Chapter 9: Trust on the Edge of Death

As day and night traded places, the first rays of sunlight dispelled the darkness.

The city welcomed a brand-new day.

Last night, Luoyao had fled from the supermarket, hiding until nine o’clock.

Noah hadn’t found her, which let her breathe a little easier.

But even after nine, she didn’t dare go straight home.

Who knew if Noah would honor the game’s rules?

If that infuriating vampire got angry and showed up at her door to torment her, Luoyao would be helpless.

She’d spent the night in a 24-hour KFC, sitting through the hours.

Thankfully, the night-shift manager was kind, offering her a few cups of hot coffee for free.

In this vampire-riddled world, anyone with a shred of decency would lend a hand to a struggling fellow human.

Luoyao gazed out the window at the rising sun.

Noah was probably back at the castle by now.

Vampires couldn’t withstand direct sunlight.

UV rays destroyed their skin, cells, and bones.

Even the strongest vampire couldn’t last twenty minutes in daylight.

Luoyao stood, thanked the manager, and dragged her exhausted body toward home.

Passing the morning market, the everyday bustle washed over her.

Vendors hawked their wares along the streets.

The aroma of fried dough sticks and steamed buns drifted from nearby stalls.

No matter how cheap, they were far better than the nauseating stench of blood she’d endured.

Gurgle—

Her stomach growled.

She hadn’t eaten in two days.

But checking her pockets, she had no money.

When Noah had taken her outside days ago, it was too sudden to grab any cash.

No choice—she’d have to keep going hungry until she got home.

There should be some food there.

She trudged on, her body already weakened from Noah’s feedings.

After a sleepless night, if a bed appeared on the street, she’d collapse onto it and sleep.

Maybe it was her frail state or the aftermath of her ordeal.

Though she’d been gone from human society for less than a week, everything felt foreign.

Scenes that should’ve been familiar now seemed strange, almost unreal.

Inexplicably, Noah’s face flashed in her mind—that enchanting, seductive face.

Only when recalling Noah’s embrace did Luoyao feel a sense of reality.

Warm, soft, safe.

And that “goodbye kiss” last night—Noah had kissed her so earnestly, with a hint of reluctance.

Luoyao touched her lips unconsciously.

Even after hours, the gentle sensation of Noah’s kiss seemed to linger.

What… was she thinking back then?

“Damn it… I escaped, so why am I still thinking about that stinking vampire?”

Luoyao slapped her temples, trying to banish the chaotic thoughts.

Whatever reason Noah had for that farewell kiss, Luoyao didn’t want to know.

She just wanted to stay far from vampires and return to human society.

About half an hour later, she reached the entrance to her apartment building.

A few more steps up, and she’d be home.

She gripped the stair railing, climbing each step with effort.

Her apartment was on the third floor.

But in her current state, it might as well have been the thirtieth.

She summoned the last of her strength, dragging leaden legs slowly upward.

The weary girl was like a tiny snail scaling a high wall.

Finally, she reached the second-floor landing.

One more flight, and she’d be home.

Luoyao leaned against the railing to catch her breath.

But when her gaze fell on her apartment door, she saw a girl lying there.

Her eyes widened, exhaustion forgotten.

She scrambled up the stairs, rushing to the unconscious girl’s side.

But as she got closer, Luoyao froze, speechless with shock.

“No-Noah…”

Lying at her doorstep was the vampire who’d tormented her for three days!

But the usually proud and glamorous Noah was now covered in wounds.

Her chest was stained with dark red blood, her thighs and calves pierced by bullets.

And because it was daytime, even in the hallway, her skin showed signs of burns.

Noah’s lips were pale, her breathing faint.

If left here, she wouldn’t survive until night.

In that moment, countless questions exploded in Luoyao’s mind:

Who had done this to Noah?

Had she run into the Blood Hunt Church last night?

Why was she at Luoyao’s doorstep?

But the most pressing question was:

Should she save her?

Recalling how Noah had toyed with her, Luoyao felt a spark of anger.

That domineering vampire never cared about her condition.

Whenever she was hungry, she’d climb onto Luoyao and drain her blood.

But outside of feeding, Noah could be… gentle.

Kisses, embraces, shared baths, sleeping side by side…

The events of those three days replayed in her mind.

She was torn, her thoughts like two voices bombarding her.

One said: “Why save her? Once she’s back to full strength, she’ll drag you back! Let her die here, and take her body to the Blood Hunt Church for a hefty reward!”

The other countered: “She never treated you like other vampires treat their slaves. She saw you as a whole person.”

“Even when you thought of escaping, she wasn’t angry.”

“And now, injured, she came to you for help—doesn’t that mean she trusts you?”

Torn.

Utterly torn.

Either choice, if wrong, would leave Luoyao with regrets.

She feared becoming the farmer in the “Farmer and the Snake” story.

But if Noah died in front of her, she knew she’d regret not saving her.

What… what should she do?

“Luoyao… you’re back…”

Noah’s weak voice broke through.

She struggled to open her eyes, her once-crimson gaze now dull and lifeless.

She tried to lift a hand to touch Luoyao’s cheek but lacked the strength.

In the end, Noah could only say helplessly, “You’re so clever… where did you hide? I couldn’t find you…”

“I…”

“I lost, Luoyao.” Her pale face could no longer manage a smile. “But I really… don’t want to let you go…”

Her voice faded, and before she could finish, her eyes closed.

“Noah! Noah!!”

Fear of death erupted in Luoyao’s heart.

She shook Noah’s shoulders, calling her name, but got no response.

“Noah! Don’t scare me!

Noah, you’re a vampire! Aren’t vampires immortal? Answer me!

Noah… Noah! I won’t let you die.

I won’t let you die!!”