The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: A Light Bite

Tao Yitong, who had previously declared with absolute certainty that the video was a hoax, was now sitting obediently by Jiang Zitan’s side, watching various screen recordings of the livestreams. Her reason: “They’re actually quite creative with their antics, I just want to see.”

A faint-hearted person would likely have nightmares after watching such videos at night. Tao Yitong quietly observed Jiang Zitan’s expression and found her still calm. Zitan hadn’t taken the videos seriously and wasn’t afraid, which finally put Yitong’s mind at ease.

The initial video of the streamer who had truly encountered a paranormal event had a very high view count, which naturally drew a crowd of copycats. However, the other videos were almost entirely the result of props or the streamers’ over-the-top reactions to create a terrifying atmosphere nothing authentic.

It made sense; with the view count so high and even Tao Yitong able to spot the anomalies at a glance, the local Special Affairs Bureau couldn’t possibly have missed it.

Furthermore, the Dark Court had many enemies abroad, with their arch-rival, the Holy Church, watching them like a hawk. Now that they had effectively had an arm severed by China, would the Holy Church and other enemies of the Dark Court not seize the chance to finish them off?

Their original goal was to cause trouble for China, but instead, this side remained peaceful and prosperous. They had “gone out for wool and come home shorn.” With the two oldest organizations the Dark Court and the Holy Church locked in combat, the esper world abroad was already showing signs of sliding into chaos.

On the Cruise Ship

Carnaro’s sinister gaze lingered on him for a long time before moving away. The old patriarch’s face was dripping with cold sweat, fearing he might drop dead the next second.

“Find An Yu.”

The old patriarch felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty and scrambled to find her. When An Yu was found, she was still “slacking off.” Now that Carnaro had summoned her, it meant his patience had run out; the real uphill battle was about to begin.

She returned to the second floor where the VIP suites were. Facing the pressure released by the S-class vampire, she lowered her head in a submissive posture.

“Have you found my friend?” Carnaro asked.

“I am very sorry, Prince. My abilities are insufficient; I could not find that gentleman on the cruise ship.”

“Then he must have left temporarily for some business. Have your people keep watching. Notify me the instant he returns.”

“Yes,” An Yu complied.

“An Yu.” Carnaro stared at her, his dark gaze hiding a trace of deep-seated emotion. “I remember you originally belonged to Noreen’s lineage, correct?”

An Yu was highly capable and had handled the affairs in Hai City perfectly, but tonight, there were constant, uncomfortable hiccups. Vampires of Noreen’s lineage were destined to become slaves—including those clever ones who had come to defect. An Yu’s situation was even worse because she was not only from Noreen’s line but also a mixed-blood.

If not for her outstanding ability, she would have long since fallen to a status lower than a slave. This was true regardless of which Prince’s lineage she sought to join. Because he gave her status and power, Carnaro felt she should be deeply grateful and hold on tight; she wouldn’t get such a good opportunity elsewhere. Therefore, the Prince had always assumed she would not betray him.

But now, with various anomalies appearing, Carnaro’s inherent distrust of “outsiders” was triggered. He scrutinized the mixed-blood vampire once more. What if she is a mole sent by Noreen?

“Your memory is correct. I was born of Noreen’s lineage, but my loyalty belongs only to you.”

Carnaro didn’t indicate whether he believed her or not. He simply stared at her, then suddenly split into a grin. “You have handled the affairs in Hai City perfectly for me; of course I trust you.”

“However, I have encountered a difficulty.”

“Please give your orders.”

“I heard you brought a Blood Slave. Those low-level blood servants from the Lester family failed to bring me my food, leaving me disappointed. I did not bring my own blood slave, and there is currently no food on this ship suitable for my palate. So, you should be willing to part with your treasure, right?” At the bottom of Carnaro’s eyes hid a cold killing intent.

He was suspicious. This wasn’t a request; it was an announcement.

“She has traveled with me all the way and is not clean. I will wash her thoroughly now and bring her to you,” An Yu found a plausible excuse.

Carnaro was a germaphobe; he would never consume food that hadn’t been meticulously scrubbed several times. He retracted the step he was about to take. “Go and arrange it.”

“Yes.” An Yu’s heart, hanging high in her chest, did not settle. She could feel Carnaro’s gaze remained sinister and terrifying.

One step, two steps, three steps…

When An Yu reached her fifth step, she was suddenly enveloped by a blood mist. Just as it looked like she would be swallowed, she vanished from right under Carnaro’s nose.

Carnaro kicked open An Yu’s VIP room without hesitation. It was empty; the blood slave was nowhere to be found. Why isn’t she here?!

“Where are you looking, my dear brother?” A long blade pierced Carnaro’s heart.

The Aftermath

Tao Yitong had simply wanted to share a kiss with her sister several times, but before long, someone would always interrupt them to deliver documents. She was beginning to have psychological scars.

“Captain Tao, Carnaro is dead. Should we immediately arrest the vampires he left in Hai City? Also, the group that betrayed Prince Noreen to join him…” An Yu suddenly noticed that Tao Yitong’s expression was inexplicably filled with a “downcast” sense of grievance, while Jiang Zitan seemed to be suppressing a smile.

“Am I… interrupting?” An Yu felt it was awkward whether she stayed or left.

“Not at all. Work is important,” Jiang Zitan spoke up.

Tao Yitong sat up straight, her body previously looking as if it had no bones. “Of course we have to catch them. But since this involves the internal affairs of Noreen’s clan, how about this: take a few people and go with Noreen. With her there, we don’t have to worry about missing anyone.”

“I thought so too, but right now Prince Noreen looks a bit despondent… even more downcast than you look now. Later, when I went to find her, she was gone. I don’t know where the Prince went?” An Yu said.

“Is that so… Wait, do I look very downcast?” Tao Yitong was very good at catching the key point.

An Yu tried to maintain her seriousness during the report, but unfortunately, Jiang Zitan was the first to laugh. An Yu was infected by the mood and couldn’t help but let out a smile as well.

“Sister”

“Ahem… don’t listen to her nonsense.” Jiang Zitan coughed lightly. Since it was her girlfriend, it was worth telling a lie with a straight face.

An Yu’s stomach hurt from holding back her laughter. Only in front of President Jiang would the Captain show such a cute side; she almost wanted to reach out and give her a pat. It was an enviable romance; she could feel the sweet atmosphere just standing nearby. Somehow, An Yu thought of Xiao Ran again, and the curve of her lips quietly flattened.

“Exactly. Wait, I’ll call her.” Tao Yitong took out her phone, found Noreen’s contact, and it took a long time for the call to connect.

Noreen’s Perspective

Now that Carnaro was dead, Noreen had obtained his power as she wished, but she couldn’t feel happy at all. It wasn’t because the prey had been “gifted” by her eldest sister, but because of Floy’s parting words.

Floy said she was “permitted” to accompany her friend for a lifetime in other words, wasn’t that a threat? Human lifespan is limited; even an S-class esper can only live to around 200 years old. Two hundred years is just the duration of a nap for a vampire, so Floy was in no hurry.

The reason they could hold Noreen back this time wasn’t just because there were two other S-class espers present, but because those two were Tao Yitong and Liu Yue. Geniuses like them wouldn’t spring up like mushrooms forever. Once they died, would another person appear who could stop Floy?

Noreen spent the whole way dwelling on her sister’s words. She couldn’t help but think of the worst-case scenario, forming a circle of self-inflicted terror. The reason An Yu couldn’t find her was that a certain vampire was preparing to order herself a larger, more spacious, and more comfortable coffin, and then purchase decorations to make sleeping in it even more pleasant.

She planned to train a successor. Once the successor could hold down the fort in Hai City, she would lie in her coffin and sleep for a thousand years, only coming out once her eldest sister’s attention was no longer on her.

Back at the Inn

Tao Yitong understood her. Being suddenly spooked by Ms. Floy, it was normal for Noreen to have a bit of a stress response. But even if she was scared, she had to handle the mess at home first. Looking at the list An Yu gave her, Tao Yitong realized to what extent Noreen’s influence had been riddled with holes over the past 20 years.

A song suddenly flashed through Tao Yitong’s mind: “Goodbye Mama, tonight I’m sailing far away…”

She had thought about it day and night and tried her best to restrain herself, yet she had still bitten the woman in her dream and it looked like a heavy bite. It must have hurt! If Jiang Zitan had been awake then, she felt there might be no place left on Earth for her.

After her mind went blank for a moment, Tao Yitong suddenly remembered something. She immediately got out of bed, opened her suitcase, and retrieved a small vial of ointment from a hidden compartment. She took a little and gently smeared it on the place where she had bitten Jiang Zitan.

The ointment had a numbing effect and felt cool on the wound. Moreover, the raw materials were derived from rare spiritual plants, which could make the wound heal faster.

But she really had bitten a bit hard just now. Although Tao Yitong tried her best to lighten her touch, the sleeping woman still felt the pain when the red mark was touched.

“Nng…”

That soft, breathy sound made Tao Yitong’s ears burn instantly. Her hand couldn’t help but tremble, and it took her a long time to regain control. She steadied her mind and worked even harder to lighten the pressure of her fingertips.

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