Chapter 52: No Matter What Happens, I Want to Be with You

“Alright, that’s all for today’s class. Luoyao, stay behind. Everyone else, you’re dismissed.”

The students trickled out of the classroom.

Xiaan stood, whispering, “I’ll wait for you at the door.”

“Okay, got it.”

With a quick exchange, Xiaan left.

Only Huangwei and Luoyao remained in the classroom.

The scene reminded Luoyao of a month ago.

Her third class, when Huangwei pulled her into her lap.

Back then, Huangwei tried to leave a kiss mark on her neck.

Luoyao firmly refused.

She even blurted out, “I don’t want to betray Noah.”

Looking back, had she already felt something for Noah even then?

She shook her head, walking to the podium. “What’s up, Teacher Huangwei? If you’re planning to tease me like last time, Noah’ll get mad.”

Luoyao subtly tilted her neck, revealing the mark there.

Huangwei gave a wry smile, shaking her head.

Her blonde hair swayed lightly.

She tucked a strand behind her ear, removing her glasses. “Relax, just wanna chat.”

Luoyao’s eyes flickered, looking away, voice low. “I wanna get back to Noah soon.”

“You’re not usually this eager. Is it… because I mentioned the Well of Burning Sin?”

Luoyao stayed silent, tacitly confirming.

“You probably don’t know Noah and I have been friends for centuries, huh?”

Friends…

Luoyao hadn’t seen that coming.

Noah’s brash, impulsive nature seemed at odds with Huangwei’s calm demeanor.

But friendship, like love, could spark unexpected chemistry between opposites.

“As her friend, I won’t snitch to Yelan about you two.”

“Noah and I aren’t—”

“You love her. It’s practically written on your face, human miss.”

Luoyao looked away, saying nothing.

She’d never been good at hiding her feelings.

A flaw since grade school.

Even trying to mask it, Huangwei—centuries old and sharp as a fox—saw right through her.

No mind-reading needed.

“But don’t worry too much. For now, you and Noah are relatively safe. No one can confirm you’re in love.”

“Really?”

Huangwei nodded. “Love is heavy, mysterious. Only you two can admit it. No one else’s word counts.”

To Luoyao, Huangwei’s words had two meanings.

One: love was their biggest weakness.

If Yelan found out, they’d face the vampires’ harshest punishment.

Two: love was their sharpest blade.

As long as they held it tight, it could cut through any obstacle.

“Got it. Thanks, Teacher Huangwei. Mhm. But keep it low-key. No more incidents like with Aleng, okay?”

Luoyao nodded. “Understood.”

Huangwei’s words eased Luoyao’s tense heart.

Looking at her, Luoyao’s view of the sultry blonde shifted.

She’d thought Huangwei was a charming femme fatale, a player who chased every girl.

But today, in class and now, Huangwei was subtly warning her.

Be careful with Noah.

Don’t let others spot their delicate bond.

Vampires were said to be cold to their own.

Yet Noah and Huangwei… seemed pretty tight?

“No surprise there. Noah and I are 300-year-old friends. Helping her hide her ‘puppy love’ is only natural.”

“Three hundred years?” Luoyao gasped.

“Yup. In vampire terms, that’s a rare friendship. Noah’s never even badmouthed me behind my back.”

Huangwei’s lips curved, a touch of pride.

Luoyao raised an eyebrow.

She recalled the time Huangwei nearly marked her neck.

Noah’s words: “That jerk, trying to steal my girl.”

Tch.

‘Jerk” wasn’t badmouthing’

“Jerk?!”

Huangwei’s face flipped in a second, shooting up, fuming. “That silver-haired brat called me a jerk?!”

“Don’t just read my mind like that, Teacher!”

“You two, biting the hand that feeds you!”

“It’s not my fault! I know nothing, wah…”

***

Back home, the aroma of food hit her.

It had to be Noah cooking.

Only she could make dishes smell that good.

Luoyao slipped into her Miffy rabbit slippers, jogging to the kitchen.

There was Noah, hair tied back, apron on, focused at the stove.

“You’re back,” Noah said.

“Yup.”

Luoyao stood at the kitchen door, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Noah caught the subtle shift, stirring the pan. “What’s up? Something on your mind?”

“Uh… I’ve got a question.”

“I love you, so much.”

“No, not that!”

Luoyao’s face flushed, diving into the real topic. “It’s… about the Well of Burning Sin.”

Noah’s stirring paused, her expression cooling. “Huangwei covered that in class?”

“Yeah. Why… didn’t you tell me?”

“No need. It’s just scare tactics. Didn’t want you to know.”

Luoyao frowned slightly. “Scare tactics? That’s no joke. If we’re found out, you could really… be thrown in there.”

Noah set down the spatula, untied her apron.

She stepped to Luoyao, gazing into her dark eyes, serious. “Vampire lives are long. If I can’t love you freely in this endless life, I’d rather die.”

“Noah…”

“Don’t worry, little dummy. No matter what happens, I’ve got you. All you need to do is enjoy our love, okay?”

“Okay—no, not okay!” Luoyao corrected.

“Not okay? Why?”

“Love is for two.”

“If we share the sweet, we share the bitter too. If you’re ever thrown into that darn well, I’d jump in with you, no hesitation. No matter what happens, I want…”

Her eyes and tone were firmer than ever:

“I want to be with you!”