47. Too Cute, Can’t Handle It!
Ahh, did I scare him away with my red eyes?
I hope that ghost actor is okay. I need to be more careful. It seemed her night vision activated instinctively in the dark.
It was easy to control, though, switching it on and off at will.
Ruo Xiaoxi felt like her night vision was getting stronger, and she wanted to experiment more, activating it more often. It felt like the ability was improving with use.
She didn’t understand the principle, but she mentally labeled it “experience points.” Using the ability increased her proficiency, and reaching a certain level of experience enhanced the ability itself. That made sense.
Besides that, she hadn’t discovered any other special abilities. She had little wings, but she couldn’t fly, no matter how much she flapped them. Maybe I need more practice?
Even baby eagles aren’t born knowing how to fly.
Ruo Xiaoxi deactivated her crimson eyes, her gaze returning to its usual emerald green. Now that she could see clearly in the dim light, the haunted house held no fear for her.
She even noticed an unfinished ladder leaning against a wall, completely breaking the immersion.
“Mmm… Xiaoxi, maybe we should leave. We can tell the staff we want to go out; there must be an emergency exit, right? Or we can just go back the way we came.”
“Don’t worry, I’m here,” Ruo Xiaoxi reassured Xiao Nuonuo, patting her back.
“No, Xiaoxi, haven’t you noticed? Tianxin hasn’t said anything for a while. Is she… gone…?”
“Tianxin? She… Eh!? Where is she?”
Ruo Xiaoxi looked around and realized her sister had disappeared.
Did she actually see a ghost!? —Just kidding.
Ruo Tianxin had whispered something to her earlier, then slipped away. Ruo Xiaoxi had no idea what her mischievous little sister was up to.
Perhaps… she thought it wasn’t scary enough and wanted to explore the haunted house alone?
“It’s true! Tianxin is gone! What should we do? Should we call for help? I’m scared…” Xiao Nuonuo practically burrowed into Ruo Xiaoxi’s arms, trembling.
In a way, Ruo Xiaoxi found it endearing. The haunted house had been genuinely scary when it first opened, but now, few people were actually frightened by it.
“It’s okay, she probably just went off on her own. The amusement park has security cameras; if anything happens, the staff will find her.”
“Really…? But it’s so creepy… so eerie…”
“You’re so brave in the game, leading our guild through that 25-man Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum raid. That dungeon is way creepier than this, and we were practically dancing on the emperor’s grave.”
“Games are different… and everyone was chatting in voice chat, so I wasn’t scared.”
“Then just treat the haunted house like a game. It’s just a real-life game.”
Ruo Xiaoxi tried to encourage Xiao Nuonuo. She had learned about Nuonuo’s social anxiety and how she preferred online interactions, and she wanted to help her overcome her shyness.
Because she stayed home all the time, she stammered when talking to strangers and avoided eye contact. But humans were social creatures.
“Don’t worry, we came to the haunted house to practice being brave, right? Here, hold my hand. If you get scared, squeeze it, and I’ll hug you, okay?”
“Mmm, if Xiaoxi says so…”
“Hee hee, let’s take a selfie! I’ll capture Xiao Nuonuo’s terrified expression and share it with the guild. Let them see our guild leader’s vulnerable side.”
“Ahhh, no pictures! Don’t let other people see…!” Xiao Nuonuo tried to grab the phone.
Ruo Xiaoxi held it out of reach. “Maybe seeing how scared you are will awaken their protective instincts, and they’ll defend you if anyone bullies you.”
“I…”
“Remember the first time we met in the game? You were arguing with some people, and then you started crying in voice chat. You need someone to protect you…”
“…” Lan Yinuo fell silent, remembering the incident. It had been Ruo Xiaoxi who had stepped in and defended her against the bullies.
Perhaps Ruo Xiaoxi was right; she was too timid.
Only when video chatting with Ruo Xiaoxi, in the comfort of her own home, could she be truly cheerful and outgoing. But being outgoing only with close friends and family was, in itself, a sign of introversion.
“I… I don’t need anyone else. As long as Xiaoxi protects me… that’s enough,” Xiao Nuonuo whispered shyly after a long pause.
Perhaps she didn’t realize how cute she sounded, all vulnerable and clingy. Ah, too cute, I can’t handle it!
Ruo Xiaoxi’s heart fluttered, her protective instincts kicking in.
“Then I’ll protect—”
“Boo!” A poorly executed yell suddenly interrupted them, and a figure in a strange costume jumped out, arms flailing, bony “claws” raised high.
“Waaaaah! A monster! Xiaoxi, Xiaoxi, save me!” Xiao Nuonuo shrieked, diving into Ruo Xiaoxi’s arms, desperately seeking comfort.
“Wait, my clothes, my clothes are falling off! My bra, my bra is showing!” Ruo Xiaoxi frantically clutched at her shirt, trying to comfort the terrified girl in her arms, burying her face in her chest.
It seemed to calm Xiao Nuonuo down, though her nails were digging into Ruo Xiaoxi’s skin.
The “monster” tried to approach, but even a timid bunny would bite when cornered. Xiao Nuonuo lashed out, her fists and feet flying so fast that Ruo Xiaoxi couldn’t even see them.
“Ow! Stop, stop, stop hitting me! Nuonuo, I’m sorry! That hurts!”
The “monster” cried out in pain.
Ruo Xiaoxi stood there calmly. She had recognized her sister’s disguise from the start, or rather, from the first yell. Trying to scare people, huh? Serves you right.
Ruo Tianxin, tears welling up in her eyes, also wanted to seek comfort from Ruo Xiaoxi, but Xiao Nuonuo pushed her away, leaving her standing there, looking dejected.
Ruo Xiaoxi, holding the terrified beauty in her arms, looked at her teary-eyed sister, her expression complex.
Ahem, I have a feeling that line is coming, so I’ll preemptively drop the word “threesome” here.
“What are you doing, Tianxin?”
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