After graduating from high school, he was thrown abroad by his family. However, his IELTS score wasn’t high enough, so he couldn’t get into the university he wanted and had to enroll in a language school first.

As he came out of the school, Fang Chen’s phone rang. The temperature had dropped in the last two days, and even wrapped in a scarf, he could feel the biting cold wind. But even so, Fang Chen endured his fingers going numb and opened the chat window.

X: [Are you out of class? What are you eating tonight?]

Fang Chen’s lips curved into a smile. Just as he was about to reply, X sent a video call request. On the screen, a classic European model-like face filled the view. His eyes were deep-set, his grey-blue irises like a winter lake. He had a high nose bridge and thin, slightly pursed lips.

Why… did he look angry?

Fang Chen softly called his name.

Seth frowned. “It’s cold outside. Go inside first.”

Fang Chen said, “Oh,” and quickened his pace into a fried chicken shop. The warm air that rushed over him finally gave his frozen fingers a chance to thaw. He propped his phone on the table, rested his chin in his hands, and looked at the man with smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.

Seth had originally wanted to scold him a little, but looking at Fang Chen’s smiling face, he could only soften his tone. “Next time, don’t answer my calls when you’re outside. It’s very cold and will freeze your hands.”

Fang Chen smiled sweetly, his tone very obedient. “Okay.”

Seth asked him again, “What are you eating tonight?”

Fang Chen looked around. “I’m at a fried chicken shop. I’ll just order something simple.”

Seth looked at him quietly for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke. “Do you want to meet? Send me your location, and I’ll come pick you up.”

Although it was a question, coming from the man’s mouth, it sounded like a statement.

Fang Chen’s eyes widened. “You… you’re in New City?”

A hint of a smile flashed in the man’s eyes. “I’m here on a business trip.”

Fang Chen felt as if he had been hit by a wave of surprises. He stammered for a long time, not knowing what to say. Finally, he looked down at his clothes, regretting that he hadn’t worn something nicer today.

He said softly, “How about… tomorrow?”

The man’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce through the screen and land directly on Fang Chen. His tone was light. “Fang Chen, location.”

Fang Chen was like a small animal grabbed by the scruff of its neck, instantly losing all courage to refuse. He directly sent his location to the man.

He silently complained in his heart. Old man! So fierce!

He had met Seth online. To promote students’ daily interactions, the language school had organized a joint activity with a neighboring university. They wrote the university students’ social media accounts on slips of paper and had the language students draw one at random. The task was to chat with that person for at least a month.

That night, Fang Chen added Seth’s social media account. At first, Fang Chen was a little nervous, but the person on the other end was very gentle. When talking to Fang Chen, he would deliberately slow down his speaking speed and be considerate of his feelings. Once, after watching a horror movie, Fang Chen was too scared to sleep all night, and Seth stayed on the phone with him the entire time.

It wasn’t until half a month later that the teacher approached Fang Chen and asked why he hadn’t added his partner’s social media account yet. Only then did Fang Chen realize he had mistyped a letter when entering the account name.

When Fang Chen went back and complained to Seth about why he had never said anything, the man chuckled on the other end of the line. His deep, hoarse voice was as pleasant as the final note of a cello. Even through the microphone, it made Fang Chen’s ears turn red.

“Sorry. Are you angry? I didn’t mean to tease you. At first, I just thought you were very cute. Later, I really wanted to chat with you every day.”

His voice is so nice! That’s against the rules!

Fang Chen took a breath, feeling his face heat up. He said softly, “I’m not angry.”

Seth hummed in agreement and then asked him, “What about that person? Are you still going to add him?”

For some reason, the man’s tone seemed to carry a hint of coldness. Like a small animal sensing danger, Fang Chen immediately said, “No, I told my teacher I already have a chat partner.”

The man smiled. “Good boy.”

“I’ll give you a reward, okay?”

That day, Fang Chen received the “reward” Seth sent over—a very nice scooter. It was the only sport Fang Chen liked. He had just joined the scooter club a couple of days ago and had mentioned it casually to the man, not expecting Seth to remember.

Fang Chen was not valued at home, and because of his introverted personality, he had few friends and had barely received any gifts. He was so happy he could have jumped for joy. He hugged the scooter and called Seth.

The man’s tone was gentle. “I only have one request. Exercise moderately, and don’t get hurt.”

It was strange. Whenever he listened to Seth speak, it wasn’t particularly stern, but it made people subconsciously obey.

He hummed in agreement.

“There’s a storm tonight. Will you be scared sleeping alone?”

Fang Chen wasn’t actually afraid of thunder. But hearing the man say that, he didn’t know what he was thinking. On impulse, he blurted out, “I’m scared.”

Seth’s voice became coaxing. “Then I’ll call you. All night. Don’t be afraid.”

…

As he sat in the fried chicken shop, Fang Chen recalled the little moments from the past two months. They seemed a bit too ambiguous, but Seth had never said anything that crossed the line. Was that a confession?

On the main road, a black sedan sped by. The car had been modified; the back seat was very spacious, with a small coffee table. Seth leaned back with a cigarette between his lips. The smoke rose, slightly blurring his face.

The assistant in the passenger seat said in a low voice, “Your Highness, the hunter who attacked Duke Joey two days ago has been captured. The Duke says he wants to hold a banquet and drain his blood at the event.”

Seth sneered. “These restless hunters have been getting more and more numerous lately. It’s time to give them a warning.”

The assistant seemed to want to say more, but seeing the man’s lack of interest, he closed his mouth. Since the Prince had awakened half a year ago, he had not left the ancient castle. For him to suddenly propose coming to New City, it surely couldn’t be for Duke Joey’s banquet. It must be for that ordinary human… Thinking of this, the assistant felt a chill. The Prince’s attention to that ordinary human was too much. Did he want to make him a blood slave?

The car soon stopped in front of a fried chicken shop. The assistant quickly got out and opened the car door for the Prince. The man walked out unhurriedly. This small shop filled with the smell of fried food didn’t sour his mood. On the contrary, when he saw the young man sitting in the corner, this usually cold and stern Prince curled his lips and smiled.

As if by telepathy, Fang Chen, who was looking down at his phone, seemed to sense something. He suddenly looked up and saw the man standing at the door.

Fang Chen froze. Seeing him in a video and in real life were two different things. The man was as handsome as he was on screen, but he seemed to possess many other different qualities. He paused for two seconds, then suddenly rushed towards the man. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, the man also opened his arms and caught him steadily.

“Good boy, you still remember what you said before.”

Hearing Seth’s words, Fang Chen blushed a little. He had said before that if they ever met, he would give Seth a big hug.

They hugged for a few seconds. He felt a little embarrassed and wanted to break free from the man’s embrace, but Seth not only didn’t let go, he held him even tighter. Finally, he simply lifted him by his bottom and picked him up.

Fang Chen was startled and subconsciously wrapped his arms around Seth’s neck. “There are so many people…”

Seth ignored his words, carrying him with one arm as he walked out. The assistant waiting at the door looked as if his eyeballs were about to pop out. He wanted to take a closer look at this “little blood slave” from the East, but he suddenly met the Prince’s gaze—cold and without a trace of warmth. The assistant’s heart jumped, and he quickly looked away.

Seth carried him into the car. Even after they were seated, he didn’t let go, letting Fang Chen sit on his lap, facing him.

Fang Chen played with his tie with one hand while muttering, “This is so strange, like a little kid.”

Seth let out a low laugh and didn’t refute his words. He just raised a hand and ruffled his hair. “I missed you, Fang Chen.”

One sentence made Fang Chen’s face turn completely red. They talked online every day. How could he say something so out of line at their first meeting? How was he supposed to respond?

Fang Chen struggled for a long time before saying softly, “Me… too?”

Seth smiled with delight. The assistant in the front silently counted in his head. The number of times he had seen the Prince smile today was more than in the past hundred years.

Fang Chen looked out the window. “Are we going to a restaurant?”

“No, we’re going straight to my place. I had ingredients sent over. I’ll make you Chinese food tonight, as I promised you before.”

Fang Chen was stunned. Previously, when Fang Chen had gone to eat Chinese food, he had complained to Seth that the Chinese food outside was not authentic at all and wasn’t good. The man had said at the time that when they met, he would cook for him personally. Online, across a screen, sweet words and promises were easy to make. Fang Chen had smiled at the time and hadn’t taken it to heart. He never thought that Seth would fulfill every single word he said. He had never lied to him.

“But…” Seth drew out his words, looking at the young man’s expression with a smile in his eyes, and said deliberately, “it’s getting late now, and it will be even later after dinner. Would you mind staying at my place for the night?”

Living together on the first meeting?

Fang Chen was dumbfounded, his whole body felt like it had been boiled, steaming with heat. His lips moved, but he didn’t know what to say. But the man insisted on an answer. “Hm? Fang Chen, answer me.”

Fang Chen lowered his head, the tips of his ears so red they looked like they would drip blood. His voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “Okay.”

Seth’s lips curled up. He felt his heart, which had been cold for hundreds of years, gradually melting. He reached out and hugged the person tighter, pressing Fang Chen against his chest, feeling the warmth from the young man’s body. “So obedient.”

Seth’s “place” was a villa in the suburbs. He led Fang Chen inside by the hand. “I don’t come to New City often, so I had someone clean this up temporarily. If you don’t like it, I’ll have someone sort out my other properties tomorrow for you to look at.”

It didn’t matter what house he lived in. For a vampire prince, he spent more time in a coffin anyway. But that wouldn’t do from now on. Seth thought happily, his little treasure’s skin was so tender, living in a coffin would be uncomfortable. He should live in a very large goose-down bed. The 800-year-old prince didn’t feel at all shameless for plotting what bed to sleep in on their very first meeting.

Vampires have a strong sense of territory, so there were no live-in servants in the villa. The assistant left quickly after dropping them off. Seth changed his clothes and handed Fang Chen a set of his own loungewear. “I don’t have your size, see if you can wear it.”

Fang Chen quickly took it. “I can.”

Seth said deliberately, “The underwear might be much bigger.”

“…” Fang Chen’s face started to burn again, but this time he was eager to defend himself, trying hard to argue, “It probably won’t be that much bigger, because mine is also… very big.” As he said the last words, he met the man’s playful smile and lowered his head slightly.

Without teasing him further, Seth stroked his hair. “Go take a shower and change. I’ll go cook for you.”

The water in the bathroom rushed. As Fang Chen showered, he felt anxious. We’re living together just like that, but Seth hasn’t even confessed yet. Are we just going to sleep together so vaguely? The young man poured some shampoo and rubbed his head into a bird’s nest, not knowing what to do.

But when he came out of the bathroom, he had no other thoughts. It was too fragrant. How could someone’s cooking smell so good?

After dishing out the food, Seth turned around and saw the young man peeking into the kitchen from the doorway. He curled his lips. “Just in time. Let’s eat. Try my cooking.”

“It must be especially good.”

“You haven’t even tasted it yet.”

Fang Chen said seriously, “It smells delicious!”

Seth smiled, set the table, and pulled out a chair for Fang Chen to sit down.

It must have been really good, because Fang Chen barely spoke during the meal, just kept his head down and ate, one bowl of rice after another, until he was so full he was rubbing his little belly and couldn’t get up. Even so, he insisted, “I’ll do the dishes.”

Seth said helplessly, “You don’t have to. Just leave them there. Someone will come to clean up tomorrow.” He stood up, walked to Fang Chen, and looked down at him. “Can I hold you?”

Now? Another hug?

Fang Chen was dazed. “But, I ate too much, I’ll be heavy…”

Seth seemed to be amused by his words and simply picked him up, holding him by the bottom and bouncing him a little. “I don’t think you’re fat.”

Ashamed, Fang Chen buried his head in the crook of Seth’s neck. This action also caused the young man’s slender neck to be instantly exposed by Seth’s mouth. He didn’t notice the man’s body stiffen for a moment.

Seth lowered his eyes slightly, his grey-blue irises tinged with red. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he made a distinct swallowing motion. In the end, he restrained himself and looked away.

It wasn’t until Seth carried him to the guest room that Fang Chen realized. They weren’t sleeping together?

Seth said with a smile, “Hm? You want to sleep with me?”

Fang Chen blushed. He had been so shocked just now that he had said his thoughts out loud. He stammered, “No.”

Seth didn’t say anything, just lowered his head slightly and touched his lips to the young man’s forehead. “Good night, sweet dreams.”

He turned off the light, closed the door, and the man walked out. It’s not that he didn’t want to hold Fang Chen to sleep, but he couldn’t yet. Before Fang Chen accepted… he didn’t want to do anything that would make him regret it.

So much had happened today, Fang Chen thought he would have insomnia, but he slept exceptionally well that night, dreamlessly.

When he got up the next day, Seth had already made breakfast. Fang Chen was a little embarrassed. “I can just eat something simple.”

Seth looked him up and down. “And that’s why you’ve ended up like this?”

Huh? What was he like?

Seth commented seriously, “Too thin. You’re as light as a feather when I hold you. From now on, I’ll make all three meals. You’re not allowed to eat random things outside.”

Fang Chen was dizzy and subconsciously nodded. But after nodding, he felt something was wrong and couldn’t help but ask, “Then… how long will you be in New City?” This was a very realistic question. Seth was accompanying him and being good to him now, but once Seth left, would they become online friends again?

“How long do you want me to stay?”

Fang Chen said urgently, “Of course, forever…”

“Okay, then I’ll stay in New City forever, with you.”

Seth’s tone was natural, but his dark eyes were fixed on Fang Chen, not at all like he was casually lying. It was as if he was truly making a promise to the person in front of him.

Fang Chen’s breathing quickened. “Really? Then… then we…”

Seth bent down slightly, raised his hand and pressed it against Fang Chen’s lips, saying in a low voice, “Be good. I know what you want to say. I’ll take you to a banquet tomorrow night. After that, you can do whatever you want.”

A lie. He could only be with him. If Fang Chen wanted to leave… the vampire prince had a hundred ways to keep him, cruel and bloody, but he couldn’t bear to use any of them on Fang Chen.

Fang Chen blinked, then suddenly stuck out his tongue and licked Seth’s finger.

Seth was momentarily stunned, not expecting Fang Chen’s action. The young man smiled at him with curved eyes, completely unaware of what he was about to face. “Okay.”

---

Inside a castle in the suburbs, Joey leaned back in his chair, swirling a glass of red wine. The reddish-brown liquid was slightly viscous, creating a beautiful arc in the crystal glass. A blood slave hurried in and whispered in his ear, “The Prince sent word. There can be no blood at this banquet. He said you can deal with that vampire hunter however you want, but not at the banquet.”

Joey raised an eyebrow. “What’s the meaning of this? Has our Prince Seth gone soft after waking from his slumber?”

“The Prince will be bringing someone.”

Joey was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. “A person? How interesting. Alright, tell the Prince that I will certainly not frighten his… person.”

Fang Chen hadn’t attended many banquets, so he was a little nervous. He changed his clothes and looked at himself in the mirror repeatedly, afraid that he would embarrass Seth if he wasn’t dressed appropriately.

The man walked up behind him, wearing the same style of suit as Fang Chen, but on him, it looked even more sharp and neat. He hugged Fang Chen from behind and said in a low voice, “Don’t be nervous. Relax. Just think of it as going out to have fun.”

Fang Chen let out a breath and turned to ask Seth, “When I’m nervous, my English gets bad. Will I embarrass you?”

Seth gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m here. I’m here for everything.”

Fang Chen breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay.”

As he followed Seth to the castle in the suburbs, Fang Chen exclaimed repeatedly, “There’s a castle in New City? Isn’t that an illegal construction? It’s amazing. I’ve only seen this in movies.”

Seth wrapped an arm around him and chuckled softly. “You like it? Then we’ll live in a castle when we go back.”

Fang Chen thought about it and shook his head. “No, that’s okay. It would be scary if there aren’t many people, right? Anyway, I wouldn’t dare.”

On the balcony of the second floor of the castle not far away, Joey sighed, “There are benefits to living a long time. Otherwise, who would believe they’d see such a gentle side of the Prince.”

The blood slave beside him didn’t dare to respond. After all, that was Prince Seth. Joey was a duke, so it was fine for him, but he, a mere blood slave, didn’t dare to speak carelessly.

Joey said with interest, “So the Prince wants to turn him into his own blood slave? How interesting.”

Walking into the castle, they were received by a butler in a tuxedo. The hall was beautifully decorated everywhere, resplendent and magnificent.

“This is the cocktail bar. If you don’t want to drink champagne, you can order a cocktail here. All flavors are available.” There is blood from people of all ages.

“This is the pastry table, and over there is the buffet…”

When Fang Chen saw the small blueberry cakes on the pastry table, he could hardly walk. He looked at Seth with pleading eyes.

Seth’s lips quirked. “Go ahead and eat, but only one piece. It’s too sweet.”

“Okay!” Fang Chen ran over happily. He only thought this was an ordinary banquet, not knowing that everyone standing around was either a vampire or a blood slave, and their various gazes were all directed at him. This… human… brought in by the Prince.

The next moment, Seth walked over and stood by Fang Chen’s side. He glanced up, and all the gazes that had been looking over quickly averted. Although Prince Seth had been slumbering for a long time, no one had forgotten his fearsome reputation—this demon who had once slaughtered two vampire princes in a row.

Fang Chen was completely unaware of all this. He happily ate his cake and then followed Seth to the lounge on the second floor.

“The banquet will start in a little while. You can rest here first.” Seth glanced at his phone. “I have something to attend to. I’ll be back soon. Can you wait for me here?”

Fang Chen nodded obediently. After Seth left, he curled up on the sofa and played on his phone, even taking a couple of pictures of the castle and posting them on social media. Unexpectedly, a few minutes later, he received a call from his classmate, Jieming.

“Oh my god, Fang Chen, I saw the photos you posted. Are you at the banquet too?”

Fang Chen was shocked. “What do you mean? Are you here too?”

“I didn’t expect you to be… Where are you? I’ll come find you.”

The two agreed to meet in the main hall. Fang Chen sent a text message to Seth and then pushed the door open to leave. It seemed like he had only made one turn on the way up, but now, no matter which way he went, it felt wrong.

Fang Chen turned left and right and seemed to hear a sound. He peeked into a dark corridor. “Hello?”

In an instant, his eyes widened. It was a scene he would never forget in his life. A tall man revealed his fangs, seeming to pierce the neck of the person in his arms. Blood flowed out. Hearing the sound, that person turned to look at him, his eyes were red…

Fang Chen froze on the spot, his heart pounding physiologically. He opened his mouth, as if to scream, but in the end, not a single sound came out. For a full half-minute, his crashed brain finally rebooted. He turned and ran wildly.

He didn’t know where he was running, only burying his head, the wind whistling past his ears. Fang Chen felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

Until he was caught in someone’s arms.

“Fang Chen? Baby! What’s wrong?”

After being called a few times, Fang Chen finally came back to his senses. His eyes focused, and he saw Seth in front of him. He let out a loud “Waaah” and cried, burying his head in his arms.

“Seth, let’s run! I saw a vampire, a real one…”

As he cried in the man’s arms, he didn’t see that the man holding him, his eyes were also slowly turning deep red.