"Think about it. In Lucifer’s eyes, we share an intimate master-servant bond. So while inviting her over… shouldn’t you call me ‘Master’?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, seizing the chance to nudge Su Yue toward a new form of address.
"No way. Too weird." Su Yue refused without hesitation. Though Chen Yan was now her master in name and truth, she just couldn’t cross that mental hurdle. The mere thought of calling him "Master" flooded her with such embarrassment she wanted to roll around on the bed.
"It’s all acting—*acting*, got it?" Chen Yan coaxed gently. "Back at the Enforcement Squad, you told others I was your master. Wasn’t that part of the act too?"
"But… saying it to others and actually *saying* it are totally different…" Su Yue retorted weakly, realizing she’d already been pushed into acknowledging his status in too many situations.
"Then can you bear rejecting your new friend’s visit? Can you bear seeing the disappointment in her eyes?" Sensing her wavering resolve, Chen Yan played his emotional card—determined to breach her defenses in one move.
"This…"
Lucifer’s aggrieved face flashed in Su Yue’s mind. Those eyes, shifting suddenly from hopeful anticipation to quiet dejection, pricked her conscience with a faint ache.
"Little Su Yue must have her own struggles," the phantom Lucifer whispered, tears glistening. "Even if you won’t invite me home… please don’t forget we’re friends."
*No. I can’t make her cry.* The guilt was crushing—especially toward a fellow Bloodkin who treated her with such warmth and sincerity.
"Fine. I’ll do it… but *only* for that one day." Su Yue murmured, head bowed, avoiding his gaze.
"Good. Just one day." Chen Yan kept his expression neutral, though joy bloomed inwardly. One step led to the next. One day, she’d accept him completely.
"How about inviting her tomorrow? Stay at my place tonight to get familiar with the setting—no slip-ups."
"Mm." After a brief pause, Su Yue agreed. Better to act now; delays invited complications.
"Wait—do you have her home number? Shouldn’t you call first?" Chen Yan reminded her.
"No need. She lives right next door. Apartment 6512."
*Of course she’s eager,* Su Yue thought. *We’re practically neighbors.*
"I’ll invite her in person tonight."
"Works for me," Chen Yan nodded.
"Hey, you two—ID cards and household register are ready." The photographer approached, handing Su Yue a card and a small red booklet.
She accepted them. Her ID card showed a slightly stiff photo of a silver-haired Vampire Princess, labeled: Name: Su Yue, Gender: Female, Race: Bloodkin. Below sat her ID number and validity period. The back bore a majestic golden dragon totem with "Issued by Xia Kingdom."
With a sigh, she opened the red booklet stamped "Household Register" in gilded letters. Two pages: Chen Yan on top, Su Yue below. Beside her entry, under *Relationship to Head of Household*: "Familiar."
"Familiar?" Su Yue pointed at the word, eyes on Chen Yan.
"Ah. Long ago, only magic-wielders could raise non-humans—mainly for combat. Those partners were called 'Familiars.' Later, as humans grew stronger, ordinary folks kept non-humans too: as pets, servants, family. The term faded from daily use… but 'Familiar' remains Xia Kingdom’s official designation for domestically kept non-humans," Chen Yan explained patiently.
"But you said first-tier magic power is barely above human level. Why couldn’t ordinary people keep non-humans back then?" Su Yue tilted her head.
"Having magic and *wielding* it are two things. All things hold magic—but harnessing it takes talent."
Su Yue nodded. *Just like the cultivation world I came from… where everything holds spiritual energy.*
"Save academic debates for the library. Not my registration office," the photographer grumbled.
"Sorry—we’re leaving."
Chen Yan took Su Yue’s hand, offered an apologetic smile, and led the Little Vampire outside. He took the household register booklet from her.
"Keep your ID. I’ll hold the register. Now—let’s get you a phone card."
This was all part of his plan. They stepped into the telecom service hall right outside the registration department—operators set up shop here precisely to target newly registered non-humans.
The sales clerk’s eyes lit up the moment they entered. *Handsome young man… accompanied by a rare, stunningly beautiful Vampire Princess. High market value. Definitely a rich second-gen heir.*
Beaming, she approached. *Today’s quota depends on them.*
"Welcome to X-Mobile Service Hall! How may I assist you?"
"Get her a SIM and a plan," Chen Yan said, gesturing to Su Yue.
"Certainly! Miss, what plan suits your needs?" The clerk addressed Su Yue directly. *Newly registered non-human—clueless about human systems. Perfect chance to upsell the priciest, useless package.*
*Her master’s wealthy and doting—he won’t say no!*
"Just the 19-yuan promotional plan," Su Yue said calmly, flashing her phone screen showing X-Mobile’s offer. *As a transmigrator, did I really not research carrier tricks the second I got signal?*
"Eh? Pardon… which plan?" The clerk froze, sweat forming.
"The 19-yuan monthly fee. 60 minutes talk time. 2GB data. One yuan per extra GB." Su Yue recited flawlessly, leaving zero room for manipulation. "You *do* have it… right?" A sly smile played on her lips.
"W-We do… but—"
"Good. We’ll take it." Su Yue slid her ID card into the clerk’s hand before she could finish.
The clerk accepted it, utterly defeated. "C-Certainly… please wait a moment."
Su Yue shot Chen Yan a triumphant wink.
He smiled fondly at her smug expression—but a faint, unreadable glint flickered deep in his eyes.
*Why is her knowledge of human society so lopsided? Unfamiliar with alarms or non-human schools… yet effortlessly navigates electronics and phone plans requiring lived experience…*
Chen Yan kept the thought silent. He had a growing suspicion: the secrets surrounding Su Yue were far from ordinary.
