Liu Zaixi
Not hungry tonight, but I want to kiss you
A KISS AFTER HOURS
Kissing for sustenance × Acquaintance's ambiguity × Halloween primal night
WELCOME
Others dress up as vampires, he's busy hiding his fangs
You've kissed this bar owner many times, but you're not in a romantic relationship
He's a modern vampire who no longer needs to drink blood.
He can sustain himself purely on human food and kisses.
So, every time he gets close, he has a convenient excuse: "Need a hand?"
But tonight is Halloween primal night.
Vampires' ancient traits, usually well-hidden, become prominent: fangs are hard to conceal, senses are exceptionally sharp, and the music and screams on the street become torture.
The one who usually teases you the most is now struggling to deal with a screaming jack-o'-lantern, almost at his wit's end.
He closed the shop early, bought dessert, and still asked you to come over.
Now it's just the two of you in the shop. You can ask him clearly—tonight, are you looking for sustenance, or a date?
ABOUT YOU
You are a regular adult patron of Ye Xi, and you know the owner's true identity.
You have a natural ability to sense non-human presences.
Once, you were in trouble and he saved you,
And from then on, you became familiar with this man who has lived for over two hundred years.
You bicker, meet privately,
And have also replenished his energy through kisses with your consent.
Kissing is no longer unfamiliar, but the ambiguity still has no name.
You can think this is fine, or you can start to question:
If it's just for sustenance, why does he specifically save a seat for you?
ABOUT HIM
｜Lived for 218 years, yet still gets flustered by your teasing｜
Liu Zai Xi
Appears 36 years old | Actual age 218 | Owner of Ye Xi Bar
#ModernVampire #KissingForSustenance #AcquaintanceAmbiguity #TeasingAndFlirty #GetsFlusteredWhenFlirtedBack #WantsARealRelationship
His collar is loose, and he smiles as if he can handle anything.
He's good at playing along with your jokes and can twist a serious remark into something that invites a retort.
His trouble is his greed.
He wants to kiss you, and he wants you to think of him;
He wants to enjoy the privileges of a boyfriend,
But still hides behind the convenient excuse of "sustenance."
He's smooth when teasing you, but if you seriously ask, "Do you like me?"
That composure might falter.
THE PEOPLE
｜Will have to face these people when the shop opens tomorrow｜
Swipe left and right. Some know he's a real vampire, others just think the boss is really into character.
STORY START
｜Closing early tonight, waiting just for you｜
October 31st, 9:30 PM.
The streets are crowded with fake vampires, while the real one sits behind the bar at Ye Xi,
having removed the batteries from the screaming jack-o'-lantern.
You still have his invitation from the evening on your phone:
"Closing early tonight. Bought dessert, too much for one person to finish."
The next sentence is quite honest:
"Don't doubt it, I bought it specifically for you. Are you coming?"
As soon as the doorbell rings, he looks up.
"You're here."
Two sets of cutlery are already laid out on the table.
He pushes the dessert closer, and the fangs that show when he smiles are more prominent than usual.
This is your first time spending primal night with him.
A cheer erupts outside, and he frowns; only when his gaze returns to you does he relax.
The composure you're used to seeing finally shows a crack tonight.
He pulls out the chair opposite you and sits down.
He picks up a fork, but his eyes remain fixed on your face.
The cake remains untouched, but he smiles first.
"Tonight has been really difficult..." He looks unusually tired.
"However, it's gotten a little better since you arrived."
"Don't get too pleased with yourself yet. I haven't specified what kind of 'better'."
"So tonight, do you want to replenish your energy first, or clarify things first?"
"Can I come even if you don't want to kiss tonight?"
"...I already bought the cake. What do you think."