Chapter 20
Zhu Ye had, after all, transferred twenty thousand yuan to her. Fu Xia wasn’t about to completely ignore him.
She was just about to explain herself when a loud crash echoed from behind them. She whipped her head around and saw someone had been thrown against the wall of the second floor of the academic building. The impact was so forceful it had created a deep crater in the wall. It was impossible to tell if the person was dead or alive.
Fu Xia: …
Is Pei Wang’s strength for real? That person he threw must be dead, right?
Zhu Ye, as if he knew nothing, asked, “What’s going on over there…?”
She had never expected the fight to be this brutal. But she was still not far from the storm’s center, and she was worried that if that group dealt with Pei Wang, they would come after her next.
She turned to Zhu Ye. “I’m sorry for hitting your hand, but can we talk after we’re a little farther away?”
Without waiting for his answer, Fu Xia simply walked around him and limped away from the center of the conflict.
Zhu Ye stood in place, watching the area where Pei Wang and the other half-breeds were fighting. If Fu Xia had turned back at that moment, she would have seen an expression on his face completely different from before, his eyebrows slightly raised, looking nothing at all like an enthusiastic, energetic golden retriever.
Zhu Ye retracted his gaze and turned to follow her. With his long legs, he caught up to her in just a few steps. “Senior, it’s really loud over there. Are you sure we don’t need to check it out?”
Without turning her head, Fu Xia said, “Then you go check it out.” Curiosity killed the cat, but she respected his right to choose his own fate.
“Nah, I think I’ll stick with you, senior,” Zhu Ye said.
Fu Xia was focused only on walking forward and didn’t see the smile that curved his lips, his brilliant golden eyes shining.
She was moving slowly now, the two of them practically shuffling along the walkway as the sounds of battle continued behind them.
Zhu Ye hadn’t specifically come looking for her tonight. But since the Progenitor’s chosen human was right in front of him, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight.
…Anyway, I wasn’t planning on dealing with that noble Prince today. Let that cannon fodder wear him out.
“Senior, does this kind of thing happen often at this school?” Zhu Ye asked.
“I don’t think so,” Fu Xia replied. “This is the first time I’ve seen anything like it since I enrolled.”
“What if there’s an accident…”
“That has nothing to do with me. You’re my witness.”
From the sound of it, Fu Xia didn’t care at all about Pei Wang’s safety. She also didn’t seem to know about the existence of vampires, so her current lack of concern wasn’t a sign of her faith in his abilities. It was just indifference.
This is excellent news, Zhu Ye thought.
These pure-blood vampires had lived a life of ease for too long; they had no idea how to win a human’s affection. An arrogant Prince like Pei Wang probably thought that the moment he appeared, humans would just offer up their love on a silver platter. At that thought, the smile on Zhu Ye’s lips grew even brighter.
Fu Xia’s impression of him was quite good, so she added, “Things have been a little tense lately. You should probably head back to your dorm early at night.” He looked rich, but he wasn’t from the Night Division like Pei Wang and Xie Rin. If he got caught up in this mess, he might end up like the student who had “died by accident” the other day.
Zhu Ye nodded, and then, remembering she couldn’t see him, said, “Oh, I see. Thanks for the warning, senior.”
“…But did you twist your ankle while you were running? It looks a little serious.”
The question prompted Fu Xia to recall the entire ankle-twisting incident. She’d been fine before he mentioned it, but now the image of Pei Wang’s arrogant face popped into her mind, and her ankle started to throb even more. The sounds of the fight were still audible in the distance, and she felt a wave of irritation.
She was silent for two seconds. “…Something like that. I’m going to the infirmary to get some medicine.”
Fu Xia suddenly felt a light tap on her shoulder. Before she could react, the person behind her swept her up into his arms.
“Pardon the intrusion, senior,” Zhu Ye said.
Fu Xia looked up and was met with the line of his jaw. His golden, puppy-like eyes were now focused straight ahead, as if he were too shy to look directly at her. When he held her, he used a “gentleman’s hand,” his fist loosely clenched so it didn’t touch her body.
Fu Xia could clearly hear the tension in his voice. “If you keep walking on it, your foot will definitely get worse.”
He added in a small voice, “If you’re scared, you can put your arms around my neck.”
He seemed so innocent. As he spoke, the tips of his ears turned bright red, and in the moonlight, she could see the blush spread down the side of his face and neck.
Fu Xia really was walking too slowly, and she wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Weighing the pros and cons, she whispered a “thank you.”
Zhu Ye’s arms are very strong, she thought.
This was completely different from when Xie Rin had carried her. Although Xie Rin was tall, he was a girl, with a slender build not much different from her own. But Zhu Ye was different. She could feel the muscles in his arms and chest, and the masculine scent emanating from him made even her, who had no strange thoughts, feel a little dazed.
From her angle, she could see the two striking black earrings among his swaying hair.
Zhu Ye noticed her gaze, deliberately tilted his head, and smiled brightly. “You’re welcome, senior. You took me to the infirmary last time, so it’s my turn to take you this time.”
The wave of youthful energy that washed over her made it impossible for her to look away. Her face felt hot, and she instinctively raised a hand to her nose to hide her expression.
…Not many people dislike handsome guys, right?
Especially a handsome guy who was so considerate and hard to refuse. He was infinitely better than anyone else she had met at Lorenz.
Just then, Zhu Ye’s voice turned a little hurt. “Senior, you haven’t replied to my message in a whole day… Was I talking too much and bothering you?”
“N-no, not at all. I just didn’t look at my phone.”
“Then… can you say yes, senior?” he asked, referring to his invitation to dinner.
Fu Xia didn’t know why he was so insistent. She certainly wasn’t narcissistic enough to think a rich young master like him would be interested in her after just one meeting. Perhaps it was because he had never been rejected before, and he had to keep trying until she agreed?
Since he helped me out tonight, agreeing to one meal should be fine, right? The thought quickly took over her mind.
“Does senior not like being the center of attention?” Zhu Ye’s eyes curved, and he said considerately, “Is Saturday convenient? I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant. It’s off-campus and has private rooms… very discreet.”
He had guessed her concerns. Vampires were blessed with good looks, and Zhu Ye had always known how to use his to his advantage. A carefully crafted style, a perfectly prepared angle for the camera—all to ensure he was at his most charming in front of his prey. If they were seen together at school, unless the area was cleared like tonight, she would be all over the campus forum.
“Don’t worry, senior. No one will see us,” Zhu Ye said.
Lorenz Academy allowed students to live on campus long-term, even during holidays. Her family’s house certainly had no room for her now; it had probably been converted into a storage room. And renting a place off-campus during the holidays would be an extra expense. So, Fu Xia had been living at the school. On weekends, she usually studied in the library. She definitely had time for a meal.
“Okay, thank you,” Fu Xia said.
Zhu Ye walked quickly. As he carried her, the sounds of the fight soon faded into the distance. The infirmary was just ahead.
He calmly ignored the nurse’s stares, bent down slightly, and brought his eyes level with hers. The young man rested his hands on his knees and gave her a brilliant smile.
“See you on Saturday, then, senior.”