Lin Qinghe descended from the car, holding You Rong’s hand as Zhang Yi led the way into the hotel.
Along the way, everyone Lin Qinghe passed, whether dressed as hotel staff or in haute couture, invariably placed a fist over their chest and bowed slightly in greeting.
Lin Qinghe’s expression was indifferent as she walked in unhurriedly, pulling You Rong along.
The situation made it clear to her: everyone in this Emperor Grand Hotel was a vampire.
As Lin Qinghe stepped inside, the vampires at the banquet turned their heads to look. Their faces were filled with astonishment, followed by a flurry of whispers and murmuring.
“The Progenitor herself has come! She hasn’t appeared in over ten thousand years. Even the three elders of the Council of Elders and the patriarchs of the four great families can’t easily see her on a normal day. Why is she here today?”
“Exactly. None of us have ever seen her. We never expected her to attend today’s banquet. To see her… our visit today is truly worth it.”
Lin Qinghe’s mouth twitched severely.
They considered her an elder?
Alright, thinking about it, they weren’t wrong. The original host had lived for tens of thousands of years. Let alone an elder, calling her an ancient demon wouldn’t be incorrect either.
The vampires’ hushed conversations continued.
“But isn’t the person accompanying the Progenitor… a werewolf? Why is she with a werewolf?”
“It is! That’s a werewolf!”
“Could the Progenitor want to taste werewolf blood? I’ve heard before that werewolf blood… is just as delicious as human blood!”
“Really? Didn’t the Council of Elders just say that our kind must never violate the contract, or face strict punishment? I heard it was the Progenitor’s decree. If that’s the case, isn’t she violating it herself?” Su Dan Novel Network
“Can she be compared to us? Regardless… you should all keep your voices down. Don’t let the Progenitor hear you. If you’re caught gossiping about her behind her back, you’ll regret it!”
“Right, let’s stop talking…”
Lin Qinghe’s mouth twitched again.
She wanted to say… she heard every word.
Mu Shaoqing, Shang He, Li Shuo, and others, upon seeing Lin Qinghe arrive, hurried over and said in unison, “Progenitor.”
Lin Qinghe nodded slightly, acknowledging them.
Mu Shaoqing subtly glanced at You Rong behind Lin Qinghe, then respectfully said to her, “Progenitor, you have arrived.”
Lin Qinghe nodded.
Mu Shaoqing continued, “The patriarchs of the four great families are over there. I’ll have them come and greet you.”
Mu Shaoqing gestured to a waiter behind him and spoke a few words. The waiter hurried away, presumably to summon the patriarchs of the four great families as instructed.
Since entering, You Rong had instinctively moved closer to Lin Qinghe. He noticed all eyes on him, subtle yet present. The gazes held a mixture of curiosity, displeasure, and outright avarice, as if they longed to consume him.
You Rong instinctively tightened his grip on Lin Qinghe’s hand. Lin Qinghe felt it and looked down to see his brows furrowed and his expression stern. She immediately understood. She raised her head and shot a displeased glance at the vampires present. One by one, they lowered their heads, not daring to look at her anymore.
Lin Qinghe withdrew her gaze, patted You Rong’s hand reassuringly. You Rong pursed his lips, remaining silent.
Lin Qinghe looked around. The goblets at the banquet were filled with blood. It was thoughtful of the vampires to mimic humans and host a banquet. The desserts on display were edible for You Rong.
Lin Qinghe picked up a piece of cake and offered it to You Rong, smiling, “Eat. This is cake… otherwise, you’ll be hungry later.”
You Rong, with a cold expression, didn’t take it. Lin Qinghe wasn’t bothered. She smiled and extended the cake further, “Don’t worry, eat it. It’s made from normal flour, not human flesh.”
You Rong huffed and said in a low voice, “I’m not hungry!”
“Then you should still take it and eat. Don’t children like snacks?”
You Rong glared at the smiling Lin Qinghe, “I’m not a child!”
Lin Qinghe reached out and stroked the head of You Rong, who only reached her shoulder, laughing even more heartily, “Is that so? You’re this short… what else are you but a child? Hmm?”
You Rong tilted his head up and glared angrily at Lin Qinghe, falling silent.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction, thrust the cake into his hand, “Be good, eat it quickly. Children should act like children.”
Mu Shaoqing, watching this scene, was inwardly astonished.
He had thought Lin Qinghe kept this werewolf boy by her side to raise him as food. But seeing this now, it didn’t seem to be the case.