The ox demon was presented with not only a large pile of beef skewers but also several plates of charcoal-grilled steak.
Judging by the writing on its head, the ox demon was named Niu Zhixiao, a somewhat peculiar name.
It devoured the meat and drank the wine with no apparent discomfort.
“Here, this is Qianjin Rou for you.”
At that moment, Zhang Dasheng brought a tray and placed it heavily on the other’s table.
Niu Zhixiao was not angered, merely asking curiously, “I didn’t order these.”
“They’re for you,” Zhang Dasheng’s tone was filled with malice.
Giving Qianjin Rou to an ox demon, how wicked could Zhang Dasheng’s heart be?
Why say this? Because Qianjin Rou was merely a pleasant-sounding name. In reality, it was ox penis. When sliced open, the center had a hole, resembling a copper coin, hence the name Qianjin Rou.
Liu Nanfeng genuinely worried they might fight and endanger bystanders, and was considering moving to a different spot to eat.
However, to his surprise, Niu Zhixiao burst into laughter, completely unoffended.
Moreover, it even thanked Zhang Dasheng.
It then added, “They say to replenish what you lose. This thing must be very nourishing. It’s just that my wife will have to bear with it tonight. Thank you.”
Zhang Dasheng’s expression instantly turned extremely unpleasant, and he turned to leave.
He could only hear Niu Zhixiao’s hearty laughter echoing from behind, making him gasp for breath in anger.
Actually, many years ago, Zhang Xinwu and Niu Zhixiao had a very good relationship.
They, along with another individual, gained sentience due to the same fortuitous encounter, transforming into demons. During this period, they supported each other, endured countless hardships, and finally assumed human form.
What followed was a rather cliché love triangle.
Ultimately, Niu Zhixiao won the beauty’s heart, while Zhang Dasheng left in a huff and opened an ox barbecue restaurant.
Thus, Zhang Dasheng’s attempt to provoke Niu Zhixiao with Qianjin Rou was easily defused, and Niu Zhixiao, in turn, provoked Zhang Dasheng to the brink of explosion.
Seeing Liu Nanfeng and "Su Jinxiu" standing before the stall, Zhang Dasheng took a few deep breaths, calmed his anger, and greeted them.
“Come in and sit. What would you like to eat? We’ve got a fresh batch of Australian grass-fed beef today.”
“Two bottles of beer for us, and fifty skewers to start. And a cold dish platter…”
“Do you want any kidney?”
“No.”
Liu Nanfeng flatly refused. Was he someone who needed kidney assistance? He had Great Strength.
Zhang Dasheng showed a look of regret and turned away.
Liu Nanfeng specifically noticed that as they spoke, Niu Zhixiao glanced over in their direction. It seemed to recognize "Su Jinxiu," but did not approach to greet her.
However, considering the number of demons in Jiangcheng, it wasn't surprising they knew each other, as they were far fewer than humans.
Although Liu Nanfeng had encountered many recently, compared to the human population, they were merely a drop in the ocean.
They hid among humans, living ordinary lives, law-abiding and never displaying any peculiarities.
Of course, not all demons were good-natured. It was the superiors who imposed restrictions; the unruly ones had already disappeared.
When he consulted Zhu Yuchan last time, she had also mentioned this. The country had specialized regulatory departments primarily responsible for monitoring and apprehending demons who abused their abilities for criminal purposes.
“Boom…”
Just then, a clap of thunder suddenly sounded out of nowhere in the sky. Liu Nanfeng looked up.
The sky was a hazy gray, with no stars visible, yet it didn’t look like it was about to rain, which he found rather strange.
“What’s with the thunder?”
Liu Nanfeng muttered softly, then withdrew his gaze and was about to speak to "Su Jinxiu" when he saw her also looking at the night sky with a displeased expression.
Liu Nanfeng’s heart stirred. He looked towards Niu Zhixiao and Zhang Dasheng nearby. They too had paused their actions, looking at the sky in surprise.
“Did something happen that she doesn’t know about?” Liu Nanfeng wondered.
At that moment, several more explosions sounded in the sky, and a gust of wind appeared out of nowhere, making the nearby awning flap noisily.
“Is it going to rain? Will we not be able to have barbecue tonight?” Liu Nanfeng said to "Su Jinxiu."
"Su Jinxiu" had also withdrawn her gaze and replied, “Probably not.”
She then added, “I checked the weather forecast, and it said no rain today.”
“Is that so?”
Liu Nanfeng saw the thoughtful expression on "Su Jinxiu's" face and knew there was definitely something amiss.
Just then, "Su Jinxiu" suddenly said, “I haven’t seen Huamei in a long time. I’ll ask her over. She’s always saying she’s busy with work. I’m planning to go see her tomorrow.”
“Huh? Why so suddenly?” Liu Nanfeng was surprised by this.
He quickly added, “Do you need me to go with you?”
“No, I just want to surprise her and see if she’s really busy with work or if she’s got a boyfriend. You don’t need to come with me; you can just look after the shop for me.”
"Su Jinxiu's" reason was quite plausible.
“Then how many days will you be gone?” Liu Nanfeng asked.
“Two or three days,”
"Su Jinxiu" replied after a moment’s thought.
Liu Nanfeng nodded at this.
“Alright, then.”
In reality, the coffee shop wouldn’t need looking after for two or three days. Her saying this clearly meant something, and since she didn’t want him to know, Liu Nanfeng naturally wouldn’t pry.
“I haven’t seen her in a long time either. Do you want to buy something to take to her?”
“Last time we went shopping, I bought her a set of clothes. This time, I’ll take them to her. If she’s not too busy, I’ll come back with her.”
"Su Jinxiu" said, feigning a relaxed demeanor.
“That would be wonderful. I haven’t seen her in a long time either.”
“Do you miss her?”
"Su Jinxiu" asked with a smile.
“A bit. And Auntie too. I haven’t seen her in a long time either. Why don’t I go to Jinling with you? I can visit Auntie on the way.”
“No need. Auntie is traveling. I probably won’t see her when I get back this time.”
The Auntie they spoke of was the one who raised the two sisters.
Of course, this was what they said themselves. Liu Nanfeng had only met this Auntie twice, when they were getting married, and she was a very elegant woman. He hadn’t seen her since.
Su Jinxiu’s explanation was that the Auntie, being single, fond of traveling, and wealthy, traveled all over the world, making her hard to reach.
Liu Nanfeng had believed it before, but now he even suspected that this Auntie might have been fabricated by them.
“The skewers are here…”
As they were talking, Zhang Dasheng came over with the skewers and cold dishes.
Beef itself didn’t require long cooking to avoid becoming tough, so the food arrived exceptionally quickly.
Liu Nanfeng habitually scalded the bowls and chopsticks with hot water before arranging them for "Su Jinxiu."
"Su Jinxiu" also appreciated Liu Nanfeng's small gestures of care.
Meanwhile, within the boundaries of Mount Mao in Jiangsu Province, a fierce battle was underway.
“White Bone Demon, how dare you steal my Samsara Mirror! You’re courting death.”
The speaker was a giant man, about two meters thirty-four tall, resembling an upright brown bear. His body was covered in hair, and his muscles were well-defined, making it clear he was not to be trifled with.
“I offered you a bone from my own body in exchange for this item, and you refused. What use is it to you to guard this broken mirror?”
“Broken mirror? Then why steal it?”
The giant man reached out and squeezed the air, and a beam of lightning appeared in his hand, which he hurled towards the woman opposite him.
Countless chilling white bones rose from the ground, blocking the lightning.
The two clashed, emitting a deafening roar like thunder.
“Why is it thundering again?” Liu Nanfeng looked up at the sky.
"Su Jinxiu" put down her bowl and chopsticks, looked up at the sky, her face etched with worry.
“What’s wrong?” Seeing her like this, Liu Nanfeng also felt a little concerned.
“It might actually rain. After all, weather forecasts aren’t always accurate.”
Liu Nanfeng didn’t believe her explanation. He suspected this might have something to do with the real Su Jinxiu, his girlfriend’s sister.
After they finished eating and paid, they left. Along the way, Su Huamei remained visibly worried, which further solidified Liu Nanfeng’s suspicion.
Upon returning home, "Su Jinxiu" didn’t rest immediately but busied herself in the kitchen.
“Don’t go out delivering food for the next few days. I’ll cook the dishes and put them in the refrigerator. You can just heat them up when you get back…”
“Also, drink the fruit juice in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Even though it’s in the fridge, it’ll spoil if it stays too long…”
“In the mornings, if you find it too much trouble, just boil some porridge yourself. Grab a handful of rice and about three bowls of water, and that should be about right. But try to eat less of the side dishes in the fridge…”
“Also, it’s hot these days, so remember to change your clothes daily. Put the dirty ones in the washing machine, but don’t wash socks with them. If you don’t want to wash them, you can leave them there, and I’ll wash them all when I get back…”
“And when you’re minding the shop, drink less coffee. Maximum two cups a day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Actually, never mind, I’ll tell Xiao Xu…”
…
"Su Jinxiu" busied herself, issuing a barrage of instructions.
Standing at the kitchen doorway, Liu Nanfeng felt an indescribable sense of gratitude.
But he said aloud, “You’re only going for two or three days. Is it really necessary?”
"Su Jinxiu" turned around and gave him a look, “You’re so unreliable, always making people worry!”
“Alright, you keep busy. I’ll go hang the clothes.”
They had showered earlier, and the clothes had been washed in the machine.
Hearing this, "Su Jinxiu" stopped talking and resumed her work.
Her husband liked meat dishes, so she had to cook several: braised pork, ribs, meatballs. She couldn’t repeat them too often, as he would get tired of them.
And vegetables too, she had to stir-fry a few. But cooked vegetables didn’t taste good when reheated. No, she should order some fruit later…
"Su Jinxiu" calculated as she worked.
Meanwhile, Liu Nanfeng, who had returned to the living room, opened "Su Jinxiu's" bag and took out her phone…
When "Su Jinxiu" came out of the kitchen after cooking, Liu Nanfeng had already hung the clothes and was busy at the computer.
“All the dishes are in the fridge. I’m going to take another shower.”
Having cooked several dishes, "Su Jinxiu" was also covered in sweat and had to wash herself again.
“Okay,” Liu Nanfeng replied without looking up.
"Su Jinxiu" suddenly remembered something and walked over to her backpack, taking out her phone.
Liu Nanfeng was startled. He quietly peeked from behind the computer screen, afraid that "Su Jinxiu" would discover something.
“I’ve ordered some fruit. Eat them while you’re home. They’ll be delivered soon, so remember to open the door.”
“Alright,” Liu Nanfeng breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh, and when you arrive tomorrow, remember to call me to let me know you’re safe.”
“What, you think I’ll get lost?”
“Yes, you’re such a beautiful woman. If you got lost, I’d be heartbroken!”
“Got it.”
"Su Jinxiu" smiled.
“It’s a deal, then. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Okay…”
…………
The next day.
Liu Nanfeng woke up from his sleep. Seeing the sunlight peeking through the curtains, his mind was still unclear.
When a gentle breeze lifted a corner of the curtain, he suddenly came to his senses and turned to look at the pillow beside him. The person who had been sleeping there was gone.
He quickly got up and left the bedroom.
On the dining table, he found breakfast already prepared, along with a note.
It was written in a playful tone, telling him to behave at home, not to fool around outside, and definitely not to bring anyone back. He was to eat on time, drink less coffee, and avoid staying up late…
Though the note was short, every word conveyed her care and affection for him.
Liu Nanfeng, who wasn’t made of stone, couldn’t help but be moved.
However, the more moved he felt, the heavier his heart became. How could he ever repay the sisters for their kindness?
Liu Nanfeng didn’t discard the note but carefully put it away. Then, he opened his phone’s map, and "Su Jinxiu's" location immediately appeared on the screen.
Technology was sometimes more convenient than supernatural abilities.
Last night, Liu Nanfeng had gained the ability to enter dreams from the Nightmare. This pleased him greatly.
Although memory recall was very good and powerful, it wasn’t exactly rare. There were many people in reality who possessed photographic memories.
However, the ability to enter dreams was perhaps unique.
It also proved that the time for refinement was indeed twenty-four hours.
However, the dream-entering ability wasn't as powerful as he had imagined. Last night, he tried to enter "Su Jinxiu's" dream but failed.
He didn't know if it was due to his weak dream-entering ability or because "Su Jinxiu" was too strong.
Although he knew "Su Jinxiu's" location, Liu Nanfeng didn’t set off immediately.
Who knew if she had counter-tracking abilities? He was just an ordinary person and could easily be discovered.
So, he calmly washed up and then sat down to eat breakfast.
He couldn’t waste the loving breakfast that "Su Jinxiu" had spent all morning preparing.
After breakfast, Liu Nanfeng tidied up and went to the shop. During this time, he also called "Su Jinxiu."
“Boss, didn’t the Boss Lady come today?” Song Haitang placed a small potted plant in front of Liu Nanfeng.
“Mm, she went back to Jinling,” Liu Nanfeng said casually.
“Then, Boss, are you not delivering food for the next few days?”
“Not for now. I plan to use this opportunity to finish the outline for my new book. If I’m not here in the mornings, you all can look after the shop yourselves.”
Liu Nanfeng said this to Song Haitang and the others.
Upon hearing this, everyone promised to reassure him, saying there would be no problem.
By noon, Liu Nanfeng didn’t join Song Haitang and the others for lunch. Instead, he carried his laptop bag and returned home.
He reheated two of the dishes that "Su Jinxiu" had cooked last night.
At the same time, he checked his phone and found that "Su Jinxiu" had indeed gone to Jinling. This made him wonder if he was overthinking things.
However, after lunch, when he checked again, "Su Jinxiu" had already left Jinling.
Therefore, Liu Nanfeng tidied up, went to the underground parking lot, and drove his long-neglected Mercedes towards Jinling.
This car was a gift from his wife on his twenty-fifth birthday.
Otherwise, with his manuscript royalties, he couldn't afford it even if he didn’t eat or drink for five years.