EGO POV Yibo

Before I took Zhan to my house, Sigma's house, I probably should have explained to him what the relationship between me and Sigma is. He may be my uncle, but that doesn't mean he acts like one. I certainly don't remember him ever acting like an uncle. It was always more like landlord and subtenant. Or employer and employee. It didn't bother either of us in the process.

However, I failed to say so to Zhan. Therefore, he was a little disturbed when my uncle greeted me as follows: "Assassin, so you are back. Were you able to complete your order as requested?"

And as usual, I replied, "Yes sir."

Zhan looked back and forth between him and me and asked, "You are relatives, aren't you? Then why are you talking so strangely to each other?"

Rightly Sigma asked me, "Assassin, will you explain who he is?"

I replied, "That's Zhan. The tunnel was not a tunnel at all, but a cave maze. Zhan helped me get out of it."

Sigma then looked at Zhan and asked him, "So, how did you do it?"

Zhan frowned and said, "I walked with him to the exit." I admit, I had to hold back a laugh. However, I had almost expected such an answer.

"I'm already aware of that. I want to know how you know about it?" Sigma replied.

"Well, I grew up there. My father showed me everything." Explained Zhan.

"I see, and who is your father?" Sigma wanted to know.

"Surely a man you don't know. Because my father doesn't like strangers." Replied Zhan.

"Why not?"

"Probably for the same reason as you. He has his reasons and secrets."

"How do you know I have secrets?"

"Although you are clearly wealthy, you live in a house that is not too big. The house itself is in a working class, middle class area. Which is more low-key for you. Also, you have an assistant who lives here to be available for you around the clock. Someone from the working class can't afford that. Besides, there are many pieces of art here that have a very high value and could not be bought anywhere. In front of the garage there is a simple car, an older model, which is probably very rarely moved. Because under the car and next to it, there is a lot of leaves. But what really reveals you is, your wheelchair. It's a model that costs as much as a new car. And I don't think anyone in the working class would be able to afford that."

"You've combined that well, and in just one hour. Or did Yibo tell you?"

"Yibo didn't tell me anything. I figured all this out on my own. And it's not that hard."

"So tell me Zhan, are you an assassin too?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why did you help Yibo?"

"Because I could."

"Yes, but why him and not someone else?"

"Because I saw him kill two men with just one turn and I was totally impressed by that."

"You're into that?"

"No. I was just impressed. Besides, I can't let someone that handsome and talented die in the cave maze."

"I see."

"Any other questions?"

"Not just now."

"Good."

"You can go now, then."

"Mhm, thanks. Oh yes, Yibo has a few more things for you. I'm sure you'll like them very much." Replied Zhan. For my part, I was now impressed with the way Zhan spoke to Sigma and that he even managed to make Sigma speechless.

I handed the relics and artifacts to my uncle and his eyes lit up. So Zhan was absolutely right that these would please my uncle very much. He was so excited about them that he immediately set about examining them and assigning them to an era.

Zhan and I went to my room. Since it was night and we were both tired, we went to sleep right away. Zhan shared my bed with me. Whereby he lay at the far edge of my bed until I pulled him further towards me. Because of my feelings for him, which I try to suppress, this was maybe not such a good idea. Since all I could think about the whole time was how close he was to me and how close his lips were to me. Thank goodness Zhan can't read minds!

When I woke up later, I was alone in bed. I wondered where Zhan disappeared to until I heard something moaning under the bed. I crawled out of bed and looked. Zhan was lying there curled up with his hand pressed against his body. It had been all red and I wondered what had happened until I noticed that through the curtain on my window, some sun was coming in and the sunbeam was going right to where Zhan was lying.

I drew the curtain properly and then asked Zhan to come forward under the bed. Only after I had assured him three times that the curtain was now properly closed did he dare to come out. I then immediately looked at his hand and the burn looked really painful.

The burn really worried me a lot. But Zhan said, "It will be fine in a minute. I just need to drink some." Then he drank his ration of blood and in less than 3 minutes, the burn was already almost completely gone. Honestly, I really blamed myself for not checking to make sure the curtain was closed properly. I felt quite sick at the thought of what else could have happened.

Because the sun was shining, Zhan couldn't leave the house. So I went to the bank alone while Zhan lay down and slept again. I wasn't entirely comfortable leaving him behind. But I knew he was safe at Sigma and would probably just sleep anyway.

After my appointment at the bank, I went to the Council of Assassins and requested a vacation. To my great delight, they immediately agreed. Yes, even an Assassin has to apply for a vacation. At least if he belongs to an order. But now I can look forward to 4 free weeks. The council told me I really deserved the vacation, and besides, it was also the first time I ever applied for vacation since I started working for them. Oh, and I informed them that Yang had revealed me by telling the commander who I really was.

So I officially have permission to kill Yang. If the council doesn't come before me. Because they don't like it at all that a former member, commits such a betrayal.

When I returned, Sigma was sitting at his desk again, cataloging his new artifacts. His assistant had the task of photographing the relics and artifacts.

Zhan was still asleep. He lay curled up in bed like a cat. Just looking at him lying there made my heart beat faster. Damn, I can't believe my brother was right. When he told me that love would come for me, I had a big mouth and mocked him. And now? Now I can't even look at Zhan without my heart feeling like it's going to explode with love!

Still, I can't let my feelings run wild. I have to manage to suppress them. I have to realize that Zhan and I can never be a couple. He is and remains a vampire. And I am only a human. Besides, we will surely have to say goodbye to each other at some point. I have 4 weeks of vacation now. But after that I have to return to my world.

I can't stay with Zhan and his family. I have to work and earn money. My parents need my financial support. I can't rely on my brother getting better paying jobs and then providing for our parents. Besides, I would surely get bored in the long run if I was always just in the castle every day with nothing to do.

But still, I would like to just be with Zhan. I feel that he likes me too. Very much. But, how can we do that? I wish I could just snap my fingers and have a solution. But it's not that simple. And honestly? I hate the thought of falling in love for the first time and then not being able to be with him. I hate that so much! I want so much to see what it's like to give in to your feelings. But, I can't!

For a few minutes, I watched Zhan sleeping. Then, I sat down on the bed next to him and gently woke him up. He stretched extensively and looked at me quite sleepily. This look was really incredibly sweet! And Zhan, of course, knew immediately that something was wrong. He put his hand on my chest and asked me, "Did something happen? Your heart is so restless again." I really could have cried.

"No, no. Everything is fine. I'm just a little excited because I want to take you to see my parents." I finally replied.

"Ah, I see." Said Zhan, looking at me doubtfully. But he didn't say anything else and instead went to take a shower and then got dressed. And after he drank some blood, we headed to my parents' house.

Since I have a key to my parents' house, I unlocked the door and we went into the house. My mother who apparently had only seen Zhan threw a throwing knife at him. Zhan's vampire reflexes are better than I expected, because he caught the knife with his hand and showed it to me. As he did so, he looked at me, wide-eyed and completely distraught.

While neither my dad nor my mom were typical parents who show their children how much they love them, experiencing my dad like this is painful. This once tough, unyielding man is barely a shadow of his former self.

Despite the first cool greeting between my mom and Zhan, the two of them still got along well. She sat next to him and the two talked about a sword my dad had shown Zhan. When Zhan looked at it and talked about blacksmithing, my mom immediately got on board. She had given the sword to my dad at the time and was very proud when Zhan admired it.

My mom tried to find out more about Zhan's background. But he didn't really give much away. When she asked him his age, I just said he was 20 years old. That's what he looks like, too. She thought it was great when he explained that his parents are collectors who have weapons from all over the world, among other things.

After an hour, I handed my mom the money I got from the bank and told Zhan it was time to say goodbye. My mom and he got along great and she showed a side of herself that I didn't know at all. Really nice and caring. That's why Zhan felt very comfortable with my parents and almost forgot about the cinema.

When we arrived at the cinema, we decided to watch an adventure movie. It was neither boring nor exciting. We sat quite high up because there were no other free seats. Zhan was still excited and enjoyed every moment. I, on the other hand, had other worries. Because my feelings wanted to make me hold Zhan's hand. I could hardly hold myself back.

When the movie was over, we went for a walk. Zhan clung to my arm as we did so, wondering about the movie and then about the old beautiful buildings here. And then he said that he really enjoyed the trip with me. Meeting Sigma, my parents, and then the cinema. "Time has gone by so fast." He wondered.

"Mmm. From the looks of it, I guess we'll have to stay another night. It's getting late and it's a long way back." I replied.

"So you really want to go back with me?"

"Sure. I even applied for extra vacation today. I now have 4 weeks off and I can spend that time with you."

"Awww, that's so great. I'm excited."

"Me too."

"Tell me Yibo, why have you been so quiet tonight?"

"Was I? I'm actually always like that. Besides, you were talking to my mom, weren't you?"

"Yeah, I was. But somehow you seemed absent the whole time."

"Somewhat yes. I've been thinking about my dad's illness."

"I understand that. That must be really hard for you."

"It's more like I thought I wouldn't mind. We weren't a normal loving family, after all. But seeing my father like this makes me think."

"Well maybe you should spend your vacation with him then, while he still has periods where he, is himself again?"

"Zhan...I'd rather spend my vacation with you, though."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's only because of you that I took the vacation. So that you and I can spend a lot of time together."

"Wow, that's sweet of you."

"Well, that's just me." I said. I hope the four weeks don't go by as fast as the last few days.

We then made our way back to Sigma's house. Sigma was already asleep and we went to sleep immediately after Zhan drank his third ration of blood. Miraculously, he fell asleep again immediately. And that although he had slept the whole day.

I, on the other hand, lay awake for a long time thinking about everything. Especially about Zhan and me. Before I closed my eyes, I gave Zhan a kiss on the cheek. He then turned around to me and clung to me. I wrapped my arms around him and hoped that I would be able to fall asleep like this for the next four weeks.