The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
The blood moon rose high in the sky, with a few dim stars scattered across the pitch-black expanse. As the midnight bell tolled, it signaled the start of the Blood Clan's liveliest hours.
Yue Chu stood quietly in the corner with his gentle smile devoid of any aggression. His slightly lowered gaze concealed his thoughts and his long black eyelashes fluttering delicately, giving the impression that this Fifth Generation Pureblood from an unknown place had a shy and gentle personality.
Most Blood Clan members glanced at him disinterestedly before turning their attention to the center of the hall, where the star of this world stood surrounded by admirers - Xino.
Little Bear's eyes lit up upon seeing him and kept spinning in circles with joy. And it even desperately wants to rush over and confess.
Little Bear: "Host, this is Blood Clan Prince Xino. I specifically arranged for you to return to a time before he met Anna. As long as you offer your Green Tea Skill, you'll definitely be able to win him over!"
Saying this, Little Bear confidently puffed out its chest and felt completely at ease about Yue Chu's chances.
Yue Chu raised his eyes languidly, then shifted his gaze away without much interest.
As the protagonist, Xino was naturally very handsome.
Gold was the Blood Clan's favorite color. Though born as creatures of darkness, they paradoxically yearned for sunlight.
The Blood Clan Prince with golden hair was clearly heaven's favorite as it captivated countless Blood Clan members. He had deep-set features and a tall, slender build and just simply standing there made him a radiant presence that constantly drew everyone's gaze.
This prince had a particular fondness for white clothing. His pure white attire trimmed with gold was simple yet elegant, like pristine snow atop a mountain peak that inspired admiration.
However, he was not at all Yue Chu's type.
While both were arrogant, Wei Xieyang's pride carried an innate nobility.
It wasn't looking down from above, but rather a subtle sense of detachment that didn't provoke resentment, while Xino's arrogance, on the other hand, came with a sharp scrutiny. Combined with the naivety of a hothouse flower and the conceit of a frog in a well, it made him far less likable.
Moreover...
Yue Chu critically evaluated his appearance.
This look didn't even measure up to a third of Wei Xieyang's, leaving him completely uninterested.
Seemingly sensing Yue Chu's lack of enthusiasm, Little Bear became so anxious that its head seemed to catch fire.
What's going on?! Look at that beautiful golden hair, that handsome nose and that perfect physique! Was Yue Chu blind? If he couldn't even appreciate the protagonist, how could he possibly play the green tea role!
Thinking of this, Little Bear's face turned green.
Surely this guy wasn't planning to cuckold Xino? This, this, this...
No, wait, he didn't seem to like girls!
"So you're the Fifth Generation Pureblood His Majesty brought from outside? You look quite weak, but I suppose that's to be expected. Life outside the royal city must not be very comfortable."
Finally, someone approached him.
Yue Chu raised his standard smile and looked at the newcomer.
This Blood Clan member was Xino's good friend Dila. He wasn't as refined-looking as other Blood Clan members; his features could even be described as rugged, making him unpopular within the clan. Fortunately, his background was decent, and he had been by Xino's side since childhood, so no one dared to mock his appearance.
They had all heard about the new Fifth Generation Pureblood. Although they knew he wouldn't threaten Xino's position, it still left them with a thorn in their hearts. At this first meeting, they wanted to put Yue Chu in his place.
Yue Chu smiled gently and his delicate face appeared even more beautiful under the crystal chandelier's light. His jet-black hair seemed to have absorbed the night itself, so rich it made the Blood Clan members feel intoxicated. After all, they were creatures of darkness; while chasing after sunlight, they instinctively preferred the dark.
Yue Chu reached out and grasped Dila's cold hand and said softly, "Indeed, if I hadn't been fortunate enough to be saved by His Majesty this time, I might have died at the hands of the hunters."
This was the first time Dila had been approached so intimately.
Having had no physical contact with anyone for decades, he couldn't help but shudder while staring blankly at the smiling Yue Chu.
How could anyone smile so beautifully?
No, no, what am I thinking!
Dila jerked his hand away as if he had touched silver and took several large steps back to distance himself from Yue Chu. The hair on his head stood on end, and he felt as if his long-stilled heart had skipped a couple of beats.
How strange...
As his hand was abruptly released, Yue Chu's smile faltered for a moment. He lowered his hand slowly with a hint of dejection and the curve of his lips turning bitter.
The older Blood Clan members were more understanding as they knew how difficult to survive was for Blood Clan members outside the royal city. They felt some recognition for this pureblood who had escaped from the Hunters.
The younger Blood Clan members, however, couldn't bear it. They felt as if something had struck their hearts and involuntarily developed tender emotions.
Especially Feilin, the alluring female Blood Clan member standing beside Xino, who thought this beautiful, pitiful creature was too endearing. She wanted nothing more than to rush over and embrace him.
Even Dila himself felt as if he had done something wrong and felt extremely guilty.
Xino impatiently furrowed his brows. He hadn't paid any attention to this pureblood who was his equal.
He was more concerned about facing his father king soon.
Thinking of this, he nervously clenched his fingers and grabbed a glass of red wine mixed with the finest blood and downing it in one gulp.
He had just managed to break free from his father's control, only to find himself returning to those oppressive days so soon.
The bitterness in Xino's heart went unspoken, for everyone else was looking forward to the Blood Clan King's return. He alone was the exception.
Lafa's arrival silenced the entire hall.
All Blood Clan members bowed their heads reverently to show respect to their one and only king. This submission was ingrained in their bloodline and would only shift to a new object when Xino ascended the throne.
Lafa focused all his attention on Xino with a barely perceptible glimmer of pleasure in his gaze. From what he could see, his child had grown very well as he was already beginning to embody the demeanor a prince should have.
Lafa: "Xino, let me see how much you've improved during this time."
Lafa cared about nothing else; he only wanted to know how far his chosen heir had progressed. At the same time, this was an opportunity for Xino to prove his strength in front of all the Blood Clan members. He needed everyone to know that no matter how many more purebloods there might be, Xino was the strongest and most qualified to inherit the throne.
Xino knelt on one knee with his lowered head that concealed his cold expression.
Hah, things had indeed changed. Now that his father had another option, he had begun to doubt him.
In truth, Xinuo didn't care about the title of heir at all. It was only because he was born a powerful pureblood that he had to accept this fate. For so many years, he had been confined in this cage and molded like a puppet into the image his father desired. Yet no one had ever asked if he wanted this life.
"Yes."
The Blood Clan members in the hall spread out in a circle to clear space. Lafa lightly tapped his finger and released a domain unique to him in the center.
Yue Chu raised an eyebrow, and was unable to resist taking a couple of steps closer to observe. That domain was somewhat similar to his illusions, but more domineering.
His illusions could deceive people, but Lafa's domain could control them. Everything within the domain was under his command― he could grant life or death at will. Its destructive power was incomparably greater than illusions.
He observed this fascinating magic with great interest and felt a stirring of ambition. If he could refine his illusions into a domain like this, it would be an enormous boost to his combat ability.
Xino selected a Blood Clan Royal Knight, and they both entered the domain to begin their duel.
The space within the domain was even larger than Yue Chu had imagined. Lightning as thick as a waist continuously struck from above, while the ground beneath their feet collapsed and sank. Xino and his opponent not only had to guard against the ever-changing environment but also be wary of each other's attacks. The difficulty was considerable.
This duel could be described as truly spectacular. Even Yue Chu couldn't say he would have performed better than Xino. He curled his lips playfully and felt his long-idle bones finally itching for action.
The duel ended with Xino's unsurprising victory.
The surrounding crowd applauded, clearly approving of his performance.
Xinuo proudly raised his head and placed the sword in front of him. His bright red eyes sparkled with confidence, evidently very satisfied with his own performance.
"Is this the result of your studies during this time?"
Lafa's voice was as cold as ice, and the displeasure within exploded like thunder in everyone's ears.
The heavy pressure crashed over them like a tidal wave, forcing all to tremble and kneel to beg for the king's mercy.
Xino undoubtedly bore the heaviest pressure.
He bit his lip and hunching his back with his palms pressing deep indentations into the ground as he struggled to maintain his posture and avoid kneeling ignominiously.
Lafa: "You've grown lax, Xino."
Xino clenched his fists but his voice still carried poorly concealed tension as he said, word by word: "Please, forgive me, Father King."
Lafa frowned slightly and felt that the current Xino seemed somewhat different from his memory. Unable to process these emotions, he could only attribute it to the long separation between them causing some estrangement.
He slowly descended from the throne and helped Xino to his feet. His deep red blood-eyes gazed at his heir. But Xino seemed unable to raise his head to meet his gaze as his golden hair fell forward to hide his eyes and prevent Lafa from discerning his inner emotions.
Lafa sighed inwardly and could only sternly instruct: "You are the Blood Clan Prince, the future king. You must work harder and excel more than anyone else. From now on, I will have your curriculum rearranged. You must not be so negligent again."
Xino clenched his fists tightly, almost grinding out his words through gritted teeth: "Please rest assured, Father King. Xino will redouble his efforts."
Lafa nodded with satisfaction. Xino was still a child, and children naturally had a playful nature and tendency towards laziness. But as long as he was still willing to improve, that was good.
Yue Chu had been quietly observing this scene from the corner.
From beginning to end, Lafa hadn't spared him a single glance.
This neglect was also a way of elevating Xino's status.
Unfortunately...
He curled his lips playfully as his gaze swept over Xino's rigid back.
Unfortunately, such painstaking efforts would likely be in vain.
Lafa was too forceful.
His supreme position sometimes made him overlook certain details.
For instance, even if Xino's performance might not have met his expectations, he shouldn't have sternly reprimanded him in front of so many people. For young people with pride greater than the heavens, this was undoubtedly extremely embarrassing, especially for someone like Xino who had always been pampered. Moreover, his words always carried a commanding tone, which would only increase the resentment of the already discontented Xino.
Tsk tsk...
Little Bear frantically waved its fairy wand: "Host, quick, make your move! This is the perfect opportunity for a green tea to take advantage. Look how much our poor little Prince Xino needs comforting~"
Yue Chu smiled meaningfully and obediently moved his feet to approach Xino's group.
It's said that one doesn't hit a smiling face.
Although Yue Chu's identity posed a threat to Xino, seeing him smile so gently and beautifully, the Blood Clan members, being simpler than complex humans, couldn't bring themselves to harshly drive him away.
As soon as Dila saw him, he scurried to the back like a mouse seeing a cat, though it wasn't clear what he was afraid of. Feilin, on the other hand, gazed at the little cutie before her with sparkling eyes and unconsciously licking her sensual red lips.
Yue Chu spoke softly to comfort: "Your Highness need not be disheartened. His Majesty's stern guidance is merely out of concern for you."
Yue Chu twirled the blue gem-encrusted ring on his finger and his gaze carried a distant nostalgia while his tone somewhat wistful as he said, "It's always good to have someone who cares."
However, Xino didn't appreciate his sentiment. In fact, the more he heard, the angrier he became. What care? The care wasn't for him at all, but for the position of heir!
He glared fiercely at Yue Chu and snapped, "Shut up! Mind your own business!"
With that, he stormed off in a huff, leaving Feilin, Dila, and the others with awkward expressions. In the Blood Clan, known for its elegance and grace, such behavior could be considered quite impolite.
Feilin curled her fluffy brown hair and tried to smooth things over: "We shouldn't interfere in matters between His Highness and His Majesty. It's no wonder he's so angry."
Yue Chu nodded repeatedly with his eyes filled with apology: "I'm sorry, you know I've just come from the wild... I just hope His Highness Xino won't be angry with His Majesty. His Majesty is a very gentle person."
Speaking of the Blood Clan King, Feilin didn't know what to say.
She discreetly glanced at Xino's hastily retreating figure while slightly furrowing her fine, long eyebrows, and silently sighed in her heart.
With a woman's intuition, she had already sensed small cracks appearing between the king and the prince.
She could only hope these cracks wouldn't grow larger and split the two apart.