Sharon and Art

Just as Aina's magical chains wrapped around Xia Lun's thigh, Xia Lun suddenly let her go. Aina fell back awkwardly onto the back of the sofa, letting out a muffled groan.

Xia Lun felt that if he could become a painter, he would definitely have quite a few unique artistic talents.

The masterpiece before his eyes left him quite satisfied.

Hmm... not bad. Aina's current appearance was simply perfect.

Like an angel with broken wings... she was simply a work of art!

Setting aside who exactly broke those wings for now.

With a flick of his wrist, Xia Lun tossed out a white towel. It floated down and draped over Aina with pinpoint accuracy, much like covering a corpse with a white sheet.

"Bastard... beast," Aina cursed softly. Xia Lun smiled silently; to his ears, these words were tantamount to the highest honor and praise.

It was better than being worse than a beast, after all.

Besides, artistic creation was hard work. Xia Lun had heard that when outstanding artists got into the zone, inspiration would flow endlessly, and they might even create tirelessly for days on end without sleep...

"It's so messy," Aina's tone carried a hint of complaint. "You could have been a bit more careful."

"Alright, I'll be more careful," Xia Lun rubbed his nose. "I actually didn't do it on purpose."

"Heh, Xia Lun, has the grand Hero learned to lie? I think you absolutely did it on purpose." Aina openly spun around in front of Xia Lun. "Look, on my back, on my shoulders, here, and here... Leaving me like this, are you satisfied? Does seeing me look like this make you happy?"

"Yes, Aina, I am very happy." Xia Lun's honesty was almost blunt, his gaze calmly meeting her scrutiny.

"Hmph, whatever you say. Either way, you're responsible for cleaning me up." Aina gave a soft snort and reached her arms out to Xia Lun, posing like a queen demanding an embrace.

Xia Lun obediently bent down, and Aina's slender arms immediately wrapped around his neck. Xia Lun steadily scooped her up in a princess carry and walked toward the bathroom.

"I'll forgive you this time, but if you dare to act on your own..." Aina narrowed her eyes, her gaze full of threat.

"What will happen?" Xia Lun swallowed hard. With Aina bringing it up, such images really did flash through his mind, like a feather gently tickling the tip of his heart.

"Then I'll string you up and kick your rear," Aina scoffed coldly. "Pervert."

"That sounds truly terrible." Xia Lun sighed, suppressing the thumping in his chest. "Do you not like it that way?"

"Why would you think I'd like that!" Aina, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, climbed up Xia Lun's shoulder and unceremoniously bit down, beginning to suck his blood.

Her sharp fangs pierced his skin, and warm blood flowed into her throat. Aina gnawed on Xia Lun's neck with an indignant expression, looking as if she wanted to eat him clean.

Xia Lun's warm palm gently stroked the back of her head, soothing Aina like a bristling little beast.

Aina's swallowing slowed down, and eventually, she let go. The soft tip of her tongue, carrying a trace of coolness, meticulously licked over the small wound. The vampire's saliva caused the broken skin to heal rapidly at a visible rate, leaving no trace behind.

"I thought you would like it," Xia Lun sighed. "Love me, love my dog... I just love everything about you."

"Well, you're not wrong." Aina's fingers brushed aside a strand of long hair by her cheek somewhat deliberately, trying to hide her slightly burning face.

"Oh?" Xia Lun raised an eyebrow slightly; it seemed things had taken a turn.

"Forget it." Aina seemed to have made some kind of decision. She gently poked his cheek with her fingertip, carrying a bit of indulgent helplessness. "I'll let you have your way just for tonight. After all, I promised to give you a reward earlier..."

Xia Lun planted a heavy kiss on Aina's cheek.

Aina accepted it with peace of mind, her delicate chin raised slightly, a look of pride on her face.

Xia Lun felt a little emotional. Once upon a time, Aina would have dodged him with a hint of disgust, but now she had completely revealed her most honest side to him.

"The Truth Magus Academy holds meetings sometimes, so this is my temporary residence," Aina leaned her head against his solid chest, explaining in a lazy voice. "The mages of the Academy... mostly live quite simply. Their energy is all spent on those profound magics... This place isn't big, nor can it be considered luxurious."

Xia Lun held her, his footsteps steady. His gaze swept over the simple interior furnishings, and he nodded.

"Good thing I brought our bed from home. With a little tidying up, it can still fit that bed," Aina smiled slyly.

Xia Lun suddenly realized; Aina had planned this all along.

Xia Lun carried Aina into the bathroom.

Serry stood motionless at the doorway, as if in standby mode. Sensing the two approaching, the gem on its top lit up again.

"Get out. You are not allowed to come in without my orders," Aina commanded coldly. "Go clean up the living room."

"Understood, Master Aina." Receiving the new order, Serry flashed its light and flew out, looking quite agile.

For some reason, Xia Lun suddenly felt a bit sorry for the little guy.

Enduring the long years, silently settling everything here, just to wait for the day Aina returned.

"That little thing is just a golem. It has no emotions; it's merely a tool." Aina noticed Xia Lun looking back at Serry and explained, "Although it seems to have the ability to communicate with us, that's just a pre-set magic circuit."

"Is that so?" Xia Lun just smiled.

"Ah, so kindhearted, my lovely Xia Lun, able to empathize even with such cold machinery." The bat wings behind Aina suddenly spread open. Her scarlet pupils swirled with a blood-red halo, making it impossible to tell if it was passionate love or some other emotion.

Aina tilted her head up slightly, leaning close to his ear. Her warm breath brushed past his skin as she spoke in the rhythmic, cadenced tone of an opera singer: "And what about me? To what extent can you resonate with me?"

"Hmm... to a very deep extent, I suppose?"

Xia Lun was a rough man. He truly had no artistic flair, nor did he know how to appreciate art like Aina did.

"What a... bold answer." Aina's body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. A crimson blush instantly spread from the base of her ears to her cheeks, like the finest rouge bleeding into water.

"But for now, let's take a bath first... sit down and be good." Aina pushed Xia Lun to sit on the bathroom stool. "I'll wash your back for you."

Xia Lun didn't stand on ceremony; he sat down squarely, enjoying his wife's service.

Aina pressed her body against his, and Xia Lun paused slightly.

"Aren't you going to use a towel?"

Aina leaned on Xia Lun's shoulder, her breath sweet like orchids. "No need."