“Good. At least you’re not foolish enough to need to fall on your sword to atone.”

An Li stood and gazed out the window. My house was tiny—just a few steps from the living room sofa led to the kitchen stove tucked beside the balcony.

Turning my head, I could see the wire-mesh window on the balcony. Morning light drifted softly through, gentle and quiet.

The most tender hour of the day: early dawn.

“The time’s perfect—past seven, not yet eight. Elementary students wake up late. If they’re doing check-ups, the fasting blood draw won’t start for a bit,” An Li said, glancing back at me. “If it were middle school? You’d be up at five every morning.”

I pouted slightly. “Five o’clock’s not a big deal. I was in high school before—I woke at six anyway.”

An Li, too lazy to entertain me, grabbed her phone and stepped onto the balcony. After a moment, she handed it back.

“Lucky break. A nearby elementary school’s doing fasting blood draws today.”

I checked the screen: Gaode Maps, a pin labeled *Yaoye Elementary School*, just over two kilometers from home.

Two kilometers sounded far, but really? Only one and a half bus rides.

“You know the way?” An Li asked.

I nodded eagerly. *Don’t worry—I know these streets cold. A perfect little guide.* A smile bloomed on my face. *Finally, I can help. So happy.*

“In that case… you go.”

My smile faded.

“What… did you say?”

I didn’t get it at all. *You go? What about you?*

“You know the route. No need for a guide. Hurry,” An Li urged. “One lollipop lasts an hour. I bought a whole box—seven, eight.” She pressed her small pouch into my hands. “They’re not real food. And honestly… you don’t want diabetes this young, do you?”

“I never want diabetes.”

Sure, I’d seen online jokes like *“Beautiful girls’ and lolis’ pee is sweet!”*—but I didn’t believe it. Nor did I want to test it.

“Then go. Yaoye has tiny classes. Grade 2, Class 3 is all girls—no risk of grabbing the wrong sample.”

I waved my hands. “Wait—I don’t get it. *Me* go?”

An Li nodded.

“Alone?”

“Unless you think *I* look like an elementary student?” she retorted.

I shook my head silently. A grade-schooler with An Li’s… development? Even anime wouldn’t dare draw that.

“Stop stalling. It’s simple.” Seeing my confusion, she explained patiently: “Sneak in. They’ll think you’re a student. Find Grade 2, Class 3. Blend in. After the blood draw, slip into the nurse’s office and take the vacuum tube. Done.”

Three lines. Sounded effortless.

I tilted my head. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Hmm… not *that* hard.

“Alright. I’ll go.”

“Don’t ‘try.’ That’s your food. Fail, and you starve.”

“…”

Thirty minutes later, neatly dressed, I muttered while walking down the street: “So harsh… no wonder you don’t have a boyfriend.”

An Li had bought these clothes from a convenience store while I was out cold. Cheap material—felt like the street-vendor stuff I used to wear. Didn’t bother me. Clothes just need to cover you.

The streets were peaceful, lively—as they always were. I still couldn’t figure out why *that* night had been so silent, so empty. If something drove ordinary people away… why not me? Weird.

I dropped the thought. Focus: the plan.

Online, Yaoye Elementary was pricey—small classes, big campus, tight security. But guards watch for adults. In this tiny body? I looked like any other kid. Worst case? Act cute. Dignity’s optional. Gotta eat.

“Grade 2, Class 3… gotta blend in,” I murmured, expression darkening slightly. “First, get inside.”

During class, the gate would be guarded. I eyed the towering walls, the barbed wire, then my delicate little hands. Four words glowed in my mind: *In over my head.*

“Try the main gate first.”

Luckily, check-up day meant the gate stood open—just guarded. I walked toward it, calm as I could. *At most, I look late.*

Guards watched me, gazes sharp as blades.

My knees trembled. *Run!*

But running meant starving. *Starving!* The world’s last vampire, dead from hunger? Even in Hell, I’d never lift my head again.

One step. No shout. Another. No warning.

As my tiny princess shoes crossed the threshold, my heart hammered. They didn’t stop me—just kept staring.

*So scary, so scary.*

I hurried deeper into campus, fleeing.

Only after the little loli vanished did the guards relax.

“Wasn’t she adorable? Silver hair—*actual* silver!”

“Calm down. Rich school—mixed families aren’t rare.”

“That nervous-late look? *Dead.*”

“A literal angel!”

“Which mix though?”

“Pale skin, gorgeous silver hair—I vote German loli.”

“Russian loli.”

“Nordic—Norway, Finland. She’s got fairy-tale vibes.”