My Demon Friends-Chapter 432 - 428: Good Little Child
「October 14th.」
An art and calligraphy exhibition was specially arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Demon Kingdom Delegation.
There were many works on display, but only two artists were present: Liu Zhen, a master of traditional Chinese painting, and Qi Gong, a revered master calligrapher. Having been forewarned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both masters managed to suppress their shock when they met the Demon Kingdom Delegation and did not show it outwardly.
It had been going on since 9:00 a.m., and now it was 10:30 a.m.
Zhou Li was already feeling a bit bored.
Tuanzi was even more listless. She started occasionally tugging Zhou Li’s hand, pulling at the corner of his clothes, looking around, and poking at the paintings and calligraphy in front of them. Her constant fidgeting made her boredom obvious.
Confident that no one would reproach her, she behaved as she pleased, each small action a clear sign of her ennui.
Zhou Li couldn’t bring himself to intervene.
The Demon Kingdom Delegation didn’t dare.
Humans couldn’t see her.
It was only when she was about to do something outrageous, like poke a small hole in a famous painting, that Zhou Li or Han Hong would delicately step in to stop her.
This art and calligraphy exhibition was simply too vast. Especially the painting section, which included works from ancient to modern times, and from all over the world. There were masterpieces full of artistic devotion, standout works from up-and-coming talents, treasures just moved from a museum, and representative works by leading figures of hyperrealism popular on Douyin. Zhou Li understood some of these artworks and found them attractive or impressive, but many were completely beyond his comprehension.
However, Lord Han Hong was captivated and even engaged in eager discussion with Master Liu Zhen, who was accompanying him.
The venerable painter, over fifty years old, had set aside his pride and even seemed somewhat in awe of Han Hong, his every gesture signaling a willingness to learn.
"This is..."
Lord Han Hong suddenly became mesmerized by one of the pieces.
Master Qi Gong, standing beside him, quickly added, "It’s the *Inscription for Li Bai’s Ascent to the Stairway*, brought over from the Capital Museum."
"Emperor Huizong’s calligraphy..."
"Yes..."
Master Qi Gong himself was no young man and was considered a senior figure among contemporary artists and calligraphers. Even so, he had always looked up to the works of his predecessors with admiration. But today, he saw nostalgia and reflection in the eyes of this esteemed guest.
"Emperor Huizong truly was born into the wrong family. It would have been better if he had been born into an ordinary wealthy and influential family instead of an imperial one," Lord Han Hong sighed deeply.
"Yes, yes..." Master Qi Gong wiped sweat from his brow.
"If I remember correctly, I still have dozens of Emperor Huizong’s pieces stashed away."
"Dozens!?"
"What’s the matter?"
"That... that’s truly a priceless treasure!" Master Qi Gong vividly remembered that there were only a total of thirteen authentic works by Emperor Huizong known to exist, many of which were held across the strait. Any single one of them was a cultural gem belonging to all the Chinese people.
"Indeed, they’re beyond price," Han Hong said with a reminiscent look. "I remember... I was in office at the time, and he summoned me to ask what he should do. But how could I intervene in the affairs of the human realm? I shook my head and said I did not know. After he was captured and taken north, who would have thought that such a parting would last a thousand years."
"..."
The humans present, except for a few young people, weren’t particularly young. But at that moment, they felt like ignorant children. No, more like mere ants—not only young but also insignificant.
Lord Han Hong, meanwhile, looked down upon them. He not only stood above them physically but also atop the timeline, silently watching, just as he had once watched Emperor Huizong.
Emperor Huizong had turned to dust.
After a hundred years, they too would be dust, while Han Hong would still be alive. Would he look back on them with the same nostalgia when he interacted with the next generation of humans? Did they even qualify? Could they become a part of this diplomat from the Demon Kingdom’s memory, just like Emperor Huizong?
So the two masters fell silent. The distinguished guest’s life spanned thousands of years; who knew how many changes he had witnessed. To be remembered by him would surely be an honor, but unfortunately... At that moment, the guest seemed like a giant from the river of time, towering and unprecedented.
That was until the crisp voice of Tuanzi piped up—
"Lord Dumpling is hungry..."
"Oh dear!"
Lord Han Hong immediately looked down at Tuanzi and, with an apologetic bow, said, "Lord Dumpling doesn’t like these things, does she? I’ve really put Lord Dumpling out."
Tuanzi, however, showed him no deference, staring at him unwaveringly. "When are we leaving, MEOW?"
"Very soon!"
Lord Han Hong’s expression showed a trace of helplessness.
The remainder of the exhibition visit proceeded at an unusually fast pace.
Although Zhou Li felt Tuanzi had inconvenienced everyone, he had to admit she had done him a huge favor—he really hadn’t wanted to continue the tour.
「After lunch, they returned to their room.」
Zhou Li glanced at Yin Le, who had followed him, and asked in confusion, "Are you planning to use our room for a nap?"
"...I have a room."
"Then you..."
"Do you have any plans afterward?" Yin Le asked.
"I’m going to hang out with my brother for a couple of days. After that, there shouldn’t be any need for me, right?" Zhou Li looked up slightly. "My brother studies at Tsinghua University!"
"...Is Tsinghua University that impressive?" Yin Le fell silent for a moment.
"...You’re such a contrarian!" Zhou Li remarked.
"...Just don’t leave the Capital. Return after the talks are concluded, just in case," Yin Le said, frowning. "During that time, you can do as you please, but don’t leave the Capital. Important matters take precedence."
"Got it."
"By the way, do you need someone to hang out with?" Yin Le asked again. "If so, I can join you guys."
"No, that’s not necessary."
"Then I’m leaving!"
"Oh."
Yin Le glanced at him once more, seeming to hesitate, but ultimately left the room.
Zhou Li scratched his head.
Huai Xu, still gaming with his back to him, said, "Why couldn’t you just agree to his offer? Look at how tormented this guy has been these past few days. If you’d agreed, you could’ve gotten out of all these nuisances under the guise of official duty—how nice would that have been, and your conscience would be clear too..."
Ah, so that’s what he meant, Zhou Li suddenly realized. He didn’t care much, however, just lay down on the couch hugging Tuanzi and started texting Zhu Shuang on his phone.
Zhou Li: [Picture]
Zhou Li: [Picture]
They were photos he had taken of Tiananmen and the Forbidden City.
Huai Xu continued, his back still to Zhou Li, "Later, tell the chef Lord Dumpling didn’t eat enough and wants afternoon tea. Ask him to bring a dozen or so dishes. I heard people from the outermost building ordering food from the kitchen yesterday; they’ll definitely deliver to us too."
Tuanzi immediately retorted, "Lord Dumpling ate enough!"
Huai Xu ignored Tuanzi.
Zhou Li ignored him as well.
Zhu Shuang: Brother, you’re in the Capital?
Zhou Li: Yes
Zhu Shuang: But our campus is under lockdown.
Zhou Li: Climb the wall.
Zhu Shuang: ???
Zhu Shuang: Brother, you’ve changed.
Zhou Li: ?
Zhu Shuang: You wouldn’t climb walls before.
Zhou Li: ...
Actually, I wouldn’t climb a wall now either; it’s obviously not the right thing to do. But encouraging my brother to do it is different from doing it myself, he thought.
Zhou Li composed his message: "Don’t worry about all those rules and regulations. In life, you must be brave enough to break free from constraints." He then quickly added, to shift the blame, "That’s what Brother Nan said."
Zhu Shuang: Got it.
Zhu Shuang: Is Brother Nan there too?
Zhou Li: It’s me and Huai Xu.
Zhu Shuang: When are you guys coming over? I’ll scout out an easy spot to get out. I’m new to the school and still figuring things out.
Zhou Li: Okay.
Putting down his phone, Zhou Li couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. Zhu Shuang really is a good kid. He’s new to the school and not yet jaded, yet he’d dare to climb a wall just because I suggested it. Comparatively, I’m more of the good kid, because I wouldn’t actually climb a wall, he mused.
However, compared to his brother, he considered himself more of a good kid, because he wouldn’t climb a wall.
