9. Forty-year-old Vincent and the Little Gluttonous Spirit

The composition of domestic Vampire Clans is complex, with deep origins.

Originally, there were no Vampire Clans in the country. It wasn’t until the era of great voyages that a European vampire arrived in the country. Perhaps out of a paternal instinct, he took advantage of his long life and deceived a large number of ordinary people into recognizing him as their father.

In exchange, he granted them “rebirth” and transformed them into vampires, known as the so-called acquired Vampire Clans.

The acquired Vampire Clans didn’t undergo significant changes in abilities other than the addition of blood to their diet. Their physical strength didn’t noticeably increase, and they couldn’t grow cool wings either. Instead, their daily lives became more troublesome. For example, they would vomit if they ate garlic, and they would wither under sunlight.

The biggest benefit was probably that their age would forever remain at the time of transformation, and their lifespan was slightly longer than that of ordinary people.

The “paternal figure” traveled extensively and gained a large number of offspring. Along the way, he sampled various Chinese delicacies. When he returned to Europe, the first thing he did was write a book praising Chinese cuisine, especially dishes like duck blood vermicelli soup and spicy blood hotpot. This sparked the desires of numerous vampires.

This is probably why Danny is so enthusiastic about exploring food cities and sharing his experiences with Huo Ye.

Some vampire traditions.

Returning to the topic of Vampire Clans.

With an increasing influx of vampires into the country, the number of local vampires in China skyrocketed. However, an important aspect was missing—management.

Innate Vampire Clans had a natural hierarchical suppression based on bloodline, but this distinction didn’t exist among acquired Vampire Clans.

The “deadbeat dads and moms” who came to China to enjoy the food and casually recognized sons and daughters only cared about establishing familial connections. Afterward, they returned to their home countries, leaving behind a group of acquired Vampire Clans. With similar abilities, no one could control anyone else, and they were all independent individuals.

The Supernatural Control Centre initially had a headache managing the vampires. Fortunately, they later discovered that only ordinary people could become acquired Vampire Clans, while the offspring of innate Vampire Clans and other supernatural beings had a chance of being born as innate Vampire Clans.

The current Vampire Prince is said to be a hybrid. His father is a European aristocrat, but his mother’s identity is unknown.

Since his bloodline regressed at birth, even his own father was suppressed, catching the immediate attention of the Supernatural Control Centre.

The Supernatural Control Centre took full responsibility for the education of this young royal, who was born into a noble lineage. They aimed to cultivate him as a positive youth of the new era, capable of assuming the position of clan chief and leading the domestic vampires toward the bright path of socialism.

Thus, the relationship between the Supernatural Control Centre and the Vampire Prince is quite delicate.

They are mutually wary yet exceptionally close.

It has been a day and a half since Qiu Rong took away the Vampire Clan’s reserved food supplies, but no one has come knocking on the door yet. This indicates that the Vampire Clan hasn’t reported this matter to the Supernatural Control Centre.

Otherwise, the Supernatural Control Centre would surely demand an explanation from the Vampire Clan.

It’s highly likely that the Vampire Clan doesn’t want to get entangled in this matter and has chosen to keep silent.

Strictly speaking, Danny’s act of feeding on blood was a violation. If Huo Ye were an ordinary person, Danny would undoubtedly face consequences. However, Huo Ye awakened his lycanthrope bloodline, which the Vampire Clan exploited, intending to turn a major issue into a minor one.

The Supernatural Control Centre turns a blind eye to this matter.

Huo Ye arrived at the right moment, and Qiu Rong decided to take the opportunity of requesting contact information to pay a visit to the Supernatural Control Centre. He wanted to give some trouble to the Vampire Clan leader, and sooner or later, he would make the other party so frustrated that they would personally come to see him.

A muffled thunder sounded outside the window, and Qiu Rong set aside the notebook in his hand, walking over to the old wooden-framed glass window.

It was a stormy night, just like the summer night fifteen years ago.

Feeling somewhat restless, Qiu Rong decided not to return to the city. He would stay at the villa tonight.

After organizing the manuscripts containing his father’s records of the Vampire Clan’s history, he went downstairs to the bedroom for washing up.

The last time he stayed at the villa was right after the furniture had been replaced.

Qiu Rong left City A when he was eight years old and returned when he was eighteen. It took him two years to plan and regain what was rightfully his.

Using his memory, he restored everything in the villa to its original state. That night, he stayed up all night alone in the villa.

Two more years had passed, and as he lay on the bed in the villa, it seemed like he could face everything calmly. However, in reality, he still found it difficult to fall asleep.

The sound of rain outside was heavy and urgent.

Because the background of the villa wasn’t suitable, Qiu Rong gave up on video calling Yan Ling.

Now, he rolled around in bed twice, then twice more.

He really missed his spouse.

In the end, he couldn’t resist anymore. Qiu Rong reached out and picked up his phone from the bedside table, making a voice call.

It wasn’t too late yet, and sure enough, the CEO hadn’t fallen asleep. The call connected quickly.

Burying his face in the pillow, Qiu Rong muffledly said, “Woof.”

Upon hearing the sound of a little dog, Yan Ling on the other end of the phone narrowed his eyes.

He was sitting on the small sofa by the bedroom window, working on documents. He didn’t stay at the villa for long, and Vincent was changing the bed sheets and covers for him.

“Whose puppy is this?” Yan Ling put down his computer and leaned back on the sofa, talking to Qiu Rong.

Vincent, who was spreading the bed, silently got goosebumps.

“A puppy left behind by the owner to guard the house.” Hearing Yan Ling’s gentle voice, Qiu Rong couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth. He closed his eyes and turned over, feeling that the restless rain outside had quieted down.

Yan Ling asked him, “Why haven’t you slept yet?”

“…Of course, it’s because I miss you,” Qiu Rong muttered, “spouse, haven’t you decided when to come back?”

Yan Ling contacted Rong Sheng again today, but the specific situation was still uncertain. He said, “The cooperation partner is a bit difficult to handle, but I’ll try to return as soon as possible.”

Qiu Rong regretted not coming home tonight.

Hearing the voice made him want to see the person.

He wanted to video call his spouse.

The two of them chatted affectionately like a couple for a while.

The sound of rushing water kept ringing in Qiu Rong’s ears.

He initially thought it was the sound of rain outside the window, but as he listened, he felt something was off. The sound seemed to be coming from the phone.

Qiu Rong carefully distinguished and asked, “Is it raining on your side too?”

Yan Ling paused. He looked outside the window.

He had been careless, only remembering that he mustn’t accept a video call, forgetting that it was raining heavily tonight and the sound could be heard through the voice call as well.

Quickly checking the weather in City S on his phone, there was a bright moon and a clear sky.

“No, it’s not raining here,” Yan Ling said, in case puppy Qiu’s sharp ears detected the difference in sound. Yan Ling didn’t stay by the window any longer. He got up silently and walked towards the bathroom.

Closing the door gently, isolating the noisy sound of the rain, Yan Ling said, “I was just soaking in a hot spring, it must be the sound of water from the pool that leaked out.”

Qiu Rong easily fell for it. He replied with an “Oh,” and his brain automatically painted a picture of Yan Ling with fair skin slightly flushed from the hot steam after soaking in the hot spring.

Uh oh, now he wanted to video call even more.

He wanted to say a few flirtatious words to tease, but at the same time, Qiu Rong was afraid that Yan Ling would actually agree to video call him.

If the CEO saw that his background wasn’t an apartment, his well-behaved puppy persona would instantly collapse, and that would be awkward.

Qiu Rong made a sound, lost in his thoughts, when suddenly his brain realized a serious issue. “Who are you on this business trip with?”

Yan Ling was honest. “Vincent.”

Qiu Rong: “!”

Rolling over in one swift motion, Qiu Rong nervously exclaimed, “You went to the hot spring with him?!”

Yan Ling: “?”

Based on Qiu Rong’s tone, Yan Ling pondered for a moment and asked, “What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong?

It’s a big problem!

Just a few hours ago, Qiu Rong, the leader of the Werewolf clan, who guided the children not to let love cloud their judgment and to learn to think rationally, now transformed into a little vinegar jar. He pitifully said, “Don’t you have several assistants? Why do you always bring him along every time?”

Yan Ling could even smell the jealousy through the phone. He couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

Vincent was hundreds of years old, yet Puppy Qiu was jealous of everything.

“Besides being my assistant, Vincent is also my elder brother who has taken care of me since I was young,” Yan Ling explained, his tone tinged with amusement. “How old do you think he is?”

Qiu Rong’s mind was now filled with thoughts like “close proximity breeds fondness,” “childhood friends,” and “love at first sight.” He tried to recall Vincent’s appearance and felt that the other person shouldn’t be too young.

Considering that Yan Ling referred to him as an elder brother, Qiu Rong made a bold guess, “Thirty-five?”

Yan Ling thought for a moment and realized that Puppy Qiu might not feel reassured with that age. He replied, “He’s almost forty.”

Qiu Rong thought again about Vincent’s face.

Really?

Could Vincent be a supernatural? Otherwise, why would he look so young?

But freezing one’s age was common in the entertainment industry, so it wouldn’t be strange for the assistant to the CEO of an entertainment company to do the same, right?

Hmm.

Successfully persuading himself, Qiu Rong instantly lost his jealousy.

Yan Ling liked younger people, just like him.

With Vincent being older and Yan Ling having so many suitors, even if he had any ill intentions, there wouldn’t be an opportunity.

Qiu Rong remained cautious. “I feel like he cares about you a lot.”

Yan Ling could honestly reveal half of the truth and said, “Since my parents are abroad, Vincent has to regularly report about my affairs to them.”

Qiu Rong: “…!”

Qiu Rong didn’t respond for a while, and Yan Ling was puzzled. “What’s wrong again?

Qiu Rong: “…Could Vincent, uh, report about us?”

Oh no, did he say something disrespectful before? Will he be reported?

Calling him “elder brother,” Yan Ling found it amusing. “Don’t worry, he won’t go into such detail.”

Qiu Rong silently planned to find an opportunity to send a gift to Vincent. No wonder he was on guard against him. It turned out he was keeping an eye on Yan Ling’s parents.

Although it was a bit late, it was still necessary to build a good relationship.

After chatting for a while longer and considering that Yan Ling had to face the difficult cooperation partner the next day, Puppy Qiu took the initiative to end the call.

Yan Ling breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Qiu Rong’s attention was diverted by Vincent halfway, and he didn’t mention a video call.

Otherwise, the bathroom in the villa wouldn’t look anything like a hotel.

After washing his hands, Yan Ling stepped out of the bathroom and immediately saw Vincent standing quietly at the door, waiting for instructions.

He stared at Vincent for a while and suddenly said, “Stay away from me in the future.”

Vincent: ?

After the rain, the next day was a sunny day.

The doorbell rang, and Vincent set down the icing bag in his hand and went to open the door.

Outside the villa, there was a black Maybach parked. As the door opened, a black-clad bodyguard stepped back, while another bodyguard standing by the car bowed and opened the door.

A lacy parasol extended from the car, unfolding with a “whoosh.” A pair of pearly white round-toed shoes touched the ground as a Lolita-style girl gracefully hopped out of the car. She took a few quick steps and ran to the shaded area by the door before closing the umbrella.

“Vincent.” The girl greeted Vincent with a smile and waved to the person behind her. The black-clad bodyguard stepped forward and handed over a refrigerated box.

The girl effortlessly lifted the not-so-light box and instructed, “Wait outside.”

Vincent willingly took the refrigerated box from the girl’s hand.

Yan Ling was sitting in the living room reading a book. Seeing the people enter, he teased, “I didn’t know you thought you were the vampire.”

Rong Xiaoxin put down her own parasol and replied irritably, “My Lord, don’t be so petulant when you need someone’s help!”

Yan Ling didn’t buy into her act. “Don’t make it seem like you’re not the one raising the prices opportunistically.”

Rong Xiaoxin, the owner of Rongsheng Group, was originally a gluttonous spirit and specialized in business dealings with the supernatural world.

She was in charge of the blood supply for the vampires, and she even designed the wickedly humorous text on the blood bags.

“We increased the order by ten boxes, and the factory worked overtime to deliver them to you. How could they get lost?” Vincent brought out freshly baked cupcakes, and Rong Xiaoxin personally made the trip for this. There was a sincere smile on her face. “Thank you, Vincent!”

Yan Ling closed his book and spoke coldly, “We’ve attracted a group of little Werewolf pups.”

Seeing that he didn’t want to say much, Rong Xiaoxin said, “Yesterday, we put in the full effort of the entire factory to make a box of blood for you. It was delivered overnight. Cherish it and drink.”

“The rest of the stock will take at least a week. I had Jiang Sheng allocate another batch of equipment to try not to let you starve for too long.”

Yan Ling nodded, “Thanks.”

Considering Yan Ling’s physical condition, Vincent took a bag of blood from the refrigerated box brought by Rong Xiaoxin. Yan Ling took it but placed it on the table, not intending to have a meal in front of the guest.

Rong Xiaoxin sneered at the scene, “Your Sharingan is almost starving, yet you still have these refined preferences.”

Yan Ling raised an eyebrow, restrained himself slightly, and suppressed the bloodlust in his eyes.

After finishing the exquisite cakes in front of them, Rong Xiaoxin took her leave, saying, “Alright, I’ll leave first. I won’t disturb your meal.”

Seeing Rong Xiaoxin getting up, Vincent timely took out the cakes that had just been packed.

As a gluttonous spirit, Rong Xiaoxin had a sweet tooth, and Vincent excelled at making desserts, which she greatly enjoyed.

Back when the vampires negotiated the regular blood supply deal with Rongsheng, Vincent spent a lot of time in the kitchen.

Next to the pale pink paper bag, there was a light blue ribbon tied into a bow, which suited Rong Xiaoxin’s taste.

Now she could leave satisfied.

After seeing Rong Xiaoxin off, Vincent returned, and Yan Ling had already finished the bag of blood on the table.

Feeling full and a little sleepy, Yan Ling elegantly wiped away the bloodstains at the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and said, “I’ll go upstairs and take a nap. Let’s discuss any matters when I wake up.”

Due to his atavistic bloodline, Yan Ling had high standards for the quality of blood. Ordinary blood hardly satiated him; he only tasted it.

Thanks to this box of blood from Rong Xiaoxin, Yan Ling estimated that he would recover almost completely today.

However, Qiu Hong’s scent was too alluring, so for safety’s sake, he decided to go home tomorrow.

Due to hunger, Yan Ling hardly rested in the past two nights, and he slept straight through to the afternoon.

Just as he woke up, Vincent entered the room, clearly having been guarding the door.

Yan Ling’s voice carried the laziness of just waking up, “What’s the matter?”

“The Special Task Force of the Anomaly Control Center has officially been established, and it has been decided that you will be the team leader.”

Before Yan Ling could furrow his brow, Vincent continued, “Another victim has appeared.”

“The cause of death this time is also excessive blood loss, but…”

“There are bite marks on the victim’s body, as if they were gnawed by a wild beast.”

Author’s note:

Regarding the relentless efforts of the leader of the Werewolf Clan, hoping that the Vampire Prince could personally meet him.

In fact, when Yan Ling sent the invitation to the Werewolf Clan, he intended to handle it personally. However, because Puppy Qiu was deceived three years ago and doesn’t trust a single word from vampires…

As a result, the leader of the Werewolf Clan fiercely told the vampires to get lost and went further down the path of angering his spouse (…)