You Rong's distinct facial features were close at hand, and Lin Qinghe froze for a moment before a deep smile welled up in her eyes.
"Alright, I know you're not a child. Your eighteenth birthday, when you officially come of age, is in a few days. I remember it all."
You Rong snorted, retracting his hand with a sense of satisfaction, and insisted, "I can help you with the Elder Council's affairs. I'll go tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe considered it. She believed that within the Elder Council, not many vampires would dare to act recklessly. Moreover, with Zhang Yi accompanying You Rong, there shouldn't be any problems.
So, Lin Qinghe smiled and said, "Okay, you can go to the Elder Council tomorrow to help me sort things out. Ah... you've really grown up. You know how to be considerate now."
You Rong pursed his lips and said softly, "I'll help you in the future. You don't have to work so hard."
"Good... Let's not talk about this anymore. Your birthday is coming up soon. What do you want for a birthday gift this time? I'll definitely prepare something nice for you."
You Rong didn't think much of it and casually replied, "No need. The same as previous years is fine. You..."
"You can't say no again! It was fine if you said you didn't want anything for your birthday in previous years, but this is different. This is the day you come of age, when you officially become an adult. For such a memorable occasion, I must give you something you like," Lin Qinghe interrupted.
Under Lin Qinghe's threatening gaze, You Rong actually started to ponder seriously.
He realized he didn't have anything he particularly wanted. If he had to say what he wanted...
You Rong suddenly looked up at Lin Qinghe, gazing at her intently.
Lin Qinghe touched her face in confusion. "What's wrong? Is there something on my face? Or did I grow a rash? Why are you looking at me like that?"
You Rong withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "I haven't thought of anything I want yet. If you insist that I suggest something... why don't you give me a promise? From now on, no matter what I want you to do, you will unconditionally agree."
"What do you want me to agree to?"
You Rong: "...Nothing yet. I'll tell you if there is."
Lin Qinghe pouted and grumbled slightly with dissatisfaction, "That's not very good. This kind of condition makes me seem like I'm at too much of a disadvantage..."
You Rong's thin lips moved as if to speak, but Lin Qinghe, with a bright smile, raised her eyebrows and changed her mind, "Forget it. It's your coming-of-age birthday, such a special day. I'll let you have this advantage. It's fine if I'm at a slight disadvantage. I promise!"
You Rong nodded and softly said, "Mm."
After they had happily made their agreement, Lin Qinghe mentioned dinner time and pulled You Rong along, taking him out for the evening meal.
You Rong lowered his eyes, looking at the soft, fair hands holding his. His gaze flickered slightly.
He truly didn't have anything he particularly wanted right now. If he had to say something, it would be that he wanted to live with Lin Qinghe forever and ever. Even if she found a partner in the future, she couldn't separate from him!
The next day.
Lin Qinghe hadn't intended to go to the Elder Council, but You Rong urged her repeatedly. With countless sighs, she brought him to the Elder Council.
You Rong's actions proved his words from yesterday were true; he was indeed going to the Elder Council to help her manage vampire affairs.
Upon arriving at the Elder Council, Lin Qinghe called for Chu Tianhao and Li Shuo. Chu Tianhao, upon seeing You Rong, greeted him with a smile on his handsome face, "Young master, long time no see."
As expected, Chu Tianhao received a cold glare from You Rong.
Chu Tianhao shrugged, looking helpless.
He had been fortunate enough to see such cold glares frequently when he used to visit Lin Qinghe's castle.
Lin Qinghe cleared her throat and said, "Tianhao, Elder Li, I've called you here today to discuss something. From now on, You Rong will come to the Elder Council to help me handle some vampire matters. However, he's new and will surely not understand much. Let him start by... " she paused, "...understanding the vampires' industries among humans. Tianhao, you will mentor him well during this period."
Lin Qinghe temporarily didn't want You Rong involved in the more dangerous matters within the vampire community. Having him manage these industries at the Elder Council would be relatively safer.
Chu Tianhao clearly understood Lin Qinghe's intentions and replied with a smile, "Please rest assured, Ancestor. I will take good care of the young master and ensure he faces no danger whatsoever."
Li Shuo also added, "Yes, please rest assured, Ancestor. I will do my utmost to fulfill the tasks you've assigned."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Yes, thank you both."
"Ancestor, you are too kind. This is what we should do."
After giving instructions to Chu Tianhao and Li Shuo, Lin Qinghe gave You Rong a look, signaling him to greet them. You Rong met Chu Tianhao's smiling face with great displeasure.
She called him Tianhao. When had their relationship become so familiar?
Despite his dislike for Chu Tianhao, he had promised to come to the Elder Council to help Lin Qinghe, so he couldn't avoid interacting with Chu Tianhao. Therefore, he coldly uttered, "I'll trouble you both for your guidance from now on."
Chu Tianhao, noticing You Rong's displeasure, grinned broadly and familiarly slung an arm over his shoulder, patting it heavily. "Young master, don't worry. If you have any questions in the Elder Council from now on, feel free to ask me. I'll tell you everything I know!"
You Rong frowned slightly and subtly stepped back, allowing the arm on his shoulder to fall.
Seeing this, Chu Tianhao smiled with an unreadable expression.
Lin Qinghe didn't think much of it. You Rong had always been reserved; she assumed he simply disliked excessive physical contact.
Lin Qinghe said, "Alright, that's it for today. You Rong's workspace... will be here with me. If you need to find him, come here. For any documents that You Rong needs to handle, send them directly to me."
"Yes, Ancestor."
"Understood, Ancestor. We'll take our leave now."
Lin Qinghe nodded. "Mm."
After they left, Lin Qinghe took You Rong on a tour of the Elder Council. In truth, it wasn't much of a tour, but rather a series of chilling glares she directed at every vampire in the Elder Council who dared to look at You Rong for too long.
From that day on, it was rumored throughout the entire Elder Council that no vampire dared to have any improper thoughts about You Rong, or even glance at him excessively. Lin Qinghe was very satisfied with this outcome.
Time flew by, and another five days passed.
Lin Qinghe was contemplating whether she should confess her feelings to You Rong when he came of age in two days, or continue with the slow burn of developing feelings over time.
However, seeing You Rong treat her as a family member with such seriousness, she feared that the "developing feelings over time" might result in familial affection.
Lin Qinghe was troubled. Before she could come up with a solution, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Chu Tianhao entered with a grave expression. "Ancestor, a vampire just reported seeing Mu Shaoqing in City A. What's more, he was accompanied by several异种 (yìzhǒng -異種) vampires and even attacked a lone vampire!"