In the end, Du Yueyao let the stray tomcat go and told it to leave Tonglin County at once.
“Be careful in future. Ordinary humans don’t have a demon’s stamina. You could easily kill someone without meaning to. If you ever take a human life, the outcome won’t be as gentle as tonight.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” The cat nodded frantically, then asked hopefully, “What about me and Master Zhao…?”
Du Yueyao’s face darkened. “Absolutely not! You’ve already drained him nearly dry!”
“Yes, yes, yes!” The cat jumped in fright. He had never been with a human before and hadn’t realised how fragile they were.
He genuinely liked Master Zhao and didn’t want him dead. Combined with Du Yueyao’s warning, he didn’t dare linger. He turned and bolted, vanishing into the moonlight in seconds.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin and glanced at Du Yueyao. Master Zhao wasn’t actually in that bad a state, was he?
Catching Lu Zheng’s look, Du Yueyao flushed and protested, “I already prescribed medicine for him. If that cat came back, the medicine wouldn’t work properly. That would ruin Benevolent Heart Hall’s reputation!”
You just can’t stand this sort of thing happening right under your nose!
Lu Zheng silently roasted her, but seeing both Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying visibly relax, he let it drop.
What even was this? They thought it was shocking?
They hadn’t seen the magical place where LGBT+ became the ultimate correctness. That would blind them, shatter their worldviews, and make them wonder who the real humans and demons were.
…
Leaving aside the fact that Master Zhao would never see his little darling again, the group went home. After sending Du Yueyao off, Lu Zheng and the two women naturally engaged in some proper physical activity to cleanse the awkward scene from their minds.
…
The next day, Shen Ying returned to Peach Blossom Flat, Liu Qingyan went to Benevolent Heart Hall, and Lu Zheng naturally crossed over to the modern world to cuddle with Lin Wan.
“Huh?”
When he got home, Lin Wan wasn’t there. Since it was the weekend, he immediately messaged her.
“Where are you?”
“Being an audience member.”
“What?”
“Xiao Dao is recording a talk show. I’m here as part of the audience. We’re grabbing dinner together after. Coming?”
Xiao Dao? Dinner? Lu Zheng was utterly confused. Since when were Lin Wan and Zhao Xiaodao this close?
“What show?”
“Promoting her new drama. They’re recording this morning. Almost done.”
“Won’t she eat with the host?”
“She did that last night. Today’s lunch is specially cleared for me.”
“You’re amazing! Where?”
“Haicheng TV station.”
“Got it. I’ll contact you soon.”
Ending the chat with Lin Wan, Lu Zheng opened the [Wulin League] group and saw a glaring 99+ notifications.
Scrolling up, he found casual chatter at first, then Zhao Xiaodao saying she’d be in Haicheng this weekend to record a show and inviting the two of them to dinner.
Lu Zheng hadn’t been online, so Lin Wan, with nothing else to do, had agreed and even snagged a guest audience spot to join the fun. They’d leave together after recording.
So that’s how it was…
Lu Zheng put his phone down, slipped his shoes back on, left the flat, unlocked a shared bike, and pedalled leisurely to the area near Haicheng TV station, then sent his location.
He’d barely waited a minute when the Dongfeng Aeolus pulled up beside him. Lu Zheng reached for the door handle, only to see Zhao Xiaodao sitting in the passenger seat.
Lu Zheng: ⊙_⊙
He opened the rear door and climbed in. Zhao Xiaodao twisted round from the front, waved quickly, and flashed her trademark innocent steamed-bun smile. “Boss, hi!”
“Hi!” Lu Zheng returned the smile, then asked, “Where to?”
Zhao Xiaodao hurriedly answered, “A private kitchen. The food’s great and it’s very discreet. I’m not exactly convenient in public…”
“Understood.” Lu Zheng nodded. “That drama you were filming wrapped?”
“Wrapped, wrapped! Actually, the final scenes were shot that day. We officially finished last week,” Zhao Xiaodao said.
Noticing she still seemed a little nervous, Lu Zheng laughed. “Relax, I’m not going to eat you.”
“Hehe, it’s just… your hypnosis was too scary. I can’t help feeling jittery,” Zhao Xiaodao admitted honestly.
The unknown is always frightening.
“If simple hypnosis spooks you this much, imagine how you’d react if you knew I could live forever,” Lu Zheng teased, leaning back and raising an eyebrow.
“What?” Zhao Xiaodao looked stunned. “The Invincible Under Heaven skill?”
Lu Zheng: “…”
When did he find out Zhao Xiaodao was a Jin Yong fan?
Lin Wan couldn’t hold back her laughter. “So we really are characters who time-travelled out of Jin Yong novels. Nine Yin Manual one minute, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils the next.”
Lu Zheng burst out laughing and struck a heroic pose with hands on hips. “Guess who I am. Get it right and there’s a prize!”
Zhao Xiaodao played along. “The great hero Lu Zheng, master of the Nine Yin Manual and peerless swordsmanship. As the saying goes, one glimpse of Young Master Lu and you’re smitten for life. That’s definitely you.”
Lu Zheng roared with laughter. “Well said! I’ll give you a beauty and complexion pill later.”
Lin Wan turned round, eyes gleaming with excitement. “You actually refined it?”
She didn’t need it herself, but come on, it sounded awesome.
Zhao Xiaodao: ???
“Small matter.” Lu Zheng nodded, then looked at the bewildered Zhao Xiaodao and grinned. “Unlicensed, no-brand, no-expiry-date pill. Dare to take it?”
He expected at least a little hesitation, but Zhao Xiaodao didn’t pause at all. “Dare!”
“Not bad.” A flash of genuine appreciation crossed Lu Zheng’s eyes. He gave her a thumbs-up. Zhao Xiaodao was even more decisive than he’d thought.
“Thank you, boss!”
“Just call me Lu Zheng.”
“Hehe! Calling you by name feels too distant. I’ll call you Brother Lu!” Zhao Xiaodao smoothly climbed the pole, completely ignoring the fact she was older than him.
Lin Wan’s lips curved. “Any side effects with this pill?”
Zhao Xiaodao also looked at Lu Zheng.
He shook his head. “Relax, no side effects. Just simple skin-nourishing and beautifying. It’s not marrow-cleansing or muscle-altering. You can take it during lunch with warm water, like swallowing aspirin.”
Zhao Xiaodao nodded repeatedly.
Moments later, the Dongfeng turned into a small lane and pulled into a little courtyard.
They got out and walked in.
Zhao Xiaodao explained as they went, “Brother Chao introduced me to this place. All private rooms, no disturbances.”
Lu Zheng glanced around and clicked his tongue. “Can’t even find it on Dianping. Who knew such places existed?”
Zhao Xiaodao nodded. “The biggest advantage is privacy.”
Because they had booked ahead and Zhao Xiaodao was still a top-tier celebrity, the owner personally greeted them and led them to a secluded private room deep inside the courtyard.
