My Demon Friends-Chapter 482 - 468: Growth is a Process of Learning Kindness
「Sunday.」
「Cloudy.」
Chunming’s cloudy days were always comfortable; not as blazing as sunny days nor as cold as rainy ones, just filled with clouds and a gentle breeze. The world didn’t turn into a gray, gloomy color palette; it remained clear, and the temperature was pleasant.
It was suitable for going out.
Before the school lockdown, Brother Nan used to enjoy asking Zhou Li to go biking on cloudy days. They would wander by the seaside, buy some snacks, and sit to enjoy the breeze.
Unfortunately, the school was now under lockdown, and hauling a bike over the school wall seemed a bit excessive.
Besides, Zhou Li had plans to eat out with Yin Le, Xiao Hua, and Su Jue today.
「Morning.」
Zhou Li had specifically washed and blow-dried his hair. After checking himself in the mirror, he changed into a loose, comfortable set of clothes before heading to the living room.
Tuanzi had run to the balcony again to look at the goldfish. Knowing the water tank could support her weight, she jumped on top of it. Clinging to the rim with her claws, she peered into the tank with relish.
"Thinking about fish soup again?" Zhou Li asked casually.
SWOOSH!
A strangely made dagger spun, slicing through the air. It flew a circle around them in the blink of an eye and returned to Huai Xu’s hand.
"Who dares to target my goldfish?"
"MEOW~~" Tuanzi turned her head to look at Zhou Li, her eyes puzzled. "Huai Xu said the goldfish are made of gold and can’t be eaten!"
"He’s fooling you. They can actually be eaten."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"It’s all Huai Xu’s fault... Oh, right! Lord Dumpling just heard a strange noise, and my head felt a bit tingly. What was that sound?" Tuanzi asked Zhou Li, her expression puzzled.
"That was Huai Xu committing insubordination," Zhou Li replied.
Tuanzi’s eyes widened rapidly, her expression one of utter confusion as she seemingly pieced together what had just happened. She immediately shouted, "Protect the carriage!"
"At your command."
Zhou Li walked over to Tuanzi and picked her up from the water tank. Then, he turned to Huai Xu and said, "Get ready. We’re going out for lunch."
Huai Xu, sitting on the sofa, stared at them with dissatisfaction. "I don’t need to get ready. I’m fine like this..."
"Not even shoes?"
"I’ll just wear slippers." The old monster lifted his leg, examining his pale white feet from side to side, his mouth curving into a grin, clearly very pleased with himself.
"Such a narcissist..."
Zhou Li, holding Tuanzi, walked to the door and began putting on his shoes.
「Heading out.」
They hopped on an electric scooter and headed to the restaurant.
「Fuyuan Pickled Cabbage and Pork Knuckle Soup Pot.」
Zhou Li parked the electric scooter in front of the restaurant, touched his hair, and frowned.
The old monster rode up behind him, executing a sharp stop and swerving neatly into a parking spot. Glancing sideways at Zhou Li, he said with a gloating tone, "No need to touch it; it’s completely messed up now. Starting to feel the hassle of being human, are you?"
Zhou Li ignored him.
Yin Le had already arrived; his motorcycle was parked at the entrance. Zhou Li entered the restaurant and started looking for him.
"He’s by the window on the second floor," Huai Xu’s voice cut in.
"Oh." Zhou Li nodded and started walking to the second floor. "Have the other two arrived?"
"They have."
"Then it’s just us they’re waiting for..."
Upon reaching the second floor, Zhou Li instantly spotted the three of them and greeted them naturally.
"Morning, everyone."
This time, Xiao Hua had brought her little demon friend along. Zhou Li greeted the little demon, "Doudou, you’re here too."
"Greetings, sir," Doudou said formally. Then, he turned to Huai Xu and Tuanzi. "Good morning, Lord Huai Xu. Good morning, Lord Dumpling."
"Such a sensible child!"
"Morning to you too~~"
"Ease up a bit," Zhou Li whispered to Doudou. "Don’t take them *too* seriously."
"Oh..."
The little demon was clearly still uncomfortable. The pressure from Great Devil King Huai Xu was immense. That dazzling aura not only blinded him but also instilled deep fear; he worried that the Great Devil King, if still hungry after eating, might toss him into the pot.
Yin Le, sitting in the outermost seat by the window, only handed them their bowls and chopsticks when they sat down, barely making a sound.
"Have you ordered yet?"
"Not yet," Yin Le finally spoke, his voice a bit dry. "We didn’t know when you’d arrive."
"Let’s order now then... Did you get your motorcycle back?"
"Of course."
"Pork knuckle or pig’s feet?"
"Pork knuckle."
"Alright."
Zhou Li quickly ticked off the items on the menu, careful not to order too much; they could always add more later if needed.
Restaurant owners near the school were always considerate of students. If only four or five people were dining, they wouldn’t prepare food for seven or eight.
"What does everyone want to drink?" he asked.
"Beer, chilled," Yin Le replied.
"Whatever..." Su Jue murmured softly.
"One bottle of soy milk each for me and Senior Brother Su, please," Xiao Hua said, avoiding Zhou Li’s gaze.
"Cucumber and century egg soup," Huai Xu said.
"Fish soup!" Tuanzi chimed in eagerly.
"Got it."
Zhou Li wrote their table number on the menu, took it downstairs to the waiter, and then returned. "Which part of the wall did you guys climb over?" he asked. "Was it the one not far from the bus station?"
"No, no..." Xiao Hua said, her head bowed. "We registered our access on the school’s security gate a few days ago. Now we can enter and exit freely using facial recognition."
"Eh?"
Zhou Li looked at Yin Le, puzzled.
Yin Le then explained, "They need to come and go, and constantly asking for leave or climbing walls wasn’t an option. So, we spoke with the government. We used the reason that ’the government needs their cooperation for some work,’ and through that, we obtained access rights from the school management. If you don’t want to keep climbing the wall every day, I can arrange access for you too, but it would only be for your school."
"Please do!" Zhou Li said immediately.
"It’s a small thing."
"Senior Brother Zhou, you don’t climb the wall *every day*, do you?" Xiao Hua asked in surprise. In her eyes, that didn’t fit Senior Brother Zhou’s esteemed image. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"Circumstances force my hand..."
"I understand."
Just then, before any food arrived, the waiter brought their drinks.
