35. He had never doubted.

“Let me introduce you. Prince Kate, this is Gu Rong, the current leader of the Wolf Clan,” Zhong Lishu said, turning to Qiu Rong. He continued, “Gu Clan Leader, this is Prince Roy Kate of the Vampire Clan.”

Roy Kate.

This wasn’t the first time Qiu Rong had heard this name. Ruan Sijia had seen the real name of the Vampire Clan Prince on the list of the special task force. She had even told Qiu Rong the contact address and phone number of Roy Kate.

…If Qiu Rong had gone to his doorstep with that address back then, would things have turned out like this?

They faced each other, caught off guard.

So familiar.

Familiar to the point where every evening, Qiu Rong prepared the attire that Yan Ling wore from head to toe, and the few suits that Qiu Rong owned were all bought by Yan Ling.

Yet so unfamiliar.

Yan Ling wore a cold expression that Qiu Rong had never seen before. When Qiu Rong’s mind went blank, Yan Ling was the first to extend his hand and spoke, “Nice to meet you, Clan Leader Gu.”

Qiu Rong looked at him, seeing the thin lips continue to move. Yan Ling calmly said, “I don’t have much understanding of how the various clans operate. I heard that the leader of the Wolf Clan is very poor, to the point of not having a place to live. Is that true?”

Lies told will eventually be exposed. Qiu Rong opened his mouth to explain, but Yan Ling self-mockingly interrupted, “I am curious, though. The batch of blood that the Wolf Clan took from the Vampire Clan must have been sold for a good price, right?”

“What is going on with you two?” Zhong Lishu sensed that something was wrong between the two individuals. Previously, Qiu Rong had claimed not to have met the Vampire Clan Prince, but the current situation indicated that both of them should know each other.

Yan Ling’s hand was still suspended in mid-air, while Qiu Rong stiffly raised his arm and touched something ice-cold. Yan Ling’s eyes were filled with coldness as he said, “Clan Leader Gu, is the blood of the Vampire Clan tasty?”

…

“…Is the blood of the Vampire Clan tasty?”

…

Qiu Rong’s absent gaze shifted from the tightly clasped hands of the two individuals to the small red mole on Yan Ling’s wrist, and then to Yan Ling’s face.

The hand in his palm trembled imperceptibly.

Qiu Rong’s heart suddenly raced, and he tightly held Yan Ling’s trembling hand, pulling him forward a step.

His thumb pressed firmly against the small red mole on the fair skin of Yan Ling’s wrist.

“…Is it you?”

He remembered.

The person who held him fifteen years ago, using the same cold hand, embracing his wounded and exhausted self.

They didn’t take him to the hospital or provide any treatment.

There was only the heavy smell of blood.

In the darkness, the dazed little wolf cub tightly clenched the fragrance near his mouth, emitting a threatening growl from his throat as he protected his food.

The cool blood continuously flowed into his mouth, and the increasingly cold hand gently stroked his fur. A clear and pleasant voice sounded above him:

“…Is the blood of the Vampire Clan tasty?”

…

He shouldn’t have forgotten.

How was he able to recover from his severe injuries in such a short time and regain the strength to transform back into human form and run to the orphanage?

…It was a Vampire Clan member who saved him with their own blood.

Only natural-born Vampire Clan members possessed the ability to heal with their blood. And the person who saved him had a red mole on their wrist.

“You…” Too many thoughts crowded Qiu Rong’s mind. Facing Yan Ling’s complex gaze, he couldn’t organize his thoughts for a moment and could only ask the question that mattered most to him, “…Did you stay in a hospital fifteen years ago? A University Affiliated Hospital?”

Yan Ling’s expression changed abruptly. The forced calmness on his face crumbled into emptiness. He quickly pulled his hand away from Qiu Rong’s grip and enunciated each word, “Are you suspecting me now?”

Qiu Rong was taken aback, “What?”

The noisy conversations in the room unknowingly quieted down. Everyone in the venue noticed the situation here when they turned their heads. In that instant, an irresistible pressure swept through.

The staff operating the equipment trembled, and the projector was turned on.

Colorful lights fell upon the three individuals in front of the screen.

Zhong Lishu: “…”

The imposing aura of the Vampire Clan Prince’s reversion bloodline pointed directly at Qiu Rong like a sharp sword. Before Qiu Rong could react, a low growl instinctively emerged from his throat.

Zhong Lishu, who was being hindered by his body and starting to cough at a critical moment, said, “Wait a moment…”

“Are you trying to intimidate me?” Yan Ling took a step forward, intensifying the pressure directed at Qiu Rong.

Qiu Rong was forced to reveal his two wolf ears, his gray furry ears tightly pressed back, folding into airplane ears.

Qiu Rong understood Yan Ling’s emotional changes too well. Initially, Yan Ling’s eyes were filled with restrained anger after being deceived. But now, a hint of sadness flashed through the imposing prince’s eyes.

“Hey?”

Qiu Rong didn’t know why his words would provoke Yan Ling, but he didn’t want to see Yan Ling in such a state. He suppressed the instinctive urge to attack surging in his blood and tried to reach out and hold Yan Ling’s hand.

“Hey, hey, hey?”

The flickering projection cast upon them. Zhong Lishu, who had finally managed to suppress his coughing, absentmindedly glanced at the screen behind him. He helplessly covered his face, gesturing for the staff to turn off the projection.

However, in the next moment, the delayed network connection was restored. Under the gaze of everyone, a half-naked Merfolk appeared on the screen.

The imposing Vampire Clan Prince and the partially transformed Wolf Clan leader were tugging and pulling at each other.

And there, swimming around them, was a projection of a half-naked Merfolk.

…The scene was indescribably absurd.

A cry of astonishment came from the half-naked Merfolk through the sound system, “Wow, so many people!”

The crowd responded, “…”

“Huh? Why is everyone standing? Hasn’t the meeting started yet? What part are we in now?” The golden-haired Merfolk clan leader with a face close to the screen squinted for a moment, then exclaimed, “Oh,” before focusing on the screen, “Clan Leader Gu ? Prince Kate?”

Qiu Rong and Yan Ling, who were at a standoff, simultaneously turned their heads.

They first saw the ambiguous projections on the screen, entangled and inseparable. Then they looked up and saw a half-naked Merfolk.

Qiu Rong: “…”

Yan Ling: “…”

The two of them simultaneously let go of each other’s hands and stepped back.

Whether it was due to another network glitch or not, the Merfolk clan leader stared at the screen, paused for a moment, and suddenly burst into tears, saying, “Didn’t we agree not to fight? Why are you still fighting!”

The whole venue fell silent.

Merfolk Clan Leader: “Oh dear, Clan Leader Gu! Prince Kate!”

“Stop fighting!” The Merfolk clan leader shouted, “Don’t fight for my sake anymore!”

Qiu Rong: “…”

Yan Ling: “…”

Other clan leaders in the venue: “…”

It seemed like something extraordinary was heard.

…The prestigious circle is really chaotic.

Due to this small accident, the originally planned two-hour meeting was abruptly shortened to twenty minutes, as if it were a brief morning meeting.

Even so, there were still many people distracted, their faces full of curiosity as they glanced at the two rigidly seated individuals in the front row.

The seating arrangement in the venue had been pre-organized. In order to promote friendly communication between the Wolf Clan and the Vampire Clan, Zhong Lishu specifically instructed to place the seats of the two clan leaders together.

Inadvertently, this created a dramatic effect.

The PPT on the screen flashed by quickly. Due to his physical condition, Zhong Lishu didn’t intend to hold a long meeting. He summarized today’s meeting in a concise manner, focusing on three matters:

First, Zhong Lishu formally took over the position of the Chief Commander of the Paranormal Control Center, and he will be responsible for managing the various tasks of the Special Management Bureau, Institute of Paranormal Abilities, and the Department of Violation Handling in the future.

Second, it was publicly announced that the former director of the Special Management Bureau and the director of the Institute of Paranormal Abilities were involved in embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power, and committed serious errors in handling a certain incident fifteen years ago, which had a significant impact on the city’s security. Both individuals have been relieved of their positions and will be handed over to the court for trial. The new directors and ministers will be announced separately after the selection.

Third, the identity of the perpetrator of the serial murder case in City A has been determined. The culprit summoned the demon Uvriel, symbolizing desire, along with a mature Cerberus from the depths of hell. It poses an extreme danger. Uvriel initially fed on human desires and now shows signs of targeting individuals with paranormal abilities. All clans are urged to be vigilant, actively provide clues, and assist the Central Task Force in capturing the demon as soon as possible.

… “…That’s it for today’s meeting,” Zhong Lishu closed the projector.

The venue fell into complete silence, with no one getting up to leave.

Zhong Lishu looked up and, as expected, everyone was looking at the Vampire Clan prince and the Wolf Clan leader in the front row.

Zhong Lishu: “…”

Zhong Lishu: “The meeting is over. You may all leave.”

With a loud “clank,” the Vampire Clan prince was the first to stand up and walk out of the meeting room. Within three seconds, the Wolf Clan leader followed closely behind.

There was a bustling sound, and the entrance to the meeting room instantly became crowded, filled with a group of people.

… There were even kind-hearted individuals carrying their laptops, inside of which a half-naked Merfolk was desperately trying to crawl out of the screen.

Zhong Lishu: “…”

…

Outside the venue.

Qiu Rong, instinctively chasing after him, grabbed Yan Ling’s wrist. “Yan Ling…”

This time, Yan Ling didn’t hastily shake him off. He turned around, and the pair of eyes peering through the gap in the meeting room door quickly vanished.

Yan Ling withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and looked at the hand grasping his wrist. He spoke softly, “Let’s separate for a while.”

“…”

“What do you mean?”

“I was just too excited earlier,” Yan Ling turned his head and said calmly, “Things suddenly changed like this, and neither of us is calm enough. Let’s separate for a while.”

“Regarding your parents and your brother, Zhong Lishu will tell you.”

“Let go of me now.”

“My parents… You already know about them?” Qiu Rong held onto Yan Ling with one hand and covered his forehead with the other, struggling to organize his thoughts. “So why do you want to separate from me now? Because I lied to you? Or because I previously reported the Vampire Clan? … My family’s matters have nothing to do with the Vampire Clan, right?”

Yan Ling forcefully shook off Qiu Rong, “I told you Zhong Lishu will inform you.”

Qiu Rong couldn’t just let Yan Ling go like this. He wanted to stop him, but then Yan Ling sternly shouted, “Qiu Rong!”

His outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

“I need some time, and you do too.” Yan Ling’s tone changed, and he lowered his voice, “I’ve made up my mind about the punishment of drawing the Joker card.”

“During this period, let’s not contact each other.”

…

Even if the leadership of the Special Management Bureau changed, luxurious habits were hard to break.

The air conditioning in the long corridor was set to the maximum, providing ample cold air. In the middle of summer, Qiu Rong, who naturally had a higher body temperature, stood alone in his suit and felt chills running through his body.

Faint rustling sounds came from the nearby conference room, but no one passed by him.

Everyone silently descended the stairs on the other side.

Daniel’s prediction was correct. No matter how childish and ridiculous the game was, as long as an agreement was made, people like Qiu Rong would follow the rules.

Because the person making the request was Yan Ling.

… And the person accepting the request was Qiu Rong.

The cold corridor gradually grew quiet, and a steady footstep stopped behind Qiu Rong.

“Are you two in a relationship?” Zhong Lishu asked.

Qiu Rong closed his eyes.

“…Yes.”

“No wonder,” Zhong Lishu sighed lightly, “I originally intended to explain the events of that year together with Prince Kate. It seems I’ll have to explain it myself.”

Zhong Lishu said, “Prince Kate wasn’t the one who harmed your family, Clan Leader Gu. You misunderstood.”

“…What?” Qiu Rong turned around in realization, “What misunderstanding?”

Zhong Lishu looked at him, “Weren’t you suspecting Prince Kate?”

Qiu Rong frowned, “I didn’t.”

“‘Did you stay in the hospital fifteen years ago?'” Zhong Lishu repeated Qiu Rong’s words and continued, “‘The ‘Vampire Clan’ who harmed your family fifteen years ago had injuries, and the only injured Vampire Clan member back then was Prince Kate. I thought you knew something, that’s why you questioned Prince Kate.”

Qiu Rong’s heart skipped a beat.

“…I didn’t.”

No wonder Yan Ling’s expression suddenly changed.

His neatly combed bangs had fallen down without him realizing. Qiu Rong grabbed his hair in a mess, his palm touching his eyes, and he couldn’t help but cover his face, saying, “…That’s not what I meant.”

…

He never doubted.

Not for a second did he suspect Yan Ling could be the culprit.

He just wanted to ask…

Was it you?

…The person who saved me back then, was it you?

Author’s Note:

Ruo Changsheng: The one who panicked and ran away first in the end turned out to be the older one… (/lights a cigarette)

Qiu Rong (seize by the throat): …Give me back my wife!!

TN:

Uhmmm…Well that was anticlimactic💀. When the author said it was inspired by Mr. & Mrs. Smith, I was expecting the same kind of showdown. You know? Anarchy, carnage, ripped shirts, claws, bat wings etc. Like the Twilight showdown. But oh well, I guess they love each other too much to hurt each other. Hooray for peace, love and unity I guess.