Chapter 31: Seeking
Qingchuan University, the name on the final acceptance letter. It wasn’t a bad university, a place many people fought to get into. Compared to Jiangnan University, it only lacked the prestige of a longer history. But for a top student whose grades were practically a guaranteed admission to Jiangnan University, this was a huge problem.
The fact that Yangming High’s three-year reigning top student ended up at Qingchuan University was a cruel irony. But even more ironic was that the person who cared most about this wasn’t her family, but her homeroom teacher, who had only taught them for one year. The middle-aged man, in his thirties or forties, tried to console her while gently inquiring about her reasons, and… whether she wanted to retake the exam, even offering to waive her tuition and provide a subsidy.
Xia Qian Ge refused without hesitation. She had left herself no way out. From the moment she showed her report card to her mother and received only a simple “I see,” her heart had died, leaving only a small glimmer of life, tied to everything he was.
A person without a home needed something to live for. She dragged her luggage alone to the distant Qingchuan, like a terminally ill patient venturing onto a cliff, seeking a cure.
A drowning person will clutch at straws to survive. She just wanted to live, a basic human instinct. So don’t blame her for resorting to any means necessary.
…
The first day of school was military training under the scorching sun. Everyone woke up early, fueled by the excitement of a new semester. The training ground was a chaotic mess.
The tall and straight drill instructor stood aside, wearing the same camouflage uniform as them, his expressionless face making him seem ruthless.
But after all, it was a girls’ platoon. Some of them were already infatuated, chattering away in the ranks.
“The instructor is so handsome.”
“Of course, soldiers are always handsome.”
“A buzz cut is the true test of good looks.”
The girls’ faces were flushed with excitement, whispering to each other, which made the instructor frown and scold them again.
“You, come out and organize the platoon. You’ll be the platoon leader from now on. What’s your name?”
“Reporting, instructor, Xia Qian Ge.”
Xia Qian Ge wasn’t tall, but she wasn’t short either, standing in the middle of the platoon. She was chosen out of the blue. Her eyebrows, hidden beneath her bangs, furrowed slightly, but she still stepped forward.
She looked at the disorganized platoon, cleared her throat, and shouted as loud as she could, ‘Line up from shortest to tallest, one arm’s length apart, in a calisthenics formation.’
But Xia Qian Ge’s voice was naturally soft and couldn’t carry across the open training ground. It had no authority at all.
“Haven’t you eaten? Can’t you be louder?” The instructor’s expression remained cold, his thoughts unreadable.
“Yes, sir.”
Xia Qian Ge pulled herself together and shouted the command again, but the platoon still moved sluggishly, like a swarm of headless flies.
“What are you laughing at? If you think you can do better, come do it yourself.” The instructor’s stern roar instantly silenced the platoon. He spoke slowly, “Out of so many of you, this girl is the only one who stood at attention properly. And she’s not wearing makeup. This is military training, not a blind date. For those of you wearing makeup, I don’t want to see it this afternoon. Do you understand?”
“Understood!”
…
Standing under the scorching sun, after a morning of standing at attention, their handsome instructor had transformed into a cold-hearted devil, showing no mercy.
Xia Qian Ge sat in the shade of a tree, hugging her knees. Her fair skin was flushed red, her throat dry and raspy. She had been shouting commands all morning, and her throat was now raw with pain.
But she endured it, because there was something more important she needed to find. She was like a wolf hiding in the bushes, searching for its prey, her gaze fierce and terrifying, but hidden beneath her long bangs, no one could see it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have attracted so many annoying flies.
“Qian Ge, why are you sitting here alone?”
Xu Dan sat down next to Xia Qian Ge, looking at her with concern. “Why don’t you talk to the instructor and tell him you don’t want to be the platoon leader? It’s so tiring to stand in front and shout commands.”
“I’m a bit weak, but it’s okay.” Xia Qian Ge smiled weakly, her gentleness seeming to seep into her bones. “Where are the others? Why are you alone?”
“They’re all watching the performances. I came to get you. There’s a handsome guy, and he sings really well.”
“Oh, there’s a performance?”
Xia Qian Ge looked at the crowd gathered in the center of the lawn. It was lively, but in her memory, the boy wasn’t someone who liked to join in on the fun. He probably wouldn’t be there.
“I’ll pass. It’s too noisy there. I might attract some unwanted attention.”
Coming from Xia Qian Ge, these seemingly boastful words didn’t sound out of place. Xu Dan waved her small fist and chuckled, “You mean those annoying guys? Don’t worry, if anyone dares to bother you, I’ll teach them a lesson. Come on, everyone’s waiting for you.”
“Well… okay.”
Xu Dan was the first friend Xia Qian Ge had made in the dorm. She had a good personality, just a bit of a temper. Xia Qian Ge couldn’t refuse her and reluctantly agreed.
Xu Dan took Xia Qian Ge’s arm and led her to the lawn. There were many people around, some stealing glances at her. But after meeting her calm gaze, they would guiltily look away.
“Qian Ge, you’re here! Are you okay?”
Her other two roommates had already saved them a spot and were concerned about her, as she had probably been the most exhausted that morning. Their dorm had a good relationship. Xia Qian Ge always had a smile on her face, and her soft, gentle voice made it hard for people to dislike her.
“I told you I’m fine. I’ll buy some throat lozenges this afternoon.”
“Okay then. I have to tell you, Qian Ge, you missed out. A guy just sang a song, and he was so handsome with his guitar.”
“That’s a shame.”
Xia Qian Ge smiled softly. Her two roommates’ eyes were sparkling. Girls’ interest in the opposite sex was no less than boys’. They often swooned over handsome guys.
“Qian Ge, don’t you have a boyfriend?” Xu Dan leaned closer, her eyes full of gossip.
“No, I told you, I’m alone.”
“No one you like?”
Xia Qian Ge was stunned for a moment, then answered noncommittally, “I don’t know.”
“Right, I don’t believe there’s any boy that Qian Ge can’t get.”
“Haha…”
Xia Qian Ge lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, as if it had never happened.
“Perhaps there is. Perhaps there is something she can’t find.”
Xia Qian Ge sat in the center of the lawn, the scorching sun glaring down. She had been searching for a long time but hadn’t found his shadow. The handsome boys and beautiful girls performing on stage changed one after another, but she had no interest in watching. She had no interest in playing along with them either.
A wolf will die if it can’t find its prey.
How long had it been since she had seen him? The craving in her heart flared up again, more intense than ever, almost uncontrollable.
She was thirsty, her body’s water seemingly evaporated by the scorching sun. The cold mineral water was useless. No matter how much she drank, it could only temporarily alleviate her physical discomfort, but it couldn’t quench the thirst in her heart.
She seemed to be hallucinating. She couldn’t help but say his name, seeing his gentle, jade-like face. She wanted to rest her head on his shoulder, her sharp fangs sinking into his slender neck.
His blood… was the only thing that could quench her thirst.
Oh no she’s a bloodsucker