Returning once more to the world of vampires

At dawn, Qiao Wei opened her weary eyes, glanced at the time, and rose to wash up. Standing before the mirror in the bathroom, she stared at her face, as pale as paper, and her bloodshot eyes, memories of that strange dream flooding her mind. Unable to resist, she touched her neck. Suddenly, she noticed that the necklace she had torn off the night before was once again around her throat. Losing control, she screamed, crouched down, and hugged herself, trembling violently.

Qiao Wei’s mother, who had not slept all night and was helping Qiao You get dressed, heard the scream and rushed over. She found Qiao Wei huddled in a corner of the bathroom, sobbing softly as she held herself tightly. Heart aching, her mother gathered Qiao Wei into her arms. After learning what had happened, she sighed and spoke gently, “Weiwei, I’ll ask for some time off for you. Stay home and rest for a while, alright?”

Qiao Wei lifted her head, gazing at her mother’s equally pale face, and nodded heavily. Her mother helped her up gently and led her back to her room. After sending Qiao You off to kindergarten, she went to Qiao Wei’s school to request a two-week leave on her behalf.

Meanwhile, Qiao Wei scribbled a brief note and left it on the dining table, then hurried to the rose garden. To her surprise, at the center of the garden, there was a large but shallow pit. Instinct told her that this was the gateway to that other world. She knew that unless she uncovered the truth of what had happened, she could never live peacefully again. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes and jumped. Just before she reached the bottom, she was enveloped by a dazzling light and vanished.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself once more in the rose field where she had first met Luo Chen. Here too, there was a pit identical to the one in her own garden. She looked around in confusion—there was not a soul in sight. Qiao Wei wanted to find Luo Chen and demand answers, but she had no way to find him, and besides, Luo Chen would never tell her anything. Smiling wryly at her own nerves, she turned to leave, when suddenly a figure flashed before her, blocking her path.

Alarmed, Qiao Wei stumbled back, then gathered her courage and studied the stranger. His blood-red eyes regarded her with disdain. He had the same pale skin as Luo Chen, and his features resembled Luo Chen’s, though he appeared older and possessed a harsher, colder demeanor.

He sneered at Qiao Wei and spoke, “I knew you’d come back. You’re Qiao Wei, aren’t you? I’m Luo Chen’s elder brother, Luo Xuan.”

Summoning her courage, Qiao Wei lifted her head. Her delicate face was utterly bloodless, tinged with white, making her appear frail and vulnerable. She stared into Luo Xuan’s crimson eyes and said, “Yes. I know you must understand something. Can you tell me what connection I have to this place? Why am I here?”

A trace of mockery appeared on Luo Xuan’s cold face. “Who do you think you are? I have no desire to waste words on you. My purpose…” He smiled strangely and continued, “...is to kill you.”

With that, Luo Xuan moved behind Qiao Wei, gripping her shoulders tightly. Somewhere along the way, his fangs had bared themselves. Just as he was about to bite her neck, a swift black shadow pushed him aside, and the terrified Qiao Wei collapsed to the ground.

A slightly hoarse voice sounded behind her, “I told you, my affairs are none of your concern.”

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So tired today. Enough said, drifting away~~~~~~~