After securing the production funds, the tea garden began operating smoothly, following standard procedures for tea processing and shipping.
Xin Yunmao now waters the tea trees on a regular schedule, and Chu Zhishui calls him with her pendant each time before driving him back to the bureau together. Whenever Xin Yunmao appears in the tea garden, Huang and Hei become so frightened that they work desperately, demonstrating the supernatural beings' remarkable potential as corporate slaves.
The two demons only dare to act bolder when Xin Yunmao isn't around.
"My lady..." Hei nervously wrung his hands, and noticing Chu Zhishui's expression change, he quickly corrected himself, "I mean, Director Chu, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Chu Zhishui: "What is it? Go ahead."
"You mentioned before that only one of us would stay, and the tea garden work would end soon..."
"Now that you mention it, have you come up with any new product development ideas?"
The green tea business was seasonal, ending after the tea-picking season. Chu Zhishui had assigned the two demons a new task to strategize for the Economic Development Department. If they could come up with feasible ideas, they could continue staying at the tea garden instead of suffering physical torment at the Observation Department.
Hei's eyes darted around: "I recently thought of a hair growth formula. Modern people are troubled by hair loss, so our product might have market potential."
"Hair growth formula?" Chu Zhishui suddenly realized, "Oh right, you're a Polygonum multiflorum spirit, no wonder you thought of this."
Hei fawned, "Yes, yes, I've been racking my brains trying to help you and the bureau, and finally came up with this idea..."
"What do you mean you've been racking your brains? I contributed to this formula too!" Huang, who had been hiding nearby, couldn't bear it anymore and jumped out angrily to expose his companion's lie. "Director Chu, please be clear about this - it was my idea initially!"
Hei, caught off guard by the interruption, argued defensively: "What do you mean your idea? The key to treating hair loss is Polygonum multiflorum. The ginger preventing hair loss is just a rumor."
"Nonsense! Experts say Polygonum multiflorum can cause liver damage. How dare you propose a hair growth formula?"
"That's only a possibility, everything depends on dosage. Don't you have any scientific spirit!?"
Huang and Hei bickered back and forth, giving Chu Zhishui a headache. She helplessly intervened: "Alright, stop arguing. Is this the only idea you've come up with?"
Both demons fell silent and meekly replied: "...Yes."
"Do you have any specific plans? There are so many competing hair growth products now. What advantages would your product have?"
The two demons were speechless.
Chu Zhishui said impartially: "Work together on writing a proposal, and I'll see if it's feasible. If not, you'll both return to the Observation Department."
"No, no, please reconsider—"
"Stop wailing. If you're scared, work together on the proposal and think of other money-making ideas."
After deep contemplation, Hei stroked his chin and muttered: "If only the old man were here, it would be much easier. Didn't he raise that girl back then..."
Huang jealously slapped his leg: "He was valuable enough to be taken away back then. Why can't we fetch a good price in human society!?"
"What are you two mumbling about?"
"Nothing, nothing. We'll go discuss it now, Director Chu."
Chu Zhishui had been busy lately and naturally couldn't spare more attention for them. After checking on the tea garden matters, she drove back to the bureau. Feeling slightly tired after driving, she walked somewhat unsteadily toward the building and unexpectedly encountered the black cat in the afternoon.
"Kitty."
Chu Zhishui was now familiar with the black cat. When she called out, it nimbly jumped over and rubbed against her with its soft body. The human and cat had been meeting frequently lately, and unlike their first encounter when it kept its distance, the cat now actively approached her, seemingly eager to be petted every day.
The black cat's fur was sleek and glossy as it affectionately pressed against her, happily walking alongside her.
Petting cats was indeed a stress-relieving remedy. Chu Zhishui had wanted to keep a cat since childhood, but her parents were never interested. Fortunately, she now had the chance to live alone. Thinking about her new apartment that was waiting to be decorated, she considered befriending the black cat and taking it home, so it wouldn't have to wander homeless when the weather turned cold.
After playing with it for a while, Chu Zhishui reluctantly got up to say goodbye.
The black cat didn't try to keep her, simply swishing its long tail before leaping into the bushes. It never stayed in one place too long, but these days it would appear as regularly as clockwork.
Moments later, Chu Zhishui returned to the office building. Unlike the bustling second floor, the third floor was quiet, with no one in the hallway. Passing by the Logistics Department, she saw a familiar figure and decided to stop in to greet Jin Yu and Niu Shi.
"You're back?" Jin Yu turned around at the sound, "I'm just getting something from Brother Niu."
"Yes, haven't seen Director Wu?" Chu Zhishui looked around. She had transferred Jin Yu to the Economic Development Department, essentially taking away Wu Changgong's capable assistant, which had reportedly caused quite some complaints from him.
"Same as always, doesn't show up unless necessary."
"Has Brother Niu been busy lately?"
"About the same as before," Niu Shi replied amiably. "Unlike the Observation Department, things haven't changed much since I came to the bureau."
As a senior staff member, Niu Shi wasn't as apprehensive as Jin Yu about working in the Logistics Department. His stubborn personality meant he could even stand up to Wu Changgong when needed, so the department's personnel changes hadn't affected his work.
The three of them, being old acquaintances, settled into casual conversation about various matters.
"Brother Niu, are there many stray cats around the bureau?"
"There should be quite a few animals, though I haven't seen many cats. There are some garden snakes in the wasteland though."
"Well, if you see any stray cats, could you let me know where? I've been running into one lately that I'd like to adopt."
"Sure, I can help catch it. What does the cat look like?"
"It's a black cat with white paws, quite large," Chu Zhishui recalled. "No need to catch it, just tell me where it is. I'll buy a carrier and come get it myself, then take it for vaccines on the way home, and schedule neutering later."
Jin Yu was startled: "A black cat with white paws?"
"Yes, it's quite beautiful, a big one."
"That sounds familiar?" Jin Yu scratched her head in confusion, feeling something was off but couldn't quite place it. She changed the subject instead, "Oh right, since you're here, I'll give this to you now."
Jin Yu held out her hand, revealing a spray bottle. It had a simple design and contained a few milliliters of clear liquid, looking like a perfume sample.
Chu Zhishui took the small spray bottle and asked puzzled: "What's this?"
"This is my bubble water," Jin Yu said with an embarrassed look, mumbling, "You've given me so many things, and I feel like you don't really need anything, so I asked Brother Niu for a bottle. If you don't mind, you can use it."
Chu Zhishui, thinking of Jin Yu's abilities, asked in surprise: "Is this the memory-erasing bubble water?"
Jin Yu nodded, stammering sheepishly: "I don't really have any other talents."
"This is already amazing! I don't have any talents at all!" Chu Zhishui removed the cap and curiously shook the small bottle. "Do I just spray it directly?"
Seeing Chu Zhishui's genuine happiness, Jin Yu's expression relaxed, and she began explaining: "Yes, but it only works on humans, and some special people might be less affected. When you run out of bubble water, just ask me for more."
Chu Zhishui found it fascinating and carefully put it away, pondering: "Thank you, I don't know how to repay you."
Jin Yu frantically waved her hands: "No, no, no need to repay!"
"But bubble water can't be bought with money."
"It's fine, Jin Yu says you're always taking care of her, so it's only right for her to give back," Niu Shi advised. "You might not know this, but we supernatural beings have a set of rules. When dealing with humans, reciprocity is important for positive cycles, otherwise it could be harmful to us."
Chu Zhishui was surprised: "Rules?"
"Humans and supernatural beings have different abilities. To coexist long-term, there are established customs. Otherwise, it could bring misfortune and disaster. Many of the supernatural beings we arrest at the bureau have violated these rules."
"So if I don't accept it, Jin Yu would be doing something wrong?"
"Something like that."
Chu Zhishui said worriedly: "Then should I be more careful in the future, so you won't be forced to repay..."
"It's not forced repayment. As long as there's no contract or ritual, normal interactions are completely safe. Don't feel pressured," Jin Yu hurried to explain. "Without deliberate demands, the rules won't take effect."
"The rules are based on intention," Niu Shi added. "Feel free to accept it, just think of it as our custom, like how humans have social obligations too."
Chu Zhishui nodded understandingly, then turned to Jin Yu and said sincerely, "Thank you, I'll make good use of it."
Jin Yu scratched her head, appearing somewhat shy and starting to bubble up. After giving her gift, she changed the subject: "Brother Niu, there's been strong demon energy on the second floor lately. Is something going on?"
"The Observation Department is trying to meet their targets. I think everyone's back now, probably preparing for a major operation."
"Does the Finance Department have any objections?"
"Even if they do, it doesn't matter. The work needs to be done, so we just make do."
Chu Zhishui listened half-heartedly while holding the small bottle in her pocket with one hand and unconsciously touching the pendant on her neck with the other. She suddenly understood Xin Yunmao's previous soliloquies. Whether it was offerings or believers, perhaps they were all similar to rules, just habits of demons.
The rain poured continuously as demon winds arose.
Violent gusts burst through mountain crevices, howling across the fields like the wails of vengeful spirits.
Inside the mountain, a small building stood with its doors tightly shut, struggling against the terrifying gale as rain pelted the eaves like steel balls. In the gloomy rainy night, a window glowing with warm orange light became the only beacon in the cold darkness, illuminating the black silhouette of a girl by the window.
Inside, a girl wearing a white school uniform that had almost lost its color sat at an old lacquered desk, buried in thick high school senior year test papers and study materials. She was holding a black pen, writing with complete concentration when she heard a knock at the door, nearly swallowed by the howling wind.
It was faint and unclear.
Almost like an illusion.
The girl didn't dare waste time. She hurriedly went to open the door without grabbing an umbrella, and shouted into the howling wind and rain, "Grandpa Su, is that you?"
There was no one outside, only a bamboo basket covered with cloth. Wild fruits peeked out from under the soft fabric, their blue-red faces wet with rain that formed crystalline teardrops sliding down their surfaces.
There were no footprints in the wet ground of the courtyard, and the main gate's lock remained undisturbed, yet somehow the basket had appeared at the doorstep.
The girl walked around the courtyard with an umbrella but found nothing except holes in the ground. She had no choice but to take the fruit basket back inside.
The rain continued to fall.
The next day was the weekend. The downpour had stopped, but dark clouds still loomed overhead.
After getting up, Chu Zhishui received a message from Wang Yiwen, who was clearly unhappy about working on Saturday and was chatting to kill time.
[Boss Chu, I miss having you at the company.]
[According to your horoscope, you'll have romance troubles today.]
Chu Zhishui replied: [I don't read horoscopes, but yours shows career troubles today.]
[...Has there been a weekend without troubles since I joined this company?]
After some casual chat with her friend, Chu Zhishui mentioned she had to attend a wedding banquet that evening and would definitely be questioned about marriage. This consoled Wang Yiwen's intense corporate slave grievances - she'd rather work overtime than face such situations.
Since the wedding banquet was a formal occasion, Chu Zhishui carefully chose her outfit and even applied light makeup, which was rare for her.
At dusk, the hotel entrance was crowded with wedding cars. Dark sedans were decorated with rose bouquets, connected with heart shapes, creating a festive atmosphere. A red carpet led straight to the main entrance, where the newlyweds' relatives busily greeted guests with smiles.
Chu Xiaohe looked around and said, "Good thing we didn't drive, or we'd be stuck here."
Chu Zhishui followed her parents into the hotel. While she had been too busy to attend various banquets while away, she couldn't avoid them now that she was back in Huaijiang. Today's bride was her parents' colleague's daughter - they had met in the courtyard before, but neither could remember the other clearly now.
"By the way, if you run into Liu Kemei, try to avoid her a bit," Xie Yan suddenly remembered something and turned to her daughter with an awkward expression. "Or if you get bored later, you can leave early."
"Why?"
"Well, she saw you at the supermarket last time, and she has a son who was your classmate..." Xie Yan hesitated, "...you know what I mean?"
Chu Zhishui understood and asked puzzled, "Doesn't Sun Qiao have a girlfriend? I heard they've been dating for several years."
Xie Yan was startled: "Really?"
"Of course it's true. When I first came back and went out for a gathering, I forget who mentioned it."
Chu Xiaohe teased, "You even have informants exchanging intelligence in Huaijiang, more well-informed than your mother."
"In such a small place, what secrets can there be?"
Chu Zhishui knew she hadn't contacted many people since returning, but news of her working at the Observation Bureau must have spread throughout the city. Small towns were like that - even the slightest movement would become common knowledge.
Thinking of Liu Kemei's recent enthusiasm, Xie Yan muttered in confusion, "I really didn't know about this. Did I misunderstand her intentions?"
Shortly after, the family entered the banquet hall and looked for their seats. The long stage was flanked by large round tables, and those seated at Chu Zhishui's table were mostly her parents' colleagues and their children, leading to inevitable polite small talk.
The topics inevitably centered around work and relationship status. Although the Observation Bureau's salary was extremely low, outsiders didn't know the details, and the title sounded decent enough. As for relationship questions, Chu Zhishui deployed her strategy of "mm-hmm, yes, you're right" to muddle through most conversations successfully.
After middle-aged parents finished comparing their children's achievements, they moved on to forcing their grandchildren to perform. A group of little ones reluctantly took turns showing off, halfheartedly wiggling around before darting away from their seats, eager to run wild around the hall.
Liu Kemei appeared later, bringing her son Sun Qiao. Her eyes lit up when she saw Chu Zhishui, and she immediately dragged her son over to greet them: "Oh my, Zhishui, it's been so long since you and Sun Qiao met, right? Do you remember running into each other often in high school?"
Sun Qiao stood behind Liu Kemei, nodding politely to everyone around. Standing about 1.7 meters tall, he had an ordinary but proper appearance, looking more mature now with some of the sophistication that comes with working life - quite different from Chu Zhishui's memory of him loudly accusing her of sucking up to teachers.
"Indeed," Chu Zhishui looked at Sun Qiao and said politely, "Long time no see."
Liu Kemei noticed her son just standing there motionless and gave him an exasperated slap: "Chat with her a bit! How can you still be so shy at your age!"
Sun Qiao glanced at Chu Zhishui and turned his head aside, forced to respond: "Chat... chat..."
Chu Zhishui maintained her composure, but Xie Yan looked extremely uncomfortable.
Others suddenly realized: "Oh right, they're the same age?"
Liu Kemei was delighted to hear this, winking as she said, "They used to live in the same compound and were even in the same grade at school!"
"Well then, you two must catch up - childhood sweethearts and all!"
The others' teasing made the atmosphere even more awkward.
Xie Yan carefully watched her daughter's expression, worried that Chu Zhishui might feel uncomfortable and lose her temper, especially now knowing that Sun Qiao apparently had a girlfriend, which made Liu Kemei's behavior seem quite inappropriate.
Chu Zhishui noticed Sun Qiao's evasive attitude and assumed he was also being pushed into this unwillingly, probably just Liu Kemei's one-sided enthusiasm. Not wanting to cause a scene at someone else's wedding, she made some perfunctory small talk.
Seeing her natural demeanor, Sun Qiao began responding more normally, losing his initial awkwardness.
Liu Kemei exclaimed happily, "Look at that, still as close as when they were little!"
After several rounds of drinks and the newlyweds making their rounds, Chu Zhishui prepared to make her exit, giving her parents a meaningful look as she decided to slip away quietly.
Liu Kemei, who had been watching Chu Zhishui closely, immediately asked when she saw her stand up, "What's wrong?"
Xie Yan explained, "She has some work to finish, so she needs to head back to deal with it."
"Sun Qiao, walk her home - it's so late now."
Despite Chu Zhishui's repeated refusals, Liu Kemei wouldn't take no for an answer, so she had to let Sun Qiao accompany her out.
At the hotel entrance, Sun Qiao held his car keys and said, "Wait a moment, I'll bring the car around."
"It's fine, no need to send me home. It's close by, I'll just walk," Chu Zhishui waved goodbye, "You should go back."
As darkness fell, Chu Zhishui wore a light-colored turtleneck cashmere sweater. Feeling the chill after coming outside, she put on her wool coat. Her delicate face was softly illuminated by the streetlights, emanating an elegant and cultured grace.
Hearing her gentle tone, Sun Qiao felt something stir in his heart and insisted, "Let me drive you."
To be honest, Sun Qiao had initially strongly opposed his mother's idea, mainly because he had a poor impression of Chu Zhishui from high school. He remembered her as quite domineering, acting perfectly proper in front of adults but always looking at him with unspoken contempt. She had been the top student in their grade, put on a pedestal by adults, and even though she didn't say much, she always seemed aloof and superior.
But now she had returned to ordinary life, finding a stable job in Huaijiang, and her personality had become gentler, seeming somehow different.
Compared to the other person, her education and family background were indeed impeccable, and her job and appearance were more presentable.
"Really, it's fine. It's cold outside, you should go in."
"That's all the more reason to see you home."
Chu Zhishui, seeing his persistence, spoke frankly: "We're old classmates, no need for such formalities. Don't let your girlfriend misunderstand."
"My girlfriend?" Sun Qiao's expression stiffened as he said dryly, "What girlfriend?"
"I heard from people at school that you've been dating for many years. Isn't your wedding coming up next?"
"Ah, that's not my girlfriend. They're just spreading rumors," Sun Qiao recovered from his initial panic and quickly adjusted his composure, explaining, "She's just a good friend who often keeps in touch, but we're not compatible."
Chu Zhishui raised an eyebrow: "Not compatible?"
"She's from a village, working in Huaijiang." Sun Qiao smiled helplessly, "You should understand, there's no possibility there."
Chu Zhishui fell silent.
She should understand? What exactly should she understand?
Having heard that the girl's job and education weren't impressive, it wasn't hard to figure out Sun Qiao's attitude.
Some men are truly calculating and scheming creatures, Chu Zhishui only worried that she might have played dumb for too long, making Sun Qiao think he was worthy of her - a terrifying thought indeed.
The atmosphere suddenly cooled. Sun Qiao, aware of his slip, hurriedly said, "Let's not talk about this. Let me drive you home."
Chu Zhishui paused for several seconds before suddenly breaking into a smile, nodding: "You're right. We're indeed not compatible."
Sun Qiao's eyes lit up as he breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Right? Different backgrounds, we can't really connect."
"Yes, with your current income, unremarkable height and looks, and mediocre university degree, you're not really compatible with anyone." Chu Zhishui looked him up and down, showing her sweet dimples as she smiled, "But at least you're self-aware about your shortcomings and didn't waste that girl's time. That shows some responsibility."
"..."
Sun Qiao's face alternated between green and white, completely humiliated by her direct insult.
Chu Zhishui wasn't afraid of his potential reaction - she had memory-erasing bubble water in her pocket, so it wasn't clear who would suffer if things got physical. She couldn't be bothered to watch his expression anymore and turned away, waving casually: "I'm leaving."
It took Sun Qiao a while to recover before he furiously called out, "Chu Zhishui, how can you still be so arrogant like in high school!?"
She was just an ordinary person now, working an unremarkable job, reportedly earning only two or three thousand.
"Oh," a leisurely female voice carried back through the night wind, "And you're still as awful as you were in high school."
Sun Qiao stood angrily at the hotel entrance, watching her silhouette disappear into the night.
The night market street corner was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, shops with bright signs lining both sides.
Walking down the street, Chu Zhishui felt that if she hadn't mocked him just now, it would have bothered her longer. After the dinner was disrupted by Liu Kemei and her son, she looked around wanting to get some late-night snacks, when suddenly an eerie wind swept past her, raising an ominous feeling in her heart.
She looked around vigilantly but only saw human pedestrians, with no other discoveries.
Having encountered demons so often, she must have developed a sense for them.
Chu Zhishui used to be completely insensitive to demon aura, but recently she had developed this ability, no longer being the numb mortal she once was. She knew demons wouldn't act in crowded places, as the principle was that the chaotic energy in busy areas would directly disperse demon aura, making it difficult for it to gather.
However, she couldn't stay in the night market forever and would eventually have to pass through quieter areas.
At the end of the pedestrian street was a long bridge crossing the Yue River. Beyond the bridge lay a brightly lit residential area, with only the bridge surface being a dark spot in the brilliantly lit city. The tall street lamps cast yellow light, and just by looking up, one could see the lights of countless homes not far away.
Being nighttime, there were neither vehicles nor late-returning pedestrians on the long bridge.
Chu Zhishui walked alone under the lights. Glancing down casually, she saw the lamplight at her feet being devoured by shadows, spreading like spilled ink.
It was beginning.
The bridge's street lamps suddenly flickered, turning on and off as if making contact, like the fierce eyes of ghosts blinking in the darkness.
Beside the pedestrian path was a narrow green belt, and in the soil was a deep hole from which dark demon aura emanated, gradually twisting and condensing together.
Through the whistling cool wind came an old man's voice: "Young lady, let's talk..."
"Xin Yunmao—"
Seeing the demon aura clearly, Chu Zhishui ran towards the end of the long bridge without looking back, not even bothering to listen carefully to the old man's voice.
"Ah, wait, don't call for help!" The demon heard her loud cry for help, his tone clearly becoming panicked as well.
"I'm not calling for a human!"
The next moment, a black figure appeared ahead. Chu Zhishui felt relieved and rushed forward, but instead of seeing a familiar face, she caught a flash of silver light. It was a metal clasp shaped like an eye, and the person was wrapped in a dark Demon Suppression Robe, surrounded by gloomy demon aura, their features indiscernible - like a headless death god with a scythe from a horror movie.
Seems she had mistaken one demon for another.
She was suddenly startled and stopped, even taking a step back.
The black robe noticed her retreat and suddenly reached out a hand, either to touch her or to stop her.
Chu Zhishui kept backing away but bumped into something that blocked her escape route.
She had no time to look back as she watched the black robe draw closer, fingers reaching right in front of her face. Just as she felt helpless, the person behind her reached over her shoulder - ink-dark sleeves, pale white fingers - and firmly gripped the black robe's wrist, preventing them from getting any closer.
Xin Yunmao stood behind Chu Zhishui, wearing ancient clothing, with his hair tied up and wearing a crown. He glanced at her disapprovingly and said, "How did you even run in the wrong direction?"
"I didn't know you were behind me." Chu Zhishui turned her head after recognizing his voice, and seeing his long hair and ancient attire, she was dumbfounded, "...Are you still a hanfu enthusiast?"
Why was he dressed in ancient style so late at night!?
"You called out so suddenly, I had no time to change." Xin Yunmao's intercepting hand remained motionless, still extended across Chu Zhishui's face as he looked at the black robe, apparently recognizing them, and frowned, "Didn't you hear clearly? She was calling for me."
The two demons remained in a standoff for several seconds before the black robe finally withdrew their hand.
"Director Hu told us to keep an eye on her safety recently, to prevent any more incidents," the black robe said.
Chu Zhishui guessed they were colleagues from the Observation Bureau and hoped Xin Yunmao would introduce them, but he just raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
"Let me go, I'm here to turn myself in! Let me talk to that young lady!"
Chu Zhishui turned around and finally realized they were surrounded by demons in black robes, with a white-bearded old man being restrained on his knees in the middle - the same demon who had attacked her and fled. When Huang and Hei were caught, he had escaped from the tea garden during the chaos, apparently having been the leader of their group.
The Yue River bridge was covered in billowing black shadows, countless Demon Suppression Robes fluttering like banners in the evening wind. Above, below, on the railings, under the street lamps - everywhere within sight were personnel from the Observation Department, like a flock of black bats moving in the night.
The demon aura was bone-chillingly cold, like being plunged into an ice cave.
Chu Zhishui pulled her coat tighter and unconsciously moved closer to Xin Yunmao, feeling that there was no cold wind on his side.
Xin Yunmao said flatly: "Miao Li, take off your Demon Suppression Robe and withdraw your demon aura."
"Why?" a male voice came from under the black robe, "I don't see why I should listen to you."
"She dislikes demon aura, and ugly demons."
"..."
The black robe paused briefly, slowly turning toward Chu Zhishui.
Chu Zhishui had already figured out the black robe's identity and hurriedly said: "...No, I'm really not someone who judges demons by their appearance, Director Miao doesn't need to listen to his nonsense, just carry on with your work normally."
It seemed unreasonable to forbid the use of demon aura while catching demons.
"No need to address me so formally, the old way is fine." Miao Li reached up to remove his hood, revealing deep-set features and golden eyes with a mixed-race appearance, and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, I forgot humans aren't comfortable with demon aura."
The hooded black robe apparently called the Demon Suppression Robe, and after Miao Li revealed his true face, the demon aura notably softened, no longer sharp and cold.
"All of you, remove your Demon Suppression Robes as well."
The other demons followed the director's order, successively removing their hoods to reveal their true faces, and greeted Chu Zhishui.
"This is my first time seeing so many people from the Bureau," Chu Zhishui corrected herself, "So many demons."
The Observation Department was indeed a core division, seemingly occupying nearly half of the Bureau's personnel.
"If you're still feeling unwell, I can..." Miao Li reached out toward Chu Zhishui, seemingly about to touch her shoulder.
Xin Yunmao, dressed in traditional clothing, lowered his head to adjust his collar. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, he casually brushed away the other's hand.
Miao Li, his arm deflected, felt puzzled and tried to reach out again.
Xin Yunmao repeated his previous action.
"Now I understand," Miao Li saw through his trick, finally comprehending. "I've been wondering why the marks keep disappearing. So it was your doing."
Xin Yunmao sneered coldly: "Even in human form, you can't shed your animal habits. Still like leaving your scent on others?"
Miao Li explained impartially: "My gift is warding off evil. Humans with awakened sight tend to attract things, so this makes it more convenient for her."
"What's the use?" Xin Yunmao raised his eyebrows. "She still attracted trouble, didn't she?"
"The Observation Department will deal with this severely," Miao Li paused for a moment, seemingly intrigued, and asked, "This is the first time I've heard you speak so much."
The demons from the Observation Department couldn't linger too long on the bridge, as too many witnesses would make cleanup work difficult. They bound the white-bearded elder with Demon Chains and reported, "Chief Miao, we'll take him away now."
The white-bearded elder shouted desperately: "Let me go, let me talk to her—"
"Talk what! You can talk at the Observation Department!"
"I have nothing to discuss with you lot, you don't understand college entrance exams, at least let me say goodbye..."
The demons responsible for the arrest put their Demon Suppression Robes back on and dragged the white-bearded elder away without another word. The group of demons was swallowed by demonic energy, vanishing completely from the long bridge.
Miao Li asked curiously: "Is the college entrance exam a human test?"
"Yes, but I finished mine many years ago," Chu Zhishui asked, "Chief Miao, are you not returning to the bureau with everyone else because you have other work?"
The other demons from the Observation Department had vanished without a trace, leaving only one human and two demons on the long bridge.
Miao Li smiled and said: "It's too dark now. I'll escort you home first, then return to the bureau."
Xin Yunmao pressed his lips together, asking incredulously: "You're going to let him escort you back?"
Chu Zhishui looked at the two demons standing like guardians on either side: "..."
Why did all humans and demons today think she couldn't walk home by herself? She was an adult and didn't need anyone to escort her.
Besides, Miao Li was the head of the Observation Department, outranking her. They had just met, and the thought of walking all the way home with him was suffocating.
Chu Zhishui said diplomatically: "Thank you, Chief Miao, but you still need to work overtime at the bureau later. Going back and forth would be too troublesome. I'm just a few steps from home, there's no need to escort me."
"It's no trouble at all."
"Chief Miao, my home is right over there, really, there's no need to go out of your way."
Chu Zhishui pointed at the residential complex across the bridge, afraid that Miao Li would insist.
"You don't need to keep calling me Chief Miao. I thought our relationship was close enough to be less formal." Miao Li looked disappointed. Noticing her resistance and glancing at Xin Yunmao, he softened his tone, "Alright then, I'll see you at the bureau tomorrow. Get some rest early."
"You too, get some rest."
Miao Li put on his Demon Suppression Robe and bid them farewell as demonic energy gradually surrounded him. He looked rather melancholic, his golden eyes somehow familiar, like a heartbroken large cat that had been abandoned.
The Demon Suppression Robe, like dancing black flames, enveloped Miao Li as he vanished into thin air.
Xin Yunmao glanced at her: "Are you two that close?"
After Miao Li left, Chu Zhishui immediately denied: "I just met him today."
Xin Yunmao seemed half-convinced.
She recalled their earlier conversation and suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, what's Chief Miao's true form?"
"A cat."
"...A black cat?"
"For someone who just met him today, you seem to know quite a lot?"
"..."
Chu Zhishui had only encountered one black cat recently, no wonder Miao Li acted so familiar with her. She never imagined that demons could appear in their true forms, looking no different from ordinary animals!
Don't pet stray cats by the road—she had been calling "kitty kitty" to her superior every day downstairs, even stroking and cuddling the Chief Miao in his cat form. This was absolutely a workplace social death moment!
Chu Zhishui had always been easily embarrassed. A pink flush rose to her cheeks, spreading to her ears. Remembering past events, she felt blood rushing to her head, so embarrassed she wanted to curl her toes into the ground. Was it too late to resign now?
Xin Yunmao noticed her state and leaned in slightly to observe, demanding: "Why are you blushing?"
"Am I blushing?" Chu Zhishui instinctively touched her face, which was indeed burning hot, even the night breeze couldn't cool it down.
Xin Yunmao asked incredulously: "What do you have to blush about regarding him?"
Chu Zhishui didn't want to reveal her foolishness. Already flustered, she turned her head away hastily, mumbling: "I can't explain it to you."
Xin Yunmao looked at her with complex emotions, shocked: "Though I knew you were attracted to appearances, aren't you being too indiscriminate if even he can make you blush?"
"That's not it, I'm not, don't make things up." Chu Zhishui snapped in embarrassed anger, "Stop putting words in my mouth!"
"You'd better not be." Xin Yunmao saw her strong reaction and his expression softened slightly, then he snorted, "Humans and demons can never have a good ending, and since you're under my protection now, you shouldn't randomly change your faith."
Chu Zhishui: "I've never changed my faith."
Xin Yunmao nodded approvingly: "That's more like it."
"From beginning to end, I've always believed in the Party, the country, and the people." Chu Zhishui gave him a sidelong glance and countered firmly, "I've never believed in anything else!"
"..."
