Yun Wu returned at lightning speed the moment he received the news. The instant his feet touched the yard—or rather, what remained of it—a sharp throbbing pain slammed into his head.
The veins at his temples bulged.
One woman and one snake brat…How is it possible that those two manage to destroy my house every single time I leave?
His gaze swept over the cracked walls, the collapsed fence, the shattered door, and the corpses that had yet to be dealt with. For a brief moment, Yun Wu felt his chest tighten—caught between wanting to roar, spit blood, or simply transform and go on a rampage.
The wolf's glare made Xiang Shuai straighten his back instinctively.
"For now," Xiang Shuai continued, swallowing nervously, "how about we stay at a hotel tonight? At least… there's somewhere intact and comfortable for the three of us."
Yun Wu exhaled heavily through his nose. He closed his eyes for a moment, counting silently to keep himself from truly exploding. Losing his temper now wouldn't bring his house back.
"…Fine," he finally said, his voice cold and heavy.
The decision felt like a small defeat.
That night, the three of them stayed at the most luxurious hotel in Wulong City—a magnificent building with crystal-lined pillars, golden lighting, and service worthy of a royal palace. Thick carpets muted footsteps, and the faint fragrance of rare flowers lingered in the air.
After ensuring Xue Yunxue was safely settled in her room, Xiang Shuai contacted Lu Xiao—but the vampire didn't respond. In the end, he left a brief message, explaining what had happened that night.
He also sent the same message to Luo Shixin. Not long after, a reply arrived.
"I'll return as soon as my matters are finished."
Xiang Shuai let out a soft sigh.At least one truly reliable adult would be back soon.
—
That morning, the City Lord of Wulong hurried toward the hotel where Yun Wu and the others were staying. His steps were quick, his expression tense, cold sweat dampening his temples despite the cool morning air.
He had already received a complete report of the previous night's incident.
The youngest prince of the Shelua Kingdom had been attacked within his territory.
This wasn't a minor incident—it was a diplomatic disaster capable of shaking two nations. If news of this leaked, not only his position would be endangered, but the safety of the entire Wulong City.
Upon arriving at the door of the hotel's most luxurious suite—a room with separate living spaces, crystal furnishings, and noble-grade facilities—the City Lord took a deep breath before bowing deeply.
"Your Highness," Bai Zhou, the City Lord of Wulong, said with profound remorse, "please forgive our negligence. To atone for this failure, we will provide the highest level of protection—elite security throughout your stay in our territory."
The suite was so extravagant that even Bai Zhou himself, with all his wealth, had never stayed there.
Xiang Shuai lounged casually on the sofa, his face showing no trace of last night's chaos. A lazy smile curved his lips.
"No need," he said lightly. "Those bandits were far too weak. They weren't even worthy of being called a threat to me."
Bai Zhou let out a breath of relief—but that relief lasted less than a second.
"But," Xiang Shuai continued, his tone turning as cold as a blade of ice, "they frightened my partner. They even dared to target her for assassination."
The words struck Bai Zhou like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
Partner?
Since when did the young prince of Shelua have a partner—other than that eccentric princess who had died long ago?
Bai Zhou's face paled slightly.
In the corner of the room, Yun Wu and Xue Yunxue exchanged a brief glance.
This snake—cunning, manipulative, and far too skilled at exploiting situations—that was the shared thought in both their minds.
Before Bai Zhou could fully process those words, another voice cut in.
"This woman is also my partner," Yun Wu said flatly, refusing to yield an inch.
This time, Bai Zhou froze completely.
His gaze finally landed on Xue Yunxue—and for the first time, he truly saw her.
A delicate face with a sharp chin, almond-shaped black eyes that lifted slightly at the corners, a straight, slender nose, and full lips tinted a soft pink like ripe plums. Her beauty wasn't vulgar or dazzling—it was clear and pure, making her seem like someone who didn't belong in the mortal world at all.
Like… a goddess who had wandered into the beast realm.
Bai Zhou lowered his head, his heart heavy.
His daughter, Bai Ling, had pleaded countless times for him to make Yun Wu her partner. Not long ago, she had even mentioned wanting the young Shelua prince as her husband.
But if these two men—the very men Bai Ling desired most—had already taken the girl before him as their partner, then his daughter truly had no chance at all.
A dangerous thought suddenly surfaced in Bai Zhou's mind.
Could last night's incident… have been Bai Ling's doing?
The thought spun relentlessly in his head, making his chest feel tight. If his suspicion was correct, then the storm that followed would not only destroy Wulong City—but also his own family.
Bai Zhou respectfully asked leave from the noble prince and hurried toward his unruly daughter's residence, determined to teach her a lesson.
—
Xue Yunxue returned to her room with slow steps. Sleepiness still weighed heavily on her eyelids, and her body had yet to fully recover from the events of the previous night. If not out of respect for the City Lord of Wulong, she would have already collapsed back into a deep sleep.
The moment the door closed, silence enveloped her.
But that calm was disturbed.
The faint sound of dripping water came from the bathroom.
Xue Yunxue frowned. She was certain she had turned off the faucet before leaving earlier. Her heartbeat quickened slightly as vigilance crept in. Moving cautiously, she walked toward the bathroom.
She slowly pushed the door open.
Thin steam hung in the air.
And her body stiffened instantly.
Inside the bathtub, already filled with water, lay a man—weak and unmoving. His head slumped over the edge of the tub, black hair soaked and clinging to his pale face. He was still fully clothed, submerged in the water, as if he had fallen in without even having the strength to undress.
A soft, restrained groan escaped his lips—filled with pain.
"What—?" Xue Yunxue's breath caught.
A pervert?! her mind accused reflexively, the instinctive reaction of any woman startled by a strange man in her bathroom. But the next second, her frown deepened.
Something was wrong.
She swallowed and gathered her courage, stepping closer.
And when she saw his face clearly—
Her eyes widened.
"Lu Xiao…?"
How could he be here?The vampire was lying in her bathtub—fragile, pale, and nearly powerless.
Something was very wrong.
Xue Yunxue was about to call Yun Wu and Xiang Shuai for help. She had just taken a breath when suddenly—
A cold hand seized her wrist.
"Don't…"
The voice was so weak it was almost drowned out by the dripping water. Xue Yunxue jolted and turned. Lu Xiao looked at her with half-lidded eyes, his breathing uneven, as if every breath was a struggle.
"Lu Xiao…" Xue Yunxue's voice trembled.
The man tried to rise from the bathtub. His soaked body seemed to have lost all strength. He barely managed to sit halfway before his knees gave out—
"Ah—!"
Xue Yunxue reflexively caught him.
But what happened next nearly stopped her heart.
Lu Xiao's body fell onto hers. Xue Yunxue's back hit the bathroom floor as his body pressed directly on top of her. Water from his clothes seeped out, soaking into her thin garment—cold, biting to the bone.
What… is happening to him?
Xue Yunxue tried to shift his body away, but before she could move, Lu Xiao hugged her tightly.
"Don't… don't leave again…" he whispered, like a plea on the verge of despair.
Xue Yunxue's breath caught. This position was far too close. Far too intimate.
"Lu Xiao… let go of me first," she said nervously, trying to push against his chest.
But the embrace only tightened.
Lu Xiao's body was ice-cold—not the ordinary kind of cold, but like ice buried in eternal darkness.
Is this normal for a vampire?
"Moa…" Xue Yunxue called out in her mind, her heart shaking. "What's happening to him?"
"Big Sister Xue," Moa replied seriously, "I think Lu Xiao is dying. He has suppressed his vampire instincts for many years. Now he's standing right at the edge between life and death."
Xue Yunxue stiffened."Dying…?"
"He desperately needs blood."
Blood.
Xue Yunxue's heart pounded violently."If he drinks my blood… I could die, right?"
"No," Moa answered quickly. "He won't need much. Just one sip is enough to restore his strength."
Xue Yunxue looked at Lu Xiao's pale face. His lashes trembled weakly. His forehead was as cold as ice when she touched it.
She couldn't do it.
She couldn't let him die like this.
"Lu Xiao…" Xue Yunxue said softly. "If you need it… you may drink a little of my blood."
Lu Xiao's closed eyes snapped open.
Dark crimson—deep and shadowed—met her gaze with hesitation.
"No…" Lu Xiao shook his head weakly. "You'll be in pain. I… don't want to become a monster."
"I won't be in pain," Xue Yunxue replied gently but firmly. "Just one sip. I'm willing."
Lu Xiao's gaze dimmed. Endless nights of suffering flashed through his mind—restraint, pain, and desire he had always rejected.
Xue Yunxue brushed her hair aside.
Her slender, pale neck was exposed without reservation.
To Lu Xiao—this was the greatest trial he had ever faced.
The dark red in his eyes slowly deepened.
With restrained movements, as if fighting his own instincts, Lu Xiao lowered his head. His fangs touched Xue Yunxue's skin—very gently—before biting carefully.
Xue Yunxue frowned. There was a slight sting, but she endured it. She didn't move. She didn't resist.
Her blood flowed.
Sweet. Warm. Fragrant.
To Lu Xiao, it was both poison and salvation.
The urge to drink more roared inside him, but he restrained himself with the last of his reason. He took only what he needed—no more.
Last night had been the Red Moon phase—the most dangerous time for vampires. Their bloodlust surged many times over, becoming cruel torment.
For years, Lu Xiao had always hidden when this phase arrived. He refused to become a monster. But as he grew older, resisting became harder and harder, forcing him to survive on animal blood despite its disgusting taste.
And now—
Xue Yunxue was the first human whose blood he had ever tasted.And the only one who had given it willingly.
Slowly, Lu Xiao withdrew his fangs.
The small wound on Xue Yunxue's neck stopped bleeding.
Lu Xiao's breathing steadied. The pallor on his face faded bit by bit. Warmth returned to his body.
He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against Xue Yunxue's shoulder.
"Thank you…" he whispered.
Xue Yunxue let out a long breath, her heart still racing.
Lu Xiao's hand gently brushed Xue Yunxue's slightly pale face.
"Did I… drink too much?" Lu Xiao asked softly, his voice full of worry.
"No," Xue Yunxue replied quickly. "It's fine."
Before she could add anything else, Lu Xiao leaned down slightly. His thin lips brushed against Xue Yunxue's cheek—brief, light, almost like a touch of wind.
But to Xue Yunxue, it felt like a spark of fire.
Her face flushed instantly. Her heartbeat spiraled out of control. This vampire had kissed her cheek on purpose!
Lu Xiao looked at her with eyes now far more alive, amusement hidden behind that gentle gaze. This girl… was truly shy. Even such a small reaction was enough to throw her into chaos.
Truthfully, Lu Xiao wanted to hold her longer. To make sure this warmth was real, not an illusion that would vanish in an instant. But he knew—their clothes were still wet, Xue Yunxue's body was too cold, and he didn't want her to fall ill.
So he slowly stood up.
Xue Yunxue followed suit, then suddenly realized something. The thin white shirt she was wearing now clung tightly to her body because of the water. Unintentionally, her curves were clearly outlined beneath the nearly transparent fabric.
"Ah—!"
Her face burning, Xue Yunxue reflexively covered her chest with both hands, her heart pounding wildly in embarrassment.
The sight, of course, did not escape Lu Xiao's eyes.
For a moment, his breathing stopped. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. Vampire instinct—and a man's instinct—surged together, colliding violently within him.
They were lawful partners.He had the right to look at her, to claim her completely!
But—
Lu Xiao closed his eyes briefly, forcing himself to calm down. He wouldn't take another step if Xue Yunxue didn't want it yet. No matter how strong the urge, he chose restraint.
"I'm leaving," he said quickly, his voice lower than usual. "Change your clothes. Don't catch a cold."
Before Xue Yunxue could respond, Lu Xiao's body began to fade. Thin black mist wrapped around him, then vanished completely, as if he had never been there at all.
Lu Xiao knew—If he stayed even one second longer, he might truly lose control.
In the now-silent bathroom, Xue Yunxue stood frozen.
She slowly touched her neck.
The bite mark was still faintly bleeding, but it no longer hurt much.
Instead, the sensation left behind…
For some reason, it felt far deeper than the wound on her neck.
And in that moment, she realized—
This vampire no longer felt unfamiliar to her.