"If I say I miss you, will you hit me?" Zhan Dundun asked tentatively.
"What do you think?"
Liu Nanfeng's smile remained, but Zhan Dundun sensed "malice."
He chuckled nervously, "Actually, I wanted to come back to see Wen Hui, and, of course, to see you too."
"Wen Hui?" Liu Nanfeng blinked, then recalled a distant memory.
"Shen Wenhui?"
"Yes, Wen Hui. Do you have any news about her?" Zhan Dundun looked at Liu Nanfeng expectantly.
Liu Nanfeng shook his head. If Zhan Dundun hadn't mentioned her, Liu Nanfeng would have almost forgotten about her.
Shen Wenhui's parents and Liu Nanfeng's parents were colleagues at the same factory, and their families lived above and below each other. The two grew up together.
They were the same age and went to kindergarten together, and their relationship remained good all the way through elementary school.
However, they gradually grew distant in middle school. Although it was the age of first love, boys should have been more interested in girls.
But in those days, if a boy said more than a few words to a girl, it would draw laughter from others. Playing together was considered very shameful.
After high school, they were admitted to different high schools. Coupled with moving away due to demolition, they lost contact entirely.
However, he recalled that Zhan Zhongxiao seemed to have liked Shen Wenhui quite a bit. He would always save a portion of the snacks his parents brought back from business trips for Shen Wenhui. But back then, he was young and mischievous, and would often snatch her snacks, relying on his familiarity with Shen Wenhui.
"After all these years, you still remember the matchstick girl?" Liu Nanfeng asked, somewhat surprised.
Matchstick Girl was Shen Wenhui's nickname. In Liu Nanfeng's memory, she was tall and thin, and always wore black-rimmed glasses, hence the nickname.
Of course, "Willow Branch," Liu Nanfeng's nickname, was also thanks to her, primarily as a form of retaliation.
"What are you talking about? She's a girl, and you call her Matchstick Girl all day. It sounds so unpleasant."
"You're defending her now? Didn't you also call me Willow Branch?" Liu Nanfeng said speechlessly.
"That's different."
"How is it different? You're just a fickle friend. I'm telling you, the Matchstick Girl wasn't particularly good-looking when she was little. Could she have become pretty now? If you really see her, you'll be disappointed."
"Whether I'm disappointed or not is my business. But have you really lost all contact with her? Not a single piece of news?"
For some reason, Zhan Dundun felt a mix of happiness and disappointment.
"We truly lost contact after high school, but if you really want to find her, it's not impossible."
"Really?"
Zhan Dundun's eyes widened upon hearing this, his face filled with delight, possessing a certain cuteness.
"They're here."
Just then, Zhang Dasheng arrived with a tray full of barbecue.
"What would you like to drink?" he asked, setting down the tray.
"Two cases of beer to start," Zhan Dundun said quickly.
"Alright."
"Do you have chilled ones?"
"Of course."
"Then get us the chilled ones. I saw you had some cold dishes earlier, get us one of those too."
Zhan Dundun, who had been a bit uncomfortable at first, gradually relaxed.
"Two cases. Can we finish them all?"
To be honest, Liu Nanfeng's alcohol tolerance wasn't great. He got married after graduating from college and worked from home writing books, so he rarely had social engagements and drank very few times. Thus, his alcohol tolerance never improved.
"Oh, this is for me alone. I didn't order for you. Aren't you driving? I was afraid you'd get too drunk and fall into the river."
Zhan Dundun jiggled his plump belly, stating it as a matter of fact.
Liu Nanfeng opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. After a long moment, he finally said, "Eat the meat."
"Don't rush. First, tell me how to contact Wen Hui."
"Are you serious?" Liu Nanfeng asked, surprised.
He hadn't really taken Zhan Dundun's earlier words seriously.
All the good memories were merely childhood impressions.
They hadn't seen each other in so many years. Time and society's influences could change anyone. It was a bit unrealistic to talk about feelings right away.
Therefore, Liu Nanfeng had just been joking. He hadn't expected Zhan Dundun to press the issue, realizing he was serious.
"Of course, I'm serious. Regardless of the outcome, she's a friend I haven't seen in many years. Isn't it a happy thing to meet again?"
"That makes sense. I said that earlier because her parents were colleagues with my parents at the same factory. They should still be in touch. I remember my mom mentioning it when I went to college, saying the Matchstick Girl—Wen Hui, right—got into Xiàjīng University."
"Xiàjīng University." Zhan Dundun was a little surprised to hear this.
"Yes, Wen Hui was always good at her studies since childhood. You know that."
Zhan Dundun nodded. In elementary school, Shen Wenhui was always either first or second in grade on every exam.
Their parents often compared Shen Wenhui to them.
After entering middle school and their relationship with Shen Wenhui became distant, this was undoubtedly a contributing factor.
"Cheers."
Zhan Dundun raised his beer bottle, insisting on clinking glasses with Liu Nanfeng.
Then, he chugged the entire bottle, faster than drinking water.
As they drank, they reminisced about childhood stories, many of which Liu Nanfeng had forgotten and was reminded of by Zhan Dundun.
Neither of them mentioned the present. Liu Nanfeng didn't mention it because he suspected Zhan Dundun had ulterior motives for coming to Jiangcheng, and he still held a skeptical attitude about him coming for Shen Wenhui.
As for Zhan Dundun, he didn't mention it because he thought Liu Nanfeng wasn't doing well, considering he was delivering food. There was no need to rub salt in the wound.
Thus, both of them were remarkably tacit, discussing only the past and not the present.
Even so, they drank until past ten o'clock. However, Liu Nanfeng only drank two bottles of beer; Zhan Dundun drank the rest.
"Brother Zhang, the bill."
While Zhan Dundun was in the restroom, Liu Nanfeng prepared to pay the bill.
"No need. Your friend has already paid."
"Oh?" Liu Nanfeng was a little surprised.
At this moment, Zhan Dundun returned. Liu Nanfeng said with slight dissatisfaction, "We agreed I'd treat you. Why did you pay the bill?"
"It's not easy for you to earn money. Next time."
"Who said it's not easy for me to earn money? While I'm not rich, I'm not so poor that I can't afford a barbecue."
"That's not what I meant. Look at my mouth, I really don't know how to speak. How about this, this one's on me. When you come next time, I absolutely won't snatch the bill. I'm in Jiangcheng, so we'll have many opportunities to dine together." Zhan Dundun quickly said.
Seeing him say this, Liu Nanfeng had no choice but to agree, as he couldn't ask Zhang Dasheng to return the money.
"Get on the bike, I'll give you a ride back."
Liu Nanfeng pushed out the electric bike parked by the roadside.
"No need. I'll take a taxi back myself. Your battery is low, isn't it? It would be troublesome if you ran out of power halfway while taking me back."
Hearing him say this, Liu Nanfeng didn't insist further.
"Alright then, I'll be going. We'll keep in touch on WeChat."
"You've been drinking. Be careful on the road."
"Although my alcohol tolerance isn't great, two bottles of beer won't make me drive into the river. How about you? You drank two whole cases. Are you really okay? Or should I take you home first?"
"Do I look like I'm not okay?" Zhan Dundun patted his belly, which felt bouncy.
"Okay, I'll be going then."
"Alright, be safe." Zhan Dundun waved his hand.
Liu Nanfeng didn't stand on ceremony and rode off on his electric bike.
Seeing Liu Nanfeng leave, Zhan Dundun turned and walked back.
However, Liu Nanfeng, who was thought to have gone far, stopped his electric bike and watched this scene from afar.
"Senior."
Zhan Dundun approached Zhang Dasheng respectfully and called out.
"What are you calling me?" Zhang Dasheng asked without looking up.
"Zhan Zhongxiao."
"Zhan?"
Zhang Dasheng raised his head upon hearing this, a hint of surprise in his expression.
"Who is Zhan Guoliang to you?"
"He's my father," Zhan Zhongxiao said quickly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Dasheng's attitude clearly softened.
"Come in and sit."
"Okay."
Zhan Dundun obediently walked to the side and sat down.
"Do you know my father, Senior?"
"Is that surprising? There are only so many named and known demon races in the country. How many pandas have the surname Zhan?"
"I met your father many years ago. But why are you in Jiangcheng? And how do you know Little Liu?"
"I lived in Jiangcheng for a while when I was in elementary school. Liu Nanfeng and I were classmates then."
Zhang Dasheng seemed to understand. It had been more than ten years ago, and he hadn't even come to Jiangcheng yet.
"Your cultivation is not low despite your limited years of practice. It seems you've undergone a direct transmission of power from a master."
Zhan Dundun gave a slightly bitter smile.
"This era is the best and the most difficult for demons."
Zhang Dasheng fell silent. Only the oil from the grilled skewers dripped onto the charcoal, sizzling.
Zhan Zhongxiao said this because the current society is a rare one where humans and demons can coexist, unlike the past where it was a constant struggle for survival.
However, many years ago, the world underwent a drastic change, the Heavenly Dao was not evident, and it became difficult for heaven and earth to naturally conceive demons. All newly formed shapeshifted demons were almost all conceived through direct transmission of power.
Conversely, with population growth, rampant materialism, and the increasing number of devils devouring souls and disrupting the human world.
"What brings you to Jiangcheng this time?" Zhang Dasheng suddenly asked after a long silence.
Zhan Dundun did not answer the question, but Zhang Dasheng already had an idea.
"The waters in Jiangcheng are very deep. Although your cultivation is not low, your experience is still shallow. I don't know what your father was thinking..."
Zhang Dasheng's words trailed off, as whoever could perform direct transmission of power for Zhang Zhongxiao must be an elder or relative, most likely his father, Zhan Guoliang.
"If it's not necessary, it's best to go back where you came from and not get involved in this mess."
Finally, Zhang Dasheng offered a word of advice.
"You jest, Senior. I'm just here to join the fun and broaden my horizons."
"It would be good if that were the case."
Zhang Dasheng glanced at him, clearly not believing his words.
Zhan Dundun gave a charmingly naive smile.
"I hate it when you pandas smile like that the most," Zhang Dasheng turned away, not looking at him.
"Senior, if you have nothing else, I'll be going back now."
"Go on, go on," Zhang Dasheng said without looking up.
Zhan Dundun got up to leave, then suddenly remembered something and turned back to say, "Senior, Liu Nanfeng and I are just ordinary friends. He doesn't know my true identity. If anything happens, I hope you won't involve him."
"Huh?"
Zhang Dasheng looked up, giving him a strange look, then slowly nodded.
...
"I'm back," Liu Nanfeng called out habitually as he opened the door.
Su Jinxiu walked out of the study upon hearing him.
She was wearing a sky-blue pajama set that looked very cool and breathable.
"Drank quite a bit, didn't you?" she asked, sniffing.
"Not much, just two bottles of beer."
"That's indeed not much. But who is this childhood friend? Were you very close before? Haven't you been in touch for a long time? After so long without seeing each other, why did you only drink this much?" Su Jinxiu took the helmet from Liu Nanfeng's hand.
Her questions, though seemingly casual, were quite probing.
First, she asked who his childhood friend was, whether they were close, and why they hadn't seen each other for so long.
Liu Nanfeng didn't think much of it and explained everything to her.
At the end, he remembered that Zhan Dundun was a panda demon.
Since he already knew Su Jinxiu's identity, there was no need to hide it from her, so he told her directly.
"A panda? With the surname Zhan?" Su Jinxiu frowned slightly, as if recalling something.
"Yes, the surname is Zhan. He's probably not impersonating someone. I told him many childhood stories today, and they all matched up. But honey, isn't it said that it's difficult for demons to shapeshift, and they age a year every hundred years? Zhan Dundun seems quite normal."
"The 'a year every hundred years' refers to demons with dragon bloodlines. They are a relatively special existence among demons, with a longer growth period, but they become very powerful once they mature."
"Besides dragons, there are also other special bloodlines with slower growth periods, all of them are like this. For ordinary demons, after shapeshifting, their growth stages are not much different from humans, only their lifespans are longer."
"Is that so? Is your bloodline special? If we have a baby, it would be fine if it were like Zhan Zhongxiao."
"Although my bloodline isn't special, the prerequisite is shapeshifting. Do you think shapeshifting is easy? For your childhood friend to maintain his human form, someone must have given up their own cultivation to bestow it upon him, accelerating his transformation."
"Is direct transmission dangerous?"
"Of course, it's dangerous. The caster must give up their cultivation, leading to their demise. If there's a slight mistake in the operation, the recipient could be left an imbecile, or worse, be smashed into pieces and turned into meat paste..."
As Su Jinxiu spoke, her mood also turned somber.
Liu Nanfeng gently pulled her into his arms.
"It's so difficult for demons to have offspring," Su Jinxiu sobbed softly, holding Liu Nanfeng tightly.
"It's okay, we won't have any. We won't have any, alright?"
Su Jinxiu hugged Liu Nanfeng without speaking. It was clear that she wanted to have a child with Liu Nanfeng, or she wouldn't be so upset.
Liu Nanfeng coaxed her for a while before she finally calmed down. Then he went into the bathroom to take a shower.
After running around all day, he was covered in sweat. Even he frowned at the smell. It was a wonder Su Jinxiu didn't mind.
He took off his clothes, and the warm water washed away the day's fatigue.
"I've taken your dirty clothes to wash. I've put fresh clothes here."
"Okay."
Liu Nanfeng heard Su Jinxiu's footsteps leaving outside the door.
Then he remembered that there were two "materials" being refined in the scroll. They should have successfully refined the pills by now. He wondered what skills he would obtain this time.
So, he summoned the scroll with anticipation.