”

Ye Xi had left it uncovered on purpose, of course, and had no intention of obeying.

She traced the clear tooth marks on her pale skin; the faint pain reassured her. “It’d be better if Grandma knows you’re mine.”

Ye Xi’s voice trailed off leisurely, then rose sharply. “Best if everyone knows!”

Her true desire spilled out, the blatant possessiveness making Shen Mingjin glance sideways. “Xiao Xi, what’s wrong?”

Realizing Shen Mingjin had noticed her oddity, Ye Xi blinked rapidly, faint tears welling up instantly. She bit her lip pitifully and looked at Shen Mingjin. “Sister, I just want you to love me so much. Can’t I have a proper place by your side?”

Shen Mingjin softened too easily, her thoughts quickly captured by the tears. “Xiao Xi, I love you very much. I don’t mind others knowing about us.”

Ye Xi scooted her chair forward, squeezing right in front of Shen Mingjin.

She opened her arms toward her. “Then hug me, Sister.”

“Okay.”

Shen Mingjin hugged her gently, letting Ye Xi take full advantage and snuggle completely into her embrace. Ye Xi excelled at pushing boundaries, and Shen Mingjin had grown accustomed to it.

After Ye Xi’s antics, Shen Mingjin lost all interest in covering up. She simply changed into a winter coat suitable for the season and prepared to head out.

She didn’t bother with a high-collared inner layer; the marks on her neck and jaw were obvious, as were the red traces on her wrists and behind her ears.

Ye Xi could spot her handiwork with a casual glance, feeling no embarrassment—only deep reminiscence. Licking her lips, she could still taste the lingering sweetness.

Shen Mingjin caught Ye Xi’s little action; a thin red veil draped over her face and neck. She bit her lip inwardly to refocus on the matter at hand.

What troubled Shen Mingjin most now was the mattress. She frowned deeply at it. “Xiao Xi, how are we going to take it with us?”

She had regretted fusing Ye Xi’s partial body into the mattress when she was treated like a cream filling earlier; now the regret ran even deeper.

The mattress wasn’t as portable as the Pink Fur Rabbit Doll, yet they couldn’t leave the partial body home alone.

Though Half-Mountain Spirit Garden was safe for now, it was still more reassuring to keep the partial body with its host.

What stumped Shen Mingjin was no issue for Ye Xi. She had thoroughly studied the medical book by now, and during her daytime consultations for the demons in Half-Mountain Spirit Garden, she’d delved into the Demon Bone Physician rules. She could handle partial bodies herself. “Sister, just dig it out.”

She approached the bed calmly, lifting the recently changed bedsheet to reveal the mattress below.

Ye Xi moved swiftly, slicing the sturdy, thick mattress open with a knife.

The inside had long become hollow, supported only by a palm-sized Pink Fur Rabbit.

The trauma from Yin Erou destroying her partial body had been too severe. The main body recovered quickly thanks to the Wanling Tree’s power, but regrowing the partial body to full size wasn’t so easy. It needed a temporary shell.

Ye Xi thought for a moment and fused the Pink Fur Rabbit into the pillow. “Sister, let’s go.”

Turning back, she found Shen Mingjin staring fixedly at her and the pillow, her gaze resentful, face and eyes faintly red. “Bad-hearted little liar.”

Ye Xi guessed Shen Mingjin was recalling how she’d been treated like a cookie cream sandwich, begging softly for a change of venue—which she hadn’t allowed—coaxing her that the bed was great.

Shen Mingjin was probably sulking that the partial body could be removed so easily, after all her soft pleas and tearful dishevelment from the heat.

Ye Xi felt no guilt. She stood squarely before Shen Mingjin with clear eyes. “Hug me, Sister.”

Shen Mingjin didn’t extend her arms, so Ye Xi shoved the pillow into her arms. “If Sister won’t hug me, then hold this instead.”

“You…”

Even angry, Shen Mingjin was soft; her voice didn’t rise at all, and she didn’t toss aside the pillow thrust into her arms.

She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, unable to voice any real reproach.

Ye Xi pushed Shen Mingjin toward the door. “Sister, you’re the best sister in the world. You definitely won’t hold it against me for eating just a little too much, right?”

“Not just a little.” Shen Mingjin clutched the pillow, sensing Ye Xi’s lingering scent on it. Her pale face flushed faintly again. She wanted to exaggerate like Ye Xi, but the words twisted on her tongue and wouldn’t come out. Finally, she managed, “You’re the… most bad-hearted little liar.”

“Okay, okay. Sister’s the best, I’m the worst.”

Ye Xi didn’t feel scolded at all. She was still full of enthusiasm as she stuck close to Shen Mingjin and walked outward. “We’re just made for each other.”

Shen Mingjin looked angry, but she neither pushed Ye Xi away nor refuted her words. She even allowed Ye Xi to stick to her as they walked, so she probably just needed Ye Xi to coax her a little.

After all, a snake who had been strictly vegetarian her whole life had just tasted meat and then been held in bed for nearly a week, constantly tricked by Ye Xi. It was understandable if she had a bit of a temper.

Ye Xi understood completely.

No matter what Shen Mingjin said, she was willing to go along with it. As long as Shen Mingjin was hers and loved her, that was enough.

Shen Mingjin’s temper really was small. She hadn’t even exited the entrance of Building Fourteen before she calmed down. One hand hugging the pillow, the other proactively taking Ye Xi’s hand, she walked side by side with Ye Xi toward the gate of Half-Mountain Spirit Garden.

Since neither Shen Mingjin nor Ye Xi had a General Bureau Work Permit, Ye Tan could only arrange for someone to come pick them up. And because full demons and pure-blooded humans couldn’t easily set foot in Half-Mountain Spirit Garden, the people from the General Bureau picking them up could only wait at the neighborhood entrance.

By the time Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin arrived at the neighborhood gate, the person coming to pick them up still hadn’t arrived.

Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin waited a little longer until a familiar passageway suddenly appeared in the void. A mature woman in a black uniform stepped out from within. Her hair was pinned up impeccably, and there wasn’t a trace of a smile on her face. She looked like the stern and rigid type.

The woman’s gaze swept over Shen Mingjin and Ye Xi before finally extending her hand toward Ye Xi. “Miss Ye, I’m Vice Director Qin’s secretary, Wen Yun.”

Ye Xi shook Wen Yun’s outstretched hand. “Secretary Wen, hello.”

Wen Yun didn’t greet Shen Mingjin. After shaking Ye Xi’s hand, she used her Work Permit to open another new passageway. Ye Xi’s brows had just furrowed when Shen Mingjin tugged her. She could only swallow her dissatisfaction and silently grip Shen Mingjin’s hand tighter.

Wen Yun didn’t notice Ye Xi’s resentment. She ignored Shen Mingjin once more. “Miss Ye, let’s go.”

“Sister, let’s go!”

Ye Xi childishly called out to Shen Mingjin on purpose, deliberately reminding everyone that there was another person there. But Wen Yun still acted as if she hadn’t seen Shen Mingjin at all.

Ye Xi wanted to say something to remind Wen Yun, but Shen Mingjin had already pulled her into the passageway.

She could only hold back her frustration and follow Shen Mingjin, glancing at Wen Yun from the corner of her eye as they walked.

A special belt was tied around Wen Yun’s waist, seemingly made from the stitched hides of multiple python skins.

The belt gave off a faint bloody scent, but Wen Yun showed no reaction. Shen Mingjin, however, instinctively moved a bit farther away from Wen Yun. Ye Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly as she shielded Shen Mingjin, shifting to her right side to put herself between Wen Yun and Shen Mingjin. As they moved along the passageway, she asked Wen Yun, “Is Secretary Wen a demon?”

Wen Yun was fairly polite to Ye Xi. “Miss Ye, I’m human, from a snake-catching family.”

Ye Xi knew that many General Bureau staff came from demon-hunting families, but Wen Yun directly stating she was from a snake-catching family still exceeded Ye Xi’s expectations.

This went beyond just ignoring Shen Mingjin—it was like intimidation.

Ye Xi’s gaze gradually turned dangerous. Wen Yun sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere and a shallow smile appeared on her stern face. “Miss Ye, don’t misunderstand. My ancestors truly made their living catching snakes for generations. I’m not lying to you about that. Vice Director Qin transferred me to be her secretary precisely because of this trait.”

“You should know that Vice Director Qin and Shen Vice Bureau have bad blood between them. She really hates snake demons.”

Ye Xi did know that—she’d even witnessed it firsthand.

It wasn’t a secret; plenty of people knew.

Because she hated Shen Shuyun, she deliberately kept a secretary from a snake-catching family by her side. Ye Tan was certainly capable of something like that. But Ye Xi couldn’t figure out why she loathed Shen Shuyun so much. And why, despite hating her, she could still interact normally with Shen Shuyun? Even when Ye Xi had first arrived at Half-Mountain Spirit Garden, every time she messaged Ye Tan, Shen Shuyun had been right there beside her?

There were too many things Ye Xi couldn’t understand, and there was no time for her to think deeply about them. By the time she finished pondering, they had already arrived at the General Bureau…