Chapter 44: The Vampire’s Prey (44p2)
“It is reported that among the twenty beasts this time, there is a rare and precious domesticated breed… The school has already captured it. The owner is requested to come to the sports field to claim it as soon as possible.”
The cold, announcer’s voice repeated, over and over, with a harsh static, revealing an undisguised malice.
Breaking through the haze in her mind, Yu Jiao suddenly opened her eyes.
At this moment, Yu Jiao was tied to the flagpole in the center of the podium. The blood on her body had already dried, and the night wind was biting.
Under the dim lights, a short, fat figure walked over, smug. Director Lin’s annoying face appeared. “Yo, Miss Yu, you’re awake?”
Yu Jiao looked at Director Lin coldly. “Where are they?”
“You can’t even protect yourself, and you’re worried about others?”
“…”
Amidst the one after another ‘lost and found’ announcements, Yu Jiao looked away and said coolly, “Don’t waste your energy. It’s such an obvious trap. He won’t fall for it.”
—Hearing the broadcast, Yu Jiao had immediately realized: tonight’s hunt was not only aimed at her, but also to draw out Wei Changlin.
“You can’t say that,” Director Lin said sarcastically. “It’s such an obvious trap, but didn’t you fall for it too?”
“…”
The young woman was silent, her expression cold. Though Yu Jiao was covered in blood and was now a prisoner, she didn’t look pathetic at all, like a pure lotus in the mud.
A sudden surge of anger rose in Director Lin. Director Lin fiercely grabbed Yu Jiao’s hair, making Yu Jiao lift her face, and sneered, “Didn’t expect to fall into my hands, did you?”
The young woman’s eyes were half-closed, her red eyes dark and cold, looking at Director Lin with an almost disdainful gaze, as if the person before her were some dirty, insignificant rat.
“What do you have to be so proud of,” Director Lin said angrily. “Our Lin family was ruined by you—”
Before Director Lin could finish, a shadow flashed, and with a loud bang, Director Lin was slammed into the concrete wall, creating a deep indentation. The sound of cracking bones and cracking walls spread at the same time.
Director Lin’s scream was cut short. A sharp beast’s claw was at his throat, lifting him high.
Molten-gold, beast-like eyes stared at Director Lin coldly, a low, bestial roar escaping from between the werewolf’s sharp, wolfish fangs.
Director Lin’s eyes widened in terror. Just then, a flippant voice came from above, sarcastically, “What about your Lin family? Wasn’t your Lin family ruined by your own doing?”
A tall, dashing figure stood at the top and lightly jumped down. The night wind whipped his clothes about him.
—Wei Changlin.
Reinforcements had arrived, but Yu Jiao’s expression was cold.
Shing!
The ropes that bound Yu Jiao were cut. A familiar embrace enveloped Yu Jiao. Wei Changlin chuckled, “The owner is here.”
Yu Jiao was held tightly and affectionately rubbed up and down. Wei Changlin’s movements suddenly paused. Wei Changlin sniffed and asked, puzzled, “Why do you have a… familiar, strange smell on you?”
Yu Jiao: “…”
Yu Jiao pretended not to hear and pushed Wei Changlin away with a frown. “Hurry up and leave. Can’t you see this is a trap?”
But Wei Changlin pulled Yu Jiao back slightly, his peach-blossom eyes shining in the night. “What? Are you worried about me?”
“Awoo!”
A dissatisfied beastly roar sounded.
Wei Changlin clicked his tongue and reluctantly released Yu Jiao, blinking his beautiful eyes. “Don’t worry. Everything is going according to plan.”
With that, Wei Changlin walked towards the werewolf and Director Lin.
The werewolf threw Director Lin to the ground. The latter’s face was filled with terror, and Director Lin struggled to crawl away, only to be blocked by a lazy foot. The person nonchalantly ground Director Lin’s right hand, which was on the ground.
“This was the hand that was misbehaving just now, wasn’t it?”
A grating, cracking sound of bones.
Director Lin screamed, a cold sweat breaking out. Director Lin looked up. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Miss Yu…”
The blood-stained young woman looked at Director Lin with a blank face and walked over. “Go to hell and atone for your sins to the people you should be apologizing to.”
Wei Changlin’s lips curled. Wei Changlin pressed down with his foot. “Do you remember now?”
“…”
Seeing Yu Jiao approach, the tall, strong werewolf was visibly tense. The werewolf didn’t look at Yu Jiao at all, looking very cold, but its fluffy, large tail was wagging back and forth, uncontrollably leaning towards Yu Jiao, like a bouncy, affectionate poodle, begging to be petted.
Yu Jiao’s heavy mood lightened slightly.
Yu Jiao looked at the werewolf, thinking, Why does it have the guilty air of someone having an affair?
Over there, Wei Changlin had his back to them, seriously teaching Director Lin a lesson, with no sign of turning around.
Yu Jiao’s eyebrow arched.
The ‘torment’ the werewolf had brought Yu Jiao not long ago came to mind. A wicked thought rose in Yu Jiao. Yu Jiao reached out a hand to the large tail that was trying so hard to get her attention.
Yu Jiao squeezed.
“!”
The werewolf’s fur suddenly stood on end.
The muscles beneath its fur seemed to tense, and the werewolf looked fierce and dangerous.
But the tail was like it had melted in Yu Jiao’s hand, coquettishly coiling around her.
Yu Jiao kneaded it, over and over. The large tail was so comfortable it began to wag and entangle Yu Jiao even more excitedly.
Just then, Wei Changlin clapped his hands and suddenly turned around, taking in the scene.
Yu Jiao paused. The werewolf froze.
But the werewolf’s large tail was like a separate entity, unsatisfiedly hooking Yu Jiao’s hand and acting spoiled right under Wei Changlin’s nose.
“…”
Wei Changlin narrowed his cool, dark peach-blossom eyes, as if he had broken through a thick fog and had seen all the hidden truths.
A cold laugh.
Yu Jiao could almost smell the overwhelming sourness.
But unexpectedly, Wei Changlin didn’t act up on the spot. Instead, Wei Changlin looked at the werewolf, almost calmly, and smiled. “Go and settle your grudge, Lin Qiuzhe.”
“…”
Lin Qiuzhe.
Yu Jiao slowly looked up and repeated, “Lin Qiuzhe?”
The enthusiastic, large tail stiffened for a moment, then went limp in Yu Jiao’s hand, twitching occasionally in fear, like a half-dead fish.
A dead silence spread.
The tall werewolf was like a scolded child, its ferocious wolf’s head bowed, not daring to look up at Yu Jiao.
Wei Changlin crossed his arms coldly, watching the show with a fake smile.
Yu Jiao was still rebooting.
Yu Jiao had never connected the two. Lin Qiuzhe had never appeared again, and Yu Jiao had just thought he had gone offline as a side character. Yu Jiao had never thought that the werewolf was actually Lin Qiuzhe, and that Lin Qiuzhe had licked her all over…
Yu Jiao: “…”
Although Yu Jiao rationally understood that the situation was special and that it was the best solution, emotionally, Yu Jiao couldn’t accept this socially dead truth for the time being. Yu Jiao fiercely squeezed the tail in her hand and then angrily threw it away.
The soft, bright, beast-like eyes shot up and looked at Yu Jiao pitifully. Yu Jiao coldly ignored Lin Qiuzhe.
Wei Changlin had seen enough of the show and said coolly, “Hurry up and deal with your enemy.”
Lin Qiuzhe walked towards Director Lin with his head bowed.
Wei Changlin stared at Yu Jiao darkly, wrapped a long arm around her, and muttered to himself, “I’m not angry, I’m not angry, I’m not angry.”
With that, Wei Changlin let out a long sigh.
Yu Jiao looked at Wei Changlin strangely, but a large hand cupped the back of her head and pressed her against his broad chest. A magnetic voice came, muffled, with a hint of meaning:
“That’s over. Get ready for the next game.”
As Wei Changlin’s words fell, a familiar, muffled explosion sounded.
Yu Jiao was stunned.
…Someone exploded again?
Yu Jiao was held tightly in Wei Changlin’s embrace. Yu Jiao couldn’t see anything, only smell a thick, metallic scent, mixed with a familiar, sweet fragrance, much stronger than before, rushing towards her with an overwhelming force.
In less than two seconds, Yu Jiao passed out.
…
When Yu Jiao woke up again, she was nestled in a soft bed, as if she had slept for a long, long time.
—Because Yu Jiao was sure that Old Master Xue was wary of her and Xue Zhu’s contract and would only dare to torture her physically and mentally, and wouldn’t kill her for the time being, Yu Jiao was not very nervous or afraid.
Yu Jiao struggled to sit up and looked around. This was a warm, quiet, and unfamiliar room. The dirt on Yu Jiao’s body had been washed away, and she had been changed into a soft nightgown, one she often wore at the Xie Manor.
“Miss, you’re awake?” a rich, gentle voice sounded.
A tall figure emerged from a dark corner, as if he had been carefully watching Yu Jiao.
“011?” Yu Jiao frowned. “Where is this? Why are you here? What is Old Master Xue going to do next?”
A string of questions, like marbles.
011 walked to the bed, took Yu Jiao’s outstretched hand, and helped her down, answering her questions one by one. “This is a lounge in the academy. Someone came to the Xie Manor looking for a servant to serve you personally.”
011 paused, then said, “My orders are to take you to the academy auditorium after you’ve gotten ready.”
Yu Jiao’s hand, which was rubbing her temple, paused. “For what?”
“It is said to be a celebration banquet, and the next event.”
Yu Jiao was lost in thought for a long moment, her slender, pale fingers tapping her lips rhythmically. Yu Jiao stopped.
“Then let’s get ready.”
***
Yu Jiao changed into the formal dress and accessories prepared by the school.
Yu Jiao’s expression was cold as she looked down. The tall man was kneeling on one knee, arranging the voluminous skirt of her dress.
011’s movements were meticulous and serious. 011’s superb figure was hidden in the black and white uniform, not at all like a lowly servant.
After 011 stood up, Yu Jiao took his arm. “Let’s go.”
011 froze, looking as if he were overwhelmed by the favor.
The young woman was dressed in a pearl-white, classical satin formal dress. Yu Jiao’s long, cold-white hair was done up, and a string of pearl necklaces, which gave off a soft light, was on her long neck, complementing her skin tone. Yu Jiao was like a bride, waiting to be married.
At this moment, Yu Jiao’s glistening red eyes looked over, and she raised an eyebrow. “What?”
011’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Nothing.”
The arm Yu Jiao was holding, along with half his body, was numb. 011’s other hand stiffly pushed the door open, and 011 walked out beside her.
…Though they had been more intimate, this simple action made 011’s heart pound. A strange, indescribable joy rose within him, as if 011 had really become the one who was qualified to walk down the aisle with her.
***
They took the elevator to the third basement level. The attendants on both sides of the door pulled it open for them.
In an instant, the sound of music, laughter, whispers, and clinking glasses poured out.
A scene of glittering jewels and magnificent lights.
Yu Jiao squinted. After adjusting to the bright light, the elegant clamor around Yu Jiao gradually faded, like a rest note had been written, returning to a strange calm, as if heralding a darker, more turbulent movement.
Yu Jiao walked into the auditorium, holding 011’s arm.
The structure of the auditorium was very strange. In front of Yu Jiao was a circular flat ground, and the surrounding area sloped upwards, a hollow, inverted trapezoidal column.
The group of blood-race masters, ladies, and young masters were on the platforms set up on the gentle slope, either sitting or standing, leisurely holding wine glasses, looking down from a superior height.
“Miss Yu, welcome.”
An annoying, old voice sounded, echoing in the auditorium.
Yu Jiao stood in the center of the auditorium and looked up at the highest point. There hung a huge oil painting. The old man in the painting was staring at Yu Jiao coldly.
On both sides of the painting was a row of high chairs, on which sat the group of beasts in human form from the school board. The twins were also among them, but they were too far away for Yu Jiao to see their expressions.
Old Master Xue said with a fake sincerity, “Congratulations on completing the first trial.”
Hearing this, Yu Jiao lifted her skirt and, in a proper manner, curtsied. “Thanks to you.”
The slender young woman lowered her eyes and curtsied, her body covered in a magnificent light. Bathed in the gazes of those with ulterior motives, she looked composed and elegant.
And with a sharp thorn, which made it impossible for one to have any thoughts of humiliating her.
Old Master Xue choked and snorted.
“Next, is your second trial.”
Yu Jiao leaned against 011’s strong chest, unconcerned. “Just say it. How do you want to torment me?”
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to fight personally,” Old Master Xue smiled maliciously. “This second trial is to test the purity of your bloodline as a blood-race member. We’ll see if your fledgling can compete with the fledglings of the other blood-race members and win the crown.”
Yu Jiao paused and slowly stood up straight. “Fledgling?”
The scene in Wei Changlin’s dark room flashed through Yu Jiao’s mind—those specially-admitted students, who had lost their reason, neither human nor ghost.
“It seems Miss Yu knows. Then there’s no need to waste any more words,” Old Master Xue let out a strange laugh. “Come, choose the lucky one who will be turned into your fledgling!”
As his words fell, the sound of a curtain being drawn came from behind Yu Jiao. Yu Jiao suddenly turned around.
“…”
There, tied up and arranged in a row, were dozens of people:
The four specially-admitted student girls, the male class president, a few unfamiliar specially-admitted student men and women, and even a few blood-race members.
They were all looking at Yu Jiao with tears in their eyes, their expressions filled with fear and a hint of a plea.
Yu Jiao was silent.
The cold, female announcer’s voice seemed to sound in Yu Jiao’s ears again: “Another reminder: All students must remain in their dormitories and not go outside. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences.”
Yu Jiao didn’t believe that in the face of the obviously strange broadcast, any uninformed person would have stumbled into the hunting ground. These people must all be Wei Changlin’s accomplices and the blood-race students who had already been turned.
Old Master Xue had indeed planned to use the hunt to wipe out all the spies and traitors in the academy.
The old voice said darkly, “What are you hesitating for, Miss Yu? Don’t you like these two-legged sheep?”
Old Master Xue raised his voice. “Come, present the highest-grade two-legged sheep to Miss Yu.”
A rumbling sound of machinery.
On the platform opposite the oil painting, at the highest point, a person was slowly raised, held high. The person was hanging his head as if he were unconscious, his hair covering his face. His lean upper body was bare, a chain around his neck.
Even from so far away, Yu Jiao could see that there was not a single piece of good skin on his bare upper body, and his trousers were stained a dark red with blood.
“…”
Wei Changlin.
Although Yu Jiao knew that Wei Changlin was likely just playing along and had another plan, seeing him in such a miserable state, Yu Jiao’s heart still sank.
Yu Jiao’s expression successfully pleased Old Master Xue. Old Master Xue laughed loudly.
“Hurry up and choose, Miss Yu. You no longer have the right to quit the game.”
Yu Jiao pressed her lips together.
How could I choose!
My method of awakening is not normal. It will definitely turn my fledgling into a living corpse, neither human nor ghost. Not to mention the powerless specially-admitted students, even Wei Changlin, who has many tricks up his sleeve, is seriously injured now and must have been tampered with by the school board.
Yu Jiao could guarantee that if she dared to choose Wei Changlin, he would most likely die a miserable death in front of her.
“What? You don’t want to choose?” Old Master Xue said coldly. “Then, these people, who have been abandoned by you, have no more value. Let’s give them to the guests here for a taste.”
Yu Jiao’s head shot up.
Old Master Xue stared at Yu Jiao and smiled. “I’ve long been dissatisfied with the sissy way modern blood-race members drink blood. Today, everyone must use their teeth to bite, and they must drain the ‘blood bags’ dry to pass!”
Yu Jiao closed her eyes. Yu Jiao felt the taste of being roasted on a fire.
Yu Jiao was still young. Yu Jiao had never thought that this old fool’s methods would be so vicious.
…Wei Changlin dared to go deep into the enemy’s camp as a prisoner. Didn’t he anticipate this situation? Seeing his composed look before he passed out, didn’t he have a backup plan?
As Yu Jiao was thinking this, she suddenly felt the large, thick hand of 011 on her shoulders. A dull warmth came, like an imposing mountain, making Yu Jiao’s wavering heart feel at ease.
Then, 011’s rich, deep voice sounded by her ear.
“Miss, choose me.”