After being wheeled into the operating room, Xia Yuan saw a vast expanse of white light before his eyes.
The doctors were busy with the rescue efforts, speaking in medical jargon he couldn't understand.
Only a few phrases made sense to him:
The big-eyed nurse wearing a mask said, "It's so strange. This person was in such a severe car accident, yet all his vital organs are intact. Apart from significant blood loss, he's completely like a normal person."
Completely like a normal person—why did that sound so odd…
After receiving a blood transfusion, Xia Yuan woke up the next day feeling refreshed and clear-headed, with his Mental Strength largely restored.
By the third day, he was already able to get out of bed and move around on his own. The speed of his recovery was so fast that even Xia Yuan himself could hardly believe he had been in such a serious car accident.
Except for…
That beautiful girl who made him question reality.
He had thought it was all a dream, but when he was discharged on the fifth day and returned home, he realized everything was real—
A girl with delicate features was standing at his doorstep.
Her slightly wavy hair was tied into a ponytail at the back. She wore a white short-sleeved T-shirt under a black pinafore dress.
And on her feet—
Hmm…
She was wearing flip-flops.
She looked exactly like the girl he had encountered during the car accident.
Oh my god…
Could this actually be real?
Xia Yuan’s eyes betrayed an unmistakable shock.
When she saw him, the girl looked up and smiled at him.
Her smile was pure and sweet, her eyes curving into crescents like two moons—the kind of smile that made you involuntarily smile back.
"You're back?"
She raised her hand to greet Xia Yuan.
Her arms, calves, and neck—any exposed skin—appeared unusually fair.
It gave the illusion of glowing whiteness.
Xia Yuan glanced briefly—
The hallway was piled with luggage, both large and small.
"Hmm…"
He covered his mouth with his hand, lost in thought for a moment.
"Yeah. Right, it must be this."
Xia Yuan clenched his fist, completely ignoring the girl, and silently walked back toward the elevator.
"…"
The girl’s smile froze on her face.
Just as he took a step, his back stiffened as the girl pulled him back.
"Don't ignore me."
"Oh my god…" Xia Yuan looked at her in disbelief. "I thought it was just a hallucination from my post-accident trauma."
The girl rolled her eyes upward, giving him an exasperated look.
"You made a Contract with me."
Xia Yuan’s lips parted slightly as a sudden flash of realization struck his mind—
Amid the roaring flames, the girl had said, "Will you become my lifelong companion, offering your blood for me alone to enjoy, and never abandon me?"
Only now, at this very moment, did he remember everything, and the reality of it sent shivers down his spine.
"I thought…"
Xia Yuan wanted to say he thought it was all an illusion.
He never expected it to be real.
"I am of the Blood Clan," the girl said nonchalantly, flexing her wrist. "So, now it's time for you to fulfill your promise."
"Wait, what's the Blood Clan?"
Xia Yuan felt he had heard some strange words, two characters that defied his understanding.
"The Blood Clan," the girl thought for a moment, then looked up and met Xia Yuan’s eyes. "In simpler terms, it's—
A vampire."
A loud rumble echoed outside as a massive flash of lightning streaked across the sky.
Whether it was due to the thunder or the word "vampire," Xia Yuan instinctively took a step back, leaning against the wall.
"What… ghost?"
"Not a ghost, a vampire."
The girl corrected him.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Xia Yuan's face as he recalled—
Pulling the car door open with bare hands.
Tearing the seatbelt apart.
Were these things normal?
"What, you don't believe me?" The girl frowned. "Looks like I’ll have to show you my True Form Manifestation for you to believe me, huh?"
True Form?
Another term beyond his understanding.
But before he could react, the next moment, the girl suddenly turned her head toward Xia Yuan.
A faint red glow suddenly flickered in her light brown pupils, startling Xia Yuan.
Immediately after, a low growl rumbled from her throat, like that of an angry wild dog.
Her eyes suddenly widened, the light brown pupils rapidly shifting to a pale red, while veins on her face bulged outward one by one, visibly spreading across her entire face.
At the same time, her bones crackled audibly. Under Xia Yuan’s horrified gaze, her limbs and body began to grow continuously—her arms thickened and lengthened, her height increased…
The girl’s neat rows of teeth also began to sprout sharp fangs.
"I believe you, I believe you, I believe you!" Xia Yuan couldn’t hold back, crying out in alarm. "Please, take back your divine power!"
The Blood Clan girl snorted lightly, her body quickly shrinking inward.
In less than two seconds, she returned to her previous petite and adorable appearance.
Apart from the slightly stretched sleeves and pant legs, it was as if nothing had happened.
"Shall we go inside and talk?"
"Hmph. It was you who was dawdling here." The girl lifted her proud head.
Xia Yuan didn’t dare to speak.
His inner shock was beyond measure.
Wouldn’t any normal person be terrified?
Who would have thought that legendary beings actually existed?
He took out his keys, trembling as he unlocked the door to the room and pushed it open.
This 70-square-meter apartment was the only asset his parents had left him before they passed away.
In a place like Yunze, it wasn’t worth much anyway.
…
Turning on the light, the girl stood at the doorway and glanced inside.
The entrance hallway had a small shoe rack, and the living room beyond wasn’t particularly spacious. Aside from the LCD TV hanging on the wall, the sofa, table, and other furniture looked rather old.
"Come in first."
Though he had a hundred questions in his mind, Xia Yuan thought it best not to ask them in the hallway.
What if a neighbor saw or a security camera caught something?
"Wait, security cameras." Xia Yuan raised his head warily, searching for the camera installations above.
Typically, property management installed cameras in hallways and elevators to ensure residents’ safety.
If her transformation had been caught on camera just now, it would be a huge problem.
"Don’t worry."
The girl smiled faintly. "The Blood Clan Code, Article 256, states: Do not expose yourself unless absolutely necessary.
Article 257 says: Even if exposure is necessary, eliminate all surrounding risk factors."
Sure enough, Xia Yuan noticed that the two cameras installed in the hallway had been deliberately destroyed.
Fragments were scattered all over the floor.
"Nicely done."
Xia Yuan gave her a thumbs-up.
"Hehe."
The girl lifted her face proudly, then turned to move her luggage.
She first picked up a square, pitch-black box from the floor.
"I'll take care of it," Xia Yuan quickly said. "You go in first."
Out of gentlemanly courtesy, he took the initiative to handle the moving.
"No, it's fine."
The girl shook her head, seemingly feeling a bit embarrassed to let Xia Yuan help.
"It's okay, give it to me."
Xia Yuan extended both hands and took hold of the black case she was holding.
"Are you sure?" the girl asked, somewhat uneasy. "This thing is really heavy. I'm afraid you won't be able to carry it."
"Sure." Xia Yuan smiled gently. "It's fine, give it to me."
"Alright." The girl let go of her hands.
With a clatter.
The black case hit the ground, leaving cracks in it.
…