It was almost midnight when Yibo's brother came down the stairs from above on slightly wobbly legs and looked for Yibo. He had no idea why he had suddenly fallen asleep. He knew, only that he hadn't felt as clear and free-headed as he did now for a very long time.

Yibo, who was laughing and running after Zhan to catch him, stopped abruptly when he saw his brother coming down the stairs. He thought his brother looked better now. But he seemed confused, which didn't surprise Yibo, however. "You're awake. How are you?" He asked him.

"Um yeah, I'm fine. I just feel a little weak." Replied Hai Kuan.

"That's because of the magic I had to use on you. Oh sorry, I should have introduced myself first. My name is Xiao Liang. I am Yibo's father-in-law." Interjected Xiao Liang.

"Oh wait a minute. Xiao Liang? Like the Xiao Liang from Flora Wang?" Hai Kuan asked in confusion.

"Um yeah. Right."

"Ahahaha. Right. Then you should be more than 300 years old now or?"

"Correct."

"That means that story my grandmother told, it's true?"

"Yes. However, the curse has been broken by now. Thanks to your brother. In case you wanted to know."

"Oh man. That means I really didn't just dream that Meng Yao and that Su She were vampires, right? So there really are vampires?"

"That is also correct."

"And my little brother... is he too?"

"I'm standing right here next to you! Ask me yourself." Yibo interjected.

"Are you? Are you a vampire?"

"Yes, I am. I am a vampire assassin. But I became it voluntarily."

"I need to sit down first. This is all madness!" Replied Hai Kuan and sat down on one of the steps.

"Wow Yibo. I didn't think you guys were so different. You just accepted that when you realized I was a vampire." Said Zhan softly. Still, Hai Kuan heard him and shook his head.

"Yibo and I have always been different. He's always been the stronger of the two of us you know? If I was good at something, he was better at it."

"Mhhh, my Yibo is really great."

"Your Yibo?"

"My Yibo. Mine all by myself."

"Mhhh hahaha. Yes you really love my little brother. No doubt about it. Glad he found someone like you."

"I found him."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. And I managed to make him fall in love with me."

"That is truly a masterstroke my dear brother-in-law. Because if there was one thing Yibo couldn't do, it was love."

"That's not quite true. Yibo was quite capable of it. Actually, one look into his eyes was enough to see how many emotions were in him. Just because he had that cold petrified look doesn't mean he doesn't have a heart and doesn't feel anything. It's just that no one ever bothered to look behind his cold facade."

"It seems to me that you know my brother better than I know him."

"That's true, too. He and I formed a very special bond. He can feel what I feel and I feel what he feels. Our hearts are intertwined."

"That sounds a little strange."

"But that's only because you don't know what it's like to find your destiny partner and mate with him."

"I agree with you on that. Because the man I thought he and I were in love with turned out to be an asshole, a liar, and a murderer. I mean okay, I'm an assassin. I do this for money. But he kills for pleasure."

"For pleasure?" Asked Xiao Liang.

"Yes. In the two years he manipulated my mind, he used to drag me everywhere. I saw him kill other vampires and even kill people randomly to quench his thirst for blood."

"So you actually witnessed all of this?"

"Yes."

"Then you should stay in the protection of this castle for now. Meng Yao is someone you can't underestimate. Leave it to your brother and my son. The two of them will take care of him and Su She."

"I'm not sure the two of them can do it. I know Yibo and I know what he's capable of. But I don't know Zhan and I don't know what he's like."

"Don't worry. Those two are better than you can imagine. Right now they just seem like a lovey-dovey couple. But you should see them in action together some time."

"As you hear, my husband is proud of our sons. I'm Yibo's mother-in-law, by the way." Introduced Zhan's mother herself.

"Wow, what a beauty." Wondered Hai Kuan.

"Thank you very much. What does it look like? Are you hungry? I've instructed our cook to make you something. And if you're not too tired, you can watch Zhan and Yibo train in the training room. Maybe then you'll realize what the two of them are capable of together." 

"I'm really a little hungry, thank you. And I'll be happy to watch the training. If you praise it like that, it must be really good." Said Hai Kuan. Zhan and Yibo took him to the dining room and Hai Kuan was more than surprised at how much food had been prepared for him and that all of it tasted so delicious.

Hai Kuan was a little confused about these servants. Their size and appearance were rather atypical for normal people. In addition, they seemed to him a little bit like those Japanese Manga characters. And that Yibo explained to him that these servants are magical helpers, so-called homunculus, did not help him.

But seeing the change in his little brother confused Hai Kuan more than anything else. The little boy from back then who showed no emotions and always seemed so unapproachable, was suddenly open, laughed incessantly, kissed and hugged his Zhan again and again and just beamed, for Hai Kuan, a beautiful cheerfulness.

And what amazed Hai Kuan even more was that he knew all that Yibo was showing, all that he saw on Yibo, was real. Nothing is fake. This is the real Yibo, who has found his true love and is openly showing his happiness. It also made Hai Kuan a little envious. Because, he would also like to have such a strong love like his brother.

With all the love Hai Kuan saw between Yibo and Zhan, it almost shook him when they were in the training room after dinner and he saw Zhan and Yibo fighting bitterly against each other. It was really tough and Hai Kuan could see how well they fought.

But he couldn't really see it well until they started a training simulation. Seeing them fight against each other so hard had already scared Hai Kuan but also amazed him. But to see them fighting together just left him speechless and watching the training with his eyes wide open. Now he understood why Yibo's in-laws were so proud.

After the training, Hai Kuan saw Zhan and Yibo falling back into their amorous couple thing and just had to ask the two, "How can this be? Just now you were fighting each other like bitter enemies. And now you're back to cuddling?"

And Yibo dryly replied, "Training is training, we don't play games! I want Zhan to always be prepared for anything and well trained so no one can hurt him."

"Mhm, though Yibo would never let that happen anyway." Added Zhan.

"Well, that' s true. Anyone who wants to get to my husband has to get past me first. But I know I don't really have to worry about Zhan. He's damn strong and very fast. Therefore, he and I can also fight side by side against Meng Yao and Su She."

"And what if he manipulates your minds like he did with me?"

"That won't work with us. He can only do it with humans. And even if he can do it with vampires now, he won't succeed with us." Explained Zhan.

"And why wouldn't he succeed with you guys?"

"Because he can only do it with those who are unprepared or weak. Nothing against you. You're human and he can do this to practically anyone. So don't take it personally."

"I get that already Zhan. But thanks for explaining it to me anyway."

"It's too bad my cousin Cheng isn't here. He could have taught you to resist such manipulation. He can also enter deep into people's minds. And he could show you how to fight it off."

"So this Cheng is a vampire too?"

"Sure. And a super cute one too. I think you'd be his type."

"Ah yes. Ahem."

"Don't be shy big brother. Maybe you'd like Cheng too?" Yibo interjected.

"And how would you know?"

"Well, at our big mating celebration, I met Cheng. He's very interesting and like Zhan said, really cute too. And he can't tell a lie. He always blurts out what's on his mind right away."

"That doesn't change the fact that he's a bloodsucker."

"Well, well big brother. Even though we're vampires, we don't suck anyone's blood. We get the blood from a butcher. And so does Cheng's family. Besides, there are strict rules about that. The council doesn't tolerate vampires feeding on defenseless humans."

"The council?"

"Yes. Vampires also have an order represented by a council. They're much better on it than the Council of Assassins, though. But we'll explain all that to you at your leisure. For now, you should go to bed and get some rest. Zhan and I will retire to our room soon. Unfortunately, we didn't get to fulfill all my wishes earlier."

"Perverted wishes, you should have said." Zhan now interfered again.

"Yes. But you love that."

"Sure I love that. You're such a pervert. Just the way I like it."

"Ah I can see that. You guys really match each other in everything." Said Hai Kuan and laughed.

Zhan and Yibo took Hai Kuan back to his room and then went to their own room. Yibo smirked when he saw the ties on the bed frame. He looked alternately at Zhan and at the ties and grinned. "ZhanZhan, how about we start with these?"

"Sure. I'll just find the feather real quick." Replied Zhan, chuckling.

My brother is right. Zhan and I really do match in everything. We are just made for each other. I wish for my brother to find someone he can love like I love Zhan. A love that breaks all chains and boundaries and in which he can just be himself, like I am with Zhan.

And I'm sure that somewhere out there is someone perfect for my brother. He just needs to find him. And maybe he'll know as soon as he sees him.

In retrospect, I guess it was the same for me. I guess I fell in love with Zhan right away and just didn't realize it. I saw him and I wanted to trust him. I wanted a friendship with him. And that even though I was always told that assassins don't have friends and don't trust anyone.

But the moment I saw Zhan, I just wanted to trust. And only after the curse was broken, I realized that I was in love with Zhan from the very beginning. And I'm so glad that I didn't follow the Assassin rules. Because that way I was able to find my destiny partner and get with him to where we are now. My husband, who was destined for me. My beloved Zhan!