Chapter Seven: The Allure of Blood

When I arrived at the infirmary, Xingyu's ankle had already been treated and wrapped in bandages. The doctor was tending to the abrasions on Xingyu's knee. Just moments ago, I was so anxious about Xingyu's injuries that I barely noticed anything else; but once I relaxed, the faint blood seeping from the wound on Xingyu's knee stirred something deep within me. I longed for blood—Xingyu's blood, right before my eyes.

I shook my head, suppressing the impulse with all my strength. Such a trivial urge to drink blood, and yet I found it hard to restrain myself. What was happening to me?

“Miss?” Ang looked at my pale face, his voice filled with concern.

“Nana, you don’t look well. Are you alright?” Le Xiaoyou asked worriedly, and Ang’s question immediately drew everyone’s attention to me.

“It’s nothing, just a little anemia. I stood too long in P.E. and rushed over here, so my blood pressure is probably a bit low. I’ll be fine after some rest.” I explained to them.

“That’s good, as long as you’re alright.” Hearing my explanation, Xingyu and the others seemed relieved. Only Ang continued to watch me, worry hidden in his gaze; the excuse of anemia would never fool him.

“Huff… huff...” Mo Chen, who had just carried Xingyu over, was still gasping for breath, clearly exhausted from bringing her here.

“If everything’s fine, I’ll head to class. If you need anything, just call me. Consider it my apology for what happened in P.E.” This Mo Chen was still brooding over the incident. It was the first time I’d met someone so… diligent.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. If we ever need anything, we’ll come find you.” Le Xiaoyou chimed in quickly, probably planning to use him as a helper. Although he was already out of breath just from carrying Xingyu here, his stamina was impressive—he could jog while carrying someone.

“Thank you so much. My name is Xingyu, from Class Six, Grade Two.” Xingyu thanked Mo Chen.

“I’m Xingyu’s classmate, Le Xiaoyou from the track team. I know you—you’re the star of the soccer team. If anything comes up, I’ll count on you.” Le Xiaoyou grinned at Mo Chen.

Mo Chen then looked at me, but I had no intention of introducing myself and simply ignored his gaze.

“This is Liliana, Liliana Litis Alucard. Just call her Nana,” Le Xiaoyou said, taking it upon herself to introduce me.

“Hello, Liliana.” Mo Chen greeted me awkwardly. Thankfully, he didn’t dare call me Nana; if he had, I would have surely killed him. Suddenly, I realized that I was becoming accustomed to Le Xiaoyou calling me Nana. No, impossible—that must be my imagination. I forced the ridiculous thought from my mind.

“If you need anything, just come to me. As long as I can do it, I won’t refuse.” Mo Chen repeated himself. Such diligence… In the face of his earnestness, I found myself unable to dislike him.

“Well, I’ll be off then!” Mo Chen tossed out one final sentence and ran from the infirmary.

“Xingyu, you won’t be able to walk home alone like this, will you?” After Mo Chen left, Le Xiaoyou looked at the bandage on Xingyu’s ankle with concern. “How about I take you home?”

“No need, you have club activities. I can manage alone.” Xingyu declined, as she always thought of others first. “But…” Le Xiaoyou was still worried about Xingyu’s condition.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take Xingyu home.” As they spoke, the doctor finished treating Xingyu’s knee, and the smell of disinfectant masked the scent of her blood, allowing me to finally suppress my urge to feed. I interjected.

“Really? That’s wonderful, now there’s nothing to worry about.” Hearing this, Le Xiaoyou smiled in relief.

“No, really, I can walk home by myself.” Xingyu didn’t want to trouble anyone.

“It’s fine, I have a car—it’s just on the way. We’re friends.” I put Xingyu at ease. I didn’t feel comfortable letting her walk home alone, and besides, I needed to confirm something.

“By the way, since it’s no trouble, I’ll pick you up for school in the morning as well.” I added.

“Is that alright?” Xingyu was clearly uneasy about my offer.

“No problem. Consider it repayment for lunch—I’ll rely on you for lunch from now on.” I said to Xingyu. Thinking of eating lunch made by Xingyu herself filled me with warmth.

“Alright, I’ll take care of your lunches from now on, Liliana. As thanks, I’ll rely on you these few days.” Xingyu smiled.

“Mm.” I replied softly.

After school, Xingyu and I left together by car.

Under the gaze of many, Ang carried Xingyu out of the school gates. Being watched by so many people made Xingyu feel embarrassed; her fair face flushed with red.

The black sedan followed Xingyu’s directions and slowly entered a residential area. The buildings looked old, clearly having stood for many years. Passersby paused to observe our car, pointing and whispering.

The car stopped in front of Xingyu’s building, and Ang quickly got out to help Xingyu from the car. As Xingyu and Ang exited, the crowd murmured.

“Isn’t that Xingyu?” a middle-aged woman exclaimed in surprise.

“Hello, Aunt Sun,” Xingyu greeted politely.

“Xingyu, what’s going on? Whose car is this? And who is that?” Aunt Sun pointed at the car and Ang, her tone puzzled.

“That’s my classmate’s family car. I sprained my ankle today, and she brought me home since it’s on her way.” Xingyu explained.

“Classmate?” Aunt Sun looked at Ang suspiciously.

“That’s my classmate’s family’s steward, Ang,” Xingyu quickly introduced.

“Well, it looks like your classmate’s family is quite wealthy. Is your classmate male or female? Xingyu, you aren’t dating, are you?” Aunt Sun pressed further.

“Aunt Sun, what are you saying? She’s just an ordinary classmate.” Xingyu blushed at Aunt Sun’s questioning.

“Mr. Xingyu, please wait a moment.” Ang helped Xingyu stand in front of the building entrance, then returned to the car and opened the door. I stepped out amid a chorus of whispers.

The moment I descended from the car, the crowd fell silent.

Seeing me emerge, Xingyu hurried to introduce, “This is my classmate, Liliana. Aunt Sun…” Aunt Sun was clearly still in shock, and Xingyu had to call her several times before she came to herself.

“I didn’t expect Xingyu to have a foreign classmate—so beautiful!” Aunt Sun praised me.

“Liliana, this is Aunt Sun, who lives across from me and is a good friend of my mother.” I nodded to Aunt Sun in greeting.

“Xingyu, are your parents home? Since I’m here, I might as well pay them a visit,” I said to Xingyu.

“Yes, they should be home by now. Let’s go up together. My place is a bit small, I hope you don’t mind.” Xingyu replied, then turned to Aunt Sun, “Aunt Sun, I’ll head up then.”

“Alright, Xingyu, go ahead. Aunt’s heading out to buy groceries.” Aunt Sun still seemed dazed, her answer absent-minded.

At my gesture, Ang once again carried Xingyu upstairs, with me following behind.

As we climbed, Xingyu chatted with me, “Liliana, you’re really impressive. The neighbors are all stunned by you.”

“Is that so? They’re probably just not used to seeing a foreigner suddenly appear,” I replied.

“Also, Xingyu, you can just call me Lilith. No need to add ‘classmate’ anymore.”

“Is that alright?” Xingyu asked, a bit uneasy.

“Yes, just call me Lilith,” I affirmed.

“Okay, then I’ll call you Lilith from now on,” Xingyu said happily, as if our relationship had grown a little closer.

Inside Xingyu’s home, I looked around; though not large, it was tidy and gave a feeling of warmth. Xingyu’s parents were very grateful to me and insisted I stay for dinner, but I politely declined. Bringing Xingyu home was merely to confirm some things; meeting her parents was enough. Amid their gratitude, I left Xingyu’s home and returned by car to the estate on the outskirts.

I stood quietly by the window, gazing at the night outside, immersed in the silent, cold darkness. “Just as I thought,” I whispered to myself.

Xingyu’s parents did not interest me; only Xingyu was special—or rather, Xingyu’s blood was special. My concern for Xingyu came from his blood, from its purity.

Pure blood is an irresistible temptation for the bloodline, and Xingyu’s blood was the purest I had ever encountered. Even its ordinary scent held enough allure for me, which was why I cared so much for him, why I could not suppress my urge to feed.

“So, that’s how it is.” I murmured, a fierce possessiveness flashing in my eyes. Xingyu, you are mine, and no one can stop me from claiming you.

“Ang,” I said.

“Yes, Miss. Please give your orders.” Ang replied respectfully from behind me.

“At any cost, ensure Xingyu’s safety. I want him. I want him as my exclusive prize.” I commanded.

“Understood, I’ll see to it at once.” Ang’s figure vanished into the darkness behind me.

“Xingyu.” My lips gently uttered his name as I raised the glass and drained the blood within. This shall be the last time I drink another’s blood; from now on, the only blood I will ever taste will be yours. Xingyu, I promise you.