Ouyang arrived early at the meeting spot. A minivan with license plate North B886 approached. Claudia sat in the passenger seat, wearing sun-protection sunglasses. She waved and gave a thumbs-up, signaling Ouyang to get in.

"Where are we going?"

"A maid training institute."

Staring at Claudia in disbelief, Ouyang took the brown paper file folder she handed over. It held the institute's address and the instructor's profile.

——

Name: Philip Anderson

Gender: Male

...

Race: Half-wolf, half-human Mosterian

——

Philip Anderson lived in a secluded castle surrounded by pine forests on the outskirts of the Northern District. It was originally a Blood Clan mansion. When the owner moved to Zero District, Anderson bought it at auction. The natural wine cellar beneath held enough wine for his lifetime. Instead of selling it, he opened a maid training institute. He took in homeless women or charged 500,000 Fire Vouchers for full training and guaranteed jobs. With jobs scarce, his offer was tempting. Xiaomo's investigation showed all trainees were single women with no family or friends—utterly neglected.

"This seems suspicious..."

"Exactly. Your real mission is to seize the valuable wine in the cellar. By joining the training, infiltrate Anderson and find his illegal records."

"I see."

Hearing this, Ouyang's tense nerves eased slightly. She'd feared being made an actual maid.

"Why not use force or extreme measures?"

"There's more than one Mosterian in that house." Claudia's face held faint sadness. Her eyes burned with hatred. "Humans have one life. But you, as Blood Clan, heal fast—even from being cut apart or burned to charcoal. Some Mosterians don't die from heart wounds. The risk is too high." She owed her life to comrades' blood and fallen bodies. "Brother Long said completing this gets you promoted to cadre. Codename: Rabbit." Claudia turned to Ouyang's astonished face, smiling warmly. "Remember to treat me to dinner after."

"That's not right. Xiaomo's twelve cadres only change through death or better candidates—approved by the other eleven." Ouyang blinked in confusion. "What happened to the original Rabbit?"

"Rabbit took Little Dragon's position. The original? Fed to sharks or tigers—depends on Brother Long's mood. Betrayal has serious consequences~"

The minivan drove through cool pine forests. Ouyang felt a matching chill of fear. She'd once dreamed of being a Xiaomo cadre. Now, it meant becoming Brother Long's pawn against Mosterians. Claudia's earlier words about her non-human nature stabbed her heart like a knife.

As the castle neared, Claudia saw Ouyang's panic. She forced a bitter smile. "Don't show this to Anderson. The mission fails before starting. This is paving the way for a bigger plan. Relax. Future tasks are far more dangerous."

"Okay..."

Claudia parked by the asphalt road and led Ouyang toward the castle. Following closely, Ouyang smelled fresh, damp earth mixed with a faint trace of blood. She slowed and stopped, looking at 3 o'clock. Her Blood Clan vision pierced through tree trunks. She saw a brown-haired youth digging a pit. He threw a black-haired girl in a black-and-white maid dress inside.

"What's wrong?"

Startled, Ouyang faced Claudia's puzzled look. She stammered, "I think I just saw..." The youth resembled Philip Anderson from the file. Turning back, he'd vanished.

"Nothing. Must be my imagination."

The reddish-brown castle stood silently in the eerie pine forest. Sunlight couldn't reach this land. A four-story building crawled with ivy and moss. Above twenty steps loomed an ancient reddish-brown wooden door.

As they neared the steps, rustling came from the right. Both stopped. Claudia greeted the approaching figure warmly: "Hello. I paid 500,000 Fire Vouchers yesterday for my friend's maid training."

Ouyang studied the brown-haired youth. He matched the file: kind face, gray pants muddy at the cuffs, black vest over a white shirt with a black ribbon. Strong build, gentle expression, strikingly clear blue eyes.

"Welcome." Anderson smiled at Ouyang's maid outfit. "So this is the trainee?"

The pit scene still vivid, Ouyang nodded nervously.

"Don't worry." Anderson placed a hand on his chest. "I'll make you an excellent maid in three days." He approached Ouyang. Her eyes and ears seemed inhuman. A nostalgic scent hit him. Gently touching her silver hair, he frowned, recalling bad memories. "You're not human, are you?"

"Correct." Claudia stepped beside Ouyang. "Like you, she's half-human, half-Blood Clan. Abandoned in the Northern District. Poor thing."

"Don't compare me to those filthy Blood Clan!" Anderson erupted in rage. His head shifted into a wolf's form. Ice-blue eyes glared. Sharp teeth bared, ready to devour her. "Sorry. I got carried away."

Claudia left Ouyang and drove off. Reluctantly, Ouyang followed Anderson into the dark entrance. Granite walls held candles every three pillars. Family portraits lined the halls. She walked quietly behind, heart pounding. Anderson's hostility after "Blood Clan" made her fear for her life.

"Step inside, and you lose dignity, identity—even your name. No questions. Only one word: 'Yes, Master.'"

Ouyang's dread confirmed. His cold, furious eyes terrified her.

"Break rules, and I'll punish you. Like other Blood Clan, I'll cut off your head, pickle it in formaldehyde. You'll watch helplessly as my brothers desecrate your body."

Ouyang choked, covering her neck. She regretted coming. She felt like a lamb walking into a wolf's den.