Zeyuan stood still, his bright red eyes blinking slowly. Something about all this unsettled him, but he wasn't even sure what he was hoping she'd say.
Behind him, Xuanfeng had already opened a rift of demonic energy leading directly to the Demon Palace. After holding it open for a while, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Mobao called back, urging, "My lord, it's time. Xuanfeng's reaching his limit."
Xuanfeng: "…"
Zeyuan stared at Lu Yao for a moment longer before finally turning around and stepping into the rift.
After they left, Jiaoniang walked over, her expression a little complicated.
"So he's the Demon Lord after all. Are you really sure about this?"
Romance between a human and a demon was even harder than between a human and a beastfolk—especially when the demon was someone of such high status.
Lu Yao had no cultivation, just an ordinary mortal. If she got swept away by a fleeting crush, she'd be the one to suffer in the end.
Lu Yao didn't answer. Instead, a faint smile played at her lips.
"So, where are you planning to stay?"
There was no sign of gloom in her eyes—Jiaoniang wasn't sure if Lu Yao had really let things go, or if she simply hadn't thought that far ahead.
As someone who had been through similar pain, Jiaoniang figured she understood what Lu Yao might be feeling, so she didn't push. She just followed her lead and said,
"The little sparrow spirit pointed me to a nearby river. I found a pond that's just the right depth. It'll be enough to rest in at night."
The sparrow spirit, upon learning that Jiaoniang was the net café's new staff member, was both curious and slightly jealous.
But Jiaoniang was stunning, and her demonic aura was powerful. For once, the sparrow spirit didn't play any tricks—instead, it fussed over her with unusual enthusiasm. Only Lu Yao had received such treatment before.
Lu Yao frowned slightly.
"The rivers nearby are all freshwater. That's okay for you?"
Jiaoniang couldn't help but laugh at how oddly specific Lu Yao's concerns were.
Not even most demons would notice something like that—let alone humans. She shook her head.
"Living on land is fine. The pond is just for soaking my tail each day. I'm already more than satisfied."
Buxian Mountain turned out to be far better than Jiaoniang had expected.
The job wasn't difficult—just a little tedious.
It was her first time working like a human, so she took it seriously, learning not only the tasks but also how to use computers and phones.
Her human coworkers weren't like the ordinary folks she'd met before. Men and women alike were warm and kind—and constantly complimented her looks.
Though she could see their curiosity about her being a demon, there was no disgust or disdain in their eyes.
Within a few days of starting, she was already so busy that she didn't constantly think about Nizhao City or the Sea of Tears anymore.
---
Nizhao City – The Xie Residence
Ever since that day Xie Zili returned his grandmother home, the Old Madam had been reluctant to let him go.
Xie Da Laoye (the patriarch) and Madam Xie also came to see him often, subtly trying to convince him to stay for a while longer. The fear and repulsion they'd shown six months ago upon seeing his demon form in the courtyard pond seemed completely gone.
Xie Zili was baffled. He couldn't understand why his parents no longer feared him.
He thought of Jiaoniang waiting in the Sea of Tears and originally intended to leave immediately—but then the Old Madam fainted from crying.
Left with no choice, he stayed.
He planned to leave once his grandmother woke up.
But every time he mentioned going, she burst into tears.
This was the grandmother who had doted on him since birth. Day after day, he delayed his departure. In the blink of an eye, he'd been at the estate for three days.
Xie Zili started to worry—what if Jiaoniang thought he wasn't coming and came to the estate herself? That could turn into another unpleasant scene.
But three days passed, and Jiaoniang didn't show up—not even a message on the sound-transmission talisman he carried.
He grew increasingly uneasy and, for the first time, decided to reach out using the talisman himself.
But after half a day, there was still no response.
He couldn't sit still anymore.
Though he still held some resentment toward Jiaoniang, during these past few days at the estate, he gradually came to understand why she had been so worried—his grandmother and parents were trying to keep him at home.
He stood up, ready to inform the household that he was returning to the Sea of Tears.
He'd heard the Old Madam was cooling off in the lakeside pavilion after lunch, along with the Master and Madam, so he headed that way.
As he rounded the rock garden, he overheard voices. He was about to step out and greet them when he heard his own name.
He instantly recognized the speakers: Madam Xie and her personal maidservant.
Madam Xie:
"Old Madam and Master are already discussing suitable families in the city to arrange an engagement for Xie Zili. This is so infuriating!"
The maid:
"Who would've thought that little demoness would come back? Old Madam and Master are just desperate. But the medicine's already been delivered. When does Madam want to give it to Master?"
Madam Xie lowered her voice:
"Be cautious. The Master can't hear about this. I'll coax him into drinking it tonight—this has to work, no matter what."
…
Unaware that anyone was nearby, the two women chatted a bit longer before leaving.
Once they were gone, Xie Zili slowly stepped out from behind the rocks, his face a mix of confusion and pain.
So it had all been fake.
Just an illusion—all because…
Suddenly, he remembered what Jiaoniang had once said:
> "Zili, you're a sharkfolk. You don't belong in the human world anymore. You'll only get hurt… I can't… I can't let you become like me…"
He turned and returned to his temporary quarters, wrote a letter, and left it on the desk before heading out.
Maybe Jiaoniang had been right all along.
He was half-demon—he shouldn't keep longing for the human world.
---
Demon Realm – Abyss of Heaven – Demon Palace
It had already been several days since Zeyuan returned to the Demon Realm. He'd been buried in a mountain of paperwork and political duties.
Following the human realm's example, he'd adopted a bureaucratic system to govern the Demon Realm. As the supreme lord, there was much to oversee.
That day, a young female official arrived at the Hall of Diligence, claiming to carry an urgent state document for the Demon Lord.
The outer guards allowed her in. At the time, Xuanfeng and Mobao were also in the hall, pestering Zeyuan.
They wanted to return to Buxian Mountain to play with Lu Yao.
But the Demon Lord had too much on his plate—there was no way he could visit the human realm anytime soon.
He couldn't go.
And he didn't want anyone else to go either.
Mobao and Xuanfeng were sulking, but not ready to give up yet—they continued to pester him.
Then, suddenly, they saw a young female official walk in—one who looked strikingly similar to Lu Yao, about 60–70% alike.
Both of them froze.
Xuanfeng immediately let go of Mobao and, forgetting all decorum, rushed forward to intercept her.
"I'll deliver the document to His Lordship myself."
Mobao looked puzzled, though a strange anxiety had also crept into his heart. He just hadn't reacted as quickly.
Lu Yao (or rather, the lookalike) instinctively took a step back and said quietly,
"Please don't make this difficult, Lord Xuanfeng. Lord Zhuxiang said the document must be delivered to the Lord in person."
Xuanfeng wasn't sure why he felt such unease—he just had a gut feeling that this girl shouldn't meet the Demon Lord.
But Lu Yao insisted and refused to hand over the tray.
The two of them stood frozen at the entrance of the hall.
Zeyuan, without even looking up, said,
"Xuanfeng. Let her through."
Xuanfeng: "…"
He really had tried his best.
Lu Yao's lookalike lowered her gaze slightly, bit her lip, and stepped forward, both hands holding the black-lacquered tray.