Chapter 18: The Sweet, Soft Little Rabbit

Tara spent until midnight revising her work.

Before meeting Killian that afternoon, she had felt fairly confident in her first draft of Light-In. But after seeing him, she realized her initial version was lacking.

The progenitor of the high-cold vampire race? A handsome face and an unapproachable, imposing aura?

Killian was a living inspiration!

In comparison, her first draft was handsome enough, but it lacked that dangerous, authoritative presence that commanded respect without a word.

But now...

Tara stared unblinkingly at the new character design on her screen and unhesitatingly opened Killian’s WeChat.

Tara: [Killian, are you asleep yet?]

She asked, though she knew he wasn't. Lately, he had been suffering from insomnia until very late almost every night.

As expected, a reply came back quickly.

Killian: [No. What is it?]

Tara: [I’ve redrawn a new version of Light-In’s image. Could you help me take another look?]

Without waiting for his answer, she sent the newly completed artwork.

In the executive dormitory, Killian gazed at the drawing she had sent. After a moment, he replied with three words: [Finalized. Good work.]

Seeing this, Tara couldn't help but feel a surge of joy: [Yay! Awesome!]

She followed up with an emoji of a happy piglet spinning in circles.

Killian looked at the emoji, gave a faint smile, and turned off his phone. But less than two seconds later, another message arrived.

This time, it was a voice message.

He pressed play, and the girl’s sweet, soft voice rang out clearly in the quiet bedroom.

[Killian, do you know who I used as inspiration for this version of Light-In?]

Killian’s long fingers moved as he sent back a single character: [?]

Tara curled her lip at the question mark.

Too taciturn.

No, she was determined to keep him talking until he fell asleep tonight!

Insomnia? Under her "hypnotic" chatter, it wouldn't stand a chance.

With that in mind, she simply initiated a voice call. Two seconds later, he picked up.

Before he could speak, Tara started talking: "The inspiration is you, Killian!"

Killian’s voice was unreadable: "Me?"

"Mhm!" Tara lay on her bed, propping her chin up with one hand as she smiled. "Killian, you are so serious when you work. You're as stern as my dad when he’s about to use family discipline on me."

What kind of terrible description is that?

Killian raised an eyebrow, amused and exasperated: "Like your father?"

"Yup~" Tara chuckled. "It's a compliment! It means you're exceptionally mature!"

"Is that so?" Killian’s voice rose slightly; he sounded like he was laughing, or perhaps just provoked. "Should I thank you for the praise, then?"

"No need to be so polite. If you like it, I can praise you like that more often."

After her teasing, Tara couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.

Her ethereal, soft voice broke through the stagnant silence. In that moment, the chaotic and irritable nerves in his head miraculously calmed down.

Even Killian didn't notice that his habitually furrowed brows had begun to relax.

"By the way, Killian, I’ve finished reading all the setting files. I think every male lead’s storyline is written wonderfully."

"If I hadn't known beforehand that you were a guy, I would have thought the Chief Planner was a girl!"

Killian laid back, placing his phone on the pillow. He closed his eyes slightly and asked softly, "Why?"

Tara explained: "Because I feel like every male lead has very upright values. Most importantly, they are especially respectful toward girls. It really makes one’s heart flutter."

"The Chief Planner is like the mother of a game, so Killian, you must be a person who respects girls very much..."

Once she started, she couldn't stop. She went from asking about the character settings to the inspiration for the game, and why he chose to make an otome game.

Most of the time, Killian simply listened to her speak, occasionally offering a short "Mhm."

Unknowingly, an hour passed.

Tara noticed that the other side had suddenly gone completely silent. Listening closely, she could hear even, shallow breathing.

Killian was asleep.

Confirming this, Tara felt a massive sense of achievement! This "all-nighter champion" and "demon king of insomnia" had finally fallen asleep!

Tara smiled and sent one last voice message: "Goodnight, Killian. Sweet dreams."

With that, she turned off her phone and closed her eyes in exhaustion.

Killian did indeed have a good dream that night. The horrific, bloody scenes that had tormented him for years did not appear for once.

He dreamed he suddenly had a little rabbit—white and very soft to hold. The little thing loved to cling to him, acting spoiled and asking for hugs. When he was in a bad mood, it would intentionally twitch its fluffy ears to make him happy.

Occasionally, when it felt wronged, it would silently gaze at him with amber eyes, looking pitiful and adorable.

It was like falling into a dream-like, gentle harbor—healing and warm.

A night of good dreams lasted until dawn.

"Ah!"

The next day, in Dorm 105 at the university.

Tara had returned to school for her morning classes and went back to the dorm to grab her tablet. But the moment she opened the door and stepped inside, her foot slipped on something slick, and she tumbled forward.

Her knee, which had just recently finished healing from her last injury, was scraped and bloodied again.

Tears sprang to her eyes from the pain. She looked back at the culprit that had tripped her: a disgusting, gnawed chicken bone.

"Oh, you're back?"

The bathroom door opened and closed as Daisy stepped out. Seeing Tara on the floor, Daisy looked surprised for a second, but after a brief hesitation, she returned to her seat expressionlessly.

"Daisy, did you throw this bone here?" Tara asked, staggering to her feet.

"Yeah," Daisy admitted bluntly.

Tara limped back to her chair, blowing on her knee. She looked at Daisy and suggested gently, "Daisy, next time, please throw it in the trash can."

Falling was one thing, but Tara couldn't stand the thought of attracting cockroaches or mice.

Hearing this, Daisy suddenly scoffed and looked at Tara with annoyance. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you mocking me for being unrefined?"

Tara was stunned. "What? No, I'm not?"

"Stop acting. It's written all over your face!" Daisy sneered.

"No, you misunderstood. It's just that my knee really—"

"Enough, shut up!" Daisy interrupted her.

"This is just how I live. if you, a pampered young lady, can't get used to it, then move out. I won't stop you."

With that, she sat down and went back to watching her idol drama.

After being bombarded by Daisy’s hostility, even Tara’s good temper was reaching its limit. Her delicate brows knitted slightly. "Daisy, what is wrong with you? Did I do something to upset you?"