“Can’t bring phones in?”

“That’s right.” Phyllis smiled at Su Yuchen. “It’s our rule here. You can ask Tia.”

Su Yuchen turned to Tia, who rolled her eyes at Phyllis. “They brought this rule here too?”

“No choice, privacy is crucial.” Phyllis grinned triumphantly.

“Junior Yuchen, give her the phone.” Tia pinched his arm, signaling that it wouldn’t be an issue.

“Okay.” Su Yuchen took out the phone and handed it to Phyllis. Whether it was a decadent party or whatever Phyllis had in mind, it didn’t matter. Perhaps she felt invincible at the party, but from the start, she hadn’t anticipated his and Tia’s power.

“Junior is so obedient.” Phyllis smiled at Su Yuchen. “Hope you can get along well with everyone.”

The emphasis on ‘getting along’ was evident. Su Yuchen smiled. “Senior Phyllis, I still know some social decorum.”

Phyllis gestured as if inviting them. “Please.”

Su Yuchen took a step, and Kristia, linking her arm with his, glanced at him. In this kind of setting, he seemed experienced, showing no signs of nervousness.

Riding the elevator without any surprises, they arrived at the top-floor banquet hall. Western-style paintings adorned the walls on both sides of the splendid red carpet, predominantly gothic in style. Under the slightly crimson lights, an eerie atmosphere prevailed.

“I thought Junior Yuchen would be nervous.”

Su Yuchen smiled shyly, “There won’t be ‘girls’ at this party, so I’m not nervous.”

Kristia leaned closer to him. Her shoulder almost touched his arm, feeling his gradually stiffening body and the unsettled steps. She chuckled softly. “Does Senior Sister look good?”

Wearing high heels, her height almost matched Su Yuchen’s. Even with his eyes darting quickly, he vaguely noticed the subtle detail through the sheer fabric on her chest. “Very.”

“I’m still wearing a coat; did you manage to see it?”

“You look good in anything,” Su Yuchen whispered.

“You’re not stuttering tonight. Is it because of the occasion?”

Su Yuchen was about to scratch his head when Kristia immediately gave him a warning look. “Get rid of that habit.”

“Okay.” Su Yuchen obediently nodded, and Kristia smiled satisfactorily. “Stay close to me no matter what we do later, okay?”

“Okay.”

Kristia let go of his arm, took off her coat, revealing the full appearance of her black evening gown.

There wasn’t the exposed red dress from that night, nor its beauty.

That was Su Yuchen’s first thought.

“Thought my dress would be revealing?” Kristia handed her coat to him, raising her chin slightly. “I’m quite conservative, you know.”

Ha, like hell you are!

The red dress that night was quite revealing.

Su Yuchen, thinking this, let out a relieved expression—adhering to his acting skills, he naturally gave the impression that he didn’t want others to see her skin.

“Let’s go.”

As the luxurious doors at the end of the corridor opened, the slightly dazzling lights became the first sight in front of them.

Gentle clinking of glasses, hushed conversations, occasional soft laughter… 

And accompanying this scene was a faintly alluring, somewhat disturbing hint of blood in the air.

A quick glance around revealed mostly high-born individuals — scions and socialites, as if the scent of blood were just an illusion.

An upper-class society party.

However…

It was a bit sparse on people and a bit heavy on vampires.

This wasn’t just a student exchange gathering for international students; it felt more like a vampire banquet.

Su Yuchen narrowed his eyes; the international new students from the Magic Engineering Department were scarce here, and quite a few of them were vampires.

“Wow, my dear Tiya, come here~”

A fragrance wafted over as a golden-haired girl in a dark golden strapless gown hugged Kristia. Cheek to cheek, she said, “It’s been so long; I finally see you in such an occasion~”

Kristia pushed her away. “Vivian, show some restraint.”

“Restraint? What’s that?” Vivian licked her red lips. “With you being here, am I allowed to drink your blood?”

“No!” Kristia refused outright, giving Vivian top marks for her acting skills.

For tonight’s party, she had specifically called Vivian, the only one who knew Kristia’s identity, mainly to divert other vampires’ attention.

Fortunately, she had made such preparations— because earlier at the hotel entrance, she’d sensed a faint scent that could awaken a vampire’s desire. Walking into the banquet hall, that fragrance grew stronger.

Seeing fewer students at the party than anticipated, she had entirely guessed the purpose of this gathering.

The seniors of the Xia and Paine Clan had a blood-sucking carnival on the juniors they fancied. In a way, it was a decadent party exclusive to vampires.

‘Phyllis, that little bitch.’

“What a pity,” Vivian said regretfully, then looked at Su Yuchen. “Welcome, Junior Yuchen.”

“This is Vivian, she’s also my mentor.” Kristia introduced her to Su Yuchen.

“Hello, senior.” Su Yuchen greeted obediently, drawing the attention of the seniors and juniors who had already arrived and were either standing or sitting.

Their postures exuded a kind of sensuous laziness, especially the vampires… After shifting their gaze away from him, they looked at Kristia.

They were familiar with Kristia, had a decent relationship, but had never tasted her blood. The blood of an academic genius had been tempting them for a while.

“Is it just this few people?” Kristia asked softly.

“The others couldn’t make it for some reason.” Vivian shrugged. “That’s what Phyllis said.”

‘She probably didn’t even invite them.’

Kristia glanced at Su Yuchen. “Junior brother, want to go back?”

“Oh, how can we think of leaving just after arriving?” Phyllis hugged both of them from behind. “Tia, give me some face as my roommate~”

“Junior Yuchen, are you thinking of backing out?” She turned and looked at Su Yuchen with a smile. “Or not?”

“Not really.” Su Yuchen smiled faintly. “Or rather, I’m quite satisfied with this place.”

Phyllis blinked; why did she inexplicably read a sense of ‘alertness awakened, hunting time’ from his eyes?