Lin Qinghe prepared beef braised rice for You Rong and placed it in front of him. "It's done, eat quickly."
You Rong picked up his chopsticks and ate. Lin Qinghe sat beside him as usual, resting her chin in her hand, watching him eat.
You Rong's gaze was fixed on Lin Qinghe. He immediately noticed she was a bit distracted and couldn't help but ask, "Chu Tianhao has been coming over frequently lately. Is something happening in the vampire clan? Or is it something the Elder Council cannot know?"
Lin Qinghe snapped back to attention from her thoughts, looking at You Rong with a hint of surprise.
You Rong was indeed smart. Although he knew nothing, he had already guessed half of it just by observing Chu Tianhao's visits.
If the matter involved Mu Shaoqing, it would be too dangerous for You Rong. Lin Qinghe didn't want to drag him into it. She smiled and vaguely replied, "It's nothing important. Chu Tianhao is just trustworthy, so I've entrusted him with a task."
You Rong put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Qinghe, pursing his thin lips. "I can help with vampire matters too! I can help you!"
Lin Qinghe's smile deepened upon hearing this. She reached out and ruffled You Rong's hair. "Alright, alright... When you grow up, I'll naturally let you help me. Your most important task right now is... to eat well! Grow up quickly!"
You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe's hand away from his head, slightly displeased. "I'm not a child anymore! Don't talk to me like you're coaxing a child!"
However, Lin Qinghe didn't seem to hear him and continued to coax him. "Yes, yes, yes... You're all grown up now, not a child. I'll speak to you like an adult from now on."
"..."
You Rong picked up his chopsticks and continued eating, his expression placid, giving no indication of his thoughts. It seemed he couldn't be bothered with Lin Qinghe, but only he knew how vexed he felt in his heart about being born so late, even tens of thousands of years after Lin Qinghe.
If he had been born earlier and had always been by her side, perhaps she wouldn't have treated him like a child.
You Rong's thoughts were well-hidden, and Lin Qinghe didn't notice them at all. She cheerfully urged him to eat more.
-------------------------------------
Since Lin Qinghe had tasked Chu Tianhao with monitoring Mu Shaoqing, they had made some progress. At least they could confirm that Mu Shaoqing was directly involved with the mutated vampires.
Chu Tianhao relayed the information his subordinates had gathered to Lin Qinghe.
"Ancestor, look... In the eastern city, there's an extremely hidden abandoned industrial zone. Those mutated vampires all originate from this industrial zone. As far as I know, a large research laboratory has been built inside to study ways to alter vampire physiology. I found this out from their discarded documents and medications. Most importantly..."
Chu Tianhao paused. "The pure-blooded vampires who went missing a while ago. I investigated thoroughly. Before their disappearance, they had all been in contact with Elder Mu Shaoqing and Elder Shang He. Furthermore, Elder Mu Shaoqing and Elder Shang He have both visited the eastern city without the knowledge of the entire Elder Council."
Looking at the evidence Chu Tianhao had gathered, Lin Qinghe knew without a doubt that Mu Shaoqing and Shang He were inextricably linked to the异种血族 (mutated vampires).
Seeing Lin Qinghe lost in thought, Chu Tianhao asked, "Ancestor, since we've found the base where they conduct their experiments, should we go and destroy it now?"
"No, let's wait a bit longer."
"Wait longer? Why do we need to wait?" Chu Tianhao was very confused.
Lin Qinghe hooked the corner of her lips, her gaze turning slightly cold. "As the saying goes, 'to catch a thief, you must catch them red-handed.' Continue to monitor Mu Shaoqing and Shang He. When they go to the experimental base, we can catch them in the act! That way, they'll have nothing to say!"
Chu Tianhao's face lit up with understanding. "So that's your plan, Ancestor. I understand! I will continue to monitor them and inform you immediately if there are any developments."
Lin Qinghe: "Mm."
After Chu Tianhao left, Lin Qinghe assumed it would take some time before Mu Shaoqing and Shang He would visit the experimental base for the mutated vampires. Unexpectedly, only a week later, Chu Tianhao sent a message saying that Mu Shaoqing and Shang He were going to the eastern city under the guise of a development project.
If Lin Qinghe hadn't had Chu Tianhao investigate, she might have believed Mu Shaoqing was going to the eastern city for a development project. But now, it was impossible to believe, and even Chu Tianhao couldn't.
Lin Qinghe made a swift decision and resolved to go to the eastern city with Chu Tianhao, following closely behind.
Before departing, Lin Qinghe called Zhang Yi over and instructed, "I might be away for about a week. During this time, I won't be in the castle. You must stay close to You Rong and ensure nothing happens to him. Otherwise, I won't spare you when I return!"
Zhang Yi bowed respectfully. "Please rest assured, Ancestor. During your absence, I will take good care of the young master."
"Mm."
Just as she finished speaking with Zhang Yi, You Rong emerged from the training room. Lin Qinghe looked at him and said, "You Rong, come here."
You Rong walked over. Having sensed it earlier, he asked before Lin Qinghe could speak, "Are you going out?"
"That's right. I have some important matters to attend to and will be gone for a while. You are not to wander around during this time. Just stay home, and I'll be back soon."
You Rong's brows furrowed, and he looked at Lin Qinghe with unconcealed worry. "I'll go with you."
Given Chu Tianhao's frequent visits lately, he suspected something major was happening in the vampire clan. Could she be in danger this time?
Lin Qinghe refused without a second thought. "I have important matters to attend to on this trip, and you cannot come. Be good and obedient... I'll be back soon."
You Rong pursed his lips tightly as he looked at Lin Qinghe's hand ruffling his hair.
Here they go again... In her eyes, he was always treated like a child, she feared he would get hurt and went to great lengths to protect him.
But he was no longer a child!
Time was pressing, and Lin Qinghe didn't have the luxury to ponder You Rong's thoughts. Hearing a servant announce that Chu Tianhao was waiting outside, she patted You Rong's shoulder and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, You Rong grabbed her arm.
Lin Qinghe turned back, her expression slightly puzzled. "You Rong? What is it? Do you have something else to say?"
You Rong took a step forward and said in a low voice, "You haven't eaten for over two months. You should feed."
Lin Qinghe was taken aback. "This... it can wait until I get back."
"No! You must feed first before you go!" You Rong insisted.
Who knew if not feeding for too long would affect her abilities? What if she couldn't make it back and couldn't drink his blood while she was away?
Seeing You Rong's stance, as if she wouldn't be leaving today without drinking his blood, Lin Qinghe had no choice. She pulled him closer, stood on her tiptoes, and leaned towards his neck, her breath caressing his skin.
"Time is a bit tight, so I'll bite your neck. It might hurt, so bear with it."
You Rong whispered, "...It's okay."
Lin Qinghe bit down. The taste of You Rong's blood spread, causing the servants in the castle to have their pupils redden. Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, casting a stern, warning glance at them. They immediately lowered their heads, no longer harboring any greedy thoughts.
Lin Qinghe only drank a few sips before intending to stop. As she was about to release You Rong, he sensed her intention. He placed a hand on the back of her neck, pressing her firmly, and said hoarsely, "It's fine, drink a little more."
So Lin Qinghe drank a few more mouthfuls. When she released You Rong, her face was filled with satiety, making her look noble and beautiful, like the most honored queen of the night.
After You Rong's wound healed, Lin Qinghe glared at him. You Rong, knowing what she was about to say, smiled and preempted her. "I'm fine. It won't happen again next time."
Lin Qinghe then said irritably, "Really! If there's a next time, I'll drain all your blood in one go!"
"Mm, I know. Aren't you in a hurry? Go quickly, and come back soon."
Lin Qinghe was indeed in a hurry. She nodded at You Rong, replied "Okay," and then turned to leave in haste.
You Rong stood there for a long time. He raised his hand to touch the spot on his neck where he had been bitten and licked, his gaze shifting slightly.