My Demon Friends

Brother Nan was straightforward and not one to hold grudges. That's why Zhou Li got hit the moment they stepped out of the store. What was infuriating was that Huai Xu, this old monster, was not only snickering on the side—causing passersby to nearly walk into lampposts—but even took out her phone to take photos.

Back at home, the sound effects of Fruit Ninja played incessantly, occasionally punctuated by the sound of exploding bombs.

Zhou Li moved closer to Tuanzi.

Tuanzi lay alone on the couch, intently staring at the phone in front of her. Her big eyes darted around, her head turning with them, and occasionally, she would clumsily swipe a paw across the screen.

SWIPE, SWIPE, SWIPE... BOOM!

Zhou Li pursed his lips. "Dead."

Tuanzi just turned her head to glance at him, said nothing, and tapped to start another round.

Zhou Li continued to squat beside her, watching. She looks especially adorable when she plays games, he thought. So petite, her eyes sparkling from the screen's reflection, and her little head unconsciously bobbing along with the flying and falling fruit. But her reactivity is terrible, a disgrace to all cats. And she's clumsy. Despite knowing bombs shouldn't be sliced, she can't help herself.

Another round ended.

Tuanzi turned her head to Zhou Li, her voice full of grievance. "Zhou Li, Lord Dumpling keeps dying..."

"You're already better than me. I die even faster."

"You're lying."

"Really."

"Then can you pass this level?"

"If Lord Dumpling can't pass it, how could I?"

Just then, Huai Xu's voice came from the side. "What can't be passed? Let me! I can pass it!"

Zhou Li ignored her, patting Tuanzi's head and whispering, "Huai Xu is a big idiot. Let's ignore her. Stupidity is a disease, and it's contagious."

"I can hear you!" Huai Xu shouted.

"Meow, she heard us!" Tuanzi blinked.

"Still, let's ignore her," Zhou Li whispered. "Let's just pretend she never said anything."

"Meow~~"

"Why? Why are you ignoring me? I just helped you cheat on your exam this morning! This is burning the bridge now that you've crossed it!"

"What does Lord Dumpling want for dinner tonight?"

"Rice mixed with fish soup."

"I want naan!"

"Okay, we'll have rice mixed with fish soup."

"I want the ultimate durian double-topping pizza!"

"Lord Dumpling, do you hear a buzzing sound, like a mosquito?" Zhou Li winked at Tuanzi with his left eye.

"Didn't hear anything, meow!"

"Ungrateful wretch! Burning the bridge after crossing it! So quick to turn hostile and heartless! Discarding the bow once the birds are gone! Boiling the hounds once the hares are caught! Repaying kindness with malice... Next time, I'll turn into some strange woman, get cozy with you, take a picture, and send it to Li Daimao! I'll even secretly take compromising photos of you..."

Zhou Li was stunned for a moment. This old monster's cultural understanding has actually improved!

That evening, Zhou Li did indeed go out with Huai Xu to eat pickled fish, and he packed fish soup with rice for Tuanzi to take back.

The fish soup wasn't their leftovers; Zhou Li had packed it into a thermal container full of fish meat as soon as it was served. Initially, Tuanzi had demanded he buy ten bowls for her so she could eat her fill, but Zhou Li only packed more than half a bowl for her.

Even that, she couldn't finish, eating only half before she was full. So, she lay down and stared blankly at the rice soaked in soup.

「Sunday, the 15th.」

The semester was nearly over, bringing with it the peak season for freshman welcome galas hosted by various institutes. Some institutes needed long rehearsal times because their welcome gala programs were high quality, while others were simply procrastinating. Zhou Li had no idea which category his own institute fell into.

「At 6:50 in the evening.」

The classes of the Life Sciences Institute gathered at the auditorium entrance, where class monitors were taking attendance.

Several people from Zhou Li's class hadn't arrived yet. Zhong Xin had already counted several times, and the student union suggested it was best to wait until everyone was present. Brother Nan's class was in a similar situation. However, she didn't take attendance herself; she had the class academic representative do it while she watched from the side.

Occasional complaints could be heard from those around him.

Zhou Li, however, was patient, looking ahead with his head raised. Being tall, he could see far.

The auditorium was meticulously decorated. A red carpet extended to the entrance, flanked by tall flower baskets and adorned with balloons. Two rows of tall girls in red cheongsams and high heels also stood there; their delicate makeup and pale legs were very eye-catching.

Student union officers in suits moved between the classes, maintaining order and distributing programs.

Students from a few classes gradually entered.

At seven o'clock, students from classes three and four still hadn't all arrived. However, the student union didn't make them wait any longer and assigned someone to lead them to their designated seating area.

As freshmen, their seats were fairly close to the front.

Zhou Li sat in an aisle seat. Huai Xu will probably come join the fun soon, he thought. This old monster is always so chatty; she'll definitely not be able to resist sharing her thoughts with me during the program.

Sure enough, just as everyone had settled in and the auditorium lights dimmed, he heard a soft POP!

Huai Xu appeared out of nowhere.

She wasn't fussy, simply sitting down in the aisle next to Zhou Li and looking around.

"They've made it look quite presentable!"

"So many people!"

"Are the hosts supposed to be dressed up so nicely?"

"..."

Zhou Li didn't speak to her, just stared straight ahead.

There were four hosts in total—two male and two female. Two were sophomores, and the other two were freshmen. Initially, the student union had reportedly wanted to ask Brother Nan to be a female host. After all, she was exceptionally beautiful and would outshine even celebrities in an evening gown. Her Mandarin wasn't great, though... But Brother Nan found it too troublesome and declined, as her nearly ten club memberships and driving school already took up too much of her time. Later, she had a falling out with the student union.

After a few speeches, the show began.

The first performance was a group classical dance, which Zhou Li found quite appealing. The second was a musical. The third was a skit by their class; due to equipment issues, many people couldn't hear the dialogue clearly.

Surprisingly, there was even a raffle segment. The draw was conducted via a WeChat Official Account. The prizes, sponsored by the Organization Department, started with a case of iced tea.

Zhou Li instinctively turned to look at Brother Nan.

Brother Nan sat as still as a mountain.

Zhou Li didn't participate either.

The next few performances weren't very exciting. There was a jazz dance where the female students' skills were average and their figures weren't particularly impressive. Another act was a song medley, which was sung off-key. However, a crosstalk performance was excellent—the best of the evening so far.

Zhou Li saw someone in front passing around a program and asked to see it. Little Cousin's performance was fourth from last.

His phone chimed—

Li Daimao: Is it good?

Zhou Li: It's okay.

Li Daimao: I think it's boring.

Zhou Li: The crosstalk was good.

Li Daimao: Right, just that crosstalk was good. There's a tango later, heard it's not bad either.

Zhou Li: Oh.

Li Daimao: Why hasn't your cousin gone on stage yet...

Zhou Li: She's fourth from last.

Li Daimao: Boring. Have you had dinner yet?

Zhou Li: Not yet.

As they chatted, Huai Xu's head leaned over, peering at his phone screen—sitting cross-legged on the floor, she was at the perfect height to snoop on Zhou Li's phone.

Zhou Li didn't mind.

Finally, it was Little Cousin's turn. Staff members moved the piano from the side of the stage a little closer to the center.

Zhou Li immediately straightened up, his gaze fixed on the stage.

Baozi appeared, dressed in a sequined, cream-colored long gown, her long hair tied in a bun at the back of her head. The hairstylist was probably aiming for a dignified and elegant look, Zhou Li guessed, but it only accentuated her fair, round, and irresistibly cute 'baozi' face.

Baozi walked onto the stage from the side, gracefully sat down at the piano, and dry ice fog began to rise around her.

"She looks so beautiful!" Huai Xu said beside Zhou Li.

"Yeah."

The soothing piano melody began, as gentle as flowing water.

The auditorium instantly fell silent.

Little Cousin played a very famous piece, one that even those who rarely listened to piano music would find familiar—Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata, First Movement."

The lake reflected the moonlight, shimmering with ripples. A small boat drifted in the center of the lake. The moonlight was cool, and the boat swayed gently, almost imperceptibly. Everything was calm and tender.

A few minutes later, Little Cousin rose and bowed.

Applause erupted.

After the current performance, there would be one more, and then Brother Yao's street dance as the finale, which was expected to be very exciting.

Zhou Li grew increasingly expectant.

Li Daimao: Don't feel like watching anymore. Want to get some spicy snail noodles?

Zhou Li: ...It's almost over.

Li Daimao: Feels so boring.

Zhou Li: I want to watch a bit more.

Li Daimao: I'm hungry.

Zhou Li: Let's go.

Zhou Li sighed and stood up. Seeing that Huai Xu showed no signs of leaving, he simply walked past her and headed outside.

Before exiting the auditorium, he glanced back. In the front row, a group of boys wearing reflective clothing, their faces painted with gold powder, were getting up to go backstage and prepare.

Zhou Li shook his head. He was, after all, a kind person.

Brother Yao should thank me for this, he thought.

A few minutes later, the two arrived at the spicy snail noodle shop. Zhou Li inhaled deeply; the distinct aroma of spicy snail noodles filled his nostrils.

Brother Nan looked at the menu and said, "Two bowls of spicy snail noodles. For mine, add an extra portion of noodles, a marinated egg, a portion of tofu skin, and pickled bamboo shoots... Oh, and add a small chicken drumstick for me. What are you adding?"

"Pickled bamboo shoots."

"What? You've started liking sour things too?"

"Spicy snail noodles have to have pickled bamboo shoots to taste good."

Zhou Li genuinely believed this; when he ate spicy snail noodles, he not only added extra pickled bamboo shoots but also poured in white vinegar.

The owner acknowledged their order and began to cook the noodles.

Zhou Li took a piece of paper to wipe the oily table, first in front of Brother Nan, then in front of himself, saying, "I heard our department's Street Dance Club has a tradition of public confessions during the freshman welcome gala."

"Hmm? Really?"

"Really."

"Oh dear! We missed it then!"

"..."

Zhou Li stole a glance at Brother Nan's expression and said nothing.