Blood Queen - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Invitation

***

Today is Saturday, another golden day for Lingzui’er Cold Snacks.

Over the past few days, the mysterious Sister Tan who had suddenly appeared hasn’t shown up again. Instead, many young customers who don’t belong to this neighborhood have been coming.

The Lingzui’er Cold Snacks, run by the naturally beautiful sisters, has already gained quite a reputation in the surrounding neighborhoods. The number of single young people has increased dramatically, while middle-aged and elderly customers are gradually finding it difficult to get seats immediately.

The hot business environment has forced Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao to choose cooler outfits. Both wear identical denim shorts and sleeveless tops, but the details of their style remain somewhat conservative, exuding a fresh and pretty youthful charm with a touch of traditional modest beauty.

Sister Tan’s sudden visit last time made Jiang Yan reconsider the issue of carrying weapons. Since she spends most of her time in the kitchen, it’s no problem to have a dagger tucked under her T-shirt at the small of her back. But Jiang Yao is responsible for reception, and jeans and a T-shirt obviously make it difficult to conceal a dagger.

Jiang Yao once suggested simply wearing skirts, saying that not only could you hang a dagger on your thigh under the skirt, you could even strap a ring of grenades if needed. But Jiang Yan vetoed the idea, citing inconvenience in serving customers.

In the end, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao both added a waist pouch hanging at their waists, with their daggers hidden inside. These cute little waist pouches not only ensure they can deal with unexpected situations but also add to their appealing image.

…

“I’m sorry, we’re out of outdoor tables. How about inside the shop?”

As the time approached 21:00, having just sent off one table of customers, Jiang Yao walked towards a group of men of various ages with a smile, feeling that today’s business would surely be booming. After all, a group of men who never consider their figures or dietary health are big spenders at Lingzui’er Cold Snacks.

Gradually, Jiang Yao’s footsteps slowed down. The leader of this group of men turned out to be an old acquaintance she had crossed paths with before, the bearded Huang Gu!

“Hehe, little sister Yao, it’s been a month and a half since we last met! We heard you opened this shop and it’s even got some online fame, so we came to show our support. It’s my birthday today, and these are all my old friends. Some are from D City, and some are former colleagues from C City.”

Huang Gu still had that typical image of a down-to-earth and cunning working-class man. The young and middle-aged men behind him were all dressed simply.

The Jiang Yao in front of Huang Gu had changed quite a bit compared to a month ago.

Her gaze, expressions, and mannerisms all fit more closely with the image of a youthful, innocent, and pretty girl. With her outstanding looks and figure, plus a head of dreamy light golden hair, even without makeup, she would be quite striking even among the sea of beauties on the internet.

If it weren’t for accidentally glimpsing a Dark Arrow Unit combat uniform in the corner of the living room in that small Western-style house in the countryside back then, Huang Gu would find it hard to connect this girl-next-door in front of him with those secret killers he had fought tooth and nail with before.

“The space inside is small and close to the stove, and the air conditioning might not be effective. I’ll talk to Sister Chen from the hair salon next door and borrow some space outside her door to put two more tables.”

Jiang Yan walked out from behind the counter, greeting Huang Gu politely and calmly while heading outside. She returned gracefully just a minute later, making a gesture to indicate it was done.

Huang Gu didn’t stand on ceremony and personally started moving tables and chairs. The group of men quickly set everything up. Whether Huang Gu was really celebrating his birthday was uncertain, but he was indeed generous, ordering a large amount of food and beer, earning praise from all his friends and colleagues.

“Wow, Brother Huang, you actually know such beautiful girls! Why didn’t you bring us here earlier?!”

A younger man stared a bit dazedly at the light golden-haired girl bustling between tables, his eyes shining with something like love at first sight.

“Don’t get any ideas just because you see a pretty face. Girls like this are destined to be out of our league. Just eat and drink, don’t think too much…”

An older man slapped the younger one’s shoulder hard, his nonchalance tinged with a hint of self-mockery.

…

Huang Gu’s group was boisterous and lively, becoming Lingzui’er’s last customers. They ate and drank until past 2:00 in the morning before dispersing in twos and threes amid drunken atmosphere and sour burps, leaving only Huang Gu quietly helping the two sisters clean up.

Nearly all the shops near the old street entrance had gone dark by this time. In front of Lingzui’er, apart from the big lamp surrounded by moths, everything was already quiet and empty.

“Thank you, Uncle Huang, for supporting our business. Today’s bill will be 20% off. Cash or mobile payment?”

Jiang Yan, finished cleaning the stove, walked over and handed him the bill.

“No need to thank me, we’re all in the same boat… Business is business, friendship is friendship. No need for the discount, I know it’s not easy for you two either.”

Huang Gu just glanced at the bill before scanning the QR code on the table with his phone and entering a four-digit amount.

“We still need to thank you. It’s fortunate to know you. Sister Wan and Zhong Jing have been a great help to us.”

Jiang Yan waved her hand behind her, and Jiang Yao walked over with two packs of expensive cigarettes.

Huang Gu didn’t stand on ceremony this time. He tore open the packaging, took out a cigarette worth more than 10 yuan each, lit it, and took a deep drag, revealing a contented smile.

“Miss Jiang, after observing these past few days, I’d like to invite you and Xiao Yao to join us on behalf of Sister Wan.”

After taking a few puffs of the cigarette, once the brief nicotine high passed, Huang Gu’s expression became very serious.

Join? It seems that Sister Wan is their leader, not an Orthodox Vampire, but more like an organization that unites some well-behaved or trustworthy wandering vampires to support each other.

Looking at Huang Gu’s sincere face, Jiang Yan just shook her head slightly: “Thank you for your trust, Uncle Huang, but Xiao Yao and I are living quite peacefully now. We don’t have any reason to change our current situation.”

“You could truly live a normal life,” Huang Gu chuckled.

“Don’t we look normal now?” Jiang Yan replied with a smile.

“There’s strength in numbers, it would be safer!” Huang Gu emphasized each word.

“But what’s the cost? Would it make Xiao Yao and me freer than we are now?” Jiang Yan became increasingly calm.

“You could grow faster! With your potential, Sister Wan would definitely put a lot of effort into nurturing you!”

Huang Gu glanced at the silent Jiang Yao and lowered his voice even more.

“Why do we need to grow? To challenge Knights, then challenge Barons? Then Viscounts, Counts… A power won’t give us too many benefits without reason.”

Jiang Yan shook her head, her tone flat and tinged with helplessness: “There’s a Fief Knight here who has stayed at the Knight level for many years. She has her own family, doesn’t strive for power, and doesn’t engage in secret battles. I prefer this kind of life.”

“I think, Uncle Huang, when you drove us to this area that day, you had already considered this point. You must have investigated the existence of that Fief Knight and knew she wouldn’t cause trouble for Xiao Yao and me.”

“…” Huang Gu suddenly didn’t know how to answer this question.

“Uncle Huang, Xiao Yao and I are really satisfied with our current life. I’ll consider what you said. Feel free to come by anytime, next time it’s on the house!”

Jiang Yan put on a smile again and extended her hand, waiting for his response.

“Hmm, Miss Jiang, you can think about it some more…”

Lightly shaking hands with the young woman, his rough fingers touched a trace of gentle softness. Huang Gu turned and walked towards the dimly lit depths of the street.

“Brother…” Jiang Yao moved a bit closer at this moment.

“Can’t change? Call me sister. If you get it wrong again, I’ll really hit you.”

A taxi flashed by the street entrance, and Jiang Yan sighed impatiently.

“Oh, sister. Why did you refuse him… That old witch seems very powerful. Isn’t it good to have a strong backer? Even if the sky falls, it wouldn’t be up to us two little nobodies to hold it up…”

Jiang Yao played with a strand of her hair, looking puzzled.

“The higher the price they offer, the more dangerous it indicates. It’s just a matter of when it will be cashed in. It’s good for a group of wandering vampires to band together for warmth, but as soon as it becomes an organization, it can’t escape the game with the outside world, or even conflicts…”

Turning around, Jiang Yan saw Jiang Yao playing with her hair and smiled slightly, putting her hand on her shoulder: “Xiao Yao, from the moment we became members of the Dark Arrow Unit, I knew that we might never escape this circle in this lifetime. I don’t want to jump into another circle in the future, that’s all.”

The last light went out, the rolling shutter came down, locked.

The black-haired girl and the golden-haired girl, one in front and one behind, slowly disappeared into the night.