Chapter 37: I Will Always Love You

The exhausted girl slumped at the bed’s edge.

Luoyao used her breathing to relax her body.

She stared at the wooden floor, emptying her mind.

She pondered long-buried questions.

Like, why was she so devoted to Noah?

Beyond physical chemistry, Noah offered soul-deep companionship.

After Granny, who raised her, passed away, no one filled Luoyao’s heart.

She was trapped in loneliness.

Like being locked in a sealed room, surrounded by darkness and gloom.

Then Noah appeared.

The proud vampire kicked down the door, pulling Luoyao into her arms.

From then on, the world wasn’t silent.

Luoyao wasn’t alone.

Her dim, lifeless world sparked with Noah’s light and warmth.

They were like two broken jade pieces.

Only together were they whole and beautiful.

Early love is intoxicating, impossible to resist.

But Luoyao felt she was too intoxicated…

D*mn it, all Noah’s fault!

Their bond grew so strong.

Even if Luoyao bore ninety-nine percent of the blame, didn’t Noah have one percent?

Hmph!

Behind her, the red-eyed vampire hummed a satisfied tune.

Soon, she’d turn devilish again.

But first, a chat.

“Ever liked another girl?” Noah asked, leaning against the headboard.

“Nope.”

“Really?”

Luoyao lacked energy to explain.

She needed her last bit of strength for the upcoming “game.”

So she tapped her temple. “Don’t believe me? Use your mind-reading.”

Noah smiled, dropping it.

She trusted her little dummy.

Luoyao’s romantic history, like hers, was a blank slate.

“Always been into girls?” Noah asked.

“Not exactly…”

Luoyao rolled over, clutching the Miffy rabbit plush to her chest. “Before five, I didn’t even… feel ‘like’ for humans. As a kid, I preferred animals over boys or girls.”

“Pfft—okay, kids not knowing what ‘like’ is makes sense.”

“No, it’s not that I didn’t understand. I just… didn’t care for humans.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “You’re practically born to be a vampire, babe. Let’s do the first embrace tonight.”

“Stop it, not caring for humans doesn’t mean I want to be a vampire,” Luoyao said slowly.

“Actually, something happened when I was five that made me realize I liked girls.”

“What happened?”

“Mhm.”

Luoyao said, “I was at the market with Granny, buying groceries. Granny was old, forgetful, and accidentally left me by the vegetable section. I stood by the tomato shelf, nearly crying, unable to find her.

Then a strange woman approached me, moving fast. I was scared, but another woman stopped her. They argued a bit, and the first woman left.

The second woman came over carefully, comforting me while we waited for Granny. That’s probably why I think girls are the gentlest, sweetest people. If I fall in love, it has to be with a girl.”

After hearing Luoyao’s story, Noah nodded thoughtfully.

She paused, then asked, “Do you remember what that woman looked like?”

“Hey, don’t go looking for her! She was just my emotional awakening. I don’t have those feelings for her!”

“Relax, am I the type to get jealous over nothing?”

“You… aren’t?”

Noah lightly kicked Luoyao’s butt. “Spill it.”

“Fine, fine,” Luoyao said, pursing her lips, recalling. “She wore sunglasses and a cap, tall and slim. I couldn’t see her full face, but she was probably pretty.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yup. It’s been over a decade. How could I remember more?”

“Alright, I get the picture…”

Get what?

Luoyao jolted upright, nervous. “Hey, don’t overthink it! You’re really the first person I fell for. Even if you’re not entirely human, but, but…”

She stumbled over her words.

She truly felt nothing special for that woman.

She was just the spark that showed Luoyao girls’ kindness and warmth.

But Noah’s tone… was she planning to track down this mystery lady?

“Hahaha, relax, I’m not jealous or overthinking.”

Noah sat up, meeting Luoyao’s eyes seriously. “If you met that woman now and she wanted to date you, would you say yes?”

“…Why are you trying to outshine yourself?” Luoyao said, exasperated.

“Answer me, would you?”

“Of course not.”

Luoyao said, “You didn’t get what I meant earlier.”

“No, I got it. Perfectly.”

Luoyao tilted her head, eyeing Noah suspiciously. “What… are you getting at?”

Noah smirked, playing mysterious. “Some things you’ll only understand as a vampire.”

“Marry me, and you’ll know what I mean.”

“First embrace, transformation, whatever—why ‘marry’?”

“It sounds spicier,” Noah said earnestly.

Luoyao pouted. “Hmph, no way. Who knows if you’re messing with me again.”

“Tch! Humans are so small-minded!”

“My biggest leap was falling for a non-human.”

Noah smiled, leaning closer.

She gazed into Luoyao’s bright black eyes, saying softly, “Read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins?”

“Yup.”

They shared a knowing smile, reciting in unison:

“I will defy my nature, go against my instincts—”

“And love you forever.”