The moment the words left her mouth, Lovia blushed.
For someone naturally reserved and unaccustomed to excessive intimacy, this was the closest and most grateful gesture she could think of.
Her antennae and tail were parts she always protected with care, and they were exceptionally sensitive. Offering them as a "gift" now showed just how much the two people before her meant to her.
"Re-really?! Is it okay?!" Xiangling's reaction was even more excited than Lovia had anticipated. She quickly stepped closer, her eyes shining brilliantly, her face filled with a mix of surprise and disbelief. "I... I've actually wanted to... Wow! I just thought it would be too rude to say anything! Lovia, you're so kind!"
She rubbed her hands together excitedly, eager to try yet a bit hesitant. After a moment of indecision, she carefully touched Lovia's slightly swaying blue tail with her fingertips.
"Wow! This texture!" Xiangling exclaimed.
A peculiar sensation traveled through her fingertips; it was unlike any creature she had ever touched, incredibly soft.
Lovia's heart skipped a beat the moment Xiangling's fingertips brushed her tail.
That slight touch made the little tail tremble uncontrollably. A faint current of electricity shot up from her tailbone, causing her back to stiffen instantly. Her first instinct was to pull the trembling tail back and hide it safely behind her.
"Relax, Lovia, it's Xiangling..." Lovia chanted in her mind. "She's a trusted partner, and you gave her permission yourself."
Xiangling also felt the tremor in Lovia's tail. She looked up as if to ask something, only to see Lovia nod at her and say, "It's okay, you can touch it."
Xiangling breathed a sigh of relief and finally placed her entire palm over it, stroking it gently a couple of times. Her movements were light, and the faint blush on her face showed her satisfaction and curiosity.
Xiangling's palm covered it warmly. That touch, carrying body heat, actually caused the initial trembling to subside.
The expected discomfort and urge to withdraw didn't appear; instead, it was replaced by a... very unfamiliar sense of comfort.
"It feels... wonderful!"
"Hehe, thank you, Lovia! This 'gift' is so special!"
Hearing Xiangling's thanks, the heat on Lovia's cheeks didn't fade; if anything, it intensified. But this time, it wasn't entirely due to embarrassment.
Lovia turned her head slightly, her thick long lashes lowered, trying to hide the complex emotions swirling in her eyes.
Seeing Xiangling's sparkling eyes, completely immersed in surprise and satisfaction, an unfamiliar soft emotion quietly filled her heart.
She even... began to crave this warmth. Her tail unconsciously pressed a little closer to that gentle palm, like a silent response.
It turned out that letting down her guard and allowing closeness didn't bring the expected unease, but a softness that made her eyes feel slightly warm.
Soon, Xiangling said, "That's enough, it would be impolite to keep touching," and withdrew her hand.
Lovia looked at Xiangling's joyful expression and then turned her gaze toward Shenhe, who was standing quietly nearby.
"Um, would you like to touch my antennae..."
Before Lovia could even call her name, Shenhe stopped what she was doing and turned around.
Her expression remained cold, but a very faint trace of surprise flickered in her eyes.
She looked at the two slightly trembling, soft antennae on top of Lovia's head and remained silent for a moment.
"...Excuse me."
She stepped forward slowly, extended her index finger, and politely touched the tip of one of Lovia's antennae with the back of her finger.
The antenna curled sensitively the moment she touched it, then slowly unfurled again.
Shenhe withdrew her hand, feeling the subtle sensation lingering on her fingertip, and commented calmly, "A very special existence."
Her tone was the same as usual, but her solemn attitude made the simple gesture seem exceptionally precious.
"This is good." Shenhe looked at Lovia and nodded slightly. "Such a memento is sufficient."
With the "gift" accepted by both of them, the heavy stone in Lovia's heart regarding the gifts finally fell. Though her face was still burning, her heart felt light and warm.
Xiangling withdrew her hand contentedly, unable to resist looking at Lovia's tail again, and said with a grin, "Now I'm someone who has touched a Melusine's tail! No one will believe me! Hehe."
Even Guoba seemed to sense the happy atmosphere, circling the three of them with a "Lu-lu-lu" sound... When she left Wanmin Restaurant, Lovia held a warm package of dry rations in her arms, a piece of white jade tied with a red string around her neck, looking back every few steps. Xiangling and Guoba stood at the door, waving vigorously until her figure was swallowed by the crowd.
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