How to Keep a Vampire - Chapter 7

Shi Yu was completely innocent. His current persona was merely that of a weak, helpless human blood servant the type that possessed no power to truss a chicken and could be “snapped” at any moment.

Although he didn’t know how Wen Si had become a Duke, being able to hold onto such a position for several thousand years surely meant it wasn’t a simple feat. A facade is for show, but mental acuity is not. The one thing in short supply within the vampire clan is fools.

Lan Yin had said that his first meeting with Wen Si was at the sacrificial ceremony, held in the great hall of the ancient castle. The seating in the hall clearly distinguished between host and guest: the host’s seat sat several tiers higher than the guest seats, which were arranged in orderly rows on either side.

The hall was resplendent with gold and jade even the guest chairs in the furthest corners were made of expensive materials and inlaid with precious stones. The air was thick with the scent of money; it was practically written on their faces: “I am very wealthy.”

Naturally, he liked it the moment he saw it.

Hmm… this fits Shi Yu’s aesthetic perfectly.

Others might look hopelessly tacky piling up gold and jade, but Shi Yu himself was raised on gold and jade; his person was delicate and precious. The noble aura around him blended perfectly with the opulent decor, making people feel that a beauty ought to live in such a palace-like abode.

After they entered, the butler, Ge Er, went out and shut the door. With that, only Shi Yu, Wen Si, and a man dressed in different attire remained in the hall.

The other’s clothing was primarily made of gauze, exposing a large expanse of skin on his upper body, but most importantly, he had a blue-black fish tail below. He wasn’t sitting in the guest seats but stood instead, his gaze falling on the great hall as if recalling something.

“High Priest.”

“Greetings, Your Excellency.” The man saw Wen Si and gave a polite nod. He did not address Wen Si as “Duke” like the others did.

The High Priest of the Mermaid Tribe, Di You, possessed the outstanding appearance of the mermaids. His skin was a shimmering white under the play of the ocean’s light, and his long golden hair reached his shoulders without appearing soft. His eyes were a gift from the ocean, possessing the purest deep blue color of the sea, capable of making one lose their focus with the slightest ripple of emotion.

Shi Yu was a bit dazed, simply because Di You’s eyes were too much like crystalline blue sapphires. He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but Shi Yu sensed an indescribable hostility from this High Priest of the Mermaid Tribe toward Wen Si.

Di You greeting Wen Si was merely politeness, but when he inadvertently caught a glimpse behind Wen Si, a look of astonishment appeared on his face.

“You…” Di You’s blue eyes seemed infused with radiance. Mermaids mostly possessed pleasant voices, but at this moment, his voice carried a tremor he hadn’t noticed himself, cautious and as if in disbelief: “Are you the one who has returned?”

It even carried a hint of humble plea.

“Lan Yin.”

“Lan Yin, are you there?”

Shi Yu tried to call out to Lan Yin; he truly didn’t know the past relationship between the High Priest of the Mermaid Tribe and him. Lan Yin had previously said that his only collection of dark history was pointed out by this High Priest. Logically speaking, their relationship shouldn’t have been good.

“I apologize, I do not know you,” Shi Yu whispered.

If Lan Yin had finished speaking at the time, Shi Yu would have known.

Years ago, at a banquet, they had met by chance. Back then, he had complimented Di You on how beautiful his eyes were. Shi Yu liked everything beautiful, such as Di You’s eyes. Among the many blue gems he collected, none were more moving than Di You’s eyes. Because eyes carry emotion, while gems are forever cold and hard.

Shi Yu had only complimented him on a whim before being distracted by other things. He hadn’t noticed Di You’s earlobes turning bright red, nor his furtive gaze following him. That was just how it was: wherever Shi Yu appeared, everyone’s gaze would instinctively pursue him.

Later, when Shi Yu collected blue gems, he would occasionally think of Di You. He had sent Di You invitations many times, inviting him to attend his banquets. Di You had refused many times, saying only that he didn’t have the time. Shi Yu felt that perhaps the other didn’t like such occasions, or didn’t want to spend time with him, so he didn’t pay it any more mind. Until the last invitation the time with the fake painting.

Shi Yu was quite malicious; even when Di You gently reminded him that an oil painting was a fake, he only smiled and asked: “Is the High Priest willing to be my model? I want to paint an oil painting of blue sapphires.”

Clearly, he intended to paint Di You’s eyes. Di You perhaps grew angry and had nothing to say to him. Otherwise, how could his face have flushed instantly before he left?

However, he didn’t know that was called running away in a panic.

Shi Yu focused on Di You’s eyes, yet didn’t know how beautiful his own eyes were. His translucent, slightly pinkish pupils always seemed to contain water; his round, moist lower eyelid curved innocently as he blinked, just looking at you and smiling. Clearly having an impossibly pure appearance, but with just such a look, it added a touch of bewitching charm.

He was a fox who was ignorant of the world yet had an unchangeable nature. Always loving to put on a (well-behaved) facade, yet revealing a bewitching quality in every aspect.

What to do a cold refusal, or dreaming of breaking free only to eventually sink into his ripples.

Ah… it seems he still chose the latter.

Wen Si’s gaze shifted between Shi Yu and Di You, smiling neither warmly nor coldly: “High Priest, did you recognize the wrong person?”

Di You did not answer immediately, but stared at Shi Yu intently. With an apologetic tone, he pursued: “Who are you?”

Shi Yu paused, “Perhaps it is a case of the same name; my name is Shi Yu.”

Visibly, the blue in Di You’s pupils gained a layer of mist, as if azure gems had been soaked in water, slowly gathering in his eye sockets.

The sapphires seem about to brim with tears.

Wen Si did not ask Di You for the reason, simply leading Shi Yu toward the main seat.

“Why, is the High Priest about to drop pearls here?” Though it was a question, coming from Wen Si’s distracted tone, it sounded like a provocation, mixed with blatant sarcasm.

For no other reason than the fact that mermaids rarely cry in their lives. The pearls that fall when they are sad turn into crystalline beads; the stronger the bloodline, the more translucent the pearl.

“No.” Di You suppressed the emotions in his eyes. “I just thought of an old friend.”

Who this old friend was went without saying—the former owner of the castle, Prince Shi Yu.

The mist in Di You’s eyes completely dispersed, as if the fragility he had just revealed was merely a dream. He was once again the High Priest of the Mermaid Tribe. Immediately following this, Di You said in a calm tone: “Has the Duke not noticed? They are very similar, not just in name, but in appearance.”

Shi Yu’s heart jumped; time hadn’t passed that quickly—there should still be some differences between his current appearance and his past one.

“I hope you understand that everything you possess now is his.” Di You stared at Wen Si, his words laced with thorns: “You are his blood servant; you are the one who should least forget him.”

Shi Yu: “…”

What is happening here?

[My, my, my, my god!] [Did I witness a Shura field as soon as I arrived?] [Why does it feel like a third party advising the Empress not to find a substitute after the white moonlight dies.]

Shi Yu threw caution to the wind and said to Lan Yin, “Why do I feel it’s more like a wicked mother-in-law setting rules for a new daughter-in-law.”

Hearing Di You’s words, Wen Si showed not a trace of anger; he didn’t even refute what the other had said.

“Precisely because all of this is his, am I here.”

[Baby, he’s like a poor boy mesmerizing a lovestruck debutante.] Turning the other party’s property into his own. [But why does it feel like he means only he can possess the Prince’s things.]

“Then this lovestruck debutante must be me.” Shi Yu followed Lan Yin’s train of thought, “Should I also say that line: Daddy, he is definitely not some poor boy.”

Lan Yin was stunned; he quickly changed his train of thought: [Baby, definitely don’t be fooled by the poor boy’s facade.]

Shi Yu: “…”

“The appearance might be very close, but if you look carefully, there are still some differences.” Shi Yu’s tone was leisurely; dark-colored leather gloves were worn on his slender fingers. At this moment, a gloved finger lightly lifted Shi Yu’s chin, raising a delicate arc. The dark color mixed with Shi Yu’s white, greasy skin, making his face appear unreally beautiful.

He was scrutinizing him closely, which also caused Di You to unconsciously fix his gaze on Shi Yu. Noticing Di You’s expression, Wen Si raised a brow; though he was smiling, it did not reach his eyes.

Like a large dog’s suppressed breathing blowing entirely onto your neck, Shi Yu clearly felt his displeasure. Di You hid his suspicion in the bottom of his heart; the young man’s face before him was indeed very similar to Shi Yu’s, but subtle differences did exist. It was more like his youth—more immature. And, Shi Yu had a small light-colored mole on his nose, but the person before him did not.

It was likely just a resemblance.

“Sit.”

Shi Yu followed Wen Si’s gaze to see the main seat.

Shi Yu: “…”

“I sit here?” Though it was his old territory, he still had to confirm symbolically.

“Otherwise?” Wen Si’s attitude was matter-of-fact; he even asked playfully: “Do you want to sit on my lap?”

He kept his voice very low on the second sentence, as if not wanting Di You to hear. But to Di You, it sounded more like lovers’ whispers. It was as if they had been isolated from him into two different worlds.

Shi Yu just sat on the main seat like that, with Wen Si standing to his left, his posture relaxed.

Lan Yin was also stunned. In a daze, it felt as if they had returned to several thousand years ago.

Shi Yu lifted his chin, his expression relaxed and contented; looking closely, it even carried a hint of laziness. As expected of the main seat; the softness of the cushion is such that even the Princess and the Pea would be ecstatic. Perhaps he had been asleep for too long; it was only when he sat down that he felt his legs were indeed sore and weak from just standing.

Di You: “Wen Si, I came today to represent the Mermaid Tribe to discuss a cooperation with you.”

Wen Si didn’t seem surprised.

“There is one month left before the Mermaid Tribe’s mating period. During the annual mating period, the Deep Sea Giant Spirit awakens, and both the Mermaid Tribe and the Blood Hunters will send their young people to gain experience.”

Di You’s expression was solemn; he said: “But this year is different; there have been undercurrents in the seabed recently, and the Deep Sea Giant Spirit has faintly shown signs of awakening. According to my divination, the Deep Sea Giant Spirit will awaken ahead of schedule.”

“Deep Sea Giant Spirit?”

Shi Yu had no impression of this name; he didn’t remember it.

“Lan Yin, what is this?” Shi Yu frowned, thinking the name sounded quite intimidating.

After several thousand years, Lan Yin’s consciousness only woke up in the castle for a while every day. Hearing ‘Deep Sea Giant Spirit’ again, he didn’t react for a while.

After a long pause, Lan Yin suddenly said excitedly: [I remember now, the Deep Sea Giant Spirit is actually a fat fish with big eyes!]

The Mermaid Tribe’s Deep Sea Giant Spirit,

Is a fat fish with big eyeballs.

Shi Yu: “?”

This was your description, Your Highness, hee hee.