Chapter 29: The Vampire’s Prey (29)
For a moment, Yu Jiao didn’t know what to say.
…This feels like a death-trap of a multiple-choice question.
The room was silent and dark. She couldn’t see a thing, only feel the two gloved hands holding hers, a perfect fit. The gesture was gentle, yet it was like a bear trap, creating the illusion of being unable to breathe.
Seeing that she was silent, neither of them rushed her. They were like patient hunters, waiting for the prey to walk into the trap on its own.
“…”
A long silence.
The young woman frowned and said softly, “…No. I’m not choosing.”
A soft laugh.
Her childish, awkward tone provoked a teasing response from one of them. “What? Only children make choices. Adults want it all?”
As he spoke, his low, husky, smiling voice was right by her ear, his breath a ghostly whisper. “It’s not entirely out of the question, you know.”
The deliberately seductive voice made Yu Jiao’s ears burn.
Just then, the other’s large hand slipped under the hem of her clothes, caressing her with a highly suggestive touch. The slightly rough fabric of the glove brushed against her skin, sending a tingling, electric current through her.
…Her waist went weak.
Her body had just experienced intense pleasure the day before and was still sensitive. Now, sensing the familiar presence and touch, it was already crumbling.
The thick darkness gradually grew warmer.
A glint flashed in Yu Jiao’s eyes. Although desire was mounting, her gaze was completely calm.
She took a deep breath, calming the clamoring desire within her.
After the initial test, she deduced: the one on the right, with the flirtatious voice, was Xie Zhenye. The one on the left, who didn’t speak but acted directly, was Xie Yanchuan.
Although the twins’ physical attributes were nearly identical, and their deliberate concealment was quite confusing, their styles of action were completely different. It was easy to tell them apart by focusing on the details.
Yu Jiao was confident she had the upper hand.
—As long as I don’t mistake one for the other and play along with this ‘wedding night’, I’ll most likely pass the level safely.
With that thought, she put on an expression of resistance. “I don’t want to play this game, and I don’t want to make any choice.”
Though it was a firm refusal, her tone was uncontrollably light and soft. At the same time, she pushed the mischievous hand away with a weak force.
But the large hand, as if in rebellion, instead pinned her hand and, with a bent index finger, slowly traced circles in her palm.
‘Xie Yanchuan’ held her hand and said coolly, “Jiao Jiao is not being good.”
As he spoke, he guided her hand downwards.
He let out a soft laugh, his voice growing a little husky. “You see… you say one thing but mean another.”
Yu Jiao closed her eyes.
Unable to struggle, the rustling sounds entered her ears, and her cheeks gradually flushed a bright red.
On her right, ‘Xie Zhenye’s’ hand slowly slipped into her collar, while his other hand wrapped around her trembling neck, his fingertips pressing meaningfully on her carotid artery, as if feeling the rapid flow of blood beneath the skin, his thumb grinding and caressing.
“Jiao Jiao, your body temperature is so high.”
“…”
She was already powerless to think, her pushes growing weaker.
Like a defeated soldier, she wanted to climb the highest mountain, to forget the battlefield, to live a carefree life in the wild.
“…”
“And now?”
Like a demon from a fairy tale, luring one to their fall, their voices asked softly.
“Jiao Jiao, who do you want now?”
“…”
The sudden stop in their movements made Yu Jiao open her hazy eyes and blink slowly.
She whimpered like a kitten and said with dissatisfaction, “Can’t I choose both?”
One of them couldn’t help but chuckle. “What a spineless little thing. A few minutes ago, you looked like you’d rather die than submit.”
The other’s lips curved, and he answered softly, “Later, you can. But for now, you must make a choice.”
Yu Jiao: “…Vindictive, petty, and fussy.”
After her curse, her viscous thoughts began to turn.
A drunken impulse told her: Just pick one. You’ll at least raise one of their affection levels, and you can stir up trouble between them at the same time. You can always soothe the other’s jealousy later.
But the last shred of her reason reminded her: In the game’s initial setting, she had a crush on Xie Yanchuan and had even tried to climb into his bed.
And so, Yu Jiao hooked her hand around his.
“…Yanchuan.”
Her soft, sweet voice sounded, the end of it like a hook, as if it were electrified. It was the sweetest poison, the most alluring trap.
The moment she spoke, a brief silence fell in the room.
‘Xie Yanchuan’ let out a very cold laugh.
He slowly took her hand and said, unhurriedly, “So Jiao Jiao chooses me?”
Before she could answer, ‘Xie Zhenye’ suddenly seized her chin and lifted it unyieldingly. He looked down at her, his gloved thumb pressing hard against the pearl of her lip.
“Are you sure, Jiao Jiao?”
His voice was light and chillingly cold.
Yu Jiao didn’t realize the danger yet, only thinking that he was dissatisfied with the result.
She frowned. “Let me go— Mmph!”
He did indeed let go, but as she spoke, he thrust his fingers into her mouth, his two long fingers clamping down on her small tongue. The thick glove was soaked, exuding a cold aura.
“Wrong answer.”
Just then, the system notification belatedly arrived:
【Capture Target Blackening Level: 30%】
【Capture Target Blackening Level: 40%】
Yu Jiao’s breath caught. After the confusion faded, her reason instantly returned.
…What the hell! Why did it go up??
The system had broadcasted it twice, without a clear indication of who the blackening level belonged to.
A sliver of cool moonlight leaked in from a crack in the curtains, bringing a few patches of bright, faint light. Yu Jiao could now see a little better.
‘Xie Zhenye’ was kneeling on the bed, facing her from a short distance. He was looking down at her, his hand lifting her chin, his expressionless face slowly twisting his fingers.
And she, in a passive position, like a hooked fish, had her head thrown back, her pale, slender neck exposed. She could hardly breathe, only able to make small, weak, whimpering protests.
Suddenly, a figure loomed behind her, and a hot kiss was planted on the side of her trembling, exposed neck.
Yu Jiao struggled to turn her head, her pleading gaze fixed on him.
As if her hopes were not in vain, ‘Xie Yanchuan’ gave a smile. “I, on the other hand, think Jiao Jiao answered very well. She should be rewarded.”
As he spoke, he stared at her and, slowly and deliberately, bit the tip of his glove, pulling it off. As he did, the beautiful lines of his jaw, Adam’s apple, and neck looked wild and sensual in the moonlight.
He spat out the glove. His large hand rested on the small of her back, then slowly moved up to her collarbone, his bent finger wiping away the saliva that had dripped from her mouth.
Like a spark, the touch was scorching hot.
Belatedly, Yu Jiao’s eyes widened.
“You will be rewarded by not having to choose anymore. You can enjoy the service of two people in advance.”
“Jiao Jiao has finally gotten her wish. Are you happy?”
…
…
【Capture Target Blackening Level: 50%… 55%… 60%… 62%… 67%… 70%】
…
…
The next day.
After being forced to play “Guess Who I Am” all night, Yu Jiao was completely limp, without a shred of strength left. She could only stare resentfully at the ceiling.
—Those two were definitely pretending to be each other at the beginning of last night!
…And, can someone tell me why the blackening level got higher and higher the more we did it??
Under Yu Jiao’s questioning, the system, which had been playing dead, finally popped up and said weakly:
【Sorry, host. The formula for calculating the blackening level is confidential.】
【The only thing I can reveal is: if the blackening level maxes out, there is a very high probability of triggering the {Liebestod} bad ending.】
Yu Jiao: “…”
? At this rate, won’t I have to commit a love-suicide with the twins after just two more times?
Yu Jiao immediately sat up.
No.
I have to find a way to escape this dangerous little black room.
Just then, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pressed her back down onto the bed. Then, a messy head of hair burrowed into the crook of her neck, his hot breath washing over her. His voice was low and husky. “…Why are you up?”
She was pulled into his arms, enveloped in his clean, sun-like scent. Xie Zhenye sleepily kissed her forehead. “Jiao Jiao worked too hard last night. You should sleep a little longer.”
Yu Jiao: “.”
And whose fault is that?
At the same time, the sound of water from the bathroom stopped.
The door opened, and amidst the steam, a tall, slender figure emerged, toweling his hair.
He was wearing impeccably tailored trousers, but his upper body was bare. His muscles were firm and defined, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a beautiful V-line disappearing into his trousers. Droplets of water clung to his pale, white skin, glistening seductively in the sunlight.
…Yu Jiao, disappointingly, felt a pang of desire.
Xie Yanchuan approached and leaned down. A cool fragrance washed over her. His quiet eyes looked at her.
“Good morning.”
Yu Jiao struggled and held out her arms to him pleadingly.
A gesture asking to be held.
A flicker of a smile crossed Xie Yanchuan’s eyes. He took her hands and pulled her from Xie Zhenye’s clingy embrace. Yu Jiao took the opportunity to wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He held her steady, his eyes lowered, and planted a light kiss on the side of her neck, which was covered in red marks.
Xie Zhenye’s arms were now empty. He propped himself up on the bed and, like a lazy lion, narrowed his eyes and yawned.
The thin blanket slipped down, revealing his equally superb broad shoulders and narrow waist, as perfect as a classical Greek statue. The scratch marks on his back and the bite marks on his shoulder and neck added a secret, wild beauty.
He rolled out of bed and grumbled, “Jiao Jiao is so heartless.”
With that, he moved to pounce on her.
Yu Jiao gave him no chance to get close, clinging tightly to Xie Yanchuan. “Don’t come any closer! Put on some clothes!”
“No, unless I get a good morning kiss,” Xie Zhenye teased her shamelessly.
“In your dreams!”
As they bickered, a darkness began to rise in Xie Zhenye’s eyes, and Yu Jiao’s rubbing was also starting to arouse Xie Yanchuan. He had to interrupt. “That’s enough. We have to deal with those troublesome old men today.”
Xie Zhenye pouted. “Fine.”
Hearing this, a glint appeared in Yu Jiao’s eyes.
—It seems the two of them won’t be back for a while.
After another round of affection, the twins finally left, reluctantly.
Once she was sure they were gone, Yu Jiao dragged her “broken” body and began to make a commotion in the room.
…
Outside the door.
The blood servants on duty exchanged glances. The low, clattering sounds had been going on for several tens of minutes, and from time to time, they could hear the suppressed sobs of the Second Miss.
It sounded like she was in extreme pain.
Finally, after some discussion, one of them hesitantly knocked on the door. “Second Miss? Do you need help?”
The noise stopped, and a cold voice, trying to maintain its dignity, came through. “Leave me alone!”
…Which only made them more worried!
The blood servants grew anxious. “Second Miss, are you alright?”
After a long moment, a weak, pained voice sounded, like a proud cat, showing its belly to its human servant. “My… my old ailment is acting up. It hurts so much…”
The blood servants exchanged glances and pushed one forward to cautiously reply, “We will need to ask for instructions.”
This roundabout answer seemed to infuriate the person in the room. She began to wail:
“Instructions for what! I’m in so much pain I’m about to die! If anything happens to me, do you think Xie Yanchuan and Xie Zhenye will let you off?”
The blood servants looked at each other hesitantly.
…Indeed, anyone who wasn’t blind could see how much the new family heads valued this young lady.
“Then what can we do for you?”
“My medicine and all my luggage are at the Xue family’s. Go and find Xue Zhu and have him bring them here,” Yu Jiao ordered.
The blood servants: “This… this…!”
They said with difficulty, “Second Miss, it’s not that we’re unwilling. It’s just that we can’t do it.”
Of course, Yu Jiao knew they couldn’t. She continued to pressure them angrily, “Then why did you meddle in the first place? You got my hopes up for nothing… I’ll die of pain without my medicine! Just leave me alone!”
“Second Miss…”
Another round of clattering and sobbing.
Just as the blood servants were at their wits’ end, they heard a weak voice from inside the room. “Alright then, there’s one other way—”
“What is it?”
“The blood servant who used to serve me personally has some of my medicine. Call him here and have him bring it.”
A silence fell outside the door. After a moment of quiet discussion, one of them replied, “Alright. Second Miss, do you remember this blood servant’s number?”
Inside the room, Yu Jiao tapped her lips and let out a silent, soft laugh:
“Hmm… I believe it was… 011.”