Chapter 47: Lifting Yao Upward

Huangwei paused, choosing her words carefully. “She did meet a girl named Luo.”

“She’s been keeping her as a blood s*ave.”

Huangwei didn’t reveal the deeply intimate—nearly romantic—bond between Noah and Luoyao.

She knew the consequences of a vampire loving a human.

She understood their mother’s temperament better than anyone.

That ancient vampire, millennia old, would never allow her offspring to love a lowly human.

Even if Noah and Luoyao’s meeting was fated, Mother wouldn’t let it ruin her decades-long “chess game.”

As pawns in her scheme, their role was to aid the mastermind’s victory.

Love, an unpredictable factor that could sway the game, was something Mother likely wouldn’t tolerate.

“So, in your view, is this Luo girl the daughter of Doctor Luo Qiange?”

Huangwei bit her lip, not answering immediately.

She could tell Mother’s question wasn’t seeking her opinion.

The cunning vampire likely already had an answer.

She was testing Huangwei’s insight, gauging if the castle’s most learned vampire was advancing.

“My latest information is that Luoyao grew up without parents, raised by a granny. Doctor Luo Qiange died roughly twenty years ago, which aligns perfectly.

After feeding on Luoyao’s blood, Noah rejects others’ blood severely. This suggests Luoyao is tied to the experiment from twenty years ago.

Doctor Luo Qiange was one of its key figures. While this doesn’t confirm Luoyao is her daughter, I’ll keep searching for evidence to verify my theory.”

Facing Mother, Huangwei’s words were flawless, leaving no room for critique.

She had no choice.

Since being turned by Mother, she’d grown under relentless pressure.

Every word, every action, had to be perfect in Mother’s eyes.

Or else… she’d face physical torment even a vampire would find unbearable.

“Well done.”

Those two words let Huangwei’s tense heart relax.

“Doctor Luo’s daughter is vital to both vampires and humans. I won’t let decades of effort go to waste. Protect her, and protect Noah. Both are indispensable.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Oh, I’ll be back soon.”

Huangwei stiffened, blurting, “Weren’t you returning in six months?”

“The hunting grounds here have reached a balance between the Blood Hunt Church and vampires. No need for me to stay.”

“…Alright, I’ll await you at the castle.”

Mother chuckled lazily. “Huangwei, do you think… I’m selfish?”

“Ah… Mother, you—”

“Caw—caw—”

A crow by the window squawked twice, then flew off.

Huangwei stood by the window, staring at the sunrise on the horizon.

She didn’t grasp Mother’s final question.

“Do you think I’m selfish?”

Was it a hint?

Or… was another storm brewing among the vampires?

***

“Classmate Luo Xiaoyao, I’m back—hey, what’s this? Sudden cuddles?”

Noah stepped through the door, barely closing it before Luoyao dashed from the sofa.

She threw herself into Noah’s arms.

Her pitiful look was like a schoolgirl bullied at class, seeking comfort from her big sister at home.

Noah patted Luoyao’s head with one hand, shutting the door with the other.

They hugged, inching slowly toward the living room.

Luoyao said nothing, face buried in Noah’s chest.

Her arms wrapped Noah’s waist, following her steps to the sofa.

At the sofa, Noah found a spot to sit.

She pulled Luoyao’s wrist, guiding her onto her lap.

Noah looked up, eyes brimming with affection.

She pinched Luoyao’s nose gently. “What’s wrong, little dummy? Still upset about what happened in the classroom?”

Luoyao nodded. “I caused you so much trouble right after coming back… Do you think I’m immature?”

“No way,” Noah said firmly. “Aleng didn’t discipline her blood s*ave. She let her bite recklessly, so I taught her a lesson. Perfectly reasonable.”

“But Feng Lili said Aleng’s a high-ranking vampire in the castle. Won’t offending her make others shun you?”

“Pfft—hahaha, you’re so cute, little dummy.”

Luoyao’s face reddened, flustered. “Why’re you laughing? If she really rallies other vampires against you, won’t it be hard to stay here? Then I’d have dragged you down…”

“No chance. She won’t target me. More like, she doesn’t dare.”

“Huh? Why? Isn’t she super senior?”

Noah shrugged. “She’s old, sure, but what’s that to me? I’m the castle’s toughest vampire. One Aleng? Psh. Five of her wouldn’t be enough to take me.”

Luoyao frowned, skeptical. “For real? You’re that strong?”

“You didn’t think I’m only fierce in intimate times, did you? I’m a pro at fighting too. Otherwise, the Blood Hunt Church wouldn’t rank me S-class dangerous.”

Luoyao knew Noah’s bedroom skills firsthand.

“Strong” didn’t even cover it…

But actual combat? She’d never seen it up close.

As a timid shut-in, she didn’t get fighting.

Her view of Noah’s strength was just, “My girlfriend seems super reliable.”

How reliable? She had no clue.

“Alright, stop overthinking. With me here, no one dares bully you. Don’t stress, or I’ll get annoyed.”

“Oh… so you’d get annoyed with me… emmm…”

Noah pressed her cheek to Luoyao’s. “Kidding, silly. You believed me? I’d love you clinging to me every day. Annoyed? Never.”

“Mmm…”

The shy human miss buried her face in Noah’s neck again.

Her shy gestures meant little, but to Noah, they were everything.

So close, Luoyao’s warm breath grazed her neck, slipping down her collarbone into her clothes—

How could she resist?

She scooped Luoyao up, striding to the bedroom.

“Tonight’s game is called ‘Lifting Yao Upward.’”