Su Yue was handcuffed to the interrogation chair, her stomach growling loudly.

Her last meal—beef offal around 4 a.m.—had left her stuffed, but everyone knows that feeling: sleeping full only to wake up ravenously hungry. Eat lightly before bed, and you won’t feel it.

It was already past 10 a.m. Though the food was long digested, her stretched stomach refused to shrink back.

"Ugh… so hollow," Su Yue murmured. Her hands were fixed to the armrests—she couldn’t even cover her stomach.

Just then, the door opened. The young officer who’d interrogated her stepped in.

Su Yue’s eyes lit up. "Officer! Officer! Is the pork cutlet rice ready?"

The officer approached with a puzzled look, sympathy in his eyes. "Pork cutlet rice? Honestly… are you not quite right in the head?"

"?" Su Yue tilted her head.

"Think about it," he crouched, unlocking her restraints. "You went out without a collar, tried selling useless junk, hitched a truck to escape—and now you’re talking nonsense."

"..." Silence was all she had left. She couldn’t hit him, couldn’t yell. How could an undocumented girl dare assault an officer?

"Come on. Your master’s here." He stood, patted the chair back lightly, ignoring the dark line of exasperation crossing Su Yue’s face.

"Oh." Reluctantly, she followed him out.

Down a corridor, through a password-protected door—they entered the service hall. Su Yue spotted Chen Yan instantly, briefcase in hand.

He smiled. Her cheeks flushed; she ducked her head.

"Mr. Chen Yan! Is this Vampire Princess yours?" the officer boomed, waving cheerfully, utterly ignoring Su Yue’s burning shame.

Dozens of eyes locked onto her. Even with her head down, the shame pricked like needles.

"She’s mine," Chen Yan said warmly, stepping closer.

"Great! ID card, please—I’ll verify registration." The officer sighed in relief.

"No need. Su Yue is newly acquired. Not registered yet." Chen Yan’s eyes twinkled as he glanced at her.

"Then… how can you prove she’s legally yours?" the officer hesitated.

"We’ll transfer her to the Supernatural Investigation Bureau. Claim her later with the purchase receipt."

"Ugh…" Su Yue’s heart sank. Chen Yan had no receipt. Once inside the Bureau—no return.

*No way! I’d rather die!*

"What should we do, Su Yue? They’re sending you to the Bureau," Chen Yan teased, barely hiding a grin.

Su Yue stayed silent, head bowed, utterly frozen.

"Since proof is lacking, I’ll escort Miss Vampire Princess to the Bureau," the officer said, eyeing Chen Yan suspiciously. *Why’s he smirking? Is something off between them?*

Su Yue’s petite frame trembled. Shoulders shaking. Tears surely gathering.

"Well, actually, I do have—" Chen Yan opened his briefcase, ready to pull out the agreement Lao Bai prepared.

Before he finished, Su Yue stepped forward. Lifting her flushed face, her misty eyes locked onto his—resolve burning in them.

"Su Yue, you—"

The Little Vampire rose on tiptoes, arms circling his neck. She buried her face in his neck and sank her tiny fangs in.

Chen Yan, surprised but gentle, bent slightly to meet her height and wrapped his arms around her.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The young officer froze.

Nestled against his shoulder, Su Yue breathed in his calming scent, felt his steady heartbeat beneath her fangs. Sweet blood touched her tongue.

Her nose tingled. *We’ve barely met… He’s so annoying… Why does this feel so… happy?*

After a long moment, she reluctantly pulled back. Instinctively, her tongue flicked over the twin punctures. Under her magic, Chen Yan felt only a faint itch before the wounds vanished.

She stepped down slowly, blush lingering from the blissful bite.

"N-now it’s proven, right?" she muttered to the officer, voice thick with shy fury.

"Well… yes. That works," he nodded hesitantly—he knew a thing or two about vampire bonds.

"Hmph!" Flustered, she snuggled back into Chen Yan’s arms.

"It’s not that I like it! These stares are just… too sharp!" she insisted, looking up at him.

"Yes, yes," Chen Yan chuckled, stroking her head.

Having tasted his blood, warmth bloomed in her chest. Instead of pulling away, she nuzzled his palm.

"May I take her now?" Chen Yan asked.

"Certainly, sir," the officer bowed politely.

"Wait!" A stern voice cut through the hall.

The captain emerged, teacup in hand, expression grave.

"If she were contracted, the bite would prove ownership. But you said she’s newly acquired and unregistered. Judging by her size—she’s no uncontracted Bloodkin. She drank her parents’ blood long ago to bypass bonding."

"Meaning she’d happily drink *anyone’s* blood. That performance proves nothing!"

Years of experience had sharpened his judgment.

"As expected of the captain!" The young officer clapped respectfully. The onlookers followed suit.

*You’re dead meat!* Su Yue snarled inwardly at the captain, baring tiny fangs—while staying safely tucked in Chen Yan’s arms.