Blood-sucking fangs

Chapter 32

Author: Flowing Years

there is none left.

He had long since given up on that illusion.

Tears and true feelings are completely useless!

I've only ever heard of people turning into ghosts, when has a ghost ever turned into a person?

But he wouldn't go back! No matter what, he wouldn't go back! Even if everything was already destined, he wouldn't go back!

He clenched his teeth, his face flushed, and shouted with a thick neck, like a child throwing a tantrum: "That's my business! Since you promised me three years, whether I go back or not is my business!"

Ruoya smiled slightly. Feng Nian'en's appearance reminded her of Cangya, and a touch of warmth appeared in her usually cold and aloof eyes.

Feng Nian'en's already volatile temper flared up even more, the resentment that had been building up inside her for days finally erupting: "Yes! I can't go back! But who did this? Who did this! You...you think you're so great, you think I should be grateful for turning me into this. But this isn't what I wanted! What right do you have to control me? What right do you have to order me around? I won't go back! Go ahead and tell everyone, shout to the whole world that I'm a vampire, shoot me dead with bullets! Go ahead, go ahead..."

Ruoya listened quietly, her eyebrows twitching slightly, her smile deepening. Feng Nian'en hadn't been behaving normally all along. There was neither the initial elation of becoming a vampire nor the overwhelming resentment; her resigned attitude was rare even among humans.

So it turns out, this kid also had his share of resentment; he wasn't completely resigned to fate.

She shook her head and spoke slowly and calmly, "Did I say I wanted you to go back?"

Feng Nian'en turned her face away, revealing an expression that said, "Why bother saying anything more?"

Ruoya didn't take offense and casually flipped open a document sent by Secretary Yang: "If you have nothing else to say, please sit down in your seat. From now on, you must become completely familiar with all the products produced by Zhang's within a week, including their features, advantages and disadvantages. As for customer information, we'll leave that for later. I'll tell you about it during our future negotiations."

After she finished speaking, she pressed all the thick stack of documents into his hands.

Feng Nian'en was completely dumbfounded. For a long time afterward, he still didn't understand what was going on. It wasn't until he, in a daze, could recite the sales volume of Zhang's food products in various countries around the world, as well as the sources of the products and the percentages of various ingredients, as instructed by Ruoya, that he seemed to finally come to his senses and asked, "Do I really need to know all this?" It seemed that this wasn't mentioned during the training, and each product should have its own dedicated personnel. There was no reason for him to know about instant noodles and biscuits, as well as juice, frozen dumplings, and even the facilities in hotels.

“As a salesperson, you certainly don’t need to know so much, but as a director, shouldn’t you be familiar with your own products? Besides—” she looked at him mischievously, “How can you protect Miss Zhang’s business without putting in a lot of hard work?”

Feng Nian'en lowered his eyes: "How did you end up here?" It was strange enough that Zhang Jiru wanted him to join Zhang's family, but it was still understandable. After all, someone who was not used to arguing with people and had no business experience could not keep an eye on Long Xinsheng. But why was this person Ruoya?

"Because I have a PhD in Business Administration from Harvard University."

"Huh?" He suddenly looked up.

Ruoya stretched and yawned, "That's the benefit of living a long life."

Yes, eternal life. Don't even mention one doctorate; you could get ten or a hundred, but what good would that do?

Volume Two, Chapter Five of Father's Last Words

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“Of course, diplomas aren’t really useful to us,” she continued, as if knowing what he was thinking. “But they’re still a way to kill time. Otherwise, what would you do with all that time? Find little girls to cry for you?”

Feng Nian'en didn't get angry, but asked in a very soft but undeniable tone, "Why?"

"What?" For a moment, Ruoya didn't realize what he was referring to.

"Why!" His voice suddenly rose to a great height. "Since you yourselves don't want anything lasting forever, since you've already regretted it, why make others end up like you? What good will it do you to turn others into this wretched state? Or are you going to try every means to preserve this evil bloodline, like the rare races of this world? Why do you want it to continue!"

Ruoya quietly watched Feng Nian'en, who was enraged, and raised her eyebrows slightly: "Do you think everyone is as unwilling as you to join the vampire clan?"

"Don't you regret it?" he glared at her.

“Yes,” she readily admitted, “I regretted it, but not at the beginning.”

Feng Nian'en calmed down instantly.

Since ancient times, immortality has been an immense temptation for humankind. His reluctance stemmed from a desire to avoid the experience of being forever abandoned, not from a lack of fear of death—if he weren't afraid, he could have easily found a pistol, loaded it with silver bullets, and aimed it at his heart; even if he lacked the courage to commit suicide, he could have gone to find Zhou Renhou.

He survived in such a daze because he was still afraid of death, afraid of the immense unknown that death would bring. He suddenly found it laughable; in the end, he, Feng Nian'en, was nothing more than a coward, a bastard just as Zhang Hanwen and Si Wen had said!

His refusal to live forever stemmed from cowardice. His refusal to accept Zhang Hanwen was also out of fear—fear of the changes that would follow. And Si Wen? He said it was for her own good, that he couldn't let her be with a ghost, that he no longer had any rights—all of this was simply due to his fear and selfishness.

Who does he think he is?

What makes him any different from the other vampires? What gives him the right to keep saying he doesn't want to go back? Compared to them—Ruoya, Cangya, and Lanya—he's far more hypocritical!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

So this is what Feng Nian'en is like!

“There’s nothing funny about it,” Ruoya said with a hint of self-deprecation. “In the beginning, we had to beg for this identity.”

Yes, he begged for it! Who can he blame for his current predicament? Isn't it all his own doing? He clearly knew Zhang Hanwen's intentions, yet he still pretended to be stupid and played the role of a loyal servant. Who can he blame?

He seemed to suddenly realize something, abruptly stopping his laughter, staring at Ruoya, and asking in a hoarse voice, "Did you ask for all of this yourself?"

"Except for very few exceptions."

"Did Zhang Hanwen make a request to you?"

"No."

Feng Nian'en stared at her.

“But she will agree,” she said confidently. “She definitely will agree.”

"Impossible!" he retorted without hesitation. "Absolutely impossible."

A knowing smile played on Ruoya's lips: "You think you really understand your mistress?"

He certainly couldn't say that he knew Zhang Hanwen perfectly, but deep down he had unconsciously idealized him, perhaps proud, perhaps domineering, but still lovable.

Volume Two, Chapter Six of Father's Last Words

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He couldn't imagine Zhang Hanwen willingly becoming what he is now, like an ordinary person.

But if even people like Wakaga, Suzaku, and the Prince would make such a choice, why wouldn't Zhang Hanwen?

Yes, Zhang Hanwen does indeed know how.

At this moment, she was sitting in a high-backed chair, letting the beautiful nun style her fiery red hair.

Life goes on even without Feng Nian'en. The same shopping, the same tea drinking, the same weekly trip to the beauty salon.

Her skin was still great, smooth and radiant. Her muscles weren't sagging, and there were no pimples on her forehead. This artificial skincare was completely unnecessary, and according to a magazine, massage treatments could actually increase wrinkles.

But how is she going to fill that much time?

Zhang Jiru's only daughter, how glamorous! How glorious! But what about her? What about Zhang Hanwen? What is Zhang Hanwen anyway?

Compared to children from ordinary families, she is perhaps more free. She can choose her university as she pleases, find someone to take her place if she doesn't want to attend, and travel abroad whenever she feels like it. A single pair of pants in her wardrobe is worth a month's income for others.

Actually, what is it?

Everything about her had been arranged long ago!

Her future and her life have already been planned out in detail.

She drifted through graduation in a daze, married Long Xinsheng naturally, had one or two children in a year or two, and then what? She played cards with her current friends and future wives, had afternoon tea, and collected piles of odds and ends that she might never use and clothes that she would only wear for a few days, just like she does now.

Every time she thought about this, she felt a chill that seeped into her bones.

But she had no choice. She had grown up in this warm environment since childhood, and although she appeared prickly on the outside, she could not get rid of her inner fragility.

She doesn't have the willpower to break free from her current environment. If she leaves the Zhang family, what is Zhang Hanwen? Who will bow and scrape to her then?

Ability? What is a university degree? Countless bachelors, masters and doctoral students work themselves to the bone, being bossed around like oxen and horses, and even have to pay for it and express their gratitude with dignity, and they still might not earn what she spends in a day.

Beautiful? Ha! Zhang Hanwen may have some looks, but there are countless girls more beautiful than her! To make a living off youth, one not only needs to please the company, agent, director, and producer, but also catch the eye of the audience. If you're lucky, you can enjoy a few years of glory. If you're not so lucky, you have to find a way to grab the wallet of an old man old enough to be your father while you still have your looks.

Of course, she could work a regular nine-to-five job like those white-collar workers and earn a salary, but how much better would that life be than now? Could Zhang Hanwen possibly live a life where she has to be subservient to others? Could she even afford to wear underwear that costs ten yuan a piece?

No, if you're used to comfort and luxury, going back to a simple and frugal life is either a dead end or requires absolute mental preparation.

Moreover, what reason does she have to escape her current life?

Her father doted on her immensely and, apart from her marriage, he hardly interfered in anything she did, at least not overtly.

And what's wrong with Long Xinsheng?

Handsome, dashing, intelligent, capable, and doting on her, such a husband is simply perfect. What could she possibly be dissatisfied with?

She didn't love him, yes, she didn't.

But how many of these marriages are based on love? Aren't most just about making do? And business marriages are more common in their social class. Admittedly, her marriage to Long Xinsheng was also a business marriage. But Long Xinsheng's conditions almost perfectly matched any young girl's fantasy.

Volume Two, Chapter Seven of Father's Last Words

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Wealth, beauty, and a perfect husband—Zhang Hanwen has almost everything, yet she still feels cold.

So, if someone gave her a chance, a chance to escape this coldness, she would agree without hesitation. Joining the vampire clan might not be lucky, but it would be different from her current life, and there would always be some differences in the future. Just for that difference, she would join, not to mention the eternally youthful appearance. Women can never resist this temptation.

She didn't know if she truly loved Feng Nian'en, because she had never known what love was all about, and without experiencing it, she couldn't be sure. All she knew was that Feng Nian'en was special to her; they were born on the same day, month, and year, learned to speak together, learn to walk together, learn to write together, and even though he left ten years later, those beautiful childhood memories were enough to make him stand out from the crowd.

Yes, he wasn't as handsome or as shrewd as Long Xinsheng, and he never even showed her any special feelings—he was incredibly dull and annoyingly stupid, but he was still special.

She lacked the willpower to escape her current circumstances on her own, but if she were with Feng Nian'en, she could wear clothes from street stalls and save up for half a year to buy a bottle of Chanel No. 5.

She tried her best to annoy him, squeeze him, and tease him, hoping that he would get angry, treat her as just a playmate like he did when they were little, and protect and spoil her while also treating her as an equal.

But what about it?

"Because you are a young lady..."

Just Miss!

That damn bastard clearly has feelings for her, but he still only treats her like a prostitute!

She was angry and annoyed, but what was the use? Everything was already predetermined.

Once Feng Nian'en marries into the Zhang family, she will be devoted to protecting their business for the rest of her life. She will never have to worry about food or drink and will always live a life of luxury.

Her hair was finally done. She swiped her card and walked out through the frosted glass door amidst the smiling faces of the hairdresser and her entourage.

It's already June, and the leaves on the branches have turned a deeper green. Although the weather isn't exactly scorching, the daytime sunlight is becoming less pleasant.

The brilliant light suddenly displeased Zhang Hanwen. Why did the world remain unchanged no matter what he did?

She stamped her foot and drove off in her Ferrari. Zhang Jiru had offered to provide her with another driver, but she refused. She was capable of driving, had excellent skills, and was young and energetic; why would she need a driver? Even if she encountered thugs, she was not weak or easily bullied.

She drove aimlessly around the city. Her phone rang several times, but she didn't even look at it. At this moment, she had absolutely no interest in participating in her usual programs, nor did she want to talk to any so-called socialites.

But should she just keep going like this? She couldn't decide, and finally stopped the car when she passed by the moonlight.

She had always liked this hotel that never saw daytime, but like everyone else, she couldn't stay there for long. She knew that Long Xinsheng had been living there since returning to China, so she hadn't been there recently.

Naturally, she didn't dislike Long Xinsheng; in fact, she felt a sense of familiarity whenever she saw him. However, she was quite certain that she absolutely did not love this nearly perfect man.