The Game Heroine's Cannon Fodder Leopard Cub - Chapter 45

Yi’an noticed Nora’s expression relax slightly.

Yi’an stared intently into Nora’s eyes, then gently brushed her hand away with a paw, smiling as she said, “What are you worried about? I’m lucky and resilient.”

Even as she said this, she feared Nora would continue scolding her, so she quickly changed the subject. “I want to wash up. My fur feels completely filthy.”

Afraid she might hurt herself again, Nora couldn’t help but frown and try to stop her. “Your wounds have only just healed, and you’re still incredibly weak. You should rest first.”

Yi’an quickly explained, “Before, I had just regained consciousness, and my functions hadn’t fully recovered. But look, I’m much better now.”

Before she could finish speaking, she swiftly transformed back into her human form and even sat up, grinning at Nora.

Yi’an’s sudden transformation caught Nora completely off guard. Without the leopard fur to conceal her, she immediately realized her predicament: she was completely naked.

She hurriedly threw on her outer robe, her face flushing crimson as she turned away. “Turn around,” she mumbled.

Nora’s expression was particularly charming, and Yi’an’s heart stirred. She couldn’t resist leaning closer, affectionately pressing against Nora’s neck and whispering, “I didn’t notice before, but you look so beautiful right now.”

Nora tightened her outer robe, the corners of her eyes crinkling slightly, but she playfully scolded, “Smooth talker.”

Yi’an’s bones instantly felt half-melted. She shifted closer, leaned in to Nora’s ear, and said earnestly, “You’re wrong. I genuinely feel that way.”

Nora turned her face, meeting Yi’an’s gaze. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. She knew Yi’an was trying to lighten the mood and ease her tension, but Nora found it impossible to shake off the shackles of guilt.

If not for her, Yi’an would never have suffered such severe injuries. Even seeing her miraculously recover couldn’t erase the lingering guilt and helplessness that weighed heavily on Nora’s heart.

Nora gently wrapped her arms around Yi’an’s neck, tilted her head back, and kissed her lips.

Perhaps, at the very least, she could help Yi’an gain more Sacred Beast Power.

Yi’an’s eyes widened in surprise. Just moments ago, Nora had been as shy as a startled fawn, yet now she was taking the lead so boldly.

Normally, Yi’an preferred not to overthink things, unless an emergency forced her to use her wits. The last time they had been physically intimate was at the underwater hotel. Now, having narrowly escaped death and with her mind at ease, she found it even harder to resist the advances of her beloved.

She couldn’t help but slip her hand inside Nora’s coat, wrap her arm around her smooth waist, and meet her lips and tongue with fervor.

Nora, however, abandoned her earlier passivity and responded with unexpected intensity. In the end, it was Yi’an who had to gently pat her back to break them apart.

Pressing their foreheads together, Yi’an asked curiously after a moment of heavy breathing, “What’s wrong?”

Instead of answering, Nora urgently pressed her lips to Yi’an’s again.

“Stop, stop, stop!” Yi’an straightened her arms, pushing against Nora’s shoulders. “Nora, what’s really wrong? Please tell me.”

Nora shook her head, gazing at her with a soft smile. “I just missed you so much.”

Yi’an remained skeptical. Just as she was about to press further, Nora quickly shook her hand. “You wanted to take a bath, right? I’ll… I’ll go run the water for you.”

Before Yi’an could react, Nora had already sprung up and hurried toward the bathroom.

Yi’an blinked, her suspicion growing, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why Nora was acting so strangely. Perhaps… it really was because she missed her so much?

That makes sense, she thought. I was so badly injured this time. It must have terrified her. Yi’an nodded to herself inwardly, resolving to be more careful in the future.

Convinced she had solved the mystery, Yi’an’s expression relaxed. She glanced toward the bathroom, her eyes gleaming mischievously. In a flash, she transformed into a little leopard cub and scampered toward the bathroom on her short legs.

Nora was running the bathwater when the little leopard cub burst in, catching her completely off guard.

Seeing Yi’an meowing and purring in her nonsensical feline language, Nora’s mood instantly lightened. She even had to suppress a chuckle.

Without hesitation, Nora scooped up the little leopard and gently began cleaning its soft fur in the tub.

Having gotten her wish—a thorough massage from head to tail—and successfully cheered Nora up, Yi’an’s spirits soared. She transformed back into her human form and insisted on giving Nora a thorough scrub herself.

With everything done, the two finally settled back into bed.

Yi’an lay sprawled on the pillow, gazing at Nora’s rosy cheeks before asking about her time unconscious. “I remember briefly waking up, but then I passed out again, right?”

Nora turned to her side, gently stroking Yi’an’s neck with her fingertips, feeling the strong, steady pulse. “You didn’t just pass out…” she murmured.

She paused, then carefully explained Yi’an’s condition at the time. Though Yi’an had not only regained consciousness but was also recovering remarkably quickly, the fleeting glimpse of her fading toward death didn’t seem like a hallucination.

Yi’an listened intently to Nora’s description, equally puzzled. Based on her understanding of her own body, wounds of that severity should have been fatal, or at least left her with little chance of survival. Yet…

She touched her back, now covered in hardened scabs, some already sprouting new flesh.

“Perhaps…” Nora ventured, seeing Yi’an’s confusion, “it was the Life Divine Spark at work?”

Yi’an shook her head. “The Life Divine Spark isn’t Divine Power. It couldn’t have such a potent effect.”

Noticing Nora still deep in thought, Yi’an tugged at her hand, interrupting with a smile. “Forget about it! Maybe the Sacred Beast Power I awakened last time has a beginner’s protection period.”

Hearing Yi’an’s playful teasing, Nora couldn’t help but laugh along.

She looked up, gazing into Yi’an’s clear, bright eyes, her heart softening like spring water. How wonderful, she thought, to have such a lively and adorable Yi’an by my side.

Noticing Nora’s relaxed expression, Yi’an felt the weight in her own heart lift. She leaned closer and asked, “Nora, are you tired?”

Nora immediately recognized Yi’an’s ulterior motive and warned her, “Your wound hasn’t fully healed yet. You shouldn’t move around too much.”

Yi’an’s eyes darted guiltily. “I wasn’t planning on moving around too much,” she protested. “I just wanted to talk to you more.”

Nora glared at her. “You’d better not be.”

Yi’an wrinkled her nose and let out a dry chuckle, then subtly edged closer, wrapping her arms around Nora’s waist. “Don’t you want to?” she whispered.

Nora’s heart raced, her thoughts drifting back to those weightless moments in the underwater hotel. The memories of their shared madness and passion surged like the vortex beneath the island, and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on her back.

Seeing the blush creeping up Nora’s ears and her body not resisting her embrace, Yi’an immediately understood that Nora felt the same way.

“I’ll be careful,” she murmured.

With that, she gently stroked Yi’an’s smooth, delicate skin, slowly massaging her tense body (it was a massage!).

Outside the window, birds chirped as they landed on the peach tree. The white peaches gradually ripened, revealing a faint blush of red that deepened to a rich crimson under the birds’ pecking.

The commotion outside momentarily disrupted Nora’s breathing, which grew ragged and heavy. Her eyes began to glisten, and her full, red lips parted slightly.

Yi’an’s throat bobbed as she leaned in, unable to resist pressing a light kiss to the corner of Nora’s lips.

Nora kept her eyes tightly shut, her rapid breathing, flushed cheeks, and the playful birds outside nearly overwhelmed her senses. But she refused to let her thoughts wander.

She opened her eyes and saw another small bird land on a delicate flower bud. Mimicking the others, it twisted and pecked at the bud with its beak.

The shy bud trembled, then tentatively unfurled a tiny corner as the bird’s skillful pecking grew more confident.

Nora didn’t miss the movement. She pushed Yi’an’s hand aside and leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She braced herself carefully with her right hand, making sure not to press on Yi’an’s wound.

Nora slowly closed the distance, gently caressing Yi’an’s wound. Her fingertips glided casually across the skin, but when they brushed against the newly formed granulation tissue beneath the scab, Yi’an trembled and tensed from the ticklish sensation.

Nora looked up, her usually unwavering gaze now tinged with a hint of vulnerable restraint. A fierce fire ignited in her chest.

She couldn’t help but lower her head, pressing a tender kiss against Yi’an’s skin, treating her with the utmost care, as if she were a precious treasure.

Outside the window, a small bird tilted its head, eyeing another blooming peach blossom. It dipped its beak to peck at the tiny droplets of water nestled within the flower’s heart.

That bird is so annoying, Yi’an thought, raising a hand to shield her eyes. But the darkness only amplified her hearing, making her instinctively want to pull away, yet she was drawn back to her original position.

As Nora’s breathing grew more rapid, she redoubled her efforts. For a moment, the air hung still, and then, in the next instant, a distant volcano erupted violently.

But Nora knew she wasn’t afraid of the heat. She would strive to catch every drop of lava, and if any slipped through, she would let it burn slowly against her chest.

After the passionate encounter subsided, Nora lay back down beside Yi’an, pulling the dazed woman into her arms.

As she gently stroked Yi’an’s back, preparing to speak, she was suddenly startled by Yi’an’s actions.

Yi’an abruptly surged forward, pushing through the damp alleyway entrance, panting heavily as she laughed, “You should have told me the flood was coming. After all, it’s better to let it flow than try to dam it up.”

Her burning breath brushed Nora’s ear. Surprised by Yi’an’s lingering energy, Nora tilted her head slightly, only to find her lips meeting Yi’an’s.

Yi’an’s arms tightened, her mouth never still.

Nora’s mind went blank. She began to wonder if she was on land or underwater.

Yi’an noticed her reaction and couldn’t help but smile, seizing the moment to press her advantage.

Nora’s hands involuntarily moved to Yi’an’s back, pausing briefly before reluctantly pulling away.

Straining on her toes, her dazed eyes seemed to glimpse the snow-capped peaks of the frozen mountains in the Morong Highlands.

Moments later, the snow-capped peaks had completely melted.