Chapter 207 Inevitable Suspicions
March 31st, Tuesday.
K City, Province Y, East Shore of Dianchi Lake.
With the demise of the last count early last century, the once illustrious Luo family fell into a protracted decline. They even came close to exhausting their resources in a bloody rivalry with the Japanese bloodline during that world war over seventy years ago, ultimately losing most of their territory west of the Nu River and beyond the national borders.
Today, the Luo family consists of only two viscounts and several barons, downgraded to a viscount family. They later formed a marriage alliance with the Wang family, receiving the latter’s support and managing to maintain most of their territory in Province Y, becoming the Wang family’s most trusted vassal in the southwest region.
Though the Luo family had mostly maintained a low profile over the years, they were once a prominent and established family in the history of the bloodlines of China. In particular, they managed their stronghold in Province Y for hundreds of years and were deeply involved in underground smuggling activities in Southeast Asia, endowed with substantial heritage.
For example, most luxury real estate development projects in Province Y are backed by agents from the Luo family. Other industries in Province Y that they control are countless.
A high-end golf club on the east bank of Dianchi Lake is one of the Luo family’s properties in K City, which is currently closed to the public. The most luxurious vacation villa has been designated for Jiang Yan to recuperate from her injuries.
Initially, there were murmurs about this, but with the intervention of Uncle Wang, the family’s ninth uncle, and a “minor courtesy” from RMCE, the Luo family members quickly fell silent.
Among the green woods by the lake, Wang family knights can be seen patrolling from time to time. Even on the nearby lake, there are Luo family knights disguised as tourists, standing guard.
Meng Huai is sitting on a bench in the grassy rest area, holding Jiang Yan, quietly gazing at the distant lake, motionless.
“Mr. Li, please enjoy some refreshments.”
A Luo family maid dressed as a waitress pushed a service cart into the rest area. After undergoing a security check from Liang Tai, she cautiously approached Meng Huai’s side, stealing a glance at the black-haired girl nestled in his arms, fast asleep.
In her eyes, these guests are all venerable figures from the Wang family and must be served attentively.
“Thank you… What’s this?”
Meng Huai didn’t glance at the various delicacies on the service cart but focused his gaze on a vial of blood in the maid’s hand, his nose twitching slightly.
“This is blood supplied by a baron from our family and can speed up Miss Jiang’s recovery,” the maid quickly explained.
“Rare blood type?” Meng Huai slowly took the blood vial, uncapped it, and sniffed it, a look of disbelief crossing his face. “The Luo family actually has a baron ancestor with a rare blood type.”
This is the Luo family’s foundation. If not for the need to show gratitude for that RMCE, they would never part with such precious and rare blood that cannot even be bought. The maid puffed out her small chest proudly but avoided discussing the topic, simply smiling and leaving.
Liang Tai walked over with a smile. “Don’t be surprised; it’s normal. The southwest used to be very chaotic. I’ve heard that the Luo family sheltered members of the Dark Arrow who fled due to blood invasion in the 1950s; these must be their descendants.”
“Later, as technology progressed, the regulation and protection of those with rare blood types became stricter. These prominent families dared not act on such temptations. The Luo family wouldn’t easily take in people from Dark Arrow unless vouched for by trustworthy individuals.”
“The rare blood-type knights of the Luo family are actually the most numerous in the country. I estimate that as long as one or two promising candidates are found and given enough time, they could restore their former strength. The marriage alliance with the Wang family is indeed a gain.”
Saying this, Liang Tai cast a glance at Meng Huai and Jiang Yan in his arms, smiling mysteriously.
Meng Huai set the blood vial on a side table and adjusted Jiang Yan’s sleeping position before casually asking, “I heard that Wan Jie and Zheng Shaolin were once part of Dark Arrow. Our Hyacinth is really bold… Liang Ge, what did Jiang Yan do before? She’s also a rare blood type.”
Liang Tai was taken aback for a moment, then gently shook his head. “Brother, if she’s unwilling to tell you, don’t pry. It’s an unspoken rule among Hyacinths. Becoming a bloodline was never voluntary for anyone; the past is the past.”
After saying this, Liang Tai patted Meng Huai on the shoulder and walked toward the smoking area in the distance.
Watching Liang Tai’s retreating figure, Meng Huai deliberately scrutinized the battle outfit he wore as a Hyacinth, then fell into deep thought.
“It smells so good…”
Jiang Yan slowly opened her eyes, her nose twitching slightly, clearly attracted by a faint trace of the rare blood scent.
Meng Huai quickly adjusted her body and brought the blood vial closer to her lips.
“I’m not bloodthirsty; I won’t drink. You should. I feel like you’re almost a mid-tier knight.”
Jiang Yan comfortably twisted in Meng Huai’s arms and slightly closed her eyes. “I heard what you and Liang Ge talked about just now… Meng Huai, do you care so much about my past?”
Meng Huai remained silent, merely rubbing the surface of the blood vial, his expression calm.
He felt he had many questions to ask, especially after that terrifying bloody night, when he suddenly realized something he had never thought about—why Wan Jie, and even the Wang family, cared so much about the safety of Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao.
Just around this golf course, Meng Huai sensed at least two strange chaotic auras lurking nearby. This was clearly not just for the protection of Uncle Wang, who regularly checked Jiang Yan’s condition.
Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao were evidently bloodlines he had never comprehended, even regarded as entities that required utmost secrecy in the eyes of the Wang family.
“Meng Huai, I want to go see the lakeside… I want to eat some fruit…”
Jiang Yan, curled up in Meng Huai’s arms, closed her eyes and casually directed him, her heart racing slightly as she spoke.
“Alright.”
Meng Huai stood up while holding Jiang Yan but suddenly remembered something and turned around twice, feeling somewhat unsure.
He wanted to carry her to the lakeside for a walk and also feed her fruit, but doing both at the same time was impossible… Meng Huai felt a bit dazed, completely stumped.
“You make a choice, silly…”
Jiang Yan kept her eyes closed, a slight smile gracing her lips, finding the situation amusing. Meng Huai’s flustered state gave off an inexplicably pure vibe.
After pondering for a few seconds, Meng Huai turned toward a nearby wheelchair, wordlessly placed Jiang Yan down into it, then set a plate filled with fruits from the service cart on her lap, finally pushing the wheelchair towards the lakeside path.
Perfect, he could let her eat fruit while taking her to see the lake.
Jiang Yan stared blankly at the fruit platter on her lap, feeling Meng Huai’s smug emotions conveyed through his faint pheromones, both amused and exasperated—she had to eat the fruit herself after leaving his embrace.
The once chaotic Dianchi Lake, which underwent significant environmental rehabilitation, had been completely transformed, regaining its original scenic beauty. Cherry blossoms, peach flowers, rhododendrons thrived on both sides of the lakeside path, where myriad flowers bloomed, butterflies danced, and the colors of spring were vibrant.
“Meng Huai, we’re both rare blood types. You must have just noticed today, right? Are you curious why I’m able to use a baron’s ability?”
Looking at the rippling lake in the distance and munching on the fruits, Jiang Yan suddenly spoke softly.
“I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have asked these things. The unspoken rule among Hyacinths is quite good; they never actively inquire about my past…”
Meng Huai shook his head, feeling a bit awkward.
“Meng Huai, that night, why didn’t you agree to help me take care of Xiao Yao?”
Recalling the life-and-death battle that night, Jiang Yan hesitated to think about the episodes of losing control during the fight, but she vividly remembered Meng Huai’s expression when he planned to die alongside her.
“Have you never considered your own well-being?”
After a few seconds of silence, Meng Huai forced out a response.
“Actually, this life of mine was given to me by Xiao Yao.” Jiang Yan smiled and shook her head, “I’m afraid that one day I won’t be around, and no one will be there to protect her; you can.”
“Both of us are very special; you must have noticed that… It’s just that you’ve been caught up in your own struggles and haven’t truly thought about it.”
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yan turned back, her expression gradually becoming serious. “Meng Huai, no matter how she is special, the power you possess can protect her, something which even Wan Jie or the Wang family might not be able to achieve.”
The wheelchair stopped, and after several seconds, a slow, bitter voice came from behind Jiang Yan: “You need to be alive to truly protect her. I… haha, I can’t even protect myself…”
“So, back then, you didn’t even have the courage to kill me… The power I have could drive me insane.”
Jiang Yan shook her head again, her voice growing softer.
“Let’s not talk about this.”
Meng Huai became impatient, directly turning around and pushing the wheelchair to continue along the lakeside path, not caring one bit about Jiang Yan’s expression or feelings at that moment.
For the next ten or so minutes, the two remained silent, as if the beautiful scenery before them was tainted by an unspoken oppressive emotion, no longer captivating.
“Meng Huai, I want to go back to sleep; I’m tired again.”
Jiang Yan turned her head, quietly looking at Meng Huai’s stern and indifferent face.
“Alright, let’s go back now.”
Meng Huai responded succinctly, quickly turning the wheelchair around.
Jiang Yan slightly lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
In a princess carry, Jiang Yan’s body lifted from the wheelchair, once again resting in Meng Huai’s embrace.
“Meng Huai, don’t inquire about my and Xiao Yao’s secrets, okay…”
Jiang Yan naturally wrapped her arms around Meng Huai’s neck, her expression content as she closed her eyes, as though speaking in her dreams.
Meng Huai did not respond, only nodding and holding Jiang Yan, striding forward.
In Meng Huai’s arms, Jiang Yan fell asleep again, letting out soft breaths, the oppressive vibe that had felt cavernous dissipating, replaced by the familiar ambient of a half-step baron—gentle, restrained, yet unfathomable.
In the afternoon, in the basement of another vacation villa, Uncle Wang, Old Jin, and Xiao Dong were busy conducting medical tests in a room converted into a laboratory.
The second set of test samples from Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao had already been sent to the Wang family’s medical research center, but Uncle Wang, unable to sit still, decided to conduct several tests right on-site.
Old Jin and Xiao Dong, as medical professionals, were temporarily pulled in by Uncle Wang to serve as his research assistants.
“Kid, you’ve been the deputy director for too long, flirting with female doctors and nurses all day, and your research skills have gone down the drain?”
“Can’t you be more proactive? Go operate the centrifuge and process these!”
“How did I think you were worthy of being a doctoral student? I must have been blind!”
As the deputy director of Shengci Hospital, Old Jin was now treated like a research dog by Uncle Wang in the lab, frantically busy, while Xiao Dong, who was mixing reagents on one side, couldn’t help but chuckle.
As soon as the laughter erupted, it coincided with Uncle Wang’s stern gaze, causing Xiao Dong to blush and quickly look away.
In the past, Wan Yue had once asked Xiao Dong to follow Old Jin to enhance her clinical skills, but after meeting Uncle Wang again, Wan Yue decisively had Xiao Dong take him as her teacher.
Now, Xiao Dong had become Uncle Wang’s student. Although her specialization didn’t precisely match, she still managed to make use of her strengths.
Originally, whether in terms of seniority or rank, Old Jin outclassed Xiao Dong, and he had even served as her nominal clinical supervisor, but now it turned awkwardly towards a senior-junior relationship, leaving Old Jin’s thick-skinned demeanor quite uncomfortable.
“Hey, Junior Sister, have you ever drunk Jiang Yan’s blood?”
Once Uncle Wang exited the lab, Old Jin hurriedly approached Xiao Dong with a puzzled look. “I remember last year you and that Liang kid came to Shengci Hospital. You were a lower-tier knight back then, and he was a mid-tier knight. How come now I find both you and Liang Tai have grown…”
“Old Jin, Wan Jie has instructed that there are some matters I also don’t quite understand and can’t discuss…”
Xiao Dong shook her head bashfully, keeping her mouth sealed.
“Actually, even if you don’t say, I can guess it. Not just you; several knights from Hyacinth, even that Zhao Peng kid… you all have had good luck. But don’t worry, even if the Wang family discovers something, they won’t make things difficult for you.”
Old Jin chuckled, feeling he had worried unnecessarily.
Just as he was about to continue working, a tall figure appeared at the lab door.
“Meng… what are you doing here?”
Old Jin frowned slightly, feeling wary. Xiao Dong quickly put down her work and walked to the door, perfectly blocking Meng Huai from entering.
“Dong Jie, besides blood, are there any other medications? Is Jiang Yan’s recovery too slow?”
Meng Huai took a step back, slightly lowering his head.
“Her self-repair ability is very strong. She’s already out of danger and doesn’t require additional medication. Just transfusing blood to enhance blood protein accumulation is enough… Let’s talk outside; you can’t come in here.”
Xiao Dong glanced back at Old Jin before quickly pulling Meng Huai out of the lab.
“Can my blood be used? I’m also a rare blood type.”
Meng Huai pondered for a moment and raised his arm.
“No, you used Jiang Yan’s blood over a month ago; the indicator of your blood factor fusion is too high. Using your blood for her might lead to serious problems. Don’t mess around; all treatment and adjustment plans must be decided by Uncle Wang!”
Xiao Dong issued a stern warning, fearing that this infatuated boy might do something reckless.
“What? He used Jiang Yan’s blood!? When did that happen?”
Suddenly, Old Wang’s stern voice came from behind them.
Meng Huai turned around to see Uncle Wang staring at him intently, a faint probing aura enveloping him like a boulder, causing his body to feel stiff and out of control.
“Lower-tier knight, no, almost mid-tier… Interesting, and still a rare blood type. Kid, since you’re from Hyacinth, you aren’t a natural-born bloodline; when were you blood invaded?”
Uncle Wang showed no politeness to Meng Huai, his formidable presence and imposing demeanor crushing him completely.
Once the probing aura dissipated, Meng Huai regained bodily sensation, now drenched in cold sweat.
“What, end of last year!? Did Jiang Yan’s blood influence you…?”
Upon getting the answer, Uncle Wang paused, then fell deep in thought. After a few seconds, he pointed at Xiao Dong: “Tonight, draw some blood for tissue samples from him. Also, do a liver biopsy and check cerebrospinal fluid.”
This left not only Meng Huai stunned but even Xiao Dong shocked, feeling as if Uncle Wang intended to dissect Meng Huai.
“Kid, where did your luck come from? Having gained such a great advantage, you’ll have to pay the price!”
Uncle Wang rambled on about some incomprehensible scientific terms as he quickly walked toward a corner of the lab, making everyone else, including Old Jin, look at each other in confusion.
Old Jin seemed to remember when Meng Huai was taken to Shengci Hospital, being sentenced to irreversible damage of the central brain nerves but still miraculously recovering.
“You did run into trouble on your own… Wait, I’ll contact Wan Jie in a bit and see what she says. You go back now and take good care of Xiao Yan; don’t wander around.”
With a helpless sigh, Xiao Dong closed the lab door in front of Meng Huai.
Standing outside the door, Meng Huai’s expression gradually turned serious.
