Chapter 8

Jia Hao had been thinking all day about his encounter with the werewolf the previous evening.

Mu Yang had been so open and relaxed in his manner, while Jia Hao himself had been tense and reserved. His gaze—so bright and genuine—was still vividly etched in his mind. So unlike the harshness of his fellow warriors or the guarded looks of those in his own family circle.

He regretted having ended the dinner so abruptly and wondered if he had offended him.

And he couldn't quite understand why that thought unsettled him so much.

It mattered to him, he realized.

He didn't want Mu Yang to think that the one who had saved his life was just a cold, arrogant vampire.

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He was still dwelling on those thoughts when he arrived at the restaurant where they had agreed to meet. As soon as he stepped inside, Mu Yang spotted him and raised his hand with a smile. Jia Hao walked over to him.

"You're early," he said.

"So are you."

"Did you wait long?"

"No, just a few minutes. My parents are already here."

Mu Yang gestured toward a table at the far end of the dining room, where a middle-aged couple stood up as soon as they saw him approaching.

His mother smiled warmly and held out her hand. "You must be Jia Hao. We've heard so much about you. Thank you for what you did for our son."

His father gave him a firm handshake and nodded. "Please, have a seat. You're our guest tonight."

Jia Hao returned the gesture and sat beside Mu Yang, surprised by the ease with which he was welcomed.

"We're really grateful," Mu Yang's mother said again. "He came home with injuries but insisted on going back out. We were so worried."

"I understand. But your son is brave and capable. He helped me as much as I helped him."

Mu Yang looked down, a shy smile playing on his lips.

His father cleared his throat. "So, how did the two of you meet?"

Mu Yang and Jia Hao exchanged a glance. Jia Hao let him answer first.

"In the forest. I… I was being chased by some rogue wolves. Jia Hao helped me escape."

"And you got injured during that?"

"Not just that. He also saved my life," Mu Yang said simply.

Jia Hao felt a sudden tightness in his chest. Mu Yang's words were honest, stripped of drama. Just truth.

The rest of the dinner passed smoothly. The food was excellent, and Mu Yang's parents asked questions with genuine interest, never pushing, always polite. Jia Hao found himself relaxing in their company.

When they finally said goodbye outside the restaurant, Mu Yang's father patted Jia Hao's shoulder.

"You're welcome at our home anytime."

Mu Yang's mother gave him another warm smile. "Take care of yourself. And of each other."

Mu Yang walked him to his car. For a moment, they stood in silence.

"Thanks for coming," Mu Yang said.

"Thanks for inviting me. Your parents are… different from what I expected."

Mu Yang laughed softly. "They liked you. I could tell."

Jia Hao smiled. "I liked them too."

Another pause.

"Well," Mu Yang said, stepping back, "I'll see you soon?"

"You will."

He got into the car and drove off, but the warmth lingered in his chest long after he was gone.