Silver strands of hair spilled from both sides of her cap, faintly shimmering under the winter sun.
Almost the only thing about the little girl worth noticing was her lovely hair. Her limbs were frail and slender, her skin sickly pale.
Clad in a tattered hemp garment riddled with holes, her arms were exposed, and even her lower body was barely covered.
On such a bitterly cold winter day, this fragile child wore utterly ragged clothes offering zero warmth.
A bullied beggar girl—just one glance sent a surge of pity through Xue Yu’s heart.
“It’s okay now. Don’t be afraid,” Xue Yu murmured gently.
As he reached out to help her up, the girl suddenly flinched. She wrapped her arms around her head, curled into a tight ball, and collapsed face-first into the snow.
Her face buried deep, she let out muffled “guh guh” whimpers, trembling uncontrollably.
But soon, warmth enveloped her—a cozy weight settled over her shoulders.
The biting cold in her limbs eased. Peeking open her eyes, she saw a fluffy coat now draped across her back.
A hand gently smoothed the fabric into place.
“There, there. I’ve got you. No bad guys can hurt you now.”
Before she could react, a warm palm stroked her head.
Soothed by Xue Yu’s voice, her trembling softened. Slowly, she sat up, gazing at the man who helped her—her ruby-bright eyes now shimmering with gratitude.
*It’s you!*
Xue Yu froze. He’d felt he’d seen her before… but those eyes—vibrant as polished rubies—jolted his memory.
This was the same girl who’d tripped him not long ago, right after he returned to Huangfeng Town in his Succubus Curse form.
Because of her, Zila had nearly been mistaken for a villain—she’d tripped Zila, burst into tears when asked what was wrong…
This scene felt hauntingly familiar.
“Ah—”
“Hss!” A sharp pain shot through Xue Yu’s hand. He bit back a cry, bewildered.
Glancing down, he gasped—the beggar girl had clamped her teeth onto his left knuckles!
Her skin felt icy (expected in this cold), but the bite… felt like something was *draining* him.
Watching her voraciously lick and suck the blood welling from his skin, realization struck.
She… she’s *sucking* my blood! She’s—
Hostility flared. Xue Yu grabbed her head and shoved her away.
He plopped onto the snow, scrambling backward. *No—she’s—*
“Guh!”
A tiny figure lunged. Before he could react, soft warmth pressed against his lips.
Knocked flat, Xue Yu couldn’t speak.
*She’s kissing me?!* Her strength had skyrocketed—he strained but couldn’t break free.
*Blood Clan!* Why kiss me?! Where’s this power from?! Help!
Sickly pale skin, crimson eyes, blood-drinking hunger—undeniably Blood Clan.
But Blood Clan weren’t physically strong… especially not an eight-year-old girl.
Yet after tasting his blood, she’d grown unnaturally powerful.
“Hey! You three thugs! Kicked out of the next town, now shaking down Huangfeng?” A patrolling knight called out.
The three burly men vanished before he reached them.
Only Xue Yu—pinned beneath the Blood Clan beggar girl—and her remained.
Clad in armor, the knight sighed. “Huh. Thugs ran fast. Say, lovebirds—save the PDA for indoors. Snow’s freezing. You’ll catch cold.”
*Tsk… youngsters these days…*
Noticing Xue Yu’s bleeding hand and desperate look, the knight gave a wry smile and helped him up.
As he pulled them apart, the girl’s eyes fluttered shut. She slumped limply into Xue Yu’s arms, fast asleep.
“Huh, comrade—did she fall head over heels for you?” the knight chuckled dryly. “Lucky you. A lonely dog like me? Even beggar girls skip me.”
“Wait—I’m not—” Xue Yu’s mind raced.
*If they think we’re together… if I say she’s Blood Clan…*
*Will I get branded “Man Forcibly Kissed by Blood Clan”? Will the bulletin board read that instead of “Second Knight Xue Yu, fallen in duty”?*
*Will Daystar investigate? Will my Succubus Curse identity leak?*
Silent, he scooped up the girl.
“Yes. Love at first sight,” Xue Yu declared firmly. “I’m taking her home—to be my child bride.”
“Well said, comrade. Prison’s cozy. Even if consensual… don’t be a beast.”
“Hey! Who’s the beast?! I’d never lay a hand on a child!”
