Chapter 37: Impression
Thursday, August 8.
Today is not a special day, but the night before, all members of the Golden River Club received an email: the building’s property management will conduct a fire safety annual inspection, and the Golden River Club will suspend all its operations.
Just a few days after returning to work, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao are faced with another unexpected day off.
After spending several days together to help Jiang Yao recover, Zhou Ping has become quite familiar with the Jiang sisters. She arrived at the Jiang household early in the morning, carrying bags of ingredients, ready to prepare a family hot pot meal to counteract the sweltering summer heat.
The blood clan’s increased appetite made the small kitchen unable to handle so many ingredients, and with the intense sunlight outside, the air-conditioned living room naturally became the processing area for the food.
The three women sat or squatted, surrounded by a heap of vegetables, fish, and meat, each busy with their hands while chatting about various topics.
“… Sometimes, I think being a blood clan member isn’t so bad. You see, no matter how much we eat, we won’t get fat. Hehe.”
Zhou Ping, dressed in a tank top and a short skirt, with her refreshing medium-length hair, looked particularly youthful and lively today.
“小Ping Jie, how many years have you been a blood clan member?”
This question had lingered in Jiang Yao’s mind for a long time. When they weren’t familiar with each other, she didn’t dare to ask, but now she couldn’t help it.
“Xiao Yao, don’t forget the rules. Don’t ask about things like that!”
Jiang Yan frowned and quickly interrupted her.
“Haha, it’s nothing, I’ve probably been a member for about fifteen years. I was a freshman in high school at the time. During summer vacation, my family went on a trip and were attacked by a bloodthirsty crazed vampire… My parents didn’t survive, and I got blooded.”
“Later, I learned that people over forty are very likely to die on the spot due to immune collapse when blooded… And then, well, I met Brother Huang.”
“At that time, I cried every day, not knowing what to do. I was very afraid of blood when I was young, but everything changed after I got blooded.”
After cleaning a large basin of vegetables, Zhou Ping started peeling potatoes with a peeler, her tone calm: “Every year since, I’ve seen some people being brought in by Brother Zhao or Brother Huang, but some would also… some would leave.”
Zhou Ping spoke openly and didn’t mind recalling this past.
Leaving probably means death… Jiang Yan sensed a hint of sadness in Zhou Ping’s eyes.
“What a coincidence, we also met Huang Gu! Haha, you call him brother, but he looks more like an uncle.”
Jiang Yao couldn’t help but laugh at the memory of her first encounter with Huang Gu, almost stabbing him; she thought he was quite weak.
“Hmm, he should be older than Brother Zhao Peng, but he’s very lazy and not interested in growth or breakthroughs; he’s only at the mid-level attendant now. He has several fabricated experiences; who knows what’s true. However, Brother Huang has a wealth of experience and is well-connected in society, with many friends.”
Zhou Ping chuckled lightly, then continued: “Brother Huang, like Brother Zhao Peng, was one of the trusted confidants brought out by Wan Jie from the Hermit Alliance back in the day. Although not particularly strong, everyone still respects him.”
“Hermit Alliance?”
Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao were both taken aback at the mention of Wan Yue’s past that Zhou Ping casually referred to.
“Hmm, the Hermit Alliance is a well-known powerful faction of rogue vampires in the country. You’re newcomers, of course, you wouldn’t know.”
Zhou Ping smiled indifferently, as if such matters were not secrets at the Golden River Club: “They say that twenty years ago, Wan Jie had a conflict with some bigwigs from the Hermit Alliance, was ostracized, and in a fit of anger, took Brother Zhao and the others and left.”
“She doesn’t mind us discussing these things privately, as long as it’s not in front of Wan Jie, after all, there is still some connection between Wan Jie and the Hermit Alliance, so it isn’t a complete severance.”
Listening to Zhou Ping talk so freely, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao exchanged glances again.
The Hermit Alliance was something Jiang Yao may have only heard of, but Jiang Yan was more familiar with it.
It is a rogue vampire force second only to the Black Blood Clan, being closely watched by various monitoring districts. Its activities are widespread across the country. Judging from its scale and strength alone, it is comparable to many count-level families.
Unlike the orthodox blood clan that is closed-off and conservative, or the indiscriminate killers of the Black Blood Clan, the Hermit Alliance maintains a rebellious style. It is said that most blood smuggling in the country is conducted by the Hermit Alliance.
No wonder Wan Jie’s resources are so profound; she was once a member of the Hermit Alliance. Realizing this, Jiang Yan’s understanding of Wan Yue deepened.
“If Huang Shu… Brother Huang has been working with Wan Jie, then why has he always lived in City D?”
Like Jiang Yao, Jiang Yan also had another question in her heart.
“I don’t know. Brother Huang has been there for many years; it seems Wan Jie arranged it for him to monitor something. It’s best for us not to inquire about these things.”
Zhou Ping shook her head, indicating that she only knew that much.
“Then… are you familiar with Zhong Jing?”
Recalling seeing Zhong Jing and Wan Yue secretly going upstairs the other night after work, Jiang Yan suddenly asked, and Jiang Yao also paused her activity, perking up her ears.
“Zhong Jing is quite special. How should I put it? Brother Zhao Peng says he’s Wan Jie’s apprentice.”
Zhou Ping tilted her head and thought for a moment, smiling awkwardly: “The first time Wan Jie introduced him to everyone, he was still a cute little boy; so adorable! Now, hehe, he’s already a grown man and sometimes quite unserious.”
“Anyway, he doesn’t interact much with us; he rarely comes to the club. I occasionally hear that his family is actually quite wealthy; hmm, Zhong Pharmaceuticals is quite famous.”
Zhou Ping began to cut some lotus roots while continuing, “According to Wan Jie, Brother Zhao Peng handles things internally, and Zhong Jing deals with some issues we can’t manage, anyway, everyone treats him like one of us.”
“He’s an ordinary person, isn’t he afraid?”
Thinking back to Zhong Jing’s teasing the other night, Jiang Yao felt uncomfortable while also being curious about why an ordinary person would delve into the blood clan world.
“Maybe there are just these fearless people in the world, otherwise those orthodox blood clan families wouldn’t develop any external agents among ordinary people.”
Zhou Ping pondered for a moment before throwing out a vague answer.
“It’s strange; if that’s the case, why not just become a blood clan member?” Jiang Yao muttered.
“Alright, Xiao Yao, go take the pork ribs from the refrigerator to thaw. I’ll start preparing the broth soon.”
Concerned that Jiang Yao would continue asking and touch on some taboos, Jiang Yan interrupted her curiosity and fell into thought herself.
Jiang Yao’s lone battle that night, while she ultimately received assistance from Zhao Peng and Zhou Ping, was terrifying enough just for a mid-level attendant to single-handedly kill a knight and another attendant from the Black Blood Clan.
Jiang Yan had a strong intuition that Wan Yue and Huang Gu were not as ignorant of her and Jiang Yao’s background as she had initially thought. From the very beginning, Wan Yue and Huang Gu had noticed the uniqueness of herself and Xiao Yao.
Wan Yue had been extremely concerned about the Tang family in City D, even sending Huang Gu to monitor there many years ago, and the questions surrounding her and Xiao Yao must be part of that.
These two inquiries into the truth seemed to have intertwined since the day they encountered Huang Gu.
…
…
The preparation for the hot pot was quite time-consuming. As the fragrant and spicy broth began to bubble and steam filled the cool living room, the three ravenous girls eagerly picked up their chopsticks.
Three girls but with the appetite of six adult men, they feasted and shared fewer words in their conversations.
The blood clan’s strong digestive abilities allow them to retain most of the energy and nutrients, which are then compressed into a microscopic world thanks to a unique protein conversion mechanism.
Zhou Ping and Jiang Yan chewed thoughtfully, while Jiang Yao’s cheeks puffed up like a hamster. The spicy pot caused her face to flush, and even the high-powered air conditioning couldn’t stop the sweat from forming on her forehead.
Their hot pot lunch extended until after 2 PM before they finally finished eating. Jiang Yao squatted on the floor, wiping up the stray grease, while Jiang Yan and Zhou Ping dealt with the towering pile of dishes.
Jiang Yao’s phone vibrated in the pocket of her denim shorts. She pulled it out to see a voice communication request from a contact named “Outlaw.”
Uh, is this Zhong Jing?
Jiang Yao glanced towards the kitchen, frowned slightly, then walked to her bedroom and switched to speakerphone mode.
“Are you online? Hurry! Let’s game for a few rounds; I called in some pros!”
Zhong Jing’s voice came through, sounding relaxed and excited.
“You really are too idle… Are you trying to flirt with me?”
Jiang Yao tossed the phone onto the bed and lay back on it in a relaxed manner, curling her lip while playing with her golden ponytail.
“Cough… Stop messing around, you’ll choke me!”
Zhong Jing’s voice came through with a slight cough, perhaps he choked on something he was drinking.
“You’ve already acted ‘friendly’ with me twice, is it really that fun!?”
Due to personal experiences, Jiang Yao has a complex about the wealthy and handsome. While she often knew that this mentality stemmed mostly from a subconscious ‘why can’t I be rich and handsome too,’ she was still aware of it.
When Zhong Jing appeared as “one of us,” Jiang Yao initially had no special feeling, but Zhong Jing’s teasing manner caused her to mentally remove him from “one of us” to being an “outsider.”
She has an intense aversion to strangers or outsiders while being extremely trusting of close people, a result of her inferiority complex stemming from her physical flaws.
“Flirt with you? Please, we’re not even on the same plane of existence, okay?”
In the phone, Zhong Jing’s distinctly rebellious voice was heard again: “I just think you’re the first blood clan member I’ve met besides my master that actually seems to have a real personality. The others, no need to say, those who understand, understand, including your sister.”
His nonchalant teasing also carried an underlying compliment, which made Jiang Yao feel more at ease, and her expression softened a bit.
“Be quick about it; I’ll send you the room number now; we need one more player! If we don’t win a game today, I might as well not live like this anymore!”
Zhong Jing brought an intense gaming vibe that was almost spilling out of the phone screen, making the light blonde-haired girl nearly laugh out loud.
“Okay! I’ll be right there! Let me wash my hands first, and save the mid-lane for me!”
Jiang Yao jumped off the bed and immediately turned on her computer, then dashed out of the bedroom barefoot without even wearing slippers. Moments later, she hurriedly returned, quickly sat down in the computer chair, opened the game icon on her desktop, and finally put on her headset.
“Xiao Yao, did you clean the living room floor? Go wash some fruits…”
Jiang Yan walked into the bedroom, rubber gloves still on from the kitchen, and immediately spotted Jiang Yao engrossed in the game.
“Quick, bottom lane, kill that Annie! Hey, hey, why are you running back?”
With her headset on, Jiang Yao couldn’t hear Jiang Yan’s words.
After standing there watching for ten seconds, Jiang Yan could only leave with a cold expression.
…
…
At dusk, at S Province C City International Airport, Wan Yue, dressed in a black dress, stood in the pickup area accompanied by Zhao Peng.
Originally, the flight was expected this afternoon, but a private business jet from Munich, Germany, to C City in S Province was delayed due to a refueling stop in Dubai, causing it to land at C City International Airport only at dusk.
A group of tall, sturdy European men exited from the aisle, attracting the attention of many people there. At the forefront was a young man taller than 190 cm.
With gold-brown hair like a lion’s mane, a pair of lake-blue deep-set eyes, sharp and handsome facial features, a strong and proportionate physique, and a confident stride, he caused several young Chinese girls to stare in fascination, with many discreetly taking out their phones to capture the moment.
“Miss Emilia, I apologize for the delay; thank you for waiting.”
Amidst the attention, the young German man walked directly to Wan Yue, gently lifting his arm.
Glancing at the people behind the blonde youth, Wan Yue smiled and placed her hand on his, gracefully accepting the courtesy of a kiss on her hand.
The noble aura of the golden-haired young man is beyond mention, and Wan Yue’s black lace dress, combined with her alluring figure and strikingly cool beauty, made this ancient and elegant gesture appear even more splendid.
Especially when the youth spoke in fluent Standard Chinese, it turned many heads around. A few nearby Chinese girls who didn’t leave were nearly squealing in envy.
“Mr. Engel, please just call me Wan Yue; Emilia is just a name I used during my study tour in Munich many years ago.”
Wan Yue smiled and gestured to Zhao Peng behind her, who quickly left towards the parking lot.
“Then please, Miss Wan Yue, call me Elvin… By the way, let me introduce, this is Miss Emma, my personal assistant. And this is Mr. Luca, my private lawyer.”
As Elvin gently introduced them, a man and a woman stepped up beside the blonde youth, cool but polite, nodding slightly to Wan Yue.
The woman named Emma seemed to be slightly older than Wan Yue, while the man named Luca was a typical middle-aged man with a large belly.
Wan Yue’s gaze swept across the two, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but she maintained her composure.
“The hotel has already been booked; we can either go there to sit or, shall I say, does Mr. Elvin have other arrangements?”
Wan Yue smiled and slightly twisted her waist as she began to walk outside.
“Mr. Elvin, there are surveillance devices on both sides of the exit…”
Lawyer Luca stepped forward and whispered a string of German into Elvin’s ear.
“Hmm, this is one of the few countries on this planet that remains highly vigilant and hostile towards us… It has been since over two thousand years ago. They call it… inheritance.”
Elvin smiled lightly, clearly unconcerned.
…
…
Dinner consisted of the leftover hot pot ingredients from lunch, highlighting just how absurdly large the quantity Zhou Ping had bought in the morning.
However, while Jiang Yan and Zhou Ping were eating in the living room, Jiang Yao continued to excuse herself with “I’ll be right there” as she immersed herself in gaming.
It wasn’t until just after 9 PM, when Zhou Ping had left, that Jiang Yao finally emerged from her room, rubbing her face and shoulders as she walked into the living room.
“Ah… it’s all cleaned up! I haven’t eaten yet!”
Jiang Yao looked at the empty dining table and blurted out.
Jiang Yan sat expressionlessly on the sofa watching TV, ignoring her.
Jiang Yao shrank slightly and walked toward the corner kitchen alone, returning after a while holding a large ocean bowl filled with previously cooked ingredients, which had now turned into a mushy mass that was unrecognizable.
“Did you have a wild time playing today?”
Jiang Yan turned her head, smiling at the girl who was diving into the leftovers, without showing the anticipated emotions.
“It was okay, mainly met a few pros…”
Jiang Yao said vaguely, while reaching for the cola on the coffee table. “Ge, oh no, Jie, you should also relax a bit, play some games or watch some anime, don’t be like those people in the club who look young but act like old folks. Living like that is too boring.”
“I won’t, I didn’t have the chance when I was in the military.”
Jiang Yan shook her head, changing the channel on the remote, intending to watch some news programs she liked.
“… This morning, under the joint witness of several media outlets and leaders from the municipal government, the retired director of the W District Children’s Welfare Institute, Elder Jiang Chunhua, donated over six million in compensation for martyrs, entirely to the welfare institute…”
“… Both martyrs were children raised by the welfare institute and outstanding youths nurtured by Elder Jiang Chunhua. According to the martyrs’ wishes, this money was originally meant for Elder Jiang Chunhua as a token of gratitude for over a decade of care, but Elder Jiang Chunhua selflessly dedicated it all to help more abandoned children…
“The martyrs have already rested; their young lives have been set, but their love for the country, the people, society, and their families will never fade…”
In the evening news, a familiar face stood in front of the gate, talking eloquently into the camera. Not far behind her, a white-haired elderly woman stood silently in front of the crowded crowd, looking so lonely while everyone around was smiling.
Both Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao stopped their actions simultaneously, staring blankly at the TV screen, silent.
