The two girls also looked at Sunny with regret. Sunny's bird-like expression really made it impossible for me to sleep comfortably. It was rare for me to act cool for once, but Sunny was quite straightforward, tactfully expressing his regret and hinting at my incompetence, then slinging his genuine Nike bag over his shoulder and heading off to play basketball.

The other classmates, knowing we had private matters to discuss, could only leave first with envy. If you said the two beauties were interested in me, they definitely wouldn't believe it, but just being able to spend time alone with them was an honor in itself. Besides, I'd never heard of the two girls inviting anyone out before—this was a first.

Once everyone had left, my bravado vanished completely. "If you two beauties have anything important to say, just say it!" After all, I'd already come this far—if I chickened out now, I'd really be a coward.

The two girls couldn't help but giggle at my feigned composure, which made my lustful thoughts stir again... Miss Bennett, your chest is just too distracting, and Emily Carter's smile is simply too enchanting. This must be what they mean by "a smile that topples a city, a hundred charms arise."

"See you at eight tonight, in the woods to the right of the main field!" Emily Carter said, trying not to laugh. She picked up her bag and, without waiting for my reply, pulled Grace Bennett along as they walked out.

As Grace Bennett was about to leave, she suddenly shot me a bone-chilling glare, making me shiver. I could hear peals of laughter from outside the door.

Damn, looks like something's really up. Eight o'clock, at night, full moon, transformation, vampires...

The more I thought about it, the more wrong it seemed. But I was ready to risk it all—even pull the emperor off his horse if I had to. Besides, I'm full of yang energy, definitely not afraid. I psyched myself up for a while, grabbed my "Furious Dragon Crosses the River" and dashed out.

"Grace, stop scaring him, don't let anything happen."

"Come on, Emily, you're already worried and nothing's even happened yet. Relax, if he doesn't even have this much courage, how could he ever be our companion?"

"Please, I'm not worried about him. But you, you should consider Sunny—from any angle, he's good enough for you." Emily Carter looked at Grace Bennett teasingly, but unfortunately, her teasing skills were a bit lacking.

"Heh, are you afraid I'll steal your gray prince? Sunny is not bad, but he still needs to be tested. If his eighteenth birthday is coming up, I'm a bit curious."

"Alright, stop daydreaming. The more companions we have, the stronger we'll be!"

After I got back, I gathered all the resources I could use—garlic, which you can buy at the market, a string of crosses, and a string of Buddhist beads. Who knows which "department" they're from.

Even though I wished time would slow down, it wouldn't stop for me. Even though I turned off my alarm, the school's big clock still struck eight. I gritted my teeth, stomped my feet, and charged out!

For the first time, I realized how dark it was outside—maybe because my heart was dark... Actually, the moon was really bright. If Chang'e were up there, I could probably see her. Our school is at a higher elevation—no choice, that's the nature of hilly terrain. And for peace and quiet, the school was built near the sea and the mountains. Our main field is like a small basin, with a quiet little grove to the southeast. The school was so quiet at this hour, only the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard. The gentle breeze that used to feel pleasant now seemed a bit eerie.

I arrived at the edge of the woods as agreed, actually five minutes late. No one was there. Boohoo, God bless me, I'm outta here!

Just as I turned around, a figure suddenly appeared behind me, scaring me so much I jumped straight into the woods. It was Grace Bennett, laughing loudly.

"Wow, beauty, are you kidding me? People scaring people can be deadly! My poor little heart is still pounding!"

Grace Bennett smiled gently like a goddess. "And you call yourself a man? You're already this scared—wait till later, you might just die of fright!"

Damn, who says men have to be super brave? Wait, die of fright later???

"Um, beauty, what did you want to see me about? If you have a crush on me, just say it. Where's Emily Carter?" When things reach an extreme, they reverse. In this situation, I actually got a lot braver. Daytime beauties and nighttime beauties are two different things. Under the moonlight, there's an extra layer of hazy allure, as if the impossible has become even more seductive. Looks like my courage is pretty big after all, to still be thinking like this at a time like this.

"Hehe, look at you—who would have a crush on you? As for Emily Carter, look behind you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, all the sounds around me disappeared. It was as if I had been locked in a sealed little room—everything around me was black, but Grace Bennett was still just as clear, even glowing a little.

Like a shadow, Emily Carter appeared out of nowhere, right beside Grace Bennett... floating in midair. Looks like my luck's run out—I've run into a ghost.

Fear is a reaction to the unknown. But when the moment came, I became completely calm—unbelievably calm, even I found it strange!

"Um, can I ask a question? Are you two beauties demons? Ghosts? Aliens? Martians?" Only after I said it did I realize how stupid the question was.

Sure enough, the two girls laughed so hard they couldn't straighten up.

"What do you think we are?" Emily Carter said charmingly.

"I'd rather you two gorgeous ladies were fox spirits. I heard they're as beautiful as you, and passionate too—they wouldn't hurt a lovesick young man like me."