537 Chapter 537: A Visi (2/2)
”Yesterday night, Saint Teresa Academy was attacked by a massive group of vampires belonging to the Crimson Blood Demonic Night Clan, who reportedly mobilized their entire clan for the assault. At least 120 students have been killed or are injured, and half that number have gone missing. Headmistress Teresa Taylor has expressed her outrage at the atrocities and is in discussion with the Global Federation government on launching a nationwide search and destroy mission. Several mercenary organizations have already stepped forward and pledged their support, offering to help the Federation military. Meanwhile, the school itself closed down, and students have been advised to stay at home in the aftermath of what is one of the worst school attacks in history…”
Professor Nan Gong Jiao Shou was watcing the television solemnly, slouching against the sofa in despair. Behind him, Yue Jian was preparing the food that her mother had just cooked, placing them on the dining table and setting it up. Upon hearing the anchorwoman's dry rambling, she glanced at the television with a worried expression.
”Zhao Yan and Ji Yan…”
”I've contacted the school, but it seems the both of them have gone missing.”
Yue Jian's mother looked concerned even as she brought out a plate of fried chicken.
”There's no news about them,” Nan Gong Jiao Shou said glumly. ”Headmistress Taylor promised to do everything within her power to locate the missing student, but with her academy in such a state, I don't think they will be able to do much for now…”
”At least there's still a chance that they might still be alive,” his wife said wistfully, clasping her hands as if in prayer after setting the plate down on the table. ”They are not among those confirmed dead so that's some good news.”
”Still, I would like to hear something more concrete than that…”
”About that, I might have some news on your daughters.”
The Nan Gong family jumped up at my voice, startled by my sudden intrusion. Well, I didn't exactly trespass into their house. I was standing right outside their door and speaking through their open window. The three of them stared blankly at me before recognition filled their eyes.
”You are Zhao Yan's friend!”
No, I was her enemy. Like…duh.
I bit back that retorted and forced a smile instead, noting that they couldn't even be bothered to remember my name. Trying not to feel too offended, I bowed respectfully while Yue Jian hurried over to open the door for me. The Nan Gong parents also approached me, eager for news regarding their precious daughters.
”What do you mean? What kind of news do you have?”
”Well, I can guarantee that Zhao Yan is alive, at least.”
Nan Gong Jiao Shou nodded, relieved, but he still displayed some skepticism.
”And where is the basis for that assurance?”
”I saw the vampire prince of the Crimson Blood Demonic Night Clan capture her.” I briefly elaborated on what had happened last night, and how my friends and I failed to save her. Of course, I took full responsibility for everything and refused to pin any blame on my friends. It was my plan and weakness that failed us all, not any shortcomings on Kufa or Rossetti's part. ”I'm sorry. We weren't able to stop them. But Fan Le Lao seems to want your daughter for something.”
Marriage, to be specific, but I didn't think it was a good idea to inform Nan Gong Jiao Shou and his wife that. They would probably go nuts if they heard that they were going to have a vampire prince as their future son-in-law.
”What about Ji Yan?”
I shrugged, trying to mask my callousness. I didn't care about that traitor bitch. However, I wasn't sure I could tell them that she had betrayed not just her sister but the whole school. I could already picture Nan Gong Jiao Shou going into a fit and his wife fainting from the sheer horror. Their daughter, a traitor? Not only had she sold out the entire school to a vampire clan, she even had the audacity to try and get her flesh-and-blood sister killed?
The information would be too much for them. Also, they would most likely deny it and refuse to believe me, no matter how much evidence I piled atop their table. I had been through the bullshit with Headmistess Taylor, the teachers and schoolmates in Saint Teresa Academy. I wasn't going through that whole denial nonsense again.
”I have no idea. I didn't see her at all.”
There was some truth in what I said. Now that I thought about it, I really did not see Ji Yan once throughout that fateful night. Where did she go? Probably taken away beforehand by the violently abusive Xu Wu Cheng, I guess. I had no doubt that he had terrifying things planned for her. But that wasn't my problem.
After Ji Yan's treachery, she was better off dead. I had no intention of rescuing her. She reaped what she sowed. I wasn't magnanimous enough to forgive her for her betrayal. I wasn't some delusional saint who was happy to turn my other cheek after getting slapped.
”I see.” Nan Gong Jiao Shou paused for a moment. ”Thank you. If Zhao Yan is at least still alive, then that's a great relief. I'm sure they will eventually rescue her.”
”Yeah.” I wanted to be part of that rescue mission, which was why I was waiting with Kufa and the others for news from the Midnight Order. The moment they moved out, my friends and I were going to volunteer for the operation. ”We will.”
”Well, would you like some lunch?” Nan Gong's wife invited me into the house. ”Don't feel like a stranger and help yourself. I made sure to cook extra.”
Don't feel like a stranger, you say…yet you couldn't even remember my name.
”Don't hesitate,” Nan Gong added. ”Please join us for lunch. If possible, I would like to hear some more details. We can talk as we eat.”
”All right. Thank you.”
I was never one to say no to free food, so I shamelessly waltzed into the house, took advantage of my hosts' generosity and helped myself to the delicious dishes on the table. All in exchange for elaborating in greater detail about what had transpired last night.