My Demon Friends

Because Huai Xu and Qinghe had gone out to steal beef jerky, Zhou Li decided not to take a nap, so Zheng Zhilan wouldn't feel lonely.

He spent half an hour teaching Zheng Zhilan how to listen to audio novels to pass the time.

But he regretted it as soon as he had taught her.

Because Zheng Zhilan casually selected a domineering CEO novel and began listening with an expression so serious it was almost solemn.

A submissive and foolish young woman.

A domineering CEO who was perpetually "cold" and "indifferent."

A beautiful second female lead from a prominent family.

A handsome, gentle, and charming second male lead.

Zhou Li listened alongside, and as he did, he gradually fell asleep on the couch. Zheng Zhilan didn't wake him. Instead, she paused the audio, covered him with a blanket, and then sat down to continue listening, glancing at Zhou Li from time to time.

The sunlight outside was blinding. The thick curtains blocked most of it, leaving the room dim—perfect for a nap.

Half an hour later, Zhou Li woke up.

Zheng Zhilan paused the audio again and tilted her head to ask, "Do you want to go sleep in the bedroom?"

"No need, I've slept enough."

"Oh."

Zheng Zhilan clicked on the screen again.

Zhou Li noticed that she had changed the narrator's voice from a gentle woman's to a cute girl's, and it seemed she had even switched to a different novel. Apparently, even though Miss Zheng hadn't been tainted by the scourge of web novels, her own firm principles gave her a strong immunity to domineering CEO stories.

Zhou Li listened carefully. It seemed to be a story about a girl and a down-and-out Great Devil King.

He breathed a small sigh of relief.

At five o'clock, Huai Xu and Qinghe still hadn't returned.

Zhou Li took Miss Zheng out.

Their destination was the chicken soup rice noodle shop Brother Nan had taken Zhou Li to during their previous circum-biking trip around Dian Lake. The shop wasn't far from Dianchi Dam, so Zhou Li first took Zheng Zhilan to the lakeside to enjoy the breeze.

The Dianchi Dam was not like the small fishing village Zhou Li and Brother Nan had visited. When they had visited the small fishing village, it had just been the two of them and an older woman spreading manure on garlic seedlings. This place, however, being right next to the city, was a famous tourist destination in Chunming, bustling with people.

Zhou Li bought Zheng Zhilan a grilled sausage, coated with chili, and walked with her slowly along the dam.

"Take it slow, we're coming up to some steps."

"Mm."

It was a bit cold in the afternoon, and the wind was strong. The wind whipped Zheng Zhilan's hair against her face, stinging. She occasionally turned her head. To her, Dian Lake appeared as a vast expanse of jade, the sky a blurred blue, and the setting sun cast a golden light.

The clamorous cries of seagulls filled the air.

There was a faint fishy smell in the air.

"The weather is really nice," she said.

"Are you cold?" Zhou Li asked.

"Not cold."

Zheng Zhilan paused, took a careful bite of the piping hot, spicy grilled sausage, and asked, "Is Dian Lake a sea?"

Zhou Li was about to deny it but then looked towards the distance.

West Mountain was shrouded in mist, blurring the edges of Dian Lake. Flocks of seagulls hovered, ready to snatch food from tourists' hands.

So he said, "More or less, but there's no beach."

Zheng Zhilan nodded.

As they continued walking, Zhou Li bought her a stick of candied haws after she finished the grilled sausage, peeled off the plastic wrapper, and handed it to her. Zheng Zhilan smiled shyly but didn't refuse.

The glow of sunset descended.

They stopped, leaning against the railing at the edge of the dam, gazing at the swath of orange and red on the horizon.

Many people around them held up their phones to take pictures. Zhou Li, however, just turned to look at Zheng Zhilan. She too was quietly watching the sunset, the fading light reflected in her eyes—scattered and faint, like a glimmer of light in a desolate place.

As the sun set, Zhou Li took her for rice noodles.

When they arrived home by taxi, Huai Xu and Qinghe had already returned. Plenty of beef jerky was laid out on the coffee table.

Huai Xu eagerly greeted them, "Hurry, hurry, try some! We stole three flavors: spicy, numbing spicy, and five-spice! There was also a plain one, but I didn't think it tasted good, so I didn't take any!"

Seeing Zhou Li's resigned expression, Huai Xu quickly added, "I left money for them after stealing it!"

"Really?" Zhou Li was surprised. "How much did you leave?"

"Twenty."

Zhou Li tasted the beef jerky; it was quite delicious.

After a while, they went to the entrance of their residential complex, bought some takeout barbecue, and enjoyed it together in the living room.

And so the day passed.

「The next day was Saturday, no classes.」

Huai Xu had reverted to his original form. Zhou Li took him and Zheng Zhilan to a nearby commercial plaza for hot pot. Poor Qinghe had to stay home and eat the stolen beef jerky, waiting for Huai Xu to order him takeout.

They had found the hot pot restaurant on Meituan; it had good ratings.

Just as they reached the entrance of the plaza, Huai Xu suddenly poked Zhou Li's back. When Zhou Li turned around, Huai Xu wore an expression that screamed 'get ready for some drama!' He snickered, nudging his chin towards someone up ahead—

"Look ahead! Heh heh."

"What?"

Zhou Li looked over, puzzled.

He saw three girls laughing and chatting as they exited the mall. The one in the middle was tall with long legs and stunning looks. A tuft of hair on her head, resembling an antenna, swayed in the wind, attracting many stares.

It was none other than Brother Nan, along with Mianmian and Qian Qian.

At that moment, Brother Nan also noticed the three of them.

She paused for a moment, then walked over with a smile and greeted them, "What a coincidence, what are you guys doing here?"

"To eat... eat hot pot. What about you?"

"We came to watch a movie."

"Just the three of you?"

"No, your cousin's behind us; she insisted on buying an ice cream cone," Brother Nan said, her gaze shifting past Huai Xu to Zheng Zhilan. "This quiet and gentle girl must be..."

"Zheng Zhilan."

After finishing, Zhou Li turned to Zheng Zhilan and said, "This is Brother Nan, my high school and university classmate, and also my deskmate."

Zheng Zhilan understood and nodded repeatedly.

After nodding, she continued to stare straight at Brother Nan.

Brother Nan flashed a radiant smile at Zheng Zhilan. "My full name is Li Nan, but everyone calls me Brother Nan. Zhou Li has told me about you. I didn't expect you to be so pretty! I like beautiful girls, and I especially like your type..."

Zheng Zhilan's face turned slightly red, and she hummed in acknowledgment.

Seeing that she wasn't very talkative, Brother Nan stopped teasing her. She waved her hand and said, "Well, you guys have fun. We're heading off. Oh, Zhou Li, are you going to driving practice this afternoon?"

"I am."

"Alright then."

Brother Nan left.

Mianmian and Qian Qian followed Brother Nan, Cokes still in hand, occasionally glancing back curiously. Their gazes eventually fixed on Huai Xu, and they stared so intently they nearly tripped, not watching where they were going.

Heh, dorky cuties!

At that moment, Zheng Zhilan tugged at Zhou Li's clothes and whispered, "Is your classmate also a Heavenly Master?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"She's very special."

"Can you see her clearly?"

"Very clearly."

"She is indeed very special..." Zhou Li paused, an unwitting smile playing on his lips. "And very interesting. Would you like to get to know her?"

"Um..."

Little Zheng hesitated. After a moment of thought, she shook her head. "I have to return to Yan City in a couple of days."

"We'll see if there's a chance. I can introduce you then."

"Okay."

"Be careful, there's a doorstep here."

Zhou Li helped Zheng Zhilan lift the curtain, instinctively steadying her hand. Just as they entered the mall, he looked up and saw Baozi standing behind the transparent glass door, holding an ice cream, apparently peeking at them.

When discovered, Baozi came out openly.

Still wearing her usual poker face, she greeted Huai Xu without expression, "Long time no see."

Huai Xu nodded in disappointment. "Long time no see, cousin."

Baozi hummed in acknowledgment and then asked Zhou Li, "Where are you going?"

"To eat hot pot."

"This girl is..."

"She's a friend of mine," Zhou Li finished, then quickly said to Zheng Zhilan, "She's my cousin, Bao Ran."

"Ji Ran," Baozi corrected.

"Oh, right, Ji Ran. Sorry about that."

"It's okay." Baozi seemed unconcerned, taking a lick of her ice cream. "This hot pot you're getting—are you treating, or is it Dutch treat?"

"I'm treating."

"Great, then count me in."

Upon hearing this, Huai Xu's eyes widened—

Look at her! Cultured people really are different, huh? Even their way of mooching a meal is so sophisticated.

A nonchalant 'Count me in.'

As if she were offering to chip in for the cost.

Huai Xu made a mental note.

Meanwhile, Zhou Li was clearly confused. He looked back at Brother Nan and the others waiting at the traffic light down the road. "Aren't you joining them?"

"No."

Baozi took another small lick of her ice cream. "They're going back for noodles. I don't think noodles are as good as hot pot."

Before Zhou Li could respond, Huai Xu chimed in—

"I think so too!"