Chapter 4: Flower Fanatic

Shenchuan, Xia Country, a roadside bar on Wenlan Street.

Inside Hongyang Bar there is a long corridor.

Private rooms are set up on both sides of the corridor.

Passing the corner at the end of the corridor, the innermost private room always has a burly, robust man in black clothes standing guard at the door.

Only two kinds of people are allowed to enter.

One is people who have an invitation from the boss.

The other is… demons.

“Ha.” 

The man takes a big gulp of the vodka in his hand, lets out a satisfying burp, and the turbid smell of alcohol fills the space between his rough lips and teeth. 

“Refreshing! The alcohol nowadays is the real deal. What the hell were we even drinking in the past?”

“Seems like a new demon has come here recently.” 

At the far end of the drinking table, another man hides his figure in the shadows. 

Only his hoarse and deep voice can be heard.

“Is that so? We haven’t heard any rumors. Boss, did you get it wrong?”

“I only vaguely sensed it. Maybe I’m too sensitive, or maybe that person is hiding too well.”

“Hahaha, I don’t buy it. How badass would someone have to be for even Boss not to notice them?”

“Maybe that bastard’s business has made you more sensitive.” 

A third man’s voice rings out inside the private room, steady and aged.

“I heard the Young Miss recently has a friend who moved into the city.”

“Her friend?” The boss the other two spoke of ponders for a few seconds. 

“…Forget it. Handling the ‘Ekui’ matter is more important right now. Any news of his whereabouts?”

“None for the time being. If there’s any information, remember to notify each other right away.”

***

After the car enters the city, Ying An becomes especially excited.

The previous city was considered advanced in its development, but compared to Shenchuan it is still nothing worth mentioning.

Rows upon rows of high-rises embrace just the right amount of greenery.

The brand-new environment fills him with curiosity about every single thing here.

Li Jue has driven the entire day before finally entering the city.

Although her demon physique means she doesn’t feel much fatigue, the little one has been chattering nonstop the whole way, making her ears hurt.

“Xiao An, how do you have so much energy? Sister’s ears are almost going numb from you.”

“Ehehe.” Ying An scratches his head, his smile both simple and pure. 

“Because there are so many things I don’t usually get to see.”

“When we go out with Sister later, you’re not allowed to run around. There’s a Flower-Crazy Auntie waiting to catch you and take you home.”

“Flower-Crazy Auntie… what does that mean?”

Li Jue thinks for a moment. “It means… a bad auntie with mental problems who likes catching naughty kids like you.”

“Mental problems?! I’ve only seen that on TV. I want to see!”

Li Jue lightly knocks Ying An on the head and switches to a frightening tone. 

“If Xiao An gets caught by that Flower-Crazy Auntie, you’ll never see Sister again. She’ll not only catch you and do all kinds of bad things to you, but when she’s done playing, she’ll eat you whole.”

“Eat… eat me?”

“That’s right. If you don’t want to be eaten, then stay obediently by Sister’s side. Sister will protect you.”

Although the words “Flower-Crazy” and “Auntie” don’t really fit Chu Jiuer’s character, as long as it can make Ying An listen obediently, slightly damaging her image isn’t a big deal.

Besides, she has indeed been thinking about her little one for a long time.

Chu Jiuer is a friend Li Jue has known for more than two thousand years.

Their first meeting was on New Year’s Eve in 144 BC, during the prosperous golden age under Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi.

On the brightly lit streets of Chang’an’s bustling market, Chu Jiuer had bumped right into her.

From the very first meeting, Chu Jiuer had been very interested in her.

One reason was her identity as a demon.

The other was… that she was very good-looking.

Although fox demons are among the demons whose appearances change most easily, she could tell that the face of “Li Jue” was her true appearance.

Their new home in Shenchuan originally belonged to Chu Jiuer’s family.

Unlike Li Jue, who (before taking Ying An in) had been a solitary demon, Chu Jiuer’s father had incurred quite a few romantic debts.

Li Jue likes the location of the new home.

On this matter she feels Chu Jiuer is still quite reliable.

That little building is only one bridge away from the CBD area.

It isn’t in the center of the busy city.

Nearby there are no skyscrapers that require you to tilt your head all the way back to see the top.

It is quiet, has few people, and the greenery is well done.

The moving company had already delivered their things earlier.

After rushing to the new home, they spend some time packing everything away.

By the time they finish, the sky has completely darkened.

Ying An sits on a chair and looks at Li Jue with eager eyes, his stomach growling with hunger.

“Sister, I’m hungry.”

“Wait a little longer. Someone is treating us to a meal.”

“Who?”

Li Jue shows a meaningful smile. “The crazy woman auntie Sister mentioned.”

Ying An is startled and asks in a trembling voice, “Didn’t you say she would eat me?”

“Don’t worry. Sister said she would protect you.”

Li Jue pats Ying An’s head.

The boy hangs his head foolishly, as if imagining all kinds of horrifying and terrifying scenes.

Looking at him like this, Li Jue can’t help but wonder if she has taught Ying An to be too naive.

He’s about to start a new semester and still believes this kind of nonsense.

Once he enters school, he’s probably going to get bullied by bad students.

It might also be because he knows about the existence of demons, making it hard for him to tell truth from falsehood about many things.

At that moment the doorbell rings.

Ying An turns his head and looks warily at the door.

Li Jue smiles and pats his shoulder. “Don’t be afraid. Go open the door.”

Ying An swallows, carefully walks to the door.

His height is still a bit short of reaching the peephole.

He tensely grips the door handle, as if a terrifying monster with a bloody maw is standing outside.

When he opens the door, outside there is only a girl of fifteen or sixteen.

Although the girl’s attire is simple, ordinary clothes cannot hide that noble and elegant aura.

Her face is fair and tender, her features exquisite and proper.

The pupils in her peach-blossom eyes are as dark and deep as black obsidian, as if they can look straight into a person’s heart with a single glance.

This is the first time he has seen a woman whose looks are not inferior to Li Jue’s.

“You must be little Ying An?” Chu Jiuer slightly bends down and smiles sweetly at him. “Hello. I’m your sister’s friend.”

“You… you’re the Flower-Crazy Auntie Sister talked about?”

Chu Jiuer feels a “rage” emoji pop up on her forehead.

One of her hands has already clenched into a fist.

She takes a deep breath and still maintains her original gentle tone. “Your sister said that?”

“Mm-hmm.” 

Ying An nods and turns to shout into the house, “Sister, the Flower-Crazy Auntie you talked about is here.”

Chu Jiuer squats down, presses both hands on Ying An’s shoulders, and forces herself to maintain that calm appearance. 

“Xiao An, do you think Sister is old enough for you to call her ‘Auntie’?”

Ying An seriously looks at her face and shakes his head.

“Then why do you still call her that?”

“Because Sister said so.”

Chu Jiuer feels her teeth are about to shatter.

Just then Li Jue hurries over and looks at the scene before her with amusement. 

“Long time no see, Jiuer. You… aren’t about to get mad at Xiao An, are you?”