A tiny bonus chapter :
" Look! I'm really a popular villain! A celebrity ! So many eyes! But I can't count them… um… over… yu or ye ? I don't know… but they look huge. Yeh, I'm a celebrity here! Hehe~ You can't resist my hips… or a bite, I know you well, lustful insects~ But you can't touch… just feel… with your eyes. That's what this Kirihito is! "
Kirihito leaned close to his novel cover, hands pressed against the glass, hot breath fogging it slightly. His mouth parted in a snake-like grin, eyes glinting with mischief.
" Ah… yeah, my snake , you are a celebrity here. Now, don't insult them so openly or they might run away… and speak normally—they can't understand your special language that you're saying " Over 30… or 40 "
I sighed " Anyways, I'll apologize for him myself. But thank you all so much for 40k+ views!! Don't mind his words… he's just being himself. "
I stepped forward, smiling, gently pushing his face away from the glass to cover up his straight-to-the-point chaos.
" No, I'm serious… you all are insects~ Besides, at this cover, I already look real… not your rough drawings. "
That talkative parrot of mine… a total brat...insulting my drawing already !
" Shut up for a while! Now go back to your role…"
I pointed him toward his place—the secret house where Xio had left him surrounded by those greedy crow yokais last time. Kirihito peeked at the screen one more time, ignoring my protests. "See? He's just being himself…" I whispered.
" Ah, fine… but I'll make my iconic entry next time to shake my insects' hearts… no, the whole house! "
With a gentle—but firm—nudge, I sent him back. The crows shifted nervously as he dramatically crawled onto the bed, flopping over them like a spoiled predator claiming his nest. His mood slightly ruined by my scolding… mostly not… he pushed one crow a little too hard while pouting at me—it tumbled off the bed with a squawk. What a drama, even behind the scenes!
I shook my head, half-amused, half-exasperated.
" Stay there, Kurama… and behave with your crows.
He huffed, settling back with grudging grace, black hair spilling over the tiny feathered bodies as he muttered to himself, already plotting his next teasing entrance.
" Why are my roles so boring and short?! I need bigger roles! You're giving parts to everyone except me! Why?! I can't lie down the whole day! My feet hurt! And that insect Xio… he didn't bring me more dragon fruits!! I'll burn all of Fukaki for locking me away from a pretty mouth!!
My poor Kirihito… complaining like a baby, mood swings and all.
" Ah… don't worry. You'll get your role soon… I promise. Special characters like you are like rare Dimond—"
" Didn't give me those phrases like that insect Xio! I just want my roles right here, right now! " that brat cut me off
" Ahhh! Could you stop shouting for a while… let me start this chapter… you'll get a longer chapter, I promise. "
Kitihito stared at me like sizing how much truth or lie is present into my words..his eyes behind the blindfold is sharp enough to see though souls " Fine… I'm silent… sleeping… with my birdies. " He whispered softly, still grumpy, hugging one crow. The bird melted into his arms, purring, while the others looked jealous.
I smiled and looked at the glass. " Sorry, guys… that boy is our little brat. Now enjoy Chapter 95! "
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While Xio sank into the cold water, lost among old and new memories, Lànhuā kept her promise and waited, her patience quiet yet steady.
Back to present....
She descended the stairs, each step soft against the polished floor, as though afraid to disturb even the faint echoes of the house.
"That boy can't sleep without eating…" she murmured, a tiny, amused smile tugging at her lips. She imagined him stubborn, wrapped in warmth and stubborn pride, refusing to rest fully until his stomach was sated.
Downstairs, her father and uncle sat at the dinner table, plates laid with care. Yet Kage Ou hadn't touched a bite. Stubborn as ever, he would not eat without his children present. His dark eyes tracked every movement in the room, glinting with silent anticipation.
The habit had long since become routine; Kage Ou often ate alone, while Língxi, indifferent, declined his share. He rested his chin on his palm, gaze lingering, fingers idly tracing the rim of the cup, a gesture born out of both boredom and affection.
Língxi occasionally glanced back, his snow-white lashes brushing royal blue eyes that glimmered faintly, trying to convey something—a thought, a memory, a feeling. But Kage Ou couldn't recall it immediately. The quiet pressed against him, heavy, confusing, and achingly familiar.
For Língxi, the moment was simpler: he focused on his ice spiritual technique, 雪柔 (Xuè Qín), Snow Guqin. Tiny strands of azure energy shimmered above the diamond on his temple, fingers pressing delicately together, thumbs forming precise circles. The energy pulsed, flickered, and glitched as his eyes closed tightly, muscles tensed in concentration. Kage Ou watched, curiosity mingling with impatience. Half-sealed from prior battles long ago , the ability refused to flow freely, yet the effort itself was mesmerizing.
"Líng Líng… eat with me. It looks improper if I eat alone. You can continue afterward… besides, let's discuss the matter you mentioned," Kage Ou murmured, tone a soft blend of command and coaxing.
"Not now… at night," Língxi replied without raising his eyes, voice tight. Then, almost immediately, he returned to his work.
Kage Ou's brows drew together, half in frustration, half in disbelief. "Seriously? Does it truly need to wait until night? Come now… just speak." His tone held an edge of complaint, but beneath it, an unspoken ache—he missed the rhythm of shared presence, the warmth of togetherness.
A faint sigh escaped Língxi before his gaze finally met Kage Ou's. The energy in his hands flickered, fading to a muted gray—a silent reprimand, a boundary clearly set. His eyes spoke volumes: Do not disturb me.
Lànhuā watched from the side, quiet but observant.
"Dad… he never changes," she muttered softly, fixing her hair before moving forward with deliberate grace. She carried herself like Xio, calm and poised, a delicate presence threading through the tension.
Her arrival caught Língxi off guard. The faint glow of energy between his fingers dissipated, hands dropping to his lap. He didn't speak; his eyes alone now communicated. Lànhuā understood immediately: Is he bathing? When will you eat with me?
Kage Ou's gaze darted between them, dark eyes glinting with impatience and longing. He had been waiting for an answer, and yet Língxi acted as though he did not exist—a small betrayal wrapped in habitual stubbornness.
"Yes, Father. He's bathing… don't worry. I'll eat with him. He prefers to eat in his room," she answered softly, carefully polite.
A faint shadow of disappointment crossed Língxi's face. He had imagined the warmth of all three at the table, the soft laughter, the clinking of utensils—moments that felt fleeting yet irreplaceable.
"Why?" he asked gently, not in anger, only in the ache of expectation.
"He's too tired, Father… he asked me to bring the food to him," Lànhuā replied, soft and firm, a subtle shield against frustration.
Língxi exhaled, eyes fixed ahead. Kage Ou's dark gaze softened into a lazy smirk, the corners of his mouth twitching as if he relished the compromise.
"See… he's tired. Now, will you kindly eat with me? The food is cooling, and it was prepared especially for both of you," Kage Ou said, his tone a blend of gentle tease and heartfelt coaxing, a tension wrapped in humor.
Lànhuā settled beside him, offering both comfort and persuasion. "Father… I know you wished to eat together, but Xio is exhausted. Don't worry about him or the meal. I'll handle it. You may eat with Uncle—he's happy to join you."
"Yes… your daughter is right. At least listen to her," Kage Ou added, but his dark eyes lingered on Língxi, hoping for some hint of concession.
But Língxi remained unmoved, narrowed eyes fixed with stubborn precision.
"Huā… tell me when he's done. I'll come join you myself," he said, softly but it was final ; he isn't going to eat a single drop of food without them . Lànhuā blinked, accepting the unchangeable decision. She exhaled, sighing softly, ascending the stairs with the tray of food.
Kage Ou's smile faltered, a small shadow of thwarted hope passing over his face.
"Jiǎng Língxi!" he called sharply, tapping the table lightly, cups quivering. Frustration threaded through his voice.
Língxi's head stayed still, eyes daring silently : What now?
Kage Ou restrained the sharpness that threatened to escape his tongue, exhaling sharply and narrowing his gaze, attempting to communicate through subtle glances.
"I know I'm… a..complicated father. You'll have to get used to it… we are best friends, aren't we?" Língxi's words were light, almost innocent,
Kage Ou buried his face in his hand, letting out a quiet growl...he felt like his head is not a head but hot pot where Língxi cooks "That guy…"
Língxi's gaze remained steady, playful yet calm, a living reminder of their delicate push and pull, a bond that was both tender and stubborn, frustrating and unbreakable. A faint smirk carried a hidden playfulness, teasing without uttering a sound.
The quiet hung between them, alive with ache, teasing, and a soft, stubborn warmth. Kage Ou's dark eyes met Língxi's narrowed gaze, both daring and gentle, while Lànhuā moved silently nearby, a quiet witness to the unspoken pull between them. Just as black pulls white, and white pushes but also pulls black, their bond stretched taut and tender, leaving a heartbeat of unvoiced affection lingering in the air.