Yinxing parted her lips, wanting to say something.
Bai Lan cut her off:
"The bed isn't big, but if we squeeze together, there should be enough room."
He said it in a perfectly casual tone.
As if he were talking about something completely ordinary.
Yinxing froze.
Youye froze too.
The two of them stood in the doorway, motionless.
Bai Lan looked at them and suddenly smiled.
"What are you standing there for?" he asked. "Come in."
Yinxing lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning faintly red.
She stepped into the room.
Youye was silent for a second, then followed her inside.
The two of them stood by the bed, looking at the small mattress.
"Master..." Yinxing spoke, her voice a little softer than usual. "Would this... be appropriate?"
Bai Lan looked at her, his gaze calm:
"You're my Contract Beasts."
"You're not outsiders."
"What's inappropriate about it?"
Yinxing fell silent.
Youye fell silent too.
Then—
Yinxing nodded gently.
She sat on the edge of the bed, took off her shoes, and slowly lay down on the left side.
Moonlight spilled over her. Her long silver-white hair spread across the pillow like flowing moonlight.
Youye watched her in silence for a few seconds.
Then she sat down too, took off her shoes, and lay on the right side of the bed.
Her purplish-black hair fanned out, a striking contrast against Yinxing's silver-white locks.
There was an empty spot between them.
It was for Bai Lan.
Bai Lan looked at the empty spot and suddenly felt a little nervous.
But only for a moment.
He took a deep breath, removed his outer robe, and lay down.
The bed was small.
With three people lying together, they couldn't help but end up very close.
Bai Lan could feel Yinxing's cool, clear presence on his left, like moonlight in the mountains.
On his right was Youye's profound presence, like an unfathomable abyss.
Two entirely different presences surrounded him on either side.
He lay there without moving.
His eyes were fixed on the ceiling.
His heart was beating a little fast.
But he kept a calm expression.
The room was very quiet.
So quiet he could hear all three of them breathing.
After a long while—
Yinxing shifted slightly.
"You smell so nice."
Bai Lan felt her head slowly draw closer.
At last, she rested it gently on his shoulder.
Her silver-white strands fell against his cheek, carrying a faint, cool touch.
"Master." Her voice was very soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.
"Hmm?"
Yinxing was silent for a second, then said:
"I've lived for so many years."
"I've never slept like this before."
Bai Lan turned his head to look at her.
Her eyes were closed in the moonlight, her lashes trembling faintly.
Her usually cool, aloof face now held an indescribable softness.
"We can sleep like this every day from now on," he said.
Yinxing didn't open her eyes.
But she gave a soft "Mm."
Her voice was faint, like a murmur in a dream.
Bai Lan smiled and turned back, continuing to gaze at the ceiling.
Suddenly, Youye's voice came from his right:
"Me too."
Bai Lan turned to look at her.
Youye lay beside him with her eyes closed. But Bai Lan knew she wasn't asleep.
She spoke softly. "Never before."
Bai Lan looked at her stunning face.
In the moonlight, her skin was almost translucent, and her purplish-black lashes trembled faintly.
"Then we'll do it together from now on, too," he said.
Youye was silent for a second.
Then—
"All right."
She opened her eyes and looked at him.
In her deep violet eyes, the moonlight—and his face—were reflected.
Then her hand quietly reached over.
It clasped his.
Bai Lan gave a slight start.
Her hand was cool, carrying the aura of shadow, but it was soft.
Before he could react, his other hand was clasped too.
Yinxing's hand was just as cool, just as soft, but carried the clear chill of moonlight.
Two hands held his, one on each side.
Bai Lan lay in the middle, gazing up at the ceiling.
Suddenly, he felt—
This wasn't bad at all.
Cao Chengxiang liked married women because they were beautiful.
The Tang Family liked humanoid-transformed Soul Beasts for the same reason.
Now it was his turn to like humanoid-transformed Soul Beasts—and for the same reason.
Night deepened.
Moonlight streamed through the window and spilled over the three of them.
Bai Lan didn't know when he fell asleep.
He only remembered that, before he drifted off, the breathing on either side of him had gradually evened out.
Like two flowers quietly blooming beside him.
They were warm, soft, and fragrant as they held him close.
So comfortable.
Morning.
Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across Bai Lan's face.
He frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
Then he froze.
Yinxing was asleep on his left, her whole body leaning against him, her head nestled in the crook of his neck, her silver-white hair scattered across his chest.
Her breathing was soft, and the corners of her mouth held a faint smile. Who knew what pleasant dream she was having?
Youye was asleep on his right, one arm draped over him as if she were afraid he might run away.
Her face was very close to his, close enough for him to make out every one of her purplish-black lashes.
Asleep, her stunning face looked softer, without its usual cold sharpness.
And as for him—
He was trapped between the two of them, unable to move.
Bai Lan: "..."
He tried to shift.
Yinxing frowned, but didn't wake.
He tried shifting again.
Youye's arm tightened slightly, but she still didn't wake.
Bai Lan lay there, gazing at the ceiling.
He suddenly felt like laughing.
Yesterday, he'd slept alone.
Today, things had turned out like this.
He waited a while, but neither of them showed any sign of waking.
He had no choice but to keep lying there.
The sunlight grew brighter and brighter.
Finally—
Yinxing stirred slightly.
She opened her eyes and looked dazed for a second.
Then her gaze met Bai Lan's.
Their eyes met.
Yinxing froze.
Bai Lan froze too.
The next second—
Yinxing's face turned visibly red.
The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, then from her ears down to her neck.
She abruptly sat up, released his hand, and vanished from where she was.
On the second page of the Contract Book, the silver butterfly's shadow trembled gently.
Bai Lan: "..."
Before he could say anything, there was movement on his right as well.
Youye opened her eyes.
She looked at Bai Lan, silent for a second.
Then—
She released his hand without changing her expression, sat up,
stood,
and vanished from where she was.
On the third page of the Contract Book, the purple leopard's shadow glowed faintly.
Bai Lan lay on the bed, gazing at the ceiling.
The warmth of Yinxing's hand lingered in his left palm.
The feel of Youye's hand lingered in his right.
But both of them were gone.
He remained silent for a long time.
Then—
He smiled.
Meanwhile.
Inside the Contract Space.
Yinxing curled up in a corner, covering her face with both hands.
"It's over, it's over, it's over..."
Her voice came muffled through her fingers.
In all her years, she'd never been so embarrassed.
She had... actually fallen asleep leaning against her master?
And stayed that way all night?
And slept so soundly?
Yinxing covered her face, feeling like she couldn't face anyone.
On the other side.
Youye sat cross-legged in the darkness, expressionless.
But the tips of her ears were bright red.
She lowered her gaze to her hand.
That hand had held Bai Lan all night.
It had even rested against him.
As if she were afraid he'd run away.
Youye fell silent for a long time.
Then—
She lifted her hand and gently placed it over her heart.
Something was beating there.
Very fast.
In all her years, she'd never felt anything like this.
It was strange.
But...
She didn't dislike it.
In fact, she liked it very much...
That feeling was truly wondrous...
Was this human desire?
Before you continue