Xue Zhao’s eyes widened ever so slightly. He could hardly believe what he had just heard yet at the same time, the meaning behind those words made him so embarrassed that he could barely endure it.
“N.. No, you can’t,” he stammered, his words coming out in a flustered jumble. “That’s… mine…”
Xiu Jixin coaxed him softly, “Don’t you want to go out? Leave your tail with me and I won’t keep you locked up anymore.”
For a moment, Xue Zhao found himself unable to speak. To his own surprise, he actually began to waver.
He had to complete his mission and for that, he absolutely had to leave at least once. Even if Xiu Jixin refused today, he would still have to think of another solution.
If leaving his tail in someone else’s care for the time being could buy him his freedom…
Most importantly, even after being separated from his body, the tail was still a part of Xue Zhao. In a way, it reflected his own likes and dislikes.
The two times earlier, when it had taken the initiative to hook itself around Xiu Jixin’s clothing, had already made that much clear and now it had gone even further, wrapping itself around his wrist in what looked unmistakably like a silent request to be petted.
No matter how innocent Xue Zhao was, he understood what that meant.
His tail did not reject or resist staying with Xiu Jixin.
Even so…
Just the thought of someone else holding his tail made Xue Zhao tremble with overwhelming embarrassment.
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he tightly clutched Xiu Jixin’s sleeve.
“Y… You… you’re not allowed to touch it!”
Only then did the tail finally settle down a little. It withdrew its tiny pointed tip and obediently coiled itself around Xiu Jixin’s wrist, resembling a delicate little bracelet.
Xiu Jixin agreed without hesitation.
“I won’t.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he held Xue Zhao in his arms and pressed a gentle kiss against his cheek.
“I’m only keeping it safe for you,” he soothed. “Don’t be afraid.”
[Character Affection has changed.]
Without even opening the interface, Xue Zhao could already guess what it said.
The affection level had definitely gone up again.
For some reason, that made him unhappy.
He turned his face away, trying to push Xiu Jixin aside.
Instead, Xiu Jixin pulled him firmly into his embrace.
Half by force and half through gentle persuasion, he held Xue Zhao close before placing several more kisses upon him, one on the center of his forehead, another on the tip of his nose and finally upon his lips, each one carrying nothing but quiet tenderness and reassurance.
[Life Value increased by 3.]
[Life Value increased by 3.]
…
[Life Value increased by 5.]
In only a short amount of time, his Life Value shot all the way up to forty three.
It was the highest it had ever been.
It was also the first time he had ever eaten so much “food.”
For a while, Xue Zhao remained dazed and absent minded, unable to describe exactly what he was feeling or what this strange experience was like.
When Xiu Jixin leaned in once more, his instincts made him shrink back slightly.
“N No more kissing…”
The words sounded strangely similar to saying, “I’m not eating anymore,” or, “I’m full.”
Xiu Jixin gazed steadily at him, his eyes dimming slightly.
“Alright. No more kissing.”
At that moment, Xue Zhao’s lips had become vividly red, while his already fair skin looked even more delicate and luminous than before.
The unique scent of grass and fresh wood surrounding him had also grown noticeably richer.
His features had always been refined and beautiful but now it was as though he had been carefully nourished all over again, becoming so breathtaking that it was difficult to look away.
Most of Xue Zhao’s attention, however, remained fixed entirely on his tail.
He had no idea about the changes happening to himself.
Suppressing his embarrassment, he gradually adjusted to the sudden surge in Life Value before tightly grabbing hold of Xiu Jixin’s hand.
“It’s only staying with you temporarily… You’re not allowed to do anything to it!”
“Alright,” Xiu Jixin replied.
Still unconvinced, Xue Zhao added,
“And no one else is allowed to see it.”
“Alright.”
After answering once more, Xiu Jixin paused for a brief moment before asking unexpectedly,
“Who else has ever seen your tail?”
The question came so suddenly that Xue Zhao did not think much of it.
He answered honestly,
“Only you have… I’ve always hidden it carefully.”
Even during the times when he had been incredibly weak and starving, his tail had never wandered off while separated from his body.
Instead, after being exposed in front of Xiu Jixin and gaining Life Value over and over again, it had gradually become much bolder.
The corners of Xiu Jixin’s lips curved upward.
“So well behaved.”
“You have to hide it properly too,” Xue Zhao warned him once again, sounding almost like he was issuing an order. “You’re not allowed to touch it!”
As soon as the potion was successfully completed and the mission finished, he would immediately take his tail back.
“Alright. I won’t touch it.”
Patiently repeating his promise, Xiu Jixin wrapped his arms around Xue Zhao once more, pulling him snugly into his embrace.
His palm slowly stroked down Xue Zhao’s back before gently brushing across the slender curve of his waist.
The blush lingering on Xue Zhao’s cheeks refused to fade.
He buried his face against Xiu Jixin’s chest, trying hard to steady both his breathing and his racing heartbeat.
The decision had already been made.
But truly accepting it, or remaining calm about it, was far more difficult than he had imagined.
He silently comforted himself.
It was only his tail that wasn’t by his side.
Even…
Even if someone touched it, it didn’t hurt.
So… perhaps it wasn’t really that big of a deal.
The moment that thought surfaced, Xue Zhao immediately threw it away.
Startled, he hurriedly shut his eyes and took several deep breaths, desperately trying to stop himself from letting his imagination run wild.
It had to be because his Life Value had risen too much tonight…
After the potion making had failed, he clearly remembered that his Life Value had dropped to only four points.
Yet now it had suddenly increased by thirty nine points.
That was something he had never even dared to dream about before.
With so much Life Value now, completing his mission would surely become much easier.
Even so, Xue Zhao still couldn’t stop thinking about the failed potion.
Fortunately, he would finally be able to leave tomorrow.
Just then, a soft meow drifted down from the rooftop.
A moment later, footsteps entered the courtyard from outside.
They gradually drew nearer.
It was the assistant delivering dinner.
By now, the assistant had already grown accustomed to the routine.
He simply placed the evening meal inside the study before leaving immediately.
After the courtyard gate closed once again, Xiu Jixin gently pinched Xue Zhao’s cheek.
“Go eat.”
Xue Zhao hesitated before shaking his head.
“I… I had some biscuits tonight. I don’t want dinner anymore.”
In truth, his Life Value was now so high that even in his human form, he could no longer feel the slightest bit of hunger.
The exhaustion he had been feeling earlier had vanished completely as well.
Besides, he had never eaten much to begin with.
Usually, after only a few bites, he would already claim to be full.
Xiu Jixin did not seem inclined to press the matter.
“Alright.”
Only then did Xue Zhao slowly climb out of his embrace, making his way back to the small room to find his sleepwear before heading off for a bath.
When he finished bathing and came back out, he saw Xiu Jixin standing before the bookshelf.
Holding a pen, he was writing something inside one of the books.
Curious, Xue Zhao couldn’t help stealing several more glances.
At the same time, he quietly searched for where his tail had gone.
Only after confirming that it was still obediently wrapped around Xiu Jixin’s right wrist did he finally feel somewhat relieved.
Lowering his head, he returned to his room.
Still, not having his tail beside him felt incredibly strange.
He cleaned up the shattered pieces of the cup beneath the bed before tidying the scattered branches and leaves piled against the wall.
Unable to resist, he quietly crept back toward the doorway to peek outside once more.
Xiu Jixin was no longer standing by the bookshelf.
After closing the wardrobe doors, he headed into the bathroom, apparently preparing to bathe as well.
Xue Zhao immediately panicked.
He could vaguely sense that his tail was still with Xiu Jixin…
Which meant it had gone into the bathroom together with him.
Then while bathing…
Would he accidentally touch it?
Only then did Xue Zhao suddenly realize that he could have simply handed his tail over tomorrow morning before going out.
There had been no need to give it to Xiu Jixin tonight.
But now, listening to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, he was far too embarrassed to knock on the door and ask for his tail back.
Seeing how restless Xue Zhao looked, the system silently cursed Xiu Jixin several times.
Taking away a succubus’s tail…
What a crafty move.
It then turned to comfort Xue Zhao instead.
“It’s alright. If he really wanted to do something to your tail, he would’ve done it long ago.”
The same had happened the first time Xue Zhao showed him his tail.
Xiu Jixin had genuinely done nothing more than take a single look and Xue Zhao had gone to the clinic without any problems afterward.
With Xiu Jixin’s affection level already so high, the system believed that although he liked Xue Zhao, he also carried the identity of a priest.
At least for now, he did not seem like someone who would go back on his word.
Since he had promised Xue Zhao that he wouldn’t touch the tail, he probably wouldn’t break that promise.
“Really?”
Xue Zhao relaxed a little before turning and returning to his room.
He slipped beneath the blanket and gently touched the demonic marking on his lower back.
When Xiu Jixin had touched his tail…
Perhaps the sensations he felt had only been an illusion brought about by his unusually high Life Value.
[System]: I checked. A succubus’s tail can stay very far away from its main body. It won’t affect the mission.
[System]: But once it’s more than two meters away, you won’t be able to switch forms.
That…
Actually didn’t sound too bad.
After all, because of Xue Zhao’s special race, the benefits provided by his demon form were rather limited.
“Mhm.”
As he answered, Xue Zhao turned over beneath the blanket and gently rubbed his stomach.
Tonight…
It was also the first time he had eaten so much “food.”
Compared to simply feeling full, this “food” brought with it an even stronger sense of satisfaction.
It was almost like taking a nourishing tonic.
“Your Life Value increased so quickly,” the system sighed once again before reminding him,
“But if it gets too high, you have to be careful. Once your Life Value exceeds ninety, a succubus will be forced into their maturity period.”
Xue Zhao blinked blankly.
“Maturity period? Like a plant?”
The system had mentioned it once before they went to the clinic for the mission but he had never asked about it in detail.
[System]: Well… probably not like that.
[System]: The records say that during a succubus’s maturity period, their need for food increases significantly and their emotions become much easier to influence.
That was all the information the records contained.
Even the system didn’t know much more than that.
[System]: Entering the maturity period could affect the mission.
[System]: So… just try to be a little more careful.
In other words, Xue Zhao needed to keep his Life Value under control.
If something like tonight happened even one more time, he would almost certainly surpass ninety.
“Alright.”
Xue Zhao nodded earnestly.
“I’ll go complete the mission tomorrow. It’ll definitely drop again.”
While he and the system were still talking, the bathroom door opened.
Xue Zhao instinctively held his breath as he listened to Xiu Jixin’s approaching footsteps.
Not long afterward, the bedroom lights went out.
Both the little room and the outer room were swallowed by darkness.
Everything outside was quiet.
Xiu Jixin had most likely gone to sleep as well.
Xue Zhao gently touched his now empty arm before closing his eyes, forcing himself to fall asleep as quickly as possible.
The next day, Xiu Jixin kept his promise.
He no longer restricted Xue Zhao’s freedom.
“To everyone else, you’re still my assistant,” he said. “But you must return here before nightfall every day.”
Xue Zhao nodded.
“Mhm.”
Ever since Xue Zhao had first been confined, everyone else had assumed he had already left the church.
Aside from Aunt Huai, no one in town paid any particular attention to where he had gone.
The belongings from his former residence had all been moved away by Xiu Jixin.
His previous duties had also been handed over to the newly arrived assistant.
His new assignment was much easier.
He only needed to water several flower beds.
Whenever he had free time, he was free to leave and visit Aunt Huai.
Xue Zhao liked this arrangement very much.
At last, he no longer had to spend every day boiling together piles upon piles of flowers, herbs, branches and leaves.
However… Xiu Jixin still had Xue Zhao continue living in the courtyard, as though he wasn’t worried in the slightest about anyone discovering it.
Xue Zhao didn’t object to the arrangement either.
After all, his “food” was here…
And more importantly, his tail was here too.
Before leaving, Xue Zhao looked toward Xiu Jixin and asked in a quiet voice,
“Can I… see my tail one more time?”
Under his gaze, Xiu Jixin slowly raised his right hand.
The jet black tail peeked out from beneath his sleeve, its pointed tip emerging obediently before coming to rest in his palm.
Again…
Again, it was making that gesture as though asking to be petted.
Xue Zhao’s face instantly flushed crimson.
In a panic, he hurriedly stuffed the tip of the tail back inside Xiu Jixin’s sleeve.
“That’s enough… Hurry and hide it.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The chapter has ended. The coffee propaganda begins.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · [Mission Identity]: SuccubusChapter 2 · Let him copy the scriptures fifty more timesChapter 3 · Can I seduce him?Chapter 4 · Can I have a bite?Chapter 5 · I wasn’t full at allChapter 6 · This is its original formChapter 7 · Xue Zhao slowly licked it againChapter 8 · If something is discoveredChapter 9 · Because he is… a succubusChapter 10 · Are you trying to seduce me?Chapter 11 · That’s right, a cage to lock up the devilChapter 12 · Can I keep you company for a while?Chapter 13 · Only one kiss a dayChapter 14 · Uncomfortable?Chapter 15 · Day of RepentanceChapter 16 · It’s the last bit left, silver halideChapter 17 · Current Form: SuccubusChapter 18 · This is your… original form?Chapter 19 · What would you like to eat?Chapter 20 · I’ll show you my tail… okay?Chapter 21 · The premise is that he didn’t lieChapter 22 · It has a light, pleasant fragranceChapter 23 · Demons typically have a limited dietChapter 24 · Don’t touch me…Chapter 25 · MaturityChapter 26 · Touch What?Chapter 27 · I never imaginedChapter 28 · “I’ll feed you until you’re fullChapter 29 · You’d better keep having this kind of luckChapter 30 · Anyway, I’ve already touched it onceChapter 31 · Like a kitten begging for extra food.Chapter 32 · [Skill “Charm” in effect]Chapter 33 · [You have entered the “Mature Stage”]Chapter 34 · He wanted Xiu Jixin to feed him….Chapter 35 · You’re trying to seduce me againChapter 36 · He seems… even more off now.Chapter 37 · Xue Zhao blushedChapter 38 · The fallen Holy SpiritChapter 39 · [Health points have reached maximum]Chapter 40 · [Corruption Value]: 63%Chapter 41 · Besides seducing me, what else can you do?Chapter 42 · Can we take the NPC with us?Chapter 43 · Horror Comics: The Murder DollChapter 44 · [Task Details]: Find a new owner for your itemsChapter 45 · The skill “Entering Dreams”Chapter 46 · The thought of making him cryChapter 47 · With a rather wicked interest.Chapter 48 · I’ll buy you new clothes, little bunnyChapter 49 · I should say, thank you, MasterChapter 50 · Do toy bunnies go into heat?