My Demon Friends

Cai University Weekly Couples: A new day has arrived, good morning!

Cai University Weekly Couples: Fixed Task: Say goodnight to her before sleep and gently remind her to rest early.

Cai University Weekly Couples: Today's Task: You crave to get to know each other better, so invite her to go shopping. During this time, watch a movie or play a claw machine game together (no need to actually win a prize; the process and experience are what matter).

Zhou Li looked at his phone and scratched his head.

It's all a mess...

When it came to shopping, he and Brother Nan had done it quite a few times, like buying daily necessities at the commercial street when school started or visiting the supermarket after military training. However, couples shopping together, in his memories, didn't seem to have such a clear purpose.

So what do you call this then? Just going to buy things together?

Zhou Li shook his head and got up to wash, washing his hair as well.

Today was Thursday. The last sessions of Basic Physics and Calculus awaited him, after which he had no more classes in the afternoon or evening.

By noon, the weather had turned slightly more overcast than yesterday, with a brisk breeze blowing outside. Yesterday's weather hadn't been suitable for walking outdoors—it was too sunny. Today was just right.

The two finished their lunch.

Brother Nan was still carrying that familiar black shoulder bag Zhou Li knew so well. She pulled out a large pack of tissues, briskly tore off two sheets, and handed one to Zhou Li.

After wiping her mouth, she picked up her plate and said, "Let's go!"

This must count as an invitation.

But Zhou Li never expected that she would take him to browse a nearby used car market.

She said she wanted to test the waters first and get a feel for the market.

Fine then, any kind of shopping is still shopping!

In the afternoon, they looked at five or six cars. These included the Polo, a classic in its price range that you could probably sell after two years without losing money, as well as the equally popular Fit and Tiida, plus a few domestic and French cars.

Zhou Li followed behind Brother Nan the whole time, watching her ask all sorts of questions, nodding and making affirmative noises; the time passed quite quickly.

At five in the afternoon, the two stood by the roadside.

The setting sun's golden rays and the pleasant breeze always paired well. Zhou Li saw Brother Nan purse her lips to blow her bangs aside, the little "antenna" of hair on top of her head swaying gently in the wind. Then, she let out a long sigh and turned her head.

"I'm so tired!" she said. "I have such a hard time making decisions; what am I going to do?"

"Just buy one that you find appealing," Zhou Li suggested.

"That's a good idea," Brother Nan said. She paused before asking, "What was left for today's task again?"

"Watch a movie or play a claw machine game."

"What about the plushie I won for you last time from the claw machine?"

"It's at home. Tuanzi plays with it."

"Oh, then let's skip the claw machine; we've done that before." Brother Nan turned to look behind her, spotted some steps, and simply sat down. Her overalls made her long legs look particularly striking.

"Any good movies out...?" Brother Nan murmured as she took out her phone.

"*Midway* and *The People Snatched by the Light*," Zhou Li said, also sitting down beside her. He turned his head to look at her phone screen; at this distance, he could smell the fragrance of her hair. "There haven't been many good movies lately; only these two have decent ratings."

"You checked already?" Brother Nan asked.

"Yep, I checked."

"Which one do you want to see?"

"What did your whole dorm go to see last time?"

"*Midway*."

"Oh..."

A group of girls going to see that type of movie... that's a bit unusual, Zhou Li thought.

He nodded. "Then let's go see *The People Snatched by the Light*."

"Alright! I'll buy the tickets!"

"Okay."

Brother Nan found the nearest cinema; it was quite close. She chose tickets for seven o'clock, leaving an hour for dinner.

"Done."

She turned to look at Zhou Li.

They were very close. They made eye contact for a moment, then both looked away.

They got up and leisurely followed the navigation.

「Seven o'clock, at the cinema.」

This mall wasn't close to the university. Likely, none of the other students participating in Cai University's Weekly Couples event had chosen it, so there weren't many people.

Two young girls were in the front row.

A family of three was in the back row.

Including Zhou Li and Brother Nan, there were only seven people in total.

"CRUNCH, CRUNCH..."

The sound of Brother Nan eating popcorn kept coming from beside him. A fire safety advertisement was playing on the screen, and Zhou Li couldn't resist looking around.

This was his first time watching a movie with Brother Nan—though that wasn't entirely accurate. Actually, apart from taking Huai Xu to see a movie once before, he had only gone to watch movies with Zhu Shuang during the Spring Festival releases. Sometimes, he would also sneak out to watch one alone.

Zhou Li sneaked a glance at Brother Nan.

Brother Nan, on the other hand, was as calm as usual. She kept her eyes on the screen, grabbing popcorn and stuffing it into her mouth, one handful after another. The side of her face, illuminated by the faint light, was exquisitely beautiful.

Unsure if she had sensed him watching her, she frowned slightly and whispered, "Why hasn't it started yet...?"

Zhou Li discreetly withdrew his gaze.

The movie started.

It was a film by Brother Bo, released only a few days ago.

Its popularity was decent.

It was about...

Suddenly, Zhou Li sensed someone else beside him.

!!!

Huai Xu turned his head and blinked. "Did you just jump?"

Zhou Li was speechless.

Huai Xu continued to watch the screen but leaned closer to Zhou Li, asking, "What have you two been up to these past couple of days? Why does it feel so weird?"

We're on a pretend date, you oblivious old monster!

Huai Xu kept watching the movie while asking, "Have you two secretly started dating?"

Naturally, he received no response from Zhou Li.

It didn't matter to Huai Xu. He sniffed the air and continued to probe, "What did you two eat for dinner? It smells so good!"

This old monster truly had zero cinema etiquette.

Halfway through the movie, Brother Nan finished her popcorn and reached for Zhou Li's. At the same time, she vaguely sensed Zhou Li's strange expression and asked in a whisper, "What's wrong? Is the movie that bad?"

"Nothing..."

"Where'd your popcorn go?"

"I... I ate it." Zhou Li's own movie experience was ruined; he was determined to protect Brother Nan's.

"Aww~~" Brother Nan sounded disappointed.

Because she hadn't gotten her fill of popcorn during the movie, Brother Nan went to the supermarket afterward and vengefully bought several buckets. She then sat on the steps of a pedestrian overpass to eat them.

The night was cold. Zhou Li didn't suggest she head back early, though; he just sat next to her, sharing the popcorn and watching the car lights below form streaks under the bridge.

"This popcorn is really delicious!" he said.

"Really?" Brother Nan blinked.

"Yes, it's so crispy and sweet!"

"I think it's just okay..."

"That's probably because you've eaten so much of it already," Zhou Li said, ignoring Huai Xu, who was perched on the railing at the corner, practically drooling. "I think this is the best popcorn I've ever had."

"Oh... well, then you eat more."

"Okay."

Zhou Li paused, a regretful expression on his face. "It's a pity Huai Xu doesn't like popcorn; otherwise, I could bring a bucket back for him."

Then, he nonchalantly dug a finger in his ear.

He heard nothing.

「Meanwhile, in Dormitory 106.」

On the desk of the bunk to the right of the door, a laptop was playing *Ace vs Ace*, and sounds of cheerful laughter filled the air.

Little Cousin stared in the direction of the computer screen, but her gaze was fixed on a point somewhere in mid-air. She held an apple in her hand, munching on it with an expressionless face.

It tastes like chewing wax.

Mianmian came out after her shower, the ends of her hair still damp. She asked, "Baozi, can you really stand eating apples every day?"

"Dieting."

"Is it good?"

"Sweet."

"Somehow, your expression doesn't look quite right..."

"You're seeing things."

Baozi said this as she brought the apple to her mouth again, her movements a bit stiff. Then, with a CRUNCH...

She turned her head towards Mianmian and declared, "Really sweet!"