TMWTGD CH26

Xie Jianwei’s mood at this moment was truly hard to describe.

He was not only starving but also aching with desire.

Perhaps the physiology of a vampire differed from that of a human. Appetite and sexual desire were linked in series, so when one clamored, the other refused to rest.

He was clearly so starved he could barely walk, yet that place was throbbing and burning hot.

Xie Jianwei wasn’t someone with an exceptionally strong libido. In fact, after being paired with a lover whose drive was overwhelmingly fierce, he had even fewer opportunities to feel pent-up.

Because he was usually kept at full capacity, he rarely felt such intense craving.

In the first dream, although he had encountered this as well, Big Li back then had been thoroughly reliable. A bit of seduction and they were off, indulging in as much pleasure as they pleased.

Unlike right now. Servicing him with his mouth for so long, yet there wasn’t the slightest reaction!

Xie Jianwei was utterly at a loss. But rising and looking down at Little Li whose eyes were lowered, his heart ached sharply.

He could blame him, yet couldn’t bring himself to blame him. After all, the man was ill.

Most likely, Lu Li wasn’t feeling great either right now. No man would ever want someone else to know he had erectile dysfunction.

Xie Jianwei took a deep breath and whispered, “Pardon my offense.”

Lu Li evidently understood the rules of the Blood Clan well. “Although I cannot give you hot blood, warm blood…”

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Jianwei had already bitten down onto his neck.

His fangs effortlessly pierced the skin, and the blood coursing within burst forth in an instant. The astonishing, sweet fragrance dominated his taste buds immediately, the unimaginable texture and flavor reducing Xie Jianwei’s mind to a blank void.

He sucked greedily, like a parched traveler meeting long-awaited rain, finally sighting an oasis after withering across an entire desert. He took without restraint, his mind and body conquered forcefully by the sheer ecstasy of this single moment.

As the blood poured into his body, it soothed the emptiness in his stomach, yet made his body burn with even greater heat.

Lu Li didn’t feel pain. A vampire’s fangs contained a natural narcotic that diffused rapidly upon puncturing human skin, spreading across every nerve to deliver an indescribable trance-like intoxication.

Even though his most precious blood was draining away, even though death was beckoning to him, and even though the one holding him tightly was a breathtaking demon, he could not summon the slightest inclination to resist.

Compared to humans, this sin-laden vampire didn’t seem so repulsive.

At least he was direct, direct in his demands, and direct in his greed.

Lu Li stared blankly ahead. He could not see Xie Jianwei’s face, yet he could smell his scent. It was very unique, carrying a faint trace of cool air laced with delicate sweetness, which brushed into his nostrils and unexpectedly pierced straight into his heart.

The vampire pressed against him trembled slightly, seemingly immersed in supreme ecstasy, his sucking carrying unmasked craving.

Lu Li felt his physical reaction. While he himself felt no arousal, he was inexplicably compelled to wrap his hand around that spot.

With just a few deft strokes, this exquisitely sensitive body of the vampire shuddered uncontrollably, spilling a mess across his hand just like that.

The simultaneous satisfaction of appetite and lust was like fireworks bursting before Xie Jianwei’s eyes. It took him a long while to calm his racing heart.

By this time, Lu Li was already showing signs of excessive blood loss.

Xie Jianwei gasped, quickly asking, “Are you alright?”

Lu Li said, “I’m fine.”

Xie Jianwei looked down at the sticky mess on his trousers, his cheeks flushing slightly. “Apologies, I lost my composure.”

Lu Li said nothing, merely shaking his head.

Xie Jianwei went to clean himself up first, and after returning, he said, “I’ll go get you something to eat.”

Lu Li said, “Mm.”

Xie Jianwei swiftly ordered blood-nourishing and qi-tonifying congee, along with numerous side dishes, and naturally did not omit the all-important desserts.

Lu Li was just one person, yet the food he ordered was likely enough for seven or eight people.

Lu Li paused, saying, “There’s no need for so much.”

After ordering, Xie Jianwei felt he had gone a bit overboard as well. But since it had already been delivered, he said, “I don’t know what you prefer, so just pick whatever you like, and I’ll have them clear away the rest.”

Lu Li said, “Anything is fine with me.”

Xie Jianwei simply took charge and selected items suited to his palate. After all, he knew very well what Lu Li liked to eat.

After eating some sweets, Lu Li’s complexion improved significantly.

Relieved, Xie Jianwei said, “I need to head out in a bit, come along with me.”

Lu Li agreed obediently.

Qinya Market was bustling with noise and activity. Humans were naturally dense in population, and gathered together here, dark crowds of people stretched everywhere, making it absurdly lively.

It was the first time Xie Jianwei had seen such shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

In the interstellar era, humans were numerous as well, likely tens of times more than in the Earth era, but after opening up outer galaxies, mass migrations began. The rapid development of habitable planets instead drove population density down to unimaginable levels.

According to a recent census, many habitable planets remained in a state of sole occupancy.

What did sole occupancy mean? Put simply, an entire planet was inhabited by only a single clan, a single family, or even a single person, with the rest being smart robots.

Therefore, witnessing this bustling spectacle before him, Xie Jianwei genuinely found it novel and rather enjoyed the atmosphere.

In an era of low population density, it was difficult to experience such crowded vitality.

Humans were social creatures. While living in greater numbers certainly impacted the quality of life, it also enhanced their sense of psychological fulfillment.

Without meaning to, Military Advisor Xie mentally drafted a report on “The Adaptability of Human Psychological States to Living Environments.”

Right at that moment, Yan Ke slipped back in. “My Lord, how was the battle last night?”

Truly bringing up whatever pot wasn’t boiling. Xie Jianwei gave a dry chuckle. “There is nothing you can’t imagine that your Marshal can’t pull off.”

Yan Ke blinked. “What did the Lord Marshal do? Could it be that he isn’t human either, but some creature with lots of tentacles… oh my, oh my, too embarrassing.”

Xie Jianwei felt speechless. What on earth was Doctor Yan’s mind filled with!

Yan Ke quickly asked again, “Did you get to drink hot blood?”

Expressionless, Xie Jianwei said, “No.”

Yan Ke gasped, “My Lord, you are far too inadequate! Why didn’t you try harder to drink some hot blood?”

The one who was inadequate wasn’t him at all!

Xie Jianwei explained Lu Li’s current issue.

Yan Ke was dumbfounded. “Ruthless… the Lord Marshal is truly a ruthless man.”

Xie Jianwei had no words.

Yan Ke said with inexplicable excitement, “My Lord, the time has come to test your charm! Hurry and cure the Lord Marshal’s condition. Erectile dysfunction can be treated with psychological stimulation. You can try uniform temptation, roleplay, and whatever other wild play you can think of.”

Xie Jianwei was silent.

Covering his face, Yan Ke squeaked, “Too shameless, I’m logging off first!”

A thought struck Xie Jianwei, and he suddenly asked, “Is your younger brother still writing novels?”

Yan Ke said, “Of course, extraordinarily prolific. Last time, the Lord Marshal praised him for his diligence and hard work, and in his excitement, my brother gifted the Lord Marshal a complete set of all his books.”

Xie Jianwei felt he had somewhat pinpointed the source of Lu Li’s melodramatic fantasies.

Except that Yan Ke’s brother was deeply obsessed with the Federation era, and most of his erotic novels were set during that period. Why did they turn into ancient Earth eras once filtered through Lu Li?

Xie Jianwei thought no further, as their party had already entered the auction house.

Since it was a large-scale auction, security and crowd control were very thorough. Bidders participating in the auction sat in private booths on the second floor, which were decorated with exquisite luxury, stocked not only with tea and fresh fruit, but also a retinue of attendants.

Disliking the heavy perfume on the women behind him, Xie Jianwei waved his hand to dismiss them all.

He looked at Lu Li and said, “During the auction in a bit, if there’s anything you want, just say the word.”

Lu Li lowered his eyes submissively. “There’s nothing I want.”

Without realizing it, Xie Jianwei slipped into the domineering CEO persona again. “Consider it compensation for what happened this morning.”

A glint flickered across Lu Li’s eyes, yet he murmured softly, “No need.”

Xie Jianwei said no more, pouring a cup of hot tea for him with his own hands and picking several pastries he liked to place before him.

Lu Li didn’t move. He stared at the delicate delicacies on the plate before him, deep in thought.

Xie Jianwei wasn’t worried that Lu Li might suspect him of knowing too much, offering casually, “I’m not sure what you like to eat either, but these looked rather delicious, so I picked them for you.”

Hearing this, Lu Li’s expression softened slightly for once. “They are very delicious.”

Xie Jianwei smiled. “Eat more. That way, I can taste the flavor later too.”

His words held an underlying meaning, yet Lu Li paid it no mind, focusing intently on these sugary treats.

Anemic people often possessed a near-obsessive craving for sugar. In the past, he hadn’t cared for sweets, but now he had to eat them.

The auction began. The material Xie Jianwei truly wanted was the finale, so it would only be presented much later.

The earlier items were quite good as well. Rolling in wealth, Xie Jianwei had his attendants bid whenever something looked decent, and before long, he had purchased a whole pile of goods.

Lu Li genuinely wanted nothing, as if the extravagant spending outside simply didn’t exist to him. He had no desire for those dazzling, potent weapons, nor for the secret manuals that could make him exceptionally strong; he even turned a blind eye to the miraculous elixirs that could very well alter his frail condition.

This complete absence of desire made Xie Jianwei frown slightly, suspecting that his erectile dysfunction was linked to this attitude of total apathy.

Even though he wanted nothing, Xie Jianwei still bought a mountain of things for him, stacking them before Lu Li. Lu Li merely said calmly, “Thank you.”

Resting his chin on his palm, Xie Jianwei looked at him. “Give me a smile.”

Lu Li looked up at him.

Looking into his eyes, Xie Jianwei said gently, “Aren’t you happy when I give you presents?”

Lu Li quickly lowered his eyes again, whispering, “I am happy.”

“Then smile a little.”

Lu Li had no reply.

Xie Jianwei didn’t press him. “Alright, just teasing you.”

Lu Li was the perfect embodiment of an unrippled well.

The penultimate auction lot was an exceptional treasure. The moment the auctioneer brought it out, commotions broke out across several neighboring private booths.

“The Sun-Restoring Pill!”

“Even such a miracle item has been brought to auction?”

“Get it! We must win it!”

The persistently calm Lu Li looked up at the auction stage for once.

Keenly catching this, Xie Jianwei asked, “You want it?”

Lu Li quickly retracted his gaze.

After a moment’s thought, Xie Jianwei smiled and asked, “Could this Sun-Restoring Pill cure your condition?”

Lu Li said, “Not certain.”

Intrigued, Xie Jianwei asked, “Meaning there’s a chance?”

Lu Li nodded, “Mm.”

Xie Jianwei thought to himself that he must get his hands on it. Whether his future sustenance could be solved depended on this single shot!

The auctioneer was introducing the Sun-Restoring Pill. Naturally, it was not an elixir specifically created to treat erectile dysfunction; in fact, it was an all-encompassing miracle medicine. In the mortal realm, the two words “Restoring Sun” practically meant resurrecting the dead.

Rumor had it that the Sun-Restoring Pill cured all ailments, completely healing even those on the brink of death from fatal injuries.

There were further rumors that healthy people who took it could extend their lifespan.

Exaggerated tales even claimed that middle-aged women who consumed it would regain their youthful beauty.

While the rumors were somewhat exaggerated, it was indeed exceptionally potent. Its greatest and most authentic historical lore was that it had been concocted a century ago by that legendary hero. That very hunter had consumed the Sun-Restoring Pill to gravely wound the King of the Blood Clan, forcing him into slumber and securing a massive victory for humanity.

After that hunter vanished, with humans generally presuming him dead, the recipe for the Sun-Restoring Pill was completely lost to time, and the few remaining pills became priceless relics.

The starting bid for the Sun-Restoring Pill was one hundred million pearls.

Bids trickled in steadily, and within minutes it reached three hundred million pearls.

Such a staggering figure prompted many to bow out voluntarily, leaving only a lady in Booth 4 and a gentleman in Booth 8.

The lady in Booth 4 seemed determined to win, raising the bid to five hundred million pearls in one go, forcing Booth 8 to concede.

Just when everyone assumed the Sun-Restoring Pill would go to Booth 4, Xie Jianwei finally placed a bid.

“Six hundred million pearls.”

Gasps echoed across the entire second floor.

The woman in Booth 4 called, “Six hundred and ten million.”

Xie Jianwei replied, “Seven hundred million pearls.”

Gritting her teeth, Booth 4 bid, “Seven hundred and ten million.”

Xie Jianwei countered, “One billion pearls.”

The entire venue fell dead silent.

Lu Li looked up at him, saying, “It isn’t worth it.”

Xie Jianwei smiled at him. “It’s rare for you to want something.”

Lu Li was rendered speechless.

Yan Ke squeaked in a trembling voice, “Oh my, My Lord, you’re so swoon-worthy!”

Xie Jianwei thought that didn’t sound like a compliment.

Yan Ke blinked, suddenly recalling a rumor from reality. “Um… six years ago, that Heart of the Cosmos in the Shaoping Galaxy… you weren’t the one who bought it, were you?”

Xie Jianwei said, “It was me.”

Yan Ke sucked in a sharp breath. “You gifted it to the Lord Marshal?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Mm.”

Gasping in shock, Yan Ke stammered, “You… you truly are… truly…”

Xie Jianwei said, “It’s rare for him to like something.”

Yan Ke felt suffocated, his mouth stuffed with couple’s sweetness; where could he find room to breathe!

Back then, that auction had caused a massive sensation. The Heart of the Cosmos was an extraordinarily magnificent gemstone, but it was merely a gem without practical utility, yet it was bought with enough wealth to purchase several Grade-A habitable planets.

Because the bid was anonymous, for six whole years nobody had known who that loaded, spendthrift tycoon was.

Who could have guessed it was Military Advisor Xie?

The calm, brilliant Military Advisor Xie with an IQ of 280, someone who had never had anything to do with the word foolish in his entire life!

Yan Ke couldn’t help thinking of the saying that falling in love lowers one’s IQ.

The auctioneer delivered the Sun-Restoring Pill in person, and Xie Jianwei handed the box straight to Lu Li.

Looking at it, Lu Li murmured, “It may not be effective.”

Xie Jianwei said, “Just give it a try.”

Lu Li shook his head. “Better not.”

Xie Jianwei chuckled. “It’s fine. If it works, great; if not, forget it. It won’t harm you either way.”

Lu Li looked up at him without blinking.

Xie Jianwei’s eyes were full of encouragement.

After a pause, Lu Li accepted the pill in the end.

The finale of the auction began. The material Xie Jianwei wanted was an item everyone coveted.

This was a genuinely valuable treasure, unlike the Sun-Restoring Pill, which relied on legends and might hold little actual efficacy when consumed.

Buying the Sun-Restoring Pill was more about sentimentality, commemorating that peerless hero, or for dreamers hoping to retain eternal youth.

Yet the material now on stage was an absolute masterpiece, rare in a millennium and bound to be fought over once unveiled.

The starting bid for the material was one billion pearls.

Under normal circumstances, two billion would have been enough to secure it. However, the lady in Booth 4, holding a grudge after losing the Sun-Restoring Pill to Xie Jianwei, began maliciously driving up the price.

Lacking no money whatsoever, Xie Jianwei raised the bid directly to five billion.

The woman wanted to increase the bid further, but pitiably, the asset appraiser set her maximum credit limit at three billion; she didn’t even qualify to raise the bid anymore.

Xie Jianwei returned with a full haul. Apart from the material, he handed everything else over to Lu Li.

Lu Li moved to decline.

Xie Jianwei said, “Keep them, I have no use for them anyway.”

Lu Li stood in silence.

Having obtained the desired item, Xie Jianwei prepared to return to the Blood Clan’s territory. Without asking for Lu Li’s consent, he simply whisked him away.

When crossing the Misty Ravine, Lu Li didn’t hesitate in the slightest, seemingly indifferent to what this ravine represented, completely disregarding the fact that stepping across meant entering the stronghold of the Blood Clan.

He was human; if he could not provide hot blood, Xie Jianwei couldn’t even perform the Embrace on him.

Unable to undergo the Embrace, he could only ever remain human.

A human entering the territory of vampires was no different from a newborn rabbit leaping into an eagle’s nest.

Returning to his palace, Xie Jianwei asked, “Do you want to try that pill?”

Lu Li said, “Alright.”

Xie Jianwei watched him take it with eager eyes. He genuinely hoped this thing would work; he didn’t fear celibacy, but starving was far too miserable.

Becoming a vampire had already cut him off from countless culinary delicacies, and having to starve on top of that was nothing short of tragic.

Xie Jianwei tried his best to maintain some decorum, yet anticipation still leaked uncontrollably from his eyes.

Keenly detecting it, Lu Li’s hand holding the pill paused for a beat.

“If it’s ineffective, you…”

Xie Jianwei said, “Don’t feel pressured. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work.”

Pressing his thin lips together, Lu Li suddenly asked, “Why me?”

Xie Jianwei’s entire mind had been occupied with monumental priorities like eat it, hurry and take it, once you take it I can feast, so being caught off guard by this question left him momentarily stunned.

Yet Lu Li didn’t seem to await an answer, washing down the pill with warm water.

Xie Jianwei had no leisure to ponder the previous question either, quickly asking, “How do you feel?”

Lu Li said, “A warm current is circulating through my body.”

Xie Jianwei’s eyes lit up. “It’s working?”

Lu Li looked at his pale lips and murmured, “I don’t know.”

Xie Jianwei’s gaze dropped straight down below.

Lu Li’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’ll go try.”

But Xie Jianwei said, “Let me.” With that, he sank down onto his knees before him once more.

Looking down at him from above, Lu Li’s gaze darkened immensely.

He loved this sight. Even without an erection, this scene stirred his blood: such a breathtaking man, such a formidable vampire, such an exalted soul, kneeling before him in such a posture.

Sacred, yet debauched.

His heart pounded heavily and fast. Lu Li experienced an indescribable sensation, as if committing sacrilege against a deity—restless yet profoundly gratified, a morbid pleasure sprouting from acute contradiction.

After laboring for quite a while, Xie Jianwei looked up pitifully. “Still no feeling?” Big Li was still completely soft.

Lu Li’s voice was hoarse. “I’m sorry.”

Sighing, Xie Jianwei rose. “Don’t apologize, it isn’t your fault.”

The Sun-Restoring Pill failed to restore Big Li’s vitality, which left Xie Jianwei rather disappointed. Still, the one billion pearls hadn’t gone entirely to waste; at least the elixir was quite beneficial for conditioning the body.

Lu Li’s body seemed congenitally frail, plagued by chronic illness, but after being purged by the elixir, his constitution had improved considerably.

Feeling his pulse, Xie Jianwei said, “Let’s nurse your health back first. We can take it slowly.”

Lu Li replied, “Alright.”

Xie Jianwei pondered a moment before adding, “Still, this kind of problem isn’t necessarily purely physical; it could also be psychological. Um…” He paused, his gaze flickering. “Would you mind if I helped you work on it every day?”

The fingers hanging by Lu Li’s side curled tightly into a fist.

Xie Jianwei looked at him with faintly flushed cheeks.

Standing ramrod straight, Lu Li answered with a slightly husky voice, “Alright.”

Xie Jianwei smiled. “Don’t worry, working together, it’ll definitely work out.”

Even though he had found a Lu Li, Xie Jianwei still labored to awaken the leader of the Blood Clan.

He vaguely sensed that the Blood Clan leader was likely Lu Li as well. While keeping him asleep was peaceful, he couldn’t let him sleep forever.

It remained uncertain who the master of this dream was. He could only treat one personality at a time, so he had to establish who the core host was.

And slumbering in the shape of a bat made it impossible to judge… which meant he had to wake him up.

Still, there was no need to rush. He could seize this chance to test whether the Lu Li before him was the master of the dream.

If he was, the Blood Clan sovereign could sleep straight through to the next dream world.

Coincidentally, the materials required for the awakening hit a bottleneck. The remaining three items had gone cold, leaving zero trace across the entire continent.

Xie Jianwei simply set it aside for now, focusing wholeheartedly on treating Lu Li’s condition.

Although unable to drink hot blood and waking up starving every morning, fortunately Lu Li was there; drinking a bit of his warm blood was enough to suppress the hunger for a time.

He just didn’t know how long this suppression would last. Going without hot blood in the long run was unsustainable.

Yan Ke asked curiously, “My Lord, could you perhaps drink someone else’s hot blood?”

Xie Jianwei: “Hm?”

Yan Ke said, “Even if hot blood only exists upon climax, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be the one bringing them off. After someone else handles that business, you could just go straight in and drink the hot blood.”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Yan Ke hadn’t scrutinized the earlier tome on blood, so he blinked and asked, “What? Does that not work?”

Xie Jianwei gave him an analogy: “Could you accept eating a cake after someone spat a wad of saliva onto it?”

Yan Ke: “…”

Xie Jianwei said, “Vampires possess fierce territorial instincts. Though promiscuous and rarely understanding fidelity, they guard their food with vicious possessiveness. Never mind consuming hot blood; even when feeding on Lu Li’s warm blood, I struggle to keep myself in check.”

Yan Ke understood.

Xie Jianwei continued, “Furthermore, hot blood and sex are inseparable. Consuming someone’s hot blood—even if I wasn’t the one who created it—would compel me to engage in intercourse with them. It has nothing to do with mental will; it’s physiological hormonal secretion. Understand?”

Yan Ke understood completely now.

Xie Jianwei and Lu Li spent several “shameless and wanton” days in the palace.

In reality, they chatted with utter purity, read books with utter purity, and with utter purity carried out things that should have been anything but pure.

Truly, not a single genuinely shameless deed was accomplished.

Yet the news that Xie Jianwei had brought back a human had spread throughout the Blood Clan’s territory, and with him sequestered indoors for three straight days, the rumors outside had grown too wild to bear.

After all, most knew that Xie Jianwei had fasted for a hundred years; now that he had finally broken his abstinence, being unable to leave his quarters was entirely understandable.

After two more days, Admiral Loren, who had gone searching for materials, returned triumphant with a full haul.

Hearing of Xie Jianwei’s exploits, he was thrilled in his heart: this stubborn blockhead had finally seen the light! Though a human, it was fine—turning him into a vampire would do the trick. What mattered most was that Xie Jianwei had finally moved on, no longer fixated on “preserving his chastity” for His Majesty. Truly a cause for celebration.

Seeing his best friend finally escape the disgraceful fate of starving to death, Admiral Loren was overjoyed enough to throw a massive banquet, ideally reveling for three days and three nights!

Returning beaming with delight, Loren settled in briefly before heading straight to find Xie Jianwei.

His voice boomed before he even stepped inside: “You rascal, you’ve finally come to your senses!”

Xie Jianwei was playing chess with Lu Li. Setting down a piece, he said, “Wait for me a moment.”

Lu Li naturally agreed.

Xie Jianwei rose and walked out of the room, exchanging a hug with Loren as he asked, “Did things go smoothly?”

Loren said, “When I handle things, rest easy. The item is secured.”

Xie Jianwei said, “That’s good.”

Loren was curious beyond measure: “Where’s that human?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Inside the room.”

Just as Loren moved to push open the door, Xie Jianwei intercepted him: “What are you doing?”

Loren said, “Relax! Your hard-won little darling, I won’t touch him.”

Xie Jianwei said, “Enough, don’t frighten him.”

Loren teased, “That timid? Then he’d better adapt quickly. Once he drinks your blood, he’ll be an S-rank vampire at least, and admirers will be lining up by the score.”

Xie Jianwei frowned, about to say something, but the immensely strong Loren had already shoved the door open and stepped inside.

Lu Li stood up at the sound. At first, backlit by the light, Loren couldn’t see his face clearly, noting only his tall, lean frame, thinking to himself that Xie Jianwei’s tastes had changed quite quickly.

But drawing closer, he saw Lu Li’s face clearly in an instant.

Seeing they had met, Xie Jianwei could only introduce, “This is Lu Li.”

Turning to Lu Li, he introduced, “This is Loren, my close friend.”

Lu Li greeted Loren politely, but Loren stood in sheer shock, practically frozen into a stone statue.

Xie Jianwei had a faint idea of what was happening. Poking Loren, he asked, “What are you daydreaming about?”

Snapping back to his senses, Loren stammered, “Th-This… you… you…”

Xie Jianwei looked at him: “Speak coherently.”

Loren let out a heavy sigh, his gaze toward Xie Jianwei steeped in utter helplessness: “You truly… ah, it must have been damn hard on you, to actually track down someone like this. Lu Li, Lu Li, even the name… sigh!”

He sighed and groaned, while Lu Li couldn’t understand a single thing he meant.

Loren said to Xie Jianwei, “Have it your way. As long as you don’t starve to death, that’s enough.”

Xie Jianwei didn’t reply.

Loren added, “There’s a council meeting shortly that you must attend.”

Xie Jianwei said, “I know. I’ll head over in a bit.”

Loren couldn’t resist looking at Lu Li again, then back at Xie Jianwei, his gaze swinging between the two. In the end, he sighed once more: “Alright, I’ll take my leave first.”

Xie Jianwei said, “See you at the meeting later.”

Loren acknowledged and turned to go.

Loren’s behavior was far too bizarre; Lu Li could hardly fail to notice. He turned a slightly puzzled look toward Xie Jianwei.

Xie Jianwei’s own feelings were tangled as well. He had essentially deduced what was going on, but what could he do? He could only follow the script.

Diverting the topic, Xie Jianwei said, “Was it my turn just now?” He was referring to their game of chess.

Seeing that he offered no explanation, Lu Li didn’t press. Yet as he lowered his eyelashes, his eyes darkened slightly. He said softly, “No need to accompany me. Attend to your affairs if you’re busy.”

Xie Jianwei said, “No rush, let’s finish this game.”

Lu Li spoke no more, merely sitting before the board and staring intently at the match.

Xie Jianwei lost the match quite artfully: “You learn so quickly. You can beat me after only a few days.”

Lu Li said, “Just so-so.”

Rising, Xie Jianwei said, “I have some business to attend to outside. Don’t wander around, and don’t leave this room, understand?”

Lu Li said, “I won’t go out.”

Xie Jianwei smiled at him: “Don’t be afraid. With me here, no one will bully you.”

Lu Li’s lips curved faintly for a rare smile.

When Xie Jianwei finally emerged from his “nest of tenderness,” his subordinates couldn’t help stealing glances at him. Clearly they were all intensely curious, eager to know what kind of “great beauty” had captivated their Earl to this extent.

Meeting several purebloods along the way, those familiar with Xie Jianwei teased, “Finally found someone who caught your heart?”

Xie Jianwei smiled noncommittally.

Sears finally caught up to him, trailing behind him with tearful whining: “Wei, do you truly not want me anymore? How could a human compare to a pureblood like us, you…”

“Be quiet,” Xie Jianwei cut off his unfinished sentence.

Sears refused to give up, wanting to continue playing pitiful, but Xie Jianwei raised a brow and stated coldly, “He is my person. As long as I am satisfied, that is all that matters.”

Xie Jianwei rarely grew angry, but when someone who rarely lost their temper actually got angry, it was thoroughly terrifying.

Sears still knew when to yield; he certainly didn’t want a total fallout with Xie Jianwei. He chuckled evasively, “Don’t be angry, I was just speaking casually… just speaking casually.”

This was a routine pureblood council meeting, consisting of nothing more than reporting pureblood headcount, rehashing the age-old topic of reproductive possibilities, condemning the excessive frenzy rate and chaos caused by F-rank common vampires, and analyzing the human status quo alongside whether to raise conversion quotas for the Embrace—standard “civil welfare” affairs.

The meeting dragged on for the entire afternoon. By the time Xie Jianwei departed, dusk was already falling.

Night was the true domain of vampires. Usually Loren would begin his revelry the moment night fell, but today he lingered beside Xie Jianwei, looking deeply burdened with worry.

Xie Jianwei said, “Say whatever is on your mind.”

Loren said, “How did you find… that Lu Li?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Ran into him by accident.”

Loren asked, “How could he resemble His Majesty so closely?”

Xie Jianwei thought, Just as I suspected. Yet outwardly he remained completely calm: “I was very surprised as well.”

Loren sighed softly: “Still, you don’t need to worry. It shouldn’t be a trap someone laid intentionally. After all, very few people have ever seen His Majesty’s true appearance.”

Xie Jianwei genuinely had no idea about that, but he had to pretend he did: “I think so too.”

Loren patted his shoulder: “Whatever, as long as you’re satisfied. If you like him, turn him into one of us as soon as possible, so your heart can rest easy.”

Xie Jianwei hesitated.

Loren added, “Now that you’ve regained your stamina, next month I plan to…” Speaking up to there, he abruptly choked on his words.

Xie Jianwei didn’t move.

Loren grabbed his wrist, and after testing his pulse, his eyes widened in disbelief: “Why haven’t you recovered? You still haven’t drunk hot blood?!”

Xie Jianwei looked at him and said, “No.”

“Why haven’t you? Could that Lu Li still fail to satisfy you?!”

Xie Jianwei had no choice but to confess honestly, “He has erectile dysfunction.”

Loren: “…”

Xie Jianwei said, “Still, there’s no rush. With proper care combined with therapy, I’m confident it will definitely…”

Before he could finish, Loren exploded: “Xie Jianwei, have you lost your goddamn mind?!”

Xie Jianwei was taken aback by his roar.

Gripping his shoulders, Loren wished he could shake him awake: “Could you wake up, please?! You already fasted for a hundred years for His Majesty, and now you want to keep fasting for a human who merely looks like him?!”

“Can you stop being an idiot?! You are a vampire—if you keep torturing yourself like this, you are going to die!”