Chapter 30: The Vampire’s Prey (30)
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Steady footsteps slowly approached.
They stopped outside the door.
“Senior.”
The blood servants on duty bowed respectfully. After a pause, they lowered their voices. “The Second Miss… hasn’t made a sound for a long time.”
“I know,” a deep, rich voice replied. “Open the door.”
Click, clack. The lock turned.
With a creak, the heavy door was pushed open. The hand on the doorknob paused. “I’ll go in and check. You don’t need to follow.”
The deep voice was gentle and broad, yet it left no room for argument.
“…Yes, Senior.”
The light from the hallway spread like a long red carpet across the dim, cool floor.
A leather shoe stepped onto the carpet of light and entered the room. A pair of broad shoulders blocked the harsh light and the prying eyes of the others. He closed the door gently behind him.
With that sliver of light gone, the room was plunged into a heavy darkness. Thick curtains blocked the daylight, and the room was filled with the cool air from the air conditioner.
The slender young woman sat on the edge of the bed with her back to him. All 011 could see was her silk-like hair, cascading down over the rise and fall of bone and flesh.
For a moment, he was reminded of a princess in a fairy tale, imprisoned in a high tower.
He couldn’t help but soften his breath. “Miss.”
The young woman didn’t turn around. “…You’re here,” she said softly.
011 paused. “Yes, I’m here. I heard that you…”
She cut him off. “Can you… come a little closer?”
Her voice was low, completely devoid of its former arrogance, stirring a strange sense of pity.
“Of course.”
Behind his mask, 011’s lips pressed together. He took a long stride and walked slowly towards her.
His field of vision was like a close-up shot that favored only her. The young woman’s figure gradually grew larger, her smooth, long hair, her delicate and beautiful profile, her slender neck, her pale…
011’s steps came to a sudden halt. His gaze dropped abruptly as if burned, and for a moment, his breathing grew frantic.
—The Miss was actually… naked.
In the dim room, her hair was like a waterfall, and she was nestled in the soft bedding. From the back, one could never have imagined the scene that lay before her…
After a moment of composing himself, a rich, concerned voice spoke:
“Miss, be careful not to catch a chill.”
011 kept his eyes respectfully lowered, his gaze fixed on the carpet. He took off his uniform jacket and draped the large, warm garment over her shoulders. Suddenly, a soft hand covered the back of his, stopping him from pulling away.
011’s lowered eyelashes twitched. He fought the urge to look up.
“…Miss?”
The young woman tilted her head up slightly and slowly looked toward him.
As she moved, the falling strands of her hair were like snakes, slithering across her pale, naked form.
She held his hand gently and stood up, walking closer step by step. Like a soul-devouring demon, she pressed herself against his rigid body.
“…”
011 was tall, and Yu Jiao was nearly twenty centimeters shorter. As she wrapped her arms around him, her cheek rested perfectly against his broad chest.
“…Miss.”
011 closed his eyes, his voice dry and hoarse. He remained motionless.
Her arms, like vines, wrapped around his neck. “…Don’t you like it?” she whispered.
011 kept his eyes closed, hoping to escape the temptation, but with his vision plunged into darkness, the physical sensations only became more distinct.
“You… shouldn’t be like this.”
After he spoke, he received no reply, only feeling the young woman’s soft body gradually pull away. A moment later, the sound of a faint, suppressed sob reached his ears.
He opened his eyes, stunned.
The young woman was facing him, her head bowed as she wept softly, her tears falling onto the carpet. Forgetting all propriety, his gaze suddenly fell upon her delicate body, which was covered in red marks.
011’s breath caught. “Miss, your body…?” he asked, his voice choked.
Because the room was dim and he had been deliberately avoiding looking, it was only now, being so close, that he finally noticed the ‘shocking’ injuries on her.
The young woman lifted her head, a single, precarious teardrop clinging to her sharp chin. Her lips formed a pout.
“011… it hurts so much…”
—A lie.
Yu Jiao’s skin was just particularly sensitive; even a light touch would leave a red mark. Although the twins had been exceedingly gentle, the passion had inevitably left her body covered in traces that wouldn’t fade away quickly, making her look quite pitiful.
A useful tool for garnering sympathy.
Not knowing what scenarios were playing out in his mind, 011’s eyes indeed filled with heartache. Seizing the opportunity, Yu Jiao pressed herself against him again.
“Can you… just hold me?”
Her breath was a cool, ghostly whisper as her arms, like water snakes, wrapped around his tense back.
011’s Adam’s apple bobbed. As if bewitched, he raised his hand. Just then, the jacket draped over her shoulders—swoosh—slid to the floor.
“It’s so cold.”
She shivered and tightened her arms. Like a hunter pulling a net taut.
011’s fingers curled. Slowly, he placed his large, warm, and calloused hand on her bare, smooth, and delicate back.
The young woman’s back was slender; he could almost cover half of it with a single hand.
Her body temperature was extremely low. Through the point where their skin touched, it felt as if she were drawing all the scorching heat from him.
011’s fingers were stiff, restraining the wandering desire, but she was relentless. Like a cold siren, her pale, slender arms climbed higher, her ghostly cool body pressing in tightly, as if trying to burrow into his chest.
“Help me.”
Entangled like this, 011 couldn’t help but bend down, holding her even tighter. But she pushed her advantage, rising up against his neck and biting his earlobe with her cool lips and teeth.
“Please?”
She whispered by his ear.
As she spoke, she bent a long, slender leg, her knee pressing up against him, not too heavily, not too lightly.
“…”
A muffled grunt.
011 could no longer restrain himself. He moved over her, pressing her down onto the soft bed nearby.
…
…
The soundproofing of the door was not very good. Before the blood servants on duty outside could grow suspicious, 011 took a deep breath and stood up to compose himself.
A slender, pale finger hooked onto his belt. The force was soft, yet it made it impossible for him to move.
The young woman lay sideways on the bed, propping her cheek on her hand. “Are you sure you don’t need to… take care of that?” she asked.
Her voice was leisurely, feigning concern, but it was laced with a wicked intent.
Behind his mask, 011’s lips pressed together. He didn’t know how to answer.
“Think carefully. Once this opportunity is gone, it’s gone for good.”
Yu Jiao tugged on his belt with a smile, enjoying his discomfort for a moment before letting go without a shred of reluctance. “Never mind. I won’t make things difficult for you.”
She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, saying without looking back:
“Get done what you promised me, and there will naturally be a reward.”
011 watched her slender, retreating figure, his eyes dark and obscure.
—Now that she had achieved her goal, she no longer bothered to hide her wicked nature.
He closed his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Alright.”
But he was already in too deep.
…
After her bath, Yu Jiao found that 011 had already left.
She nonchalantly dried her hair and pulled open the curtains. The afternoon sun was bright. Dressed in her bathrobe, Yu Jiao basked in the light, waiting quietly.
As the sun began to set, she suddenly heard several muffled thuds from outside the door.
It sounded like bodies hitting the floor.
Then, a blood servant knocked leisurely on the door.
“Miss, your milk.”
Yu Jiao let out a soft scoff. Leaning against the window sill, she said lazily, “Come in.”
Click. The heavy lock was opened.
A figure stepped into the room and walked slowly towards her.
Yu Jiao didn’t turn around. Her porcelain-white profile was tinged with the warm colors of the sunset, her gaze fixed distantly on the world outside.
The footsteps drew closer. A familiar presence, carrying the rich aroma of hot milk, enveloped her.
Yu Jiao leaned back, resting against a solid chest. She heard him let out a muffled laugh. Then, a blatant hand wrapped intimately around her waist, while the other considerately brought the glass to her lips.
The scent of milk teased her taste buds.
She drank, guided by his hand.
After she had finished, he placed the glass on a nearby table. He wrapped both arms around her waist, leaned down, and whispered a complaint by her ear, “I thought you had forgotten about me.”
As he spoke, his long fingers began to toy with the tie of her bathrobe. Under his nonchalant play, the knot grew looser and looser.
The loose bathrobe slid down, revealing one fragrant shoulder.
He paused, his gaze fixed on the faint red marks there with an unreadable expression. He released his hold on her, his fingertips pressing down with a slight force as they traced over the marks. “What did they do to you?”
Yu Jiao brushed his hand away and readjusted her bathrobe. Her tone was ambiguous. “Isn’t it obvious? Wei Changlin, stop with the meaningless talk. Get me out of here.”
She turned around, her cool, glistening grey eyes looking at him quietly.
Wei Changlin was currently disguised as a blood servant. The blank mask hid his expression, but his entire being radiated a lazy, untamed aura. Hearing her words, he narrowed his peach-blossom eyes and snorted, “Why would I? Isn’t it wonderful to have a night of revelry, my lady?”
He continued coolly, “You were so concerned about whether those two lived or died before. Now you can experience their life and death up close and personal. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”
—Dredging up old scores.
The young woman lowered her eyelashes in response to his sarcastic words.
“…Since you don’t want to help me, then just go.”
She pressed her lips together, her slender, pale hands pushing against his chest, trying to break free from his oppressive presence.
But instead, he seized her wrists and pulled her tightly into his embrace. Though the posture was intimate, he let out a cold, humorless laugh. “What? You can’t stand being with me for even a moment?”
The young woman struggled desperately, a low, aggrieved sob escaping her. “You bastard! Let me go!”
Wei Changlin was as unmovable as a mountain, holding her steady in his arms. He was about to say something more cutting, but the young woman suddenly stopped struggling. Her hands clenched his shirt, and she pressed her forehead against his chest, her body trembling with quiet sobs.
“Sob…”
Wei Changlin froze, as if he’d been hit with a club. The overwhelming jealousy faded, and he became completely calm.
He opened his lips, then closed them again. Silently, he placed a large hand on her slender back.
The gesture was almost gentle, but it only made the sobbing girl more agitated. She hammered his broad chest with her fists.
“It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t fed me that drug, I wouldn’t have become a traitor to the blood race, sob… And you made me steal secrets from the Xie family! Why are you so hateful!”
Wei Changlin stared at the fluffy top of her head with a complex expression. His Adam’s apple bobbed. Finally, he said in a low voice, “I’m sorry.”
“What good is ‘sorry’!?” She lifted her small face, revealing a tear-stained expression of both grievance and anger. Her red-rimmed eyes glared at him. Suddenly, she stood on her tiptoes and bit down hard on his shoulder.
Wei Changlin didn’t flinch. Instead, he obediently bent down, allowing her to get a better bite.
“…”
“What took you so long?” she cried, her voice muffled as she bit his shoulder, like an anxious little kitten.
Wei Changlin took a deep breath, his large hand gently stroking her hair.
The young woman’s dependent accusation left a hollow, sour feeling in his heart.
“I’m sorry. I was late,” he sighed.
Hearing this, the young woman paused, as if she were gradually calming down. After a moment, she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled his chin.
Then she froze and, as if to compensate, said angrily, “I don’t accept your apology!”
“Alright.”
Wei Changlin’s lips curved. “Whatever you say.”
Hearing this, she lifted her face slightly, revealing a pair of glistening, kitten-like eyes. “There’s a chance for you to make it up to me right now.”
They looked at each other. His peach-blossom eyes were like a gentle, drowning wave. After a moment, Wei Changlin’s eyes curved, and he suddenly bent down and lifted her into a bridal carry.
“Then let’s go.”
The young woman clutched his shirt in unease. “Wait, are we just going out like this? I haven’t even changed…”
Wei Changlin’s eyebrow arched. “What kind of clothes could they have prepared for you that would be convenient for an escape?”
Remembering the wardrobe full of wedding gowns, Yu Jiao fell silent.
“Don’t worry,” Wei Changlin drawled with a soft laugh. “I promise you won’t touch the ground. You’ll leave here in one piece.”
…
He carried her and walked brazenly out the door, past the unconscious, on-duty blood servants, and into the corridor.
The lights were dim, stretching their shadows. As night fell, the place grew even more sinister.
Since the twins had taken power, the Xie Manor had become like an impenetrable iron fortress. At regular intervals, a team of grim-faced blood servants patrolled.
Wei Changlin’s movements were light. Even while carrying a person, he could nimbly avoid the patrols, but it was time-consuming.
Yu Jiao whispered, “Why don’t you put me down? You can save some energy.”
Hearing this, he shot her a look with his glistening peach-blossom eyes. “Are you sure you can walk?” he asked coolly.
His meaningful gaze fell to the space between her legs.
Yu Jiao: “…”
He has a point.
So she settled quietly into his arms and said nothing more.
Wei Changlin let out a humorless laugh and held the little quail even tighter.
An hour later.
The two of them had arrived at the dark garden. Behind them, the Xie Manor was brightly lit, and the sound of a commotion drifted over.
Yu Jiao’s breath caught.
—It seems they’ve discovered I’ve escaped.
Just then, Wei Changlin’s expression hardened. He carried her into a small, narrow greenhouse to hide.
A moment later, the sound of urgent, heavy footsteps passed by. “Masters, you’re finally back! That young lady… is gone.”
A terrifying silence spread, then a sinister laugh.
“So naughty.”
Another cold voice gave a concise command: “Find her.”
【Capture Target Blackening Level: 80%】
Inside the greenhouse, a wall away, Yu Jiao’s heart tightened when she heard the system notification. If I get caught now, it’s game over.
Suddenly, a hot, moist breath washed over her ear and neck.
“Your heartbeat is so loud. Are you trying to get us caught?”
Hearing this, she frantically tried to cover his mouth, glaring at him, her eyes saying: You’re the one who’s talking! You’re the one who’s going to get us caught!
With his mouth covered, he blinked, his already glistening peach-blossom eyes becoming even more alluring.
In the cramped darkness, their bodies were pressed tightly together. A faint, floral scent seemed to rise, sensual and ambiguous.
His large, well-defined hand pulled hers away and held it tightly.
The temperature seemed to be gradually rising.
Yu Jiao awkwardly looked away. Wei Changlin let out a low laugh, then suddenly took off the blood servant’s blank mask and placed it on top of her head. The crooked, half-hanging mask just happened to cover her eyes.
“If you’re shy, then just don’t look.”
Yu Jiao was about to push the mask away when she suddenly felt a soft touch on her lips. At the same time, a mischievous hand slipped into her loose bathrobe and caressed her smooth skin.
“Mmph…”
Yu Jiao frowned, her stunning face a picture of distress as she weakly pressed down on his wandering hand.
Wei Changlin’s lips and tongue pulled away slightly. He leaned in close to her ear and said in a husky voice, “So that your dear brothers don’t find us, and since neither of us can make a sound, we’ll just have to do this—”
Before she could react, he kissed her again.
“…”
Yu Jiao was kissed until she couldn’t breathe. She pounded on him angrily.
—This is definitely going to make strange, wet noises!
Outside the greenhouse.
Xie Zhenye stopped. He looked at his brother. “Hey, did you hear a strange sound?”
Xie Yanchuan’s cool, dark gaze turned towards the small greenhouse.
“In there.”