My Demon Friends

PING... PONG... PING...

The sound of the ping pong ball bouncing was crisp and pleasant.

Teachers usually didn't go to the gym or sports field to play table tennis. Firstly, they were too lazy to run, and secondly, they feared being utterly defeated by the students. Fortunately, there were table tennis tables in the small plaza outside the administrative building and near the classrooms and dormitories.

Zhou Qianqian was a regular at these two spots. She was also a dominant player.

Today, the Dean was still there, but there was also an unfamiliar face, said to be the new principal who had just taken office this year. This was a significant figure.

The principal was sixty this year. He was of average height, with salt-and-pepper hair and age spots, yet his facial features seemed young. He possessed the scholarly aura of an educator and was amiable, always smiling cheerily when playing with any teacher.

Zhou Qianqian quickly discerned the principal's real level.

Probably only a quarter of her own. Roughly equivalent to half the Dean's.

Currently, two teachers from other departments were playing on the court. Zhou Qianqian wasn't really familiar with them, just fellow table tennis players, while the principal and the Dean stood by her side, chatting.

With a knack for gossip, the principal remarked, "Your college has had some big news recently. The youth nowadays, really impressive!"

"What? Oh, that!" The Dean snapped back to his senses. "That girl is indeed impressive; seems like she's from Teacher Zhou's class. A true disciple of Teacher Zhou's, haha..."

"I'm actually quite curious, how did one girl manage to defeat so many guys?" the principal asked with a smile.

"Let Teacher Zhou tell you about it," the Dean said.

"COUGH, COUGH... It's nothing!" Zhou Qianqian said. "Young people, you know, are like that. It wasn't a big deal, so I didn't interfere much. Interfering too much might make them uncomfortable and hurt their pride."

"Teacher Zhou is being sensible..."

At this point, it was the Dean's turn. He greeted the principal and went up to take the paddle.

Today, the Dean's skill was spot on; he was in great form and quickly defeated the teacher opposite him.

Then it was the principal's turn to play.

Zhou Qianqian breathed a sigh of relief, standing aside with her arms crossed, watching.

She could almost picture the Dean utterly defeating the principal, just as she herself had utterly defeated the Dean.

But then something baffling happened. The principal served a slightly strange ball, which the Dean actually failed to return.

That ball was indeed a bit odd, but it shouldn't have been impossible to return, right?

What she found even more unbelievable was that the normally timid Dean actually furrowed his brow and questioned the principal about how that ball was served.

The principal, far from angry, laughed and explained his unique technique to the Dean.

Upon hearing the explanation, the Dean had an epiphany and gave a thumbs-up. "That's an interesting shot, very skilled! It seems Principal Fang has some exceptional insights into table tennis. I must learn more from Principal Fang when I have the chance!"

Throughout the game, the principal never lost his smile, even when he was eventually defeated by the Dean.

Zhou Qianqian stood by, stunned.

Tuanzi sidled up to Zhou Li, looked up at him, hesitated for a moment, then asked with concern, "Zhou Li, what just happened?"

"Nothing, we just played a game."

"'But Lord Dumpling heard you shouting that it hurt, though it sounded a bit fake. You also said you knew you were wrong,' Tuanzi said, puzzled. 'So how come you don't have any injuries?'"

"Because it was a game."

"'You're always tricking Lord Dumpling! Just now you were clearly being beaten. Lord Dumpling often sees you humans fighting,' Tuanzi affirmed, 'especially males being beaten by females!'"

"Who said that?"

Zhou Li picked up Tuanzi. "You're too young to be thinking about such violent things; that's how children turn bad. Next time you see humans fighting, cover your eyes, understand?"

"Why?"

"'Because little children shouldn't see such things. Watching Animal Planet is enough for you.'" Zhou Li grabbed her tail.

"'But they fight on Animal Planet too,' Tuanzi retorted. 'Male lions often hit female lions, and they even climb on top of female lions to hit them!'"

"..."

Seeing Zhou Li's expression turn a bit strange, Brother Nan quickly asked him, "What did she say?"

Zhou Li shook his head. "Nothing."

"Tch!"

So, Brother Nan snatched Tuanzi from Zhou Li's arms, lifted her high, and glared intently at her.

"Hey, you Little Demon!"

"MEOW~"

"What did she say?" Brother Nan turned to ask Zhou Li.

"'She says she's a Great Demon, very fierce, and is telling you to put her down,' Zhou Li translated."

"Really?"

Brother Nan looked back at Tuanzi. Seeing Tuanzi nod, she was quite amazed. She put Tuanzi down and extended a hand. "Then let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Li Nan, the Child of Destiny. Hello, Tuanzi."

Tuanzi merely gave her a fleeting glance, ignored her, and ran back to Zhou Li, clambering onto his leg and making it tickle.

Brother Nan picked her up again. "You haven't shaken hands or spoken to me yet."

"MEOW~~"

Brother Nan immediately turned to Zhou Li.

Zhou Li pondered for a moment. "'She says she's pleased to meet you.'"

A snort of laughter came from the side. Huai Xu had snickered quietly.

Then, Brother Nan whipped her head around and punched Zhou Li on the shoulder. "'There's not a single truthful word out of your mouth!'"

"..."

"Quick, what did she say!"

"'She said you're an idiot.'"

BANG!

Zhou Li remained expressionless.

See... You're sure to get hit if you tell the truth. But if you tell lies, unless Huai Xu is around to expose you, you're not very likely to get hit. If it were you, how would you choose?

Zhou Li shot another dissatisfied glance at Huai Xu.

Beside them, Brother Nan yelped again, lifting Tuanzi high. "'You mischievous little thing! Talking badly about me behind my back! Let me tell you, anyone who's spoken ill of me since childhood has met a terrible end—either I dealt with them, or the heavens did...'"

Tuanzi turned her head away, silent and unresisting.

Just then, Huai Xu spoke up. "Brother Nan, let's play a game! I bought Sekiro."

Brother Nan finally put Tuanzi down.

"Come on!"

Tuanzi glanced at Huai Xu. This guy actually has a shred of loyalty at crucial moments, she thought. She then quickly hopped off the sofa, scurried far away from Brother Nan, and hid in a cardboard box to observe secretly.

Meanwhile, Huai Xu had already connected the game console to the TV and was sitting cross-legged with Brother Nan on the floor tiles in front of it.

"Isn't it cold on the floor?" Zhou Li frowned.

"Not cold."

"Not cold."

Their unanimous reply made Zhou Li feel his concern was somewhat superfluous.

The TV screen lit up. Two figures sat side by side. Huai Xu had even placed some snacks beside them, creating an exceptionally harmonious scene.

Zhou Li sat on the sofa behind them, watching.

After watching Huai Xu play for a while, Brother Nan declared she had learned how and was eager to start. When she took over, the previously formidable 'Wolf' (Sekiro) played more like a lost puppy, and this new 'combat expert' began dying repeatedly.

The sky outside gradually darkened.

Zhou Li ordered takeout. After eating, he took the containers and the trash accumulated over the past two days downstairs to throw them away. When he returned, the two were still sitting in front of the TV, engrossed in the game, though they had now switched to Dynasty Warriors.

Zhou Li still sat behind and watched.

The night grew deeper.

The human and demon duo switched from Dynasty Warriors to Resident Evil, playing with such engagement they seemed to have forgotten the passage of time. Zhou Li began to yawn.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brother Nan stretch out a hand to rub her waist, while also reaching for her phone to check the time.

"Wow? It's already ten o'clock!" Brother Nan exclaimed.

"Just stay over!" Huai Xu suggested excitedly. He usually played games alone and would have to act very pitiful, earnestly begging Zhou Li, who would then reluctantly play with him for a short while. Today, he finally had someone to play with to his heart's content, and he didn't want to let Brother Nan leave just like that.

"Let's pull an all-nighter!" he proposed.

"Hmm..." Brother Nan hesitated.

Seizing the moment, Huai Xu pressed on. "'Later, we can order more takeout for a midnight snack, my treat! Then we just keep playing and playing. If you get sleepy, you can rest on my bed or Zhou Li's. Zhou Li and I will sleep on the sofa.'"

"Hmm..."

"'What's there to think about! It's decided!'" Huai Xu proclaimed, then turned his head. "'Right, Zhou Li?'"

"Yes, yes, yes," Zhou Li replied perfunctorily.

"Alright, I'll take the sofa," Brother Nan said, pausing for a moment. "'I'll see if I can last; I haven't pulled an all-nighter in ages.'"

"Let's continue!"

"Okay!"

Behind them, Zhou Li saw Brother Nan sit up and stretch her upper body. After a thought, he pushed the coffee table slightly so Huai Xu and Brother Nan could lean back against it for support.

Brother Nan turned her head, looked at him, and grinned.

Zhou Li pursed his lips and said, "I'm off to shower and sleep. There are disposable face towels and new toothbrushes in the drawer of the TV cabinet in front of you. If you want to sleep, remember to ask Huai Xu to get you a blanket and a pillow."

"Got it, got it! Off you go!"

「About half an hour later.」

Zhou Li finished his shower. He greeted them again when he came out, then entered his room.

Tuanzi lay on his bed, playing with her phone. Seeing him enter, she looked at him with a woeful gaze. "Zhou Li, that human has occupied Lord Dumpling's room! Lord Dumpling could only run to your place, and she even bullied Lord Dumpling!"

Zhou Li smiled. "'She's just playing with you.'"

He picked up Tuanzi, confiscated her phone, and lay down in bed. "'Sleep next to me tonight.'"

Tuanzi wriggled in his arms, her fur tickling him.

He slept dreamlessly, though later than usual.

「The next morning.」

Zhou Li awoke.

The living room was very quiet.

Takeout containers sat on the coffee table. The trash can was filled with barbecue sticks, and the shells of crayfish, scallops, and clams.

Brother Nan lay on her side on the sofa, facing the wall. One arm and one leg were draped over the sofa's back, making her look like a gecko clinging to it. Her slender figure was captivating.

The TV was off. The early morning light, already struggling through the mist, faintly illuminated the living room.

"Sigh..."

Zhou Li shook his head, walked over, picked up the blanket that had fallen to the floor, and covered her again, tucking her in. He then stood beside Brother Nan, staring at the back of her head and her profile, faintly discerning an antenna-like tuft of hair hidden amidst her messy locks.

Zhou Li's hand trembled slightly; he could hardly control it.

Ultimately, he reached out and gave it a flick.

A small smile touched Zhou Li's lips.

He then remembered Brother Nan once saying that touching this thing hurt—though it was probably just her scalp. Hair, being protein keratin, shouldn't have nerves.

Zhou Li pondered for a moment, then carefully singled out Brother Nan's cowlick, pinching it between two fingers.

He glanced at Brother Nan, then rubbed his fingers together.

So thrilling! Let me rub it again! It feels just like ordinary hair!

Zhou Li felt a twinge of disappointment.

But looking at Brother Nan's fair profile, doing something he would never dare while she was awake, was undeniably exhilarating. This act itself gave Zhou Li a peculiar thrill.

This thrill drove him to fiddle with it again.

"MMM~~"

Brother Nan murmured in her sleep and actually began to wake up.

!!

Zhou Li quickly retracted his hand.

As Brother Nan slowly turned her head—in that instant—Zhou Li swiftly drew a deep breath to compose himself, reached out again to tug the blanket's edge further up, and frowned.

"'You can't even cover yourself properly, and you're a grown adult...'"

Brother Nan squinted, glanced at him, and muttered sleepily, "'I was wondering why I felt so cold...'"

Zhou Li patted her shoulder. "'Go back to sleep.'"

Brother Nan mumbled a sleepy affirmation, lay flat again, and pulled the blanket over her head, covering the cowlick as well.

Whew...

Zhou Li silently straightened up, his heart still racing.