Xiao Li shifted slightly in her sleep, her small fingers tightening unconsciously around Su Yuyan's sleeve. Outside, the rain still fell, but its rhythm had slowed, as if even the sky was holding its breath.
Su Yuyan was not asleep.
Her gaze remained fixed on the darkness, cold and alert.
"The tenth tail…" she murmured almost inaudibly.
Her fingers brushed gently through Xiao Li's silver hair, pausing at the nape of her neck. For a brief moment, the air trembled—like something hidden there, unseen and sealed.
A trace of tension flickered in her eyes, then vanished.
"Not yet…" she whispered.
At that moment—
click.
A faint sound came from downstairs. The villa door had opened, silently.
Su Yuyan's brows furrowed slightly.
Someone had entered.
Without permission.
Without invitation.
Downstairs, in the living room, the darkness was split by a shadow. A tall, slender figure slowly stepped out, his eyes glowing faintly red.
"So she really is here…" he whispered.
His gaze lifted toward the upper floor—toward the bedroom.
"A ten-tailed fox…"
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Interesting."
At that exact moment, upstairs—
Su Yuyan's eyes snapped open.
Cold. Dangerous.
"They found you faster than I expected…"
Xiao Li turned in her sleep, murmuring softly,
"Sister… lollipop…"
Su Yuyan looked at her for a moment, then gently moved her hand aside and stood up.
Her steps were silent.
Like a predator.