Chapter 11 : I was ambushed!

Early morning, Vivian’s room.

“Ugh (ㅍ_ㅍ)”

Qianya stood beside the bed, staring at Vivian who was sprawled out like a starfish, and let out a helpless sigh.

They had clearly agreed to have breakfast together this morning… yet this idiot was still dead asleep…

Right now, Vivian had even kicked her blanket onto the floor. Her silvery-white hair was spread across the pillow, a faint trace of drool at the corner of her mouth—completely lacking her usual elegant lady-like aura.

“Seriously…”

Qianya rubbed her forehead, though she already knew the reason.

As a vampire girl, if Vivian didn’t replenish blood in time, she recovered her energy by sleeping for ages. Back when Qianya was still the master, she often saw Vivian sleep until noon and had to send someone to wake her for work.

‘I’m not even the master anymore… why am I still taking care of her (´-﹏-`；)’

Qianya sighed, bent down to pick up the blanket from the floor, gently draped it over Vivian, and carefully tucked it under her chin.

Only then did she tiptoe out of the room and quietly close the door.

♡♡♡

Walking down the hallway, Qianya deliberately pressed her ear against Luko’s door as she passed.

It was perfectly quiet inside, with only the occasional soft breathing. She was still asleep…

“…”

Qianya fell silent.

She still had no idea how to explain yesterday’s incident when Vivian swooped in and stole her away.

That little dragon must have been really hurt… she needed to figure something out.

Pondering, Qianya reached the first-floor dining room.

Just as she approached the table, Iris emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate.

Golden hair tied back with a ribbon, apron tied around her waist, the fabric stretched tight over her generous chest—she looked very homemaker-like.

“Up already? Eat fast. There’s work after this.”

Iris set the plate down. Today’s breakfast was the same old bread slices, though this time there was a cup of warm milk beside them—at least better than plain water.

Qianya stared at her meal and instantly grew unhappy, hands on hips as she complained.

“Why bread again… This is garbage every single day! You’re horrible QAQ”

“I gave you milk this time, didn’t I?”

Iris said.

“I used to give you guys bacon, fried eggs, and all sorts of balanced meals!”

Qianya’s face flushed red (annoyed).

“Be grateful. The shop’s tight on money right now. Getting milk is already generous.”

Iris didn’t care at all, grabbing a slice of bread and chewing as she spoke.

“Tight on money…”

Qianya was speechless, then fired back.

“I think you just don’t want to open the shop at all! We haven’t done business in days—how are we supposed to make anything? Keep this up and I’ll be eating black bread soon. I’m furious ˃ʍ˂”

Just thinking about it made Qianya boil. Iris had kept the place closed for so long that even regular customers had no idea when they could return.

Iris chewed her bread, arms crossed.

“This is an investment, you dummy. We’ll attract more customers after the renovation.”

Qianya: “But the renovation is taking way too long!”

Iris: “It’s because your old decor was hopelessly outdated… Anyway, the café stays closed until the makeover is done. I’m going to serve everyone the most elegant ‘Elven Chalice’~”

Qianya: “It’s Starlight Café (╬◣д◢)”

Iris: “It’s Elven Chalice (ー`´ー)”

Qianya: “It’s Sta—uh ah…”

Seeing the determined look on Iris’s face, Qianya knew arguing was pointless. She could only puff out her cheeks, grab a slice of bread, and chomp down angrily.

Then she took a gulp of milk, swallowing both bread and frustration.

Qianya: Damn it… One day I’ll take the café back (dead serious).

Soon the bread was gone, and the milk was finished.

Yet Qianya’s stomach was still growling…

This little bit wasn’t nearly enough. She rubbed her belly and started thinking where she could scrounge extra food.

Luko wasn’t awake, Vivian was still sleeping, Iris definitely wouldn’t have extras…

At that moment, a certain black-haired, straight-haired cat girl popped into her mind.

“Nn… Should I go to Zero?”

After thinking it over, it seemed only Zero’s room might have snacks (ﾟﾍﾟ).

Come to think of it, the cheeseburgers Zero gave her last time were really tasty… maybe she still had some stashed?

slurp (º﹃º)

Just imagining the flavor made Qianya drool a little.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Decision made, Qianya headed upstairs toward Zero’s room.

But when she reached the door, she noticed it was slightly ajar.

“Uh, don’t tell me she’s sleepwalking again…”

Qianya frowned, heart sinking.

Back when she was still Yaxi, Zero had a habit of sleepwalking when she didn’t rest well. One night she nearly clawed a wooden door to shreds.

It had been a nightmare for Qianya (´-﹏-`；).

“Zero, you awake?”

Qianya gently pushed the door open and peeked inside.

The room was indeed a mess—blankets bunched up on the bed, clothes tossed on the chair, books stacked crookedly on the desk—but Zero was nowhere in sight.

She really did sleepwalk…

“Ahem, you in here?”

Qianya called softly. No answer.

“Huh? Where’d she go…”

She slowly stepped inside, looking around, full of confusion.

Did Zero sleepwalk somewhere else?

This was bad…

“At least leave some snacks behind…”

Qianya sighed.

But just as she turned to go look for Zero, she heard movement above her.

“Hm? What was that? Eh ∑(°口°๑)”

She looked up—and a dark shadow dropped from the ceiling.

Before Qianya could react, the figure closed in from behind.

Then a pair of cool hands reached forward and suddenly grabbed the two little buns on her chest!

“Mm-eh (〃д〃)”

Qianya’s cheeks instantly flushed bright red, her body stiffening like stone, even her voice cracking.

The one grabbing her buns was a cat girl… Zero!

“Zero—you, what are you doing QAQ”

Qianya tried to struggle, but Zero held her tightly from behind, leaving her unable to move.

“Waa X﹏X”

Zero rested her chin on Qianya’s shoulder, warm breath tickling her ear, making Qianya’s whole body tingle.

Zero didn’t answer, just gently pushed Qianya’s back, trying to guide her toward the bed.

The soft bed was right in front of her. Qianya’s heart raced.

No way, no way… Zero wants to—

“Kyaa, help (๑˃ಐ˂৭)”

Qianya tried to cry for help.

But the next second, Zero covered her mouth.

“Mm?!!

Qianya couldn’t speak anymore, only staring desperately at the wooden door behind her.

She kept struggling, but Zero was far stronger and steadily pushed her toward the bed while holding her tight.

“Mm——”

Qianya was on the verge of tears.

What happened to Zero, why the sudden ambush…

Oh no, she was going to be dragged onto the bed!

Qianya: Kyaa, nooo (つ﹏⊂)