Lin Qinghe didn't know what You Rong was thinking as she watched him eat, which made her feel quite emotional. You Rong was seventeen this year and would soon be an adult, giving her the illusion of her child finally growing up.
Looking closely now, You Rong's appearance was even more striking than four years ago. His temperament was no longer impetuous, but rather indifferent. He was like this with everyone, and even though he showed a little dependence on her, he never expressed it.
Would You Rong truly fall for someone?
Lin Qinghe looked at the progress bar that hadn't moved for so many years and suddenly felt melancholic.
You Rong put down his chopsticks, looked up at Lin Qinghe, and said in a low voice, "I'm done eating. I'm going upstairs."
As You Rong stood up to go upstairs, Lin Qinghe snapped back to attention and also stood up. "You Rong, wait. I have something I want to say to you. You..."
Just as Lin Qinghe reached out to grab You Rong, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She staggered back two steps and sat back down on the chair.
Zhang Yi, who had been standing by, rushed over in a panic. "Ancestor? What's wrong? Are you okay? Ancestor..."
Hearing the commotion, You Rong quickly turned around. Seeing Lin Qinghe leaning against the chair, looking very weak, his heart ached. He walked over quickly.
"What's going on? Did I... did I hit you when I fired the gun just now?"
Lin Qinghe closed her eyes slightly, recovered for a moment, and then opened them with a smile. "No... don't think too much. You saw it yourself just now, I wasn't hurt. I just lost my balance and fell. Don't worry."
"Ancestor, you..." Zhang Yi hesitated, but upon meeting Lin Qinghe's warning gaze, he had to hold back what he was about to say.
You Rong wasn't stupid. He could see Lin Qinghe's weakness and the exchange of glances between her and Zhang Yi. He pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on Zhang Yi, and asked directly, "Butler Zhang, tell me, what exactly is going on?"
"Young master..."
Lin Qinghe hurriedly interrupted Zhang Yi. "I already said I'm fine. Why don't you believe me, you little rascal? Would I lie to you?"
You Rong ignored Lin Qinghe and continued to stare at Zhang Yi. "Butler Zhang, you tell me!"
"You Rong, I'm really fine. I..."
You Rong lowered his head and said coldly to Lin Qinghe, "Stop talking! I want to hear what Butler Zhang has to say!"
Lin Qinghe: "..."
She had always doted on You Rong, letting him have his way, which resulted in her obediently shutting up whenever he spoke.
And yet, You Rong was just an immature little brat who hadn't reached adulthood yet!
Seeing this, perhaps out of excessive concern for Lin Qinghe, Zhang Yi chose to disobey her wishes and stammered, "Ancestor is, is... she hasn't eaten for too long. If vampires go too long without sustenance, their bodily functions will degenerate, causing various discomforts. The last time Ancestor ate was months ago. If this continues, even Ancestor... her body won't be able to withstand it."
You Rong looked down at Lin Qinghe, his eyes complex and unreadable.
Lin Qinghe sighed and mumbled, "It's not that exaggerated. I just don't like the taste of blood. It's too unpleasant, and it doesn't whet my appetite at all..."
In reality, it was because the soul in her body had changed. She instinctively resisted the taste of blood and had only forced herself to eat to avoid starving to death.
You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe in silence for a moment, then suddenly bent down and picked her up. Lin Qinghe was startled and hugged his neck, asking confusedly, "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly carrying me?"
You Rong said in a deep voice, "I'll take you upstairs."
You Rong carried Lin Qinghe upstairs with steady steps. Zhang Yi watched their retreating figures, his face still etched with worry.
Since the young master came to the castle, the Ancestor had changed so much. For better or worse, she didn't know.
The bedroom upstairs.
You Rong gently placed her on the soft bed and then sat down by the bedside. His eyes were downcast, his young, handsome face expressionless, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Lin Qinghe tugged his sleeve. "What's wrong? Worried about me?"
You Rong looked up at Lin Qinghe, his gaze unfathomably deep. He didn't answer. After a long pause, he picked up the silver dagger Lin Qinghe had specially made for him from the bedside table, made a cut on his wrist, and bright red blood instantly gushed out. The sweet, metallic scent immediately filled the entire bedroom.
Lin Qinghe's pupils contracted, slowly turning red as she stared at the fresh blood flowing from You Rong's wrist. She swallowed involuntarily.
She hadn't eaten for so long, and her body was screaming to devour the deliciousness before her.
In just a moment, Lin Qinghe's sanity overcame her body's instinctive craving. She recoiled violently and turned her face away, angrily saying, "You Rong! What are you doing? Do you have a masochistic tendency? Hurry and bandage your wound!"
You Rong held his wounded wrist out to Lin Qinghe. "You dislike the taste of other people's blood, but you've always said you like my scent, haven't you? Drink it..."
After all, she brought him back and spent so much effort raising him for all these years, wasn't this the reason?
Lin Qinghe guessed what You Rong was thinking, and it was impossible not to be angry. She had taken care of him for years, worrying about him being cold or hungry every day, and constantly being vigilant lest he be eaten by another vampire. Yet, in the end, he still believed she was just raising him as food.
Lin Qinghe suppressed her body's craving, glared at You Rong, and fiercely slapped his arm away. "Go bandage your wound and don't make me say it a second time!"
You Rong held his bleeding wrist out to Lin Qinghe again. "Why aren't you drinking? Haven't you always wanted to drink my blood?"
The rich, sweet scent made Lin Qinghe almost lose control. Her pupils turned red, and she shouted at You Rong, "Get! Out!"
You Rong didn't move, and they remained in a stalemate. Lin Qinghe was so tempted that she could barely hold on. She forced herself to get up to leave, but You Rong suddenly grabbed her and brought his bleeding wrist to her lips.
The warm blood touched her red lips. Lin Qinghe's entire body trembled, and the string of tension within her snapped. Almost instinctively, she bared her two sharp fangs and bit down hard on You Rong's wrist.
Gulping sounds echoed, as Lin Qinghe swallowed You Rong's blood.
You Rong's handsome brows furrowed, as if in pain, but he remained silent, quietly watching Lin Qinghe drink his blood, his eyes gradually becoming infatuated.
Fortunately, Lin Qinghe didn't completely lose control. Seeing You Rong's face turn pale, she forcibly suppressed her body's craving and released his wrist.
Lin Qinghe turned her face away, her breathing rapid. After a while, she calmed down and turned back. With bloodstains around her mouth, she looked exceptionally alluring and charming in You Rong's eyes.
Lin Qinghe glared at You Rong, furious, and opened her mouth to scold him. But noticing that his cut was still oozing blood, and the bite marks she had made were also bleeding, she forgot her anger. She pulled his hand over and licked the wound. The wound healed at a visible rate.
Lin Qinghe shoved You Rong's arm away, her face grim. "You Rong! What are you doing? Did I ever say I wanted to drink your blood?"
You Rong's face was pale, but his expression was indifferent. "You like drinking my blood, so why are you angry? Haven't you always wanted to drink it?"
"You!"
Lin Qinghe was so angry she couldn't speak.
You Rong's eyes clearly conveyed: You brought me back and raised me for so many years just to drink my blood. Now that you've gotten what you wanted, why are you acting like you've profited and are still complaining?
Lin Qinghe was so angry her liver hurt. Everything she had done for the past few years had been in vain. She could have warmed a stone, but this ungrateful wretch, You Rong!
Lin Qinghe turned and stormed out in anger. If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she would just confirm his suspicions and drain You Rong dry in one go!