While Yibo was getting ready to prove why assassins are so special, Zhan was sitting on the landing outside the front door of his uncle's house. Just like Yibo, he also wants to finally hunt down Meng Yao and Su She.

But at that very moment where he was sitting there looking at the starry sky, he couldn't help but think that he could have stopped Meng Yao back then when he watched Meng Yao kill another student. But at that time, Zhan didn't dare to tell anyone about it. Because Meng Yao was the only one who had exposed his lie. The lie Zhan spread in order not to become a bullying victim again like in the vampire academy.

Ever since then, Zhan wondered if the other classmates in the academy would have left him alone if he had ever been a human? All of them who attended the academy with him had once been human. But not Zhan. From day one, since birth, he was a vampire and never learned what it felt like to be human.

He didn't understand what the others were talking about when they told stories of their past lives as humans. Nor could he empathize with them and understand them when they lamented how much they missed this or that. Because none of that, Zhan had ever known. Even then, Zhan always felt like an outsider.

But when the council came to the academy shortly after school started to wish all the new students, including Zhan, a lot of fun and success, and Zhan had been especially praised and highlighted by the council, most of the others were bitterly upset. Who was Zhan anyway? Nothing more than a much too small and weak vampire who couldn't even fight.

For some reason, that was enough for the other students to mob and hurt Zhan every day from that day on. Whenever he asked why they were doing this to him, they told him because he was never human and can't understand how they feel. And because as a small weak insignificant vampire he would have no right to be praised by the council. A praise from the council had always been something very special for everyone. Almost sacred, because the Council acted on behalf of the Order of Vampires.

And how could it be that someone like Zhan, who was nobody and could do nothing, received praise from the council? The others hated him for it and made his life hell. At that time, Zhan had cried himself to sleep every night. He didn't understand why they hated him so much. They hated him so much that it was enough for him to look at one of them and make them so angry that they hit and kicked him.

So out of fear that this would happen to him again, Zhan had decided to lie whenever he was asked at the university about when he became a vampire. Although Zhan was taller and stronger than most of his fellow students when he entered the university, the fear that the past would repeat itself was still there.

Much to his delight, his lies actually worked very well. Whenever he had been asked when he became a vampire, he vaguely said that he must have been about 3 or 4 years old, and therefore couldn't remember what it was like to live as a human. Everyone believed him and Zhan finally got friends. Nobody bullied or terrorized and beat him.

Only one had found out by chance that Zhan had lied. Namely when Zhan talked to a professor who asked him why he never told anyone that he was never human. And that someone who had overheard the private conversation was Meng Yao!

And when Zhan witnessed Meng Yao killing another student, he wanted to report it. However, he was also afraid for his own life. Yes, he was taller and stronger than he was then. But he didn't want to fight or take any risks. Much to his chagrin, however, Meng Yao had noticed him and threatened him that if he told anyone about the murder, he would reveal Zhan's secret. And Zhan wanted that even less. So he kept quiet.

Zhan had never told anyone what exactly happened back then, even Yibo he had not told the complete story. For which he was ashamed. And today, so many years later, Zhan blames himself for not having done anything. And that only because he was afraid. Yet Zhan's secret came out later at university. But no one hated, bullied, terrorized, beat or kicked him because of it. They treated him the same as before. So why had Zhan kept quiet anyway?

When Zhan snapped out of your thoughts and looked around for Yibo, he couldn't see him anymore. Zhan smirked. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see Yibo. And meanwhile, Yibo could also disguise from him where he was. Because usually Zhan can sense his presence. He usually doesn't need to see where Yibo is, because he can feel it.

But not at that moment. Therefore, it was not surprising that Zhan was startled when Yibo suddenly appeared behind him out of nowhere and put his arms around Zhan, pulling him tightly. "Were you looking for me?" Yibo asked softly. Zhan could feel the vibrations in his back emanating from Yibo's body as he spoke.

"Yes, I did." Replied Zhan. He turned to Yibo and smiled. "My wonderful handsome assassin." He said and kissed Yibo. It always amazed Zhan that it doesn't matter at all how many times he looks at Yibo, he feels that tingle in his stomach every time as his heart starts to race.

"I love you ZhanZhan. And it would be nice if we had some time for ourselves right now. But we need to get into position now. Are you ready?"

"Mhm. I'm ready."

"No matter what happens, you don't have to worry. I'll be near you, nothing will happen to you."

"I know."

"Zhan? Are you really ready?"

"Yes. Don't worry. I know the plan. I'll pretend to hide to ambush Meng Yao and Su She. They'll catch me and we'll clash. You'll emerge from your hiding place while they're least expecting it and kill Su She first and disappear again unseen before waiting for the right moment to kill Meng Yao."

"Exactly."

"Then go to your position now and I'll go to mine."

"Before you do, give me a kiss."

"No, I already gave you a kiss just now. You'll get another one when everything is done."

"Zhan! I want..." Yibo didn't speak further. When Zhan turned back to him, Yibo was gone.

"What the hell?" Zhan muttered, moving to his position. He was to hide behind one of the thick trunks of an oak tree. Of course, Meng Yao and Su She would notice him immediately that way. But that was also the plan. They were to be distracted by Zhan so that Yibo could remain undetected and act.

Minutes passed that seemed like an infinity to Zhan. It had started to rain and Zhan was starting to get nervous. More than 15 minutes ago, they had already heard the distinct sound of someone entering the portal. But so far, neither Meng Yao nor Su She had been seen.

Moreover, Zhan had no idea where Yibo was right now, which bothered him much more. Because if he couldn't even feel Yibo, he felt lonely and somehow defenseless. When had he started to rely on Yibo so much? He himself is also a vampire who can fight.

Another 10 minutes passed in which nothing happened. And just when Zhan wanted to turn his head to the other side and look at the house, someone grabbed him from behind and pulled him into the darkness. All this happened so fast that Zhan had no time to react.

Before Zhan even realized what was happening, someone pushed him down onto his knees and kicked him in the back. Zhan gasped in pain and fell face first. His own blood spilled into his mouth as he accidentally bit his tongue in the fall just now. "Damn." Zhan cursed and spat out the blood.

"Why are you here?" Meng Yao asked him. The voice recognized Zhan immediately.

"What do you think it's for? You want to kill my uncle and aunt. I won't let you!" He replied. Where had Yibo gone?

"Haha, do you actually realize the situation you're in right now?"

"Sure. But I'm not dead yet, am I?"

"Because you're no good to me dead. You think I don't know that somewhere around here your assassin is lurking for me? Oh yeah, I know about the mating. Good news travels fast. So where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Come on. Shouldn't you know where he is?"

"He's an assassin! You don't know where they are until it's too late. And I swear to you, if you kick me again, he'll make you pay for it."

"Haha, sure he will Zhan. But you know, first he has to find us right?"

"What?"

"You know, the crystal key wasn't the only thing we took from the old goldsmith. Guess what, we also found a teleportation ring. And it works very well. You can't get from one town to another with it. But it will teleport you a few miles."

"What does that mean?"

"It means your husband has to find us first to punish us. You didn't really think we'd come here unprepared, did you?"

"No. Of course not."

"Good, and let me tell you this. I'm not going to let anyone stop me from killing everyone who killed my family. Pah, they left my mother and my degenerate brother for me. But they killed everyone else in cold blood."

"Because they committed crimes and didn't stop despite warnings."

"Why should they? First they turn us all into vampires, into beasts. And then we're not allowed to act like them?"

"I'm much more wondering when you started thinking of yourself as part of this family? Didn't you always say back then that you hated your own family?" Zhan knew he had to get Meng Yao to talk somehow. He had to win time for Yibo.

Meng Yao ordered Su She to tie Zhan up. Tied up and on his knees, Zhan could only pray that Yibo would find him. Again Meng Yao kicked him in the back. And again Zhan landed with his face in the dirt. He felt blood running down his face from a small wound on his eyebrow. "I should have killed you back then. Right now, I'm upset that I didn't." Said Meng Yao and once again kicked Zhan's back, who was still lying on the ground.

Zhan gasped, "You'll regret this!"

"What are you going to do about it? A vampire who doesn't accept his own Dark Side and is therefore nothing more than a weak bloodsucker."

"Oh, you obviously don't know everything." Replied Zhan. He transformed into his Dark self and felt his powers rise within him. He managed to pick himself up off the ground and even stand up. Meng Yao clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

"Very nice. Now what? You're still tied up. What are you going to do now?"

"Shut the fuck up." Zhan hissed.

"Su She, go and keep a lookout. That assassin might show up here soon."

"Yes, right away." Replied Su She.

"And be careful. He's dangerous!"

"Yes." And Su She disappeared into the darkness.

Zhan laughed. "You just made the dumbest mistake ever."

"And why?"

"Because now you've only made it easier for my husband."

"I think even an assassin can't defeat Su She that easily."

"Haha, you don't understand Meng Yao. Yibo is not just an assassin. He is a vampire assassin! One of the best assassins ever is a vampire. And he will kill your beloved Su She first and then kill you!"

Meng Yao looked in the direction Su She disappeared. Zhan thought that Meng Yao looked worried. And it became clear when Meng Yao shouted, "Su She! Come back!" And Su She did not come back.

Meanwhile, Yibo had in fact caught up with the three of them. He saw Su She walking among some trees. Yibo jumped from one branch of the tree, to another, and was right above Su She. He sat down on the branch and lowered his upper body while holding onto the branch with his legs.

He had a loop of wire with him, which he slowly lowered. Su She only looked around him, but not up. And even if he had looked up, he probably still wouldn't have been able to see Yibo. Hidden in the tree among all the branches and leaves, he was almost invisible. In darkness and with nature merged.

When Su She wanted to go further, he ran directly into Yibo's loop. Yibo immediately tightened it. He sat up and let himself slide onto the nearest branch below while pulling the end of the loop with him, pulling Su She up with the loop around his neck. Gasping and kicking, Su She tried to free himself. But, he didn't make it.

Instead, Yibo attached the end of the rope to the branch and jumped down from the tree. He stood directly in front of Su She, who was hanging about 30 centimeters above the ground. He took out his knife and said softly, "Last wishes will not be taken today." Then he plunged his knife into Su She's chest. The latter stared in horror at Yibo and dissolved into ash in less than 30 seconds.

"Remains one more." Yibo whispered and climbed back up the tree.

Meanwhile, Zhan stood with his back against a tree while Meng Yao pressed his sword to his throat. "You will die tonight Xiao Zhan."

Gasping, Zhan replied, "Wang Xiao Zhan!"

"Oh please, as you wish. Wang Xiao Zhan it is. But that doesn't change the fact that you will die. And I will make you suffer because your husband killed my best friend. What do you think of that?"

"Quite a stupid idea."

"And why?"

"Because Yibo is already very close. And he will kill you mercilessly."

"Haha, let him come. Before he can kill me, though, you'll die!"

"I hardly think so." Replied Yibo, who used the same method he had just used with Su She, now on Meng Yao. He tightened the loop tightly around Meng Yao's neck and pulled him upward.

Meng Yao stared in shock at Zhan and dropped his sword. "I told you!" Said Zhan and slammed his fist into his stomach several times. Meng Yao gasped and spat blood.

When Yibo came down from the tree, Zhan stopped punching. Yibo looked at Zhan's face and the swelling. He wiped the blood from Zhan's face and kissed him. "Sorry that it took so long." He whispered.

"It's okay." Replied Zhan. 

After Yibo took off his ties, Zhan sat against the tree and looked at Meng Yao, who was still hanging there and fidgeting. Yibo walked slowly around him several times and said, "What do I start with first? The foot you kicked my husband with? Or your hands with which you touched my husband? I can't make up my mind. And actually, I'm not one to kill someone slowly and agonizingly. That doesn't fit with assassins. But then again, I'm a vampire now. So that should be fine. And for your sins, you should be properly punished."

"Ng. No." Meng Yao gasped.

"Mhhh I don't understand you. Are you having trouble speaking? Oh yeah, that's right. You have a loop around your neck. My bad."

"Krrr... na... not... arg."

"Sorry. But I still don't understand you. But I don't feel like listening to you anyway. I was already satisfied with the little bit you said to my husband. Oh, before I kill you right now, you should hear it from me again. My husband, my precious one, is called WANG XIAO ZHAN! And knowing you dared to touch what's mine, the first thing I'm going to do is your dirty hands." Said Yibo. He took the Night Black Sword out of its hilt and with two quick strokes, he had cut off Meng Yao's hands.

Throaty choked sounds came from Meng Yao. But Yibo, who was now transformed, was so angry that he just wanted to make Meng Yao suffer. He cut off his legs and roared, "How dare you kick my husband! Look at his face! He was even bleeding you lousy piece of shit!"

Zhan stood up and wrapped his arms around Yibo. "Calm down. I'm all right. Calm down, I'm here." He whispered. Yibo slowly calmed down. He put an arm around Zhan and with his Free Hand, he swung the Night Black Sword and thrust it into Meng Yao's chest.

Yibo and Zhan watched as Meng Yao died and his ashes fell to the ground. And only then did Yibo drop the sword. He put both hands to Zhan's cheeks and kissed him. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was beginning to think I was too late. I just saw someone reaching for you and the next moment you were gone."

Zhan held Yibo tightly in his arms and said, "It's over now. You did it Yibo. We can now go back home and live our lives again."

"Yes, we will. I love you Zhan."

"I love you Yibo. Come on, let's go tell my uncle and then we'll finally go home." Replied Zhan.

Yibo picked up the sword and put it back in its hilt. Then he took Zhan's hand and they both went back to Zhan's uncle and told him that Meng Yao and Su She were dead. They also informed the council about it, who were very relieved and grateful. And that same night, the two of them set off for home.

While Zhan slept in the car, Yibo drove and kept looking at Zhan. Shock still sat deep in him as he watched Zhan get grabbed and disappear. For a moment, he thought he had lost him. But then he felt Zhan deep inside him and followed that feeling until he found him. And was just relieved that Zhan was still alive.

The plan didn't go the way Yibo wanted it to. But in the end, he was able to kill Meng Yao and Su She as promised. And also, protect his Zhan. He knew that Zhan could have fought as well. He knows how strong Zhan really is. But, he doesn't want Zhan to fight. Because that's what he's there for. He will protect Zhan, no matter from whom or what.