When asked about Brother Long’s whereabouts, Ouyang was about to head to his location when he suddenly heard the security guard’s anxious, worried voice.
"Brother Ouyang! Since you’re back, why didn’t you contact us? We all thought you were dead…"
Ouyang forced a bitter smile. "I lost my phone by accident. Couldn’t log into WeChat on my new one. Had no way to reach you."
"Ugh… If you’d stayed gone any longer, Brother Long was planning your funeral this week."
At the word *funeral*, Ouyang’s smile dimmed. His past seventeen years of life truly felt like they’d ended yesterday.
He turned and waved to the guard, putting on a brave face as he bid farewell to the security post. "Since I’m back, I need to report to Brother Long first. See you later."
"Mhm. Stay safe on the road. We’ll wait for you to eat Yangchun noodles~"
"Got it~"
Watching Ouyang’s figure fade into the distance, the guard replayed their conversation. Had Ouyang’s voice just sounded… sweeter than before?
Like someone dodging rain under eaves, Ouyang stuck to shadows and unlit paths, ambling toward Ark Academy where Little Qiu studied.
The stubborn high school sophomore refused rides from anyone in the Xiaomo household except her older brother and Ouyang.
The walk from the Xiaomo building to the school gate took roughly thirty minutes—just enough time to arrive ten minutes before the dismissal bell.
Perfect time for Ouyang to prepare.
So much to say to them both, yet words tangled in his throat. With a heavy heart, he crouched in a dim alley across from the school gate, scanning the crowd of waiting parents. His vision felt unnaturally sharp. He spotted Brother Long instantly.
The man’s face was haggard, eyes shadowed from sleepless nights. Worry for Ouyang’s safety had clearly gnawed at him.
Brother Long would never stop searching—not without seeing Ouyang’s body with his own eyes. He cherished every brother in the clan. That loyalty kept many here for life.
Glancing at his phone—5:00 PM. The dismissal bell was about to ring.
Ouyang stepped toward the street to meet Brother Long—
*Ding-dong-dong!*
The bell clashed with a sudden chorus of car horns blaring from parked vehicles.
The noise exploded in his ears, magnified tenfold. His skull vibrated with the sound. Ouyang clapped his hands over his ears, stumbling backward as the pressure threatened to split his eardrums.
He’d wanted to surprise them. To prove he’d survived.
Even muffled, the chaos drowned out his voice. He watched helplessly as Brother Long ushered Little Qiu away in the opposite direction. Trapped in the building’s shadow, Ouyang couldn’t take a single step forward. His shouts were swallowed by the din. He could only stand frozen, watching them disappear.
He missed those evenings walking home under the setting sun. Debating dinner plans. Helping Little Qiu with homework before booting up *Monster Hunter*.
Could he ever return to that life? If they rejected what he’d become… where would he belong?
The ringing in his head subsided as the school bell faded. Ouyang bowed his head, shoulders slumping. He turned to retreat down the shadowed alley alone—
*Thud-thud-thud!*
Footsteps pounded behind him—urgent, like chasing a departing bus. They stopped abruptly at the alley’s mouth. A familiar voice called out, trembling with hope:
"Ou… yang…!?"
A hallucination born of longing? His heart hammered against his ribs.
He didn’t dare turn. Didn’t dare breathe.
"Ouyang? Is that you?"
Brother Long’s question froze his tongue. All his rehearsed lines vanished.
He’d yearned for this moment. Yet now, fear rooted him to the spot.
"Brother! Why’d you run so fast? I can’t keep up!"
Little Qiu’s panting voice made his legs feel like lead. Terror and longing warred inside him.
"Ouyang Qingdan! If it’s really you, answer me!"
Brother Long’s sharp, authoritative shout made Ouyang flinch.
He parted trembling lips to reply—
*Thump.*
A soft, heavy weight pressed against his back. Warmth. A heartbeat. Human warmth he hadn’t felt in days.
Ouyang looked down. Little Qiu’s arms were wrapped tightly around his waist. He lowered his voice, thick with emotion:
"It’s me…"
"You’re back! We searched everywhere… we were so worried sick."
"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you."
Little Qiu pulled away, hastily wiping tears of relief. Brother Long rushed forward, exhaustion melting into cautious joy on his weary face.
The weight that had crushed them both finally lifted.
"I scoured the entire warehouse with the brothers," Brother Long said, voice rough. "Put out the fire but couldn’t find you. Thought you’d…" He shook his head. "Never mind the bad luck. You’re safe. That’s all that matters."
He pulled Ouyang into a fierce hug—then stiffened. This kid felt thinner. And why wear a hood and sunglasses at sunset? Wrapped up like a mummy…
"I…"
Seeing Ouyang’s pained expression, Brother Long loosened his grip, worry deepening. "Where *were* you yesterday?"
*Not where. Who took me.*
The truth—*Zero District*—would terrify them.
Ouyang pressed his thin lips together. Slowly, deliberately, he removed his sunglasses and hood.
Elf-like ears peeked through his hair. Behind dark cosmetic lenses, crimson irises glowed faintly—unnatural, inhuman.
He parted his lips slightly, revealing four sharp fangs. Voice tight with forced courage, he muttered:
"The Bloodkin Prince took me to Zero District… turned me into this. I barely escaped."
