Chapter 11

"Now tell me who this person is!" Mu Li demanded, pointing her fork at him.

The waiter placed two steaming plates of pasta carbonara in front of them, but she didn't take her eyes off her brother.

Mu Yang laughed. "Wouldn't you rather eat first?"

She gave him a mock-stern look. "Of course not! This is the first time my brother has ever talked to me about someone he's interested in. I've been waiting for days—now I just want to know who this werewolf is."

"He's not a werewolf."

"A human, then?"

"A vampire."

Mu Li frowned. Resting her chin in her hand, she stared at him. Then her eyes widened. "Is it that vampire?"

Mu Yang nodded with a smile, and she did the same. "What's he like?"

"Reserved. Interesting."

Mu Li finally twirled some noodles around her fork and brought them to her mouth. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste. After Chinese food, Italian was her favorite.

As she chewed, she watched her brother's face: there was a joyful, peaceful look in his eyes. And that made her happy too.

"Have you kissed yet?"

Mu Yang choked as his food went down the wrong way. He coughed violently. His sister handed him a glass of water, which he gratefully drank.

"Jiejie!" he exclaimed once he'd caught his breath.

But she didn't even flinch.

"Yes," he finally admitted, setting the glass back on the table.

With a satisfied smile, Mu Li took a sip of wine, eyeing the slight blush on her brother's cheeks. "When do I get to meet him?"

"Not yet."

"But Mom and Dad already met him!" she said, pouting.

"That was an accident. And they don't know we're dating."

"Fine. But tell that vampire that if he ever hurts you, he'll have to deal with me!"

Mu Yang smiled. He loved his sister dearly. She had always been protective, but never intrusive or overbearing.

"I'll let him know," he said—though they both knew he wouldn't.

"And you?"

She shrugged. "No one interesting."

After dinner, they strolled through the downtown streets for a long while, then Mu Yang walked his sister home.

He watched her step inside and waited until he saw the apartment lights turn on before starting the car and driving away.