Upon Her Lips - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

After learning that Lady Mu Fei knew of her longing, You Ran finally set down her white paper. Her pure black eyes were brimming with joy; simply knowing the Lady was aware of her feelings made her heart soar.

Daolei glanced at Han Sheng, who was watching the scene play out like a drama, exchanged a quick look, and ended the video call. Even as the screen went dark, he remembered the look of pure anticipation on little You Ran’s face. He turned and discarded a stained tissue into the bin.

“The child truly idolizes you,” Daolei analyzed. “A single word from you is enough to keep her happy all night.”

Mu Fei rested her chin on her pale fingertips. It was hard to disagree; the child did seem… quite devoted. That note about missing her was actually rather endearing.

A flurry of urgent footsteps interrupted them in the outer hall. Mu Fei’s rare moment of softness vanished instantly, replaced by a cold calm as she stared at her lukewarm black tea.

“Master, I have failed in my duties. I wasn’t there to stop that baseless incident.”

The speaker was a well-dressed young man who looked to be in his thirties by human standards, though he was several centuries older. Mu Fei shook her head, correcting him. “You left the Mu family long ago, Xide. There is no need for the title ‘Master,’ especially since you are the ‘true’ owner of the Sichao Estate.”

Xide broke into a cold sweat. While he was the public face of the estate, the woman before him was the majority shareholder. He was merely an operative under her command, a fact known to very few.

Mu Fei’s displeasure from the earlier meeting conflict was evident to everyone.

“Mr. Lian wishes to apologize, but he is a bit…” Xide trailed off as a stout man pushed through the doors.

Mr. Lian Du, the third-in-command of the noble Lian family, possessed a face of honest benevolence that masked a cunning, treacherous nature—a true “smiling tiger” of the business world.

“Mr. Lian, apologizing to me? How could I allow that?” Mu Fei arched an eyebrow and smiled at the man, whose neck was held at an awkward angle.

Lian Du adjusted his stiff neck. A jagged wound on his nape was slowly knitting shut; had Mu Fei not retracted her killing intent at the last moment, he would be dead. He walked toward her with a fawning smile. “I was too hasty earlier. I’m sure you had no knowledge of the list theft, especially since you punished the thief yourself. To show my sincere regret, would you do me the honor of resting at my hotel tonight? I have entertainment prepared for your enjoyment.”

Mu Fei picked up her teacup, looking at the old fox with a half-smile. Since he was a high-ranking member of the Lian family, she decided to let the matter slide for the sake of future business. “Since Director Lian insists, I shall not refuse. I wouldn’t want to slight you.”

“You are too kind! Your presence is a great honor,” Lian Du beamed, leading the way. He offered his luxury car, but Mu Fei politely declined, opting to follow in her own vehicle.

Inside her car, Daolei watched his mistress through the rearview mirror. “Something on your mind?” she asked suddenly.

Daolei coughed. “I was wondering… do I need to make myself scarce tonight?”

“We return home as planned,” Mu Fei replied, tapping the window. The glass slid down automatically. She lit a cigarette, staring out into the night. Daolei was surprised; he assumed she would stay at the Pantheon Mansion, Lian Du’s premier establishment.

Given her exhausting journey and the recent stress, he figured she might want to indulge in the “stress-relief” programs the Pantheon offered. The Mansion was the southern region’s most exclusive vampire retreat, strictly off-limits to the public.

…

The Pantheon Mansion

Under Lian Du’s invitation, Mu Fei took the seat of honor, joined by other estate shareholders. Ostensibly a dinner, the conversation revolved around land they had recently outbid others for. Mu Fei stayed quiet, knowing her share was the largest regardless of their schemes. She found the gathering dull and had no appetite for the exquisite raw delicacies served.

Lian Du, noticing her lack of interest, signaled his subordinates. The waiters cleared out, and a moment later, several beautifully dressed young women entered.

The scent alone revealed they were human. The Pantheon’s exclusivity stemmed from the fact that it served high-level vampires; humans were usually prohibited unless they were brought in as “merchandise” for consumption.

The other shareholders’ eyes glowed a hungry crimson. For them, this was the ultimate relaxation: a lethal blend of bloodlust and carnal desire.

“I believe this is the first visit for many of you,” Lian Du said smoothly. “Since the south is my jurisdiction, I thought I’d provide some… relief.” The women knelt beside the guests to pour wine.

Mu Fei looked at the woman who approached her. The girl knelt cautiously, her clothing strategically revealing, smelling of the “Flower of No Return”—the same purple flower You Ran had given her. Lian Du had clearly done his homework.

Mu Fei narrowed her eyes, watching the girl. To a vampire of her age, human veins were like a map, clearly visible beneath the skin. “So this is your ‘entertainment’?” she asked, accepting the wine from the trembling girl.

“In my establishment, the ancient methods of feeding are legalized,” Lian Du explained with a smirk. “If you wish, I have a private suite prepared for your enjoyment.”

Another shareholder joked, “Lian Du, have you forgotten? Our big boss is a bit of a germaphobe.”

Mu Fei set her wine down with a faint smile, ignoring the jab.

“I am aware of the Grand Duke’s preferences,” Lian Du hurried to explain. “These ladies are ‘pure’—personally selected by me. I wouldn’t risk my head on anything less.” He had heard rumors that while Mu Fei was distant, she occasionally sought out human women after drinking. He hoped this was her weakness.

Mu Fei could see the girl was healthy and had never been fed upon. As the girl reached out to pour more wine, Mu Fei caught her wrist. The girl gasped, looking up at the beautiful noble who looked like a painting come to life.

Mu Fei’s pupils flickered with a predatory glint before softening. “No more. If I drink more, things might get out of hand.” She released the wrist. The cold, piercing touch made the girl shiver.

Seeing that the major shareholder wasn’t feeding, the others restrained their own bloodlust—for now.

“Approach me. What information were you sent to get?” Mu Fei asked the girl suddenly. The girl’s eyes widened; she hadn’t even started her task yet.

“Your boss likely doesn’t know I can read intentions,” Mu Fei remarked, glancing at Lian Du. “You don’t need to be so restless. I won’t hurt you.”

Actually, Mu Fei didn’t even need telepathy; the girl’s anxiety was written all over her face. Mu Fei tilted the girl’s chin up, causing others to think she was interested. The girl, despite her fear, felt a strange pull toward this cold, breathtaking woman.

“I won’t hold your motives against you, and I won’t drink your blood,” Mu Fei whispered. The girl felt a strange wave of disappointment rather than relief.

“But I have a condition,” Mu Fei added. She looked at the girl’s exposed skin. “The winters here are harsher than elsewhere, but your medicine is advanced. Your skin looks well-maintained despite the cold. As a local, you must know what the best ointment for chilblains is.”

“Chil… chilblains?” The girl repeated, stunned by the bizarre request.

…

9:00 PM: Plide Pharmaceuticals, Southern District

The old shopkeeper was about to close when two travelers arrived. A tall woman in black, her face hidden by a hat, entered, bringing the winter chill with her.

“Hello, Sister… we’re closed,” a young girl with pigtails said, holding a bundle of herbs. She wanted to get closer to the beautiful stranger.

Mu Fei leaned down, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “This ‘Sister’ is 733 years old, but I forgive your mistake.” The girl froze in fear.

The shopkeeper rushed out, sensing the danger. He pulled his granddaughter away. “Anan, go to the back! Now!” He locked the door behind her and looked toward a hidden shotgun. He knew it wouldn’t kill a vampire, but it was all he had.

“The people of the south aren’t very friendly, Daolei,” Mu Fei’s voice rang out.

“You’ve frightened the man, Master,” Daolei added, appearing behind her.

“Don’t be nervous. We only want to buy medicine,” Daolei said gently.

Mu Fei removed her hat. She looked at the shelves, admiring the craftsmanship of the old, lame man. She noted the scar on his leg—a vampire’s mark. No wonder he was hostile.

“What do you want?” the man asked, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Chilblain ointment,” Mu Fei said.

Even Daolei was shocked. He stood there, mentally rolling his eyes.

The shopkeeper placed a white tin on the counter. “This contains Manzhi Grass,” he warned. It was a herb vampires detested.

“Is it the best?” Mu Fei asked.

“Yes.”

“A twelve-year-old human girl,” Mu Fei specified.

The man’s expression softened slightly. His granddaughter was the same age. He swapped the tin for another. “This one is hormone-free. Better for a child.”

Mu Fei’s golden eyes held his for a moment. “Thank you.”

She bought his entire stock. Every last tin.

…

The Return

In the car, Daolei was struggling. The trunk was packed with ointment, and the faint scent of Manzhi Grass was making him nauseous.

“If she knew you bought this for her, she would be overjoyed,” Daolei noted.

“I didn’t buy it for her, Daolei,” Mu Fei denied immediately.

“Of course. It’s just that her chilblains lower the aesthetic standards of the manor. And we were passing by,” Daolei teased, knowing his mistress was in a good mood. “I’ll give it to her without mentioning you.”

As they reached the manor, a heavy snow was falling. The red lotus emblem of the Mu family stood out against the white.

“You’ve returned.” Auntie Dai greeted them with a thick fur coat, while Daolei held an umbrella. Mu Fei walked across the snow, the crunch of her boots echoing. The cold reminded her of her mother—a vampire who had loved humans and was burned alive by them in return. A surge of hatred and sorrow chilled the air around her.

Then, she saw a shadow.

“You Ran, come out,” Auntie Dai called, worried about Mu Fei’s mood.

A small figure emerged from behind a pillar, covered in snow—looking like a little white ball. “Lady Mu Fei!” she chirped, her joy overriding her stutter.

Mu Fei’s face softened. “Why are you hiding here?”

“Auntie… Dai said… you come… home tonight.”

“Just to see me?”

You Ran nodded vigorously. Mu Fei went to turn away, but a small, red hand caught the edge of her coat.

“Because… You Ran… really missed… missed Lady Mu Fei. Very much.”

Mu Fei froze. The girl, who stuttered over her own name, had pronounced “Lady Mu Fei” perfectly. She must have been practicing it for days.

Mu Fei looked at the girl’s swollen, red hands. “Your hands…”

You Ran pulled back, terrified she had dirtied the coat. But Mu Fei reached out and brushed the snow from the girl’s head.

“Don’t stand in the snow. You’ll be a nuisance. Come inside.”

Then, she draped her own heavy, purple fur coat over the girl.

You Ran followed her like a little duckling, buried in the expensive fur. She smelled the scent on the coat—the scent of the flowers she had given the Lady. Mu Fei had been carrying them with her the whole time.

Upstairs, Mu Fei ordered Daolei to bring the ointment to her room.

“Enter,” she commanded.

Daolei entered, holding his breath against the ointment’s scent. He saw You Ran sitting stiffly on a chair, the words “nervous and anxious” practically written on her face.

“Seen enough?” Mu Fei’s voice came from behind him.

Daolei bowed and retreated, closing the door with a secret smile. It seemed he wouldn’t have to be the “good guy” this time.