The Sleeping Maiden

Xiao Xiao's hands were shoved into his coat pockets, his eyes cast down as he watched the Ear Mouse squatting three steps away, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

Hmph, he thought. A monster acting obedient? I must not have slept enough last night.

Besides, he continued internally, if you're going to pretend to be good, at least tone down those creepy eyes of yours. His expression, however, only grew more tense.

Clearly, the Ear Mouse's docile actions did nothing to relax Xiao Xiao; instead, they made him even more wary.

For a monster that had, since their first meeting, been so arrogant it didn't put anyone in its eyes, to act so "put-upon" meant this was definitely a huge problem. Xiao Xiao had always been self-aware and truly felt he wouldn't be much help.

But since he was here, it wouldn't do to just turn around and leave, right?

Moreover, if this Ear Mouse kept pestering him, he'd be quite bothered.

Therefore, after realizing he had no choice and remaining silent for a moment, Xiao Xiao quickly rallied his spirits and decided to end this quickly.

"Is there something you need my help with?"

The Ear Mouse's eyes lit up at his words, and it nodded its head with a hint of reserve.

What a tsundere, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Asking for a favor and still acting so arrogant.

"What is it?" As soon as he asked, Xiao Xiao felt foolish. The Ear Mouse wasn't a Ling Yao; it couldn't speak human language. The problem was, he didn't understand monster language either.

While Xiao Xiao was agonizing over this, the Ear Mouse got up and came to his side, wrapping its fluffy, soft tail around his lower leg and tugging, signaling for him to follow.

Alright, Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment before deciding to go and see.

Actually, he was a little—no, extremely—curious about how this monster had ended up asking for help.

Even though he still knew very little about monsters, he knew how difficult it must be for a monster to bow its head to a human, to act so weak and even fawning.

This matter must be extremely important to the Ear Mouse, right?

Xiao Xiao guessed wildly as he followed the Ear Mouse through the campus.

The Ear Mouse was clearly minding his pace, occasionally looking back to confirm Xiao Xiao was still following behind it.

Only now did the Ear Mouse show a hint of outward impatience.

Since Xiao Xiao had decided to go, he wouldn't be petty and drag his feet. Seeing this, he quickened his steps, even breaking into a light run.

Huh? Xiao Xiao was surprised to find he had actually lost the Ear Mouse.

But he didn't mind. The Ear Mouse would find him anyway.

Of course, it would be even better if it didn't, and he could just pretend this never happened.

Where is this? Xiao Xiao looked around, raising an eyebrow in surprise. It was indeed a familiar place.

At the beginning of the semester, when Xiao Xiao and his friends were exploring the campus, they had stumbled upon this place by chance.

But because the door was locked, they could only admire the blooming flowers, their unparalleled beauty, through the glass.

After that, they never came back. After all, they weren't young girls who liked flowers and plants.

That's right, this was a glass greenhouse.

It was still as exquisite as the first time he saw it. The vibrant colors inside seemed even more precious in the icy cold, like a paradise, a world unto itself, unaffected by the wind, frost, rain, and snow outside.

Click~ In the silent environment, this sound was almost deafening. Xiao Xiao's head snapped around, and he was somewhat startled to find the glass door of the greenhouse opening by itself?!

It wasn't until the Ear Mouse came to his feet and nudged him a few times that he realized the Ear Mouse had opened the door.

Xiao Xiao followed the Ear Mouse into the greenhouse.

He felt a strange, inexplicable tension. Xiao Xiao noticed his rapidly accelerating heartbeat and lamented that he was indeed too young, getting flustered over such a small matter.

Xiao Xiao pursed his lips and began to examine the interior of the greenhouse.

Compared to looking from the outside, stepping inside allowed one to appreciate the beauty of the flowers even more.

Clusters and bouquets of brightly colored flowers, full-petaled and alluringly dewy, were clearly well-tended.

Xiao Xiao took a deep breath, and his lungs filled with a rich floral fragrance. It wasn't cloyingly strong but rather elegantly refreshing.

This was truly a place that could relax one's mood.

Xiao Xiao's expression softened slightly.

At the end of the greenhouse, the Ear Mouse stopped.

Xiao Xiao drew his gaze away from the surrounding flowers and looked forward, freezing completely.

On a lounge chair ahead slept a young girl, her hands clasped over her abdomen, a floral blanket covering her from the waist down.

Her fluffy, natural wavy hair cascaded over her body, showing a hint of chestnut brown.

Her slender face made the girl appear delicate, exuding a cool aura that was nonetheless captivating.

The girl's dark eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her long lashes, like butterfly wings, trembled slightly, casting a faint shadow.

She had a straight, delicate nose and pale lips, suggesting the girl might not be in very good health.

But no matter what, she was truly an ethereal girl.

Xiao Xiao quietly admired the beautiful scenery before him for a while; after all, everyone appreciates beauty. Without any sense of intruding, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but exclaim, "She's truly a feast for the eyes."

However, an ethereal girl in a flower room? What kind of development was this?

Xiao Xiao reluctantly withdrew his gaze, finally remembering the main reason he was there.

His eyes shifted and landed on the Ear Mouse crouching by the lounge chair, instantly realizing this girl was the one the Ear Mouse had asked for help.

But this girl was sleeping so soundly, showing no signs of waking up even after a stranger had entered.

Perhaps it was because she knew the flower room door was locked? After all, not everyone could have a monster help them open a door like Xiao Xiao did.

Since this girl was the key, Xiao Xiao's gaze returned to her, but this time, it wasn't purely admiration, but carried a sense of scrutiny and appraisal.

Xiao Xiao quietly stepped forward a few paces and bent down. Even at this close distance, there wasn't a single flaw on the girl's face, as lustrous and translucent as the finest mutton-fat jade. The only slight imperfection was a lack of color.

Hmm? Xiao Xiao's nose twitched, and he leaned in even closer.

The scent from the girl was cool and elegant, like lotus, yet like orchid, clean and ethereal.

But there seemed to be another scent mixed in.

This scent... Xiao Xiao instantly understood. It was demonic energy. Xiao Xiao was a little surprised, then felt it was only natural. Of course it was demonic energy; it was clear the Ear Mouse sought his help for something related to monsters. He had already had a vague suspicion about this, and now it was confirmed.

However, this demonic energy... it felt somewhat familiar? Xiao Xiao's brow furrowed slightly.

Could it be a monster he had seen before?

As things had progressed to this point, everything seemed to be coming to light. The discordant scent on the girl was demonic energy.

And it was the demonic energy of a monster Xiao Xiao knew.

Of course, it wasn't the Ear Mouse; Xiao Xiao wouldn't make such a basic mistake.

So, which monster could it be?

Xiao Xiao carefully recalled the monsters he had encountered and their demonic energy.

Qiuqiu fish? No.

Qin Yuan? Not right.

Ban Zhen? Ghost Owl? Clearly not.

Ling Yao? Even less likely.

Eagle? Impossible, right? Wasn't it eaten by Ling Yao? Could there be another one?

This possibility wasn't nonexistent, but it was very small. Monsters were born naturally; they didn't have any sense of community, and their territorial instincts were strong. Logically, it was unlikely for two monsters of the same type to exist in the same place.

Then, what other monsters had he seen?

Xiao Xiao pondered deeply, scratching his head internally, but maintaining a calm, thoughtful demeanor.

Only a deep crease formed between his brows, revealing a hint of confusion.

Wait, there's one more!