Meng Xiaoyi sidled up to Meng Jianghe, hooking her arm around his and acting cute. "Grandpa, I'm back! Look... I even brought You Rong back with me!"
Meng Jianghe's face was stern as he reprimanded her, "You still have the nerve to say that! Do you know how dangerous it was for you to sneak out alone? You almost drove Grandpa crazy!"
Meng Xiaoyi stuck out her tongue and replied with a charming, playful tone, "Grandpa, don't be angry. I just saw you looking so worried every day, so I thought I'd bring You Rong back. See... I didn't disappoint, I brought him back for you."
"You, you! You just know how to twist words. Grandpa can't win an argument with you."
"That's because everything I say is right, so Grandpa can't win against me!"
After chatting for a while, Meng Jianghe turned his scrutinizing gaze to You Rong. After a long pause, he said somberly, "You Rong, you've been living in exile all these years. You must have suffered a lot."
You Rong met Meng Jianghe's gaze and replied calmly, "No, they treated me very well in the Blood Clan."
"This..."
Meng Jianghe clearly didn't believe him. Seeing this, Meng Xiaoyi tugged at his arm and whispered, "Grandpa, those vampires really seem to treat him well. I saw it with my own eyes."
Meng Jianghe remained skeptical but chose not to press further. "Forget it, none of that matters now. What matters is that you're back. I heard from the Snake Clan that you could reveal your true form as soon as you came of age, and you have blue eyes... This shows your talent is top-notch. At least among your generation, no one has appeared with better talent than you. My old bones are nearing their end, and I can no longer manage the werewolf tribe. Are you willing to take over the position of werewolf leader and lead the werewolf tribe well in the future?"
You Rong's eyes were deep, making it impossible to read his thoughts. He said, "I can accept the position of werewolf leader and promise to lead the werewolf tribe well. However, the werewolf tribe must obey all my arrangements. Once I take over as the werewolf leader, no one is allowed to raise the slightest objection to any decision I make!"
Meng Xiaoyi frowned slightly, a little displeased. She thought her grandfather would also be unhappy with You Rong, but to her surprise, Meng Jianghe stroked his white beard and smiled in satisfaction. "That is natural. As long as you take over as the werewolf leader, the werewolf tribe should obey all your commands. But whether they truly listen... that will depend on your own abilities."
You Rong's voice was firm, full of confidence, "I will do it!"
"Good, then it's settled. I'll have a servant take you to rest. In half a month, you will officially take over as the werewolf leader. During these two weeks... you must be careful yourself."
The last sentence from Meng Jianghe seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Meng Xiaoyi, about to speak, was met with a look from him and swallowed her words, saying nothing.
You Rong wasn't foolish and naturally understood the implications in Meng Jianghe's words. He showed no fear and nodded, "I understand."
Meng Jianghe called for a werewolf to escort You Rong away.
As soon as You Rong left, Meng Xiaoyi turned to Meng Jianghe indignantly, "Grandpa! Why didn't you let me tell You Rong about the current situation? Those uncles are all coveting the leadership position. If they find out you're letting You Rong take over, given their personalities, how could they possibly let You Rong off!"
Meng Jianghe gave Meng Xiaoyi a reassuring smile. "We need to trust that You Rong can handle it."
"But those uncles... you know their usual tactics..."
Meng Jianghe interrupted Meng Xiaoyi, "This is a good opportunity to see You Rong's capabilities. Even with his talent, if he can't even handle this, he's truly not fit to be the werewolf leader, nor can I trust him to lead the werewolf tribe well."
"So... Grandpa, you did it on purpose?"
"Precisely. This can be considered a small test for You Rong. As soon as you said you were bringing You Rong back, I had already arranged for the news of You Rong's succession to be leaked. If nothing unexpected happens... your uncles will make their move tonight." Meng Jianghe said with a cunning smile.
Meng Xiaoyi hesitated, wanting to say more but ultimately remaining silent. However, she still felt that Meng Jianghe might have gone too far.
After all, if You Rong isn't told anything, what if he...
-------------------------------------
Night.
You Rong sat outside on the balcony. The manor was silent, with only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and the chirping of unknown insects.
This was the first time You Rong experienced insomnia. He couldn't sleep, and when he closed his eyes, all he could think about was Lin Qinghe.
Was she safe? Were the vampire servants attending to her attentive enough? Would she wake up suddenly? Would she be very angry if she knew he had returned to the werewolf tribe?
You Rong closed his eyes slightly, trying to suppress the surge of longing in his heart.
Suddenly, You Rong's eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as he stared into the dark expanse ahead. Those pairs of eyes, flickering with a dim glow, were slowly closing in on him.
You Rong let out a cold laugh, recalling Meng Jianghe's veiled words from earlier.
It seemed he was referring to these werewolves.
Surrounded and attacked by nearly a dozen werewolves, You Rong revealed his true form. As they lunged at him, he engaged them in battle without flinching.
An hour later.
The door to You Rong's room was pushed open. Meng Xiaoyi, supporting Meng Jianghe, walked in. They saw You Rong standing on the balcony, covered in blood and wounded all over, while below the balcony lay a pile of injured and dead werewolves.
You Rong's ferocity hadn't yet subsided. He glared at Meng Jianghe and asked, word by word, "Is this enough?"
Although his simple question didn't specify what he was referring to, Meng Jianghe clearly understood. He smiled with great satisfaction, "Enough! Let's move up the ceremony for succession. It will be held in three days!"
He had indeed chosen the right person. You Rong's strength was definitely among the best in their werewolf tribe!
You Rong replied, "Good!"
Meng Jianghe signaled for other werewolves to clean up and then left. Meng Xiaoyi, her face full of worry, approached You Rong with a first-aid kit. She said apologetically, "I'm sorry about what happened just now... You must be badly hurt. Let me put some medicine on you, okay?"
You Rong frowned and dodged Meng Xiaoyi's touch. "I can do it myself."
"You're injured all over, it must be inconvenient in many places. Let me help you!"
"No need."
You Rong's attitude was cold and firm. Meng Xiaoyi had no choice but to let him be, handing him the medical kit. "This is specialized werewolf medicine. It will help you heal faster."
You Rong didn't move, looking at Meng Xiaoyi indifferently. Meng Xiaoyi blinked in confusion, taking a moment to understand. You Rong impatiently said, "Leave!"
"Ah? Oh, okay... I'll leave for now. Call me if you need any help."
Meng Xiaoyi left. You Rong applied the medicine to himself. As he poured powder onto his deep wounds, he let out a muffled groan of pain.
In that instant, he thought of Lin Qinghe.
If she were here, knowing he was so seriously injured, she would surely be both heartbroken and angry, scolding him while treating his wounds.
Thinking of Lin Qinghe, a faint smile appeared on You Rong's pale, pained face.