I am a fallen noble vampire.
Pulling my shabby trench coat tighter around myself, I step out of my rundown little house in search of food. It’s been months since I’ve tasted fresh blood. I feel like I’m on the verge of starvation.
I head toward the bustling streets, inhaling deeply, searching for my prey.
Soon, I spot a lively bar called “Jade Willow Tavern.” My eyes light up. There must be plenty of people here.
The moment I step inside, I’m hit by a wave of heat and noise. The place is packed and raucous.
But also unbearably loud.
Normally, I avoid such places, but my hunger propels me forward despite my frown.
Just as I enter, a drunk stumbles into my path. His eyes are glazed, and he sways as he approaches.
“Hey, little lady, here by yourself? Let me show you a good time.”
I force a smile. I’m 328 years old, who’s he calling “little lady”?
He keeps coming closer. Thanks to my vampire keen senses, I catch a whiff of his blood.
It’s revolting.
Ugh… disgusting!
The man’s face freezes, and his expression darkens.
I wave my hand in front of my nose and shove his shoulder. “Move it. Don’t block my way.”
He looks embarrassed and raises his hand, as if to hit me. Before I can react, another hand intercepts his.
I look up to see a tall, lean man handsome, too.
The air is thick with the scent of his blood. My eyes widen, and I can’t help but grin.
The tall man let’s call him Lin Yuchen flicks the drunk’s hand away. The drunk curses, still trying to “teach us a lesson,” but Lin Yuchen stands firmly between us, shielding me.
The drunk spits on the floor and stomps off, muttering curses about our ancestors.
Lin Yuchen turns to me. “You really came here alone?”
I nod instinctively.
He continues, “If I hadn’t been passing by, who knows what could’ve happened? You should head home.”
I nod again.
Lin Yuchen seems pleased with my obedience and turns to walk deeper into the bar.
I immediately follow him.
Lin Yuchen: “Weren’t you going home?”
I trail after Lin Yuchen to his table.
His friends stare at me in shock. “Whoa, Yuchen, you went to the bathroom and came back with a girl?”
Lin Yuchen: “…”
I stick close to Lin Yuchen, following his every move.
My heart is pounding with excitement. I can’t stop grinning, I’m so moved.
It’s been months.
Finally, I’ve found a perfect meal.
I rub my hands together in anticipation. Tonight, I’ll feast.
Lin Yuchen glances at me, sighs, and says, “I’ll take her home in a bit.”
A girl at the table snorts, shooting me a hostile glare.
I glare right back. I just want a decent meal what’s her problem?
The air is thick with the scent of blood, but most of it smells foul.
I inch closer to Lin Yuchen. Of all the people here, he smells the best.
He looks at me, his dark eyes full of meaning.
I lick my dry lips and lean in, loudly asking, “When are you heading home?”
Maybe I spoke too loudly, because everyone at the table hears me.
Lin Yuchen: “…”
His friends: “…”
I’m a polite vampire, so I always ask my meal’s permission first.
The guy who spoke earlier starts to tease, “Yuchen, maybe you should just take the little lady home first.”
Lin Yuchen shoots him a glare.
He grabs his coat and gestures to me. “I’ll walk you home.”
The girl’s face darkens, and she glares daggers at me.
Me: “…”
What’s her problem?
Lin Yuchen rides up on his motorcycle and hands me a helmet, motioning for me to put it on.
I stare at the helmet it’s so ugly, totally unworthy of my noble status.
I refuse.
Lin Yuchen: “…”
With a swift motion, he snaps the helmet onto my head anyway.
So, that’s how I end up on the bike.
He asks where I live, and I give him directions.
I wrap my arms around his waist, leaning in to inhale his scent.
This helmet is so annoying.
Lin Yuchen stiffens slightly, his voice awkward. “Are you always this forward with men you just met?”
Me: “Huh? I used to just bite them right away.”
The bike suddenly accelerates. The wind rushes past, and I can’t help but shout, “This is awesome!”
Then the speed drops again.
When we arrive, Lin Yuchen stares at the dilapidated little house in front of us, clearly shocked.
He asks, incredulous, “You live here?”
I nod innocently. “Yeah, I live alone. I’m an orphan.”
My parents died over two hundred years ago.
Lin Yuchen’s expression turns complicated.
I wave him over. “Come on in.”
He hesitates, but finally parks his bike and follows me, curious to see if anyone could actually live in such a place.
Inside, there’s nothing but a single ornate coffin and a battered cabinet. The contrast is bizarre.
Lin Yuchen frowns at my coffin-bed, finally sensing something’s off.
He starts to back away.
I block his path. “I haven’t eaten yet!”
Lin Yuchen is growing impatient, thinking I’m playing a prank.
I hold up a stick and politely ask, “May I drink your blood?”
Lin Yuchen: “…”
I grin sweetly, tilting my head.
Before he can answer, I knock him out with the stick.
Guess I couldn’t wait for his response, I’m too hungry.
I prop him up against the wall and sink my fangs in.
Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve tasted something so delicious.
Such a perfect meal.
I’ll have to savor it.
Once I’m nearly full, I lick the bite mark. My saliva helps his wounds heal quickly.
I don’t notice that, as I’m tending to his wound, his fingers twitch.
I rest my chin in my hands, staring at Lin Yuchen lying in my little coffin.
I wonder why this human hasn’t woken up after ten hours.
It never occurs to me that maybe it was the blow to the head.
The whole house is filled with the scent of Lin Yuchen’s blood.
I lick my lips, debating whether to sneak another sip before he wakes.
I lift his hand to inspect it.
His fingers are long and pale, look delicious.
Just as I’m about to bite his fingertip, he slowly opens his eyes.
We lock eyes.
Lin Yuchen narrows his gaze, a sharp glint appearing.
He pulls his hand away before I can retract my fangs.
I lick the blood from my fangs and smile sheepishly.
“You’re awake?”
Lin Yuchen sits up, voice cold. “What are you?”
I pout, feeling wronged. Why insult me the moment you wake up? Rude human.
I answer honestly, “A vampire.”
Lin Yuchen seems to be processing this. “?”
I’m not worried about him knowing. Worst case, I’ll just erase his memory later.
Sounds cool, right?
But I’m not very good at it. Might cause memory loss or confusion… oh well.
But Lin Yuchen doesn’t panic. He stands up, heads for the door, and waves his phone at me.
“I called the police.”
I shrug. “Go ahead.”
Lin Yuchen suddenly grins, flashing white teeth. “I also messaged the Institute of Biological Research. They’d love to study a real vampire. After all, you’re supposed to be a myth.”
Me: “…”
Does he think I’m that easy to scare?
In the end, I’m clinging to Lin Yuchen’s leg, begging him not to turn me in.
I just want a meal, that’s all.
I’m genuinely terrified of being dissected in a lab.
Lin Yuchen stares at me in silence as I sob and wipe my nose on his pants.
Between sniffles, I sneak a glance at his face.
He crouches down, gripping my chin and inspecting me.
His voice is suspicious. “Are vampires real?”
My eyes fill with tears as I nod.
I don’t know if there are any born vampires left, but I’m a turned one. My parents were, too.
Lin Yuchen asks, “So you drink human blood?”
I nod, then shake my head.
“These past six months, I’ve only had your blood. The rest of the time, I’ve had to survive on the world’s worst tomato juice.”
LinYuchen “Tomato Juice”
Chapter 01
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