My Demon Friends-Chapter 683 - 644: Return to Bamboo Garden

Zhou Qianqian: Have a great holiday

Zhou Qianqian: Be careful on your way home

Chang Xiaoxiang: Okay, Sister Qian (cute emoji).

Li Daimao: Let's game together during summer break

Zhou Qianqian: (OK emoji).

Zhou Qianqian: What special delicacies do you have in Yan City? Remember to bring me some at the start of next term.

Li Daimao: Do you want a hammer?

Zhou Qianqian: I'm gonna kill you!

...

Zhou Li didn't pay attention to the messages in the group, as he usually didn't like to chime in unless he was really interested.

At that moment, he was busy packing.

He naturally had to take his computer. Uneaten snacks were divided on the spot. Lotus root powder and protein powder also needed to be taken.

He had to strip the bed sheets and take away the clothes he'd changed out of. The dormitory's communal washing machines had poor quality, low cleaning efficiency, and were unhygienic; he trusted the ones at home more. Besides, he also needed to take home several ancient books he kept in the dormitory, intending to read them during the summer break. As for textbooks, he had learned his lesson: even if he took them home, he wouldn't look at them, so he decided to leave them behind.

There was nothing else to take. For instance, items like cell phone chargers—he had several sets, so the ones in the dorm could just stay there.

Having packed a small suitcase and a backpack, Zhou Li set them aside. He then went out to eat with the rest of his dormmates and the guys from next door. Unfortunately, they hadn't managed to meet up with Dorm 106, since Mianmian and Qian Qian each had their own plans.

After eating, he left the school, while Chang Xiaoxiang and the other two wouldn't depart until at least the next day.

「The next morning.」

Brother Nan had gamed all night. It wasn't clear if she just wanted to let loose or if she'd done so intentionally to allow His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, to appear during the day.

When Zhou Li came out of his room, he looked at Brother Nan with some concern. He then noticed that her skin was as fair and lustrous as ever. Previously, staying up all night would result in dark circles—during high school, he often saw her come to class with them. But now, despite such an irregular schedule, her complexion looked surprisingly good, even better than that of a normal person.

With such skin, even a properly cared-for teenage girl wouldn't look this good. It was the level of perfection one would expect from a celebrity with photoshopped images.

She was becoming similar to some demons, like the Old monster, Little Cat Girl, and Sister Hong Ran.

Although she was his girlfriend, Zhou Li didn't dare to look too much, glancing only once or twice before withdrawing his gaze and greeting, "Good morning, Your Highness."

"What a coincidence. I just woke up as you came out."

"Yes." Zhou Li hesitated, then tentatively said, "Brother Nan's complexion seems to be getting better and better. I was actually worried that this would affect her health."

"No need to worry. Since I'm using her body, I naturally take these things into account," His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, said indifferently. "The uses of Spiritual Power are endless; in this regard, you humans are still far behind. Plus, now that she has all my Spiritual Power, even if I don't use it to nurture her body, she will gradually become extraordinary."

"Then I thank Your Highness."

"As I have said before, anything you can consider, she can certainly think of as well." The Prince of Yu stretched languidly, his posture slack but his tone normal. "We have already discussed this matter."

"It seems I was being redundant."

"Don't be so stiff. I hate it when people are stiff around me."

"Oh."

It seemed His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, had summoned his imperial transport after waking up. Soon enough, a Demon resembling a huge ladybug flew in from afar. It hovered before the window flapping its wings, tilted its body to observe the interior with its shiny black eyes, and then slowly ascended, disappearing from view.

Zhou Li also picked up Tuanzi and headed for the rooftop.

「A few minutes later.」

The Ladybug Monster reached the back of West Mountain, entering a place situated between the Old Land World and Earth. A figure in ancient clothes, holding a short staff, was already standing on the ground, waiting.

Zhou Li looked slightly embarrassed; he didn't know quite how to face Sister Hong Ran.

He had already guessed that Brother Nan was connected to the Elm King, but he hadn't revealed any information to Hong Ran. Separately, Hong Ran was also aware of Brother Nan's existence and had conducted her own quiet investigation. Zhou Li couldn't tell how much Hong Ran knew. She hadn't mentioned it to him, only urging him several times to bring his girlfriend to meet her.

So it was somewhat awkward.

If he just glossed over this awkwardness, it wouldn't feel right. Yet, if he let this awkwardness lead him to cast aside his sister and ignore her, that would clearly be even worse.

Zhou Li pondered what to do.

Meanwhile, he looked out of the window. The figure below tilted her head up, seeming to greet him.

"..."

Exiting the Ladybug Monster, Zhou Li went down first. As his feet touched the ground, he stealthily glanced at Hong Ran.

He saw Sister Hong Ran wink at him. "Morning!"

After a brief pause, Zhou Li decided to take the initiative. "You lied to me!"

"Huh?" Hong Ran feigned surprise.

Zhou Li continued to question her sternly, "You lied to me! You clearly knew about His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, but you kept pretending you didn't know!"

However, Hong Ran simply gave a wry smile. She was aware of his thoughts but chose not to expose them, patiently explaining, "This sister isn't Master Ming; how would I know so much? I merely speculated, like you, based on various anomalies."

Like me? Zhou Li inwardly scoffed, turning a deaf ear to that comparison.

Hong Ran then spread her hands and said, "Besides, you can't blame me. I've always been asking you to bring your girlfriend over for me to confirm it. If you had brought her, I would have told you, but you simply wouldn't."

"Hmph!"

Zhou Li was willing to believe that what she said was true. If he had brought Brother Nan to see her, she would have been able to confirm it and tell him. But before that, since she had already made guesses, couldn't she have met with Brother Nan on her own? Knowing him as she did, how could she not guess that he wouldn't bring Brother Nan to her? It was nothing more than another cunning ploy. To avoid deceiving others, she had deceived herself. Truly the Demon most like a human, as Lord Dumpling often said.

"You've deceived me so badly..."

"Not at all~~" Hong Ran stepped closer, resting her hand on his shoulder. Her face was a picture of pitiful sincerity as she apologized, her voice tinged with a touch of coquetry, "I'm sorry, okay...?"

Zhou Li rarely saw her this way. Normally, she was the epitome of a big sister, only teasing and indulging him, never acting spoiled towards him.

"Hmph!" You're forgiven, Zhou Li thought.

Zhou Li turned to look.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, stood beside the Ladybug Monster, tilting his head and watching them, his expression calm.

Hong Ran removed her hand from Zhou Li's shoulder and respectfully performed a formal courtesy. "Your Highness."

"What is it?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to give you a bow."

"..."

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, continuing to observe them. "You two seem very familiar?"

"Yes," Hong Ran nodded.

"Pretty much," Zhou Li said.

"BOO HOO HOO, little brother, you actually used that word..." Hong Ran grabbed Zhou Li's arm, her fingers pressing hard. "Sister is so heartbroken!"

"I'm still mad..."

"Oh." Hong Ran then let go of his hand, not daring to hold on any longer.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, watched them silently, a smile gradually appearing on his face.

Suddenly, His Highness spoke. "I might have forgotten to tell you, Zhou Ni: with my help, and through her own efforts... what's that word again? Ah yes, 'development.' She has acquired the ability to track my movements when I am awake. Though it's still very basic, what I experience—what I see and hear—could very well become part of her dreams. I suggest you pray to the great His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, that your luck improves a little."

"!"

Zhou Li was stunned for a moment, then speechless.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "My name is Zhou Li," enunciating the 'Li' with emphasis.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, nodded and continued to smile. "Very well, your luck won't get any better."

Zhou Li: …

Walking into Hong Ran's Bamboo Garden, all was quiet around him.

Usually, even if no Great Demons were present, there would be other demons in the Bamboo Garden, all followers of Hong Ran, but today they seemed to have been cleared out.

Zhou Li asked in confusion, "Why not make this plan public? Let everyone know what His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, has done. This way, even if His Royal Highness is no longer a Demon, I think he would still earn the respect of all Demons. Besides, it's not like he has no chance of becoming a Demon again."

Hong Ran didn't answer immediately. After a few seconds and a sip of tea, she then looked to the side. "Let His Royal Highness answer you."

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, immediately said, "I won't answer!"

Zhou Li: …

After a bit of thought, he understood a little.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Yu, once said that if he faced great resistance from the universe of Earth during the migration from the Old Land World, he would do whatever it takes to make the Will of the World change its decision.