The moment that voice sounded outside the shop, Vivian shuddered from head to toe. Without a word, she exploded into a huge swarm of little bats on the spot.
Several hundred tiny bats flew everywhere like headless flies, frantically searching for places to hide. Some burrowed into corners, some squeezed through the cracks in the doors, and another group flew behind the counter and into a spice box that some ancient emperor had apparently used. Hao Ren was still standing there blankly when Vivian had already vanished into every corner of the room.
Immediately afterward, someone shoved open the antique shop's glass door. A short girl ran inside, looking absolutely delighted.
Hao Ren froze the instant he saw her. The girl who had run in looked almost exactly like Vivian. Even the details around her eyes and brows seemed carved from the same mold. Calling them twins could not explain the resemblance.
The only differences were that she was shorter than Vivian, her hair was shorter, and the bright, exuberant expression on her face was not something Vivian usually wore.
She was practically a Shrunken Vivian—reduced proportionally by a tenth, and looking as though she had taken the wrong medicine.
Everyone in the room froze except Hesperis, who maintained the same lifeless, rigid smile. Lily jumped up and shouted, "So Vivian has a little sister?"
"Who are you?" The Shrunken Vivian frowned and looked around. "Where's Lady Vivian? I clearly felt that she was nearby... Don't tell me she's hiding again?"
"This is Heiserana." Hesperis pointed at the somewhat neurotic girl and introduced her to Hao Ren. "Bring Vivian out. She won't leave until she sees her."
The group had no choice but to gather Vivian's bats from every nook and cranny. Some had to be pried out of wall