To Get Married - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Ever since she was a child, Ye Liujing had been someone who admired the strong.

Perhaps because her parents died at the hands of demons, she had practiced much harder than her peers for years. Initially, it was for revenge. Later, her Master told her that just as humans are divided into good and evil, so are demons, and one must never generalize. The demon who killed her parents was long dead, leaving her hatred with nowhere to go.

“If I can’t have revenge, what’s the point of learning magic?”

“To protect. If the human world were not guarded, it would have long been overrun by monsters.” That day, her Master told her, “Compared to monsters, humans are as fragile as ants, yet the monsters eventually lost. The demons are imprisoned in eternal darkness, and the demonic tribes must now set aside their pride to coexist in peace with us. Do you know why?”

Master said that the reason fragile humans could stand firm on this earth was that they understood the word “protection” better than demons. For the sake of a bright future, there were always humans willing to sacrifice themselves, one after another. Their sacrifice protected humanity for millennia and inspired others to become new guardians.

The existence of an Exorcist was always about protecting—guarding ordinary people from harm and ensuring the world was not controlled by monsters. An Exorcist’s life did not belong to themselves; it belonged to every city, mountain, and sea on this land.

Ye Liujing didn’t consider herself a particularly great person, nor did she have grand dreams. In this era of peaceful coexistence, most rogue Exorcists had changed careers, and those within the “system” were supported by the higher-ups even if they did nothing. Their presence was merely a deterrent. When no demons were causing trouble, they just drank tea and focused on prevention.

But even ordinary humans could turn evil and commit murder; why would demons be any different? Every year, demons committed crimes across the country. While low-level spirits were the most common, there were occasionally those with higher cultivation. Human bodies were fragile; a demon with over a thousand years of practice could pierce a human chest with their bare hands. Every suppression inevitably resulted in the loss of Exorcists.

Since she had decided to follow her Master in this profession, she would happily drift through life during times of peace, but if chaos ever erupted, she would stake her life to protect the world. She hoped for a stable life, but if the day came when battle was required, she would never run away. She knew that every step an Exorcist retreated meant an innocent person—like her parents—dying at the hands of a demon.

Because of this, she desired strength and admired it. In her mind, her Master was a powerful Exorcist who seemed invincible. Yet, even as powerful as he was, her Master held a deep reverence for Great Demons. He said that with his skills, he could fight a thousand-year-old demon alone, but if he faced a Great Demon with profound cultivation, he likely wouldn’t last a few moves.

“Are Great Demons really that powerful?”

“Of course. They are the closest existences to gods in this mortal world. Anyone who sees one will feel instinctive awe.”

Ye Liujing never imagined that after believing this for over a decade, her fantasy would be shattered the day she finally met these “beings closest to gods.”

However, this sense of disillusionment belonged to her alone.

Manzhu chatted briefly with Yudong before leaving. Since Yudong had brought classmates, Manzhu knew her presence made the other three too nervous even to move their chopsticks. Since the bar wasn’t crowded yet, Manzhu didn’t need to sing to the air; she found a quiet corner and started watching a TV drama on her phone.

As soon as Manzhu left, the roommates started gossiping.

“Is that your sister?” Tang Qian gasped. “She’s too beautiful!”

“Your sister is the resident singer here? She must sing amazingly,” Chen Yang remarked. “She’s so good-looking, if she joined a talent show, she’d definitely debut!”

Ye Liujing opened her mouth but remained silent.

Yudong said, “My sister doesn’t like being in the spotlight. She says this is fine…”

Tang Qian nodded. “I get it. She doesn’t want her life disturbed. Is this the burden beautiful people must carry? I’m so jealous.”

Chen Yang added, “With a sister that pretty, there must be tons of people trying to chase her, right?”

Yudong blinked. “I… I guess so.”

In the early years, many customers had asked for Manzhu’s WeChat, but Manzhu didn’t even have the app; she still communicated with Yudong via SMS. Those who tried to hit on her were always subtly rebuffed. Regulars knew that Manzhu was “close yet far”—right in front of you, but the most unreachable person in the world.

“Yudong, is today a special occasion?” Tang Qian asked. “Why is she dressed like that? Is there an event?”

“No,” Yudong said. “She just likes dressing that way. She’s used to it.”

Tang Qian was enlightened. “Hanfu girl! I get it!” The persona is great—a glamorous, classical mature woman and a pure, cute urban girl. Resident singer and university student. Age gap, ‘raising’ trope, calling her ‘Sister’… Ah, it’s just too good! Tang Qian quickly pulled out her phone to record these inspirations.

Chen Yang continued to marvel while eating. “No wonder Yudong never follows celebrities or gets excited about hot guys and girls. Why would she? She’s surrounded by them.”

Yudong gave a self-deprecating laugh. For a moment, she thought of Zhang Ziyun. She remembered that Ziyun had once said something very similar.

Ziyun had been the first and only friend Yudong had ever brought to Not An Old Friend. At the time, Yudong thought she didn’t need any other friends. They would be best friends forever, just as they promised—middle school, high school, university, and even after graduation. She had thought that once they were close enough to have absolute trust, she would tell Ziyun her secret—tell her how she was different from others. She wanted to stay with Ziyun until they grew old, not leave silently.

But they never made it to that day. Their “lifetime” lasted only six years. Now, half a year later, her old friend was still missing. Yudong had spent the last six months asking old high school classmates about Ziyun’s whereabouts and had discovered truths she didn’t want to know.

While Yudong and Manzhu were on vacation, Zhang Hao had been hounding Ziyun. To pay back the debt, Ziyun worked part-time day and night, earning barely 300 yuan a day. During that time, Zhang Hao threatened her, hired thugs to follow her, and sabotaged her jobs until she was forced to keep switching. Ziyun’s front door and apartment hallway were spray-painted with insults. Every time she painted over them, they reappeared. Neighbors turned their anger on her, and she was too ashamed even to look up when she left her house.

The thugs had actually followed Ziyun to Not An Old Friend once, but the moment they started acting up, they were chased away by the bouncer, Uncle Yang. Uncle Yang was a mountain of muscle; though gentle-natured, he was terrifying when angry. He even had tattoos to look like a mobster just to intimidate troublemakers. Because of him, Ziyun had been able to work safely at the bar until mid-August.

According to a classmate, Ziyun finally paid off the debt in mid-August. Shortly after, someone else moved into her house. Zhang Hao stopped bothering her, but Ziyun vanished from Yuanchuan entirely. Her phone number was changed, her social accounts were abandoned, and she disappeared into thin air. Zhang Hao claimed he regretted it—he only wanted to pressure her into begging him for help, not drive her away completely.

Yudong never imagined that while she was enjoying her trip, Ziyun was suffocating under such pressure. During those two months, Ziyun never complained once. She endured it all and then left without a word.

Yudong often asked herself: if she had given Ziyun more support, or stood up to Zhang Hao, would things be different? When Ziyun left, did she think Yudong had gone on vacation just to avoid her? How painful must it be to be shunned by the person you rely on most during your darkest hour?

Thinking about it always made Yudong sad. Back then, she felt Ziyun’s way of handling Zhang Hao was wrong, so she chose silent companionship over standing up for her. Perhaps that choice had allowed Zhang Hao to push Ziyun to the brink. In that sense, she really wasn’t a good friend…

“Lu Yudong?”

“Yudong, what are you thinking about?”

Yudong snapped back to reality and smiled at her roommates. “I just remembered a high school classmate who said something similar.”

“About what?” Chen Yang asked.

“About not following celebrities,” Yudong shrugged.

“We already changed the subject,” Tang Qian said. “What’s with your reaction time?”

“Oh,” Yudong said. “What are we talking about now?”

“Drinking, obviously! We’re full; we can’t come to a bar just for hotpot,” Chen Yang said. “Yudong, any recommendations?”

“Yes!” Yudong quickly finished her rice, swallowed, and started clearing the table. Xiaozhi happened to walk by and took the dishes from her, telling Yudong to go have fun with her friends.

The roommates, feeling a bit shy, thanked Xiaozhi and followed Yudong to the bar. Yudong pulled up some high stools, and the four sat in a row, looking ready for a long night. At first, the three roommates were stiff, sitting perfectly straight and staring at Yudong.

In the past, Ziyun always recommended drinks for Yudong. Popular cocktails like the Grasshopper, Piña Colada, Alexander, and Mojito usually had low alcohol content and a pleasant taste—perfect for girls. Now that it was Yudong’s turn to recommend, those were the ones she remembered.

The roommates found everything fascinating. After a few sips, they relaxed and started chatting. They loved watching Yan Zhaomu mix drinks, finding it visually satisfying. As Zhaomu worked, Yudong imitated Ziyun, explaining the characteristics and stories behind each drink. She didn’t remember everything perfectly, but whenever she faltered, Zhaomu would quietly provide a word or two as a hint. Honestly, if she hadn’t, they would have assumed Zhaomu was mute.

Once they realized the handsome “Little Master” could talk, the three girls tried to engage him, but most of his responses were just nods or shakes of the head. Yudong finally intervened: “Don’t trouble my Master, he’s a man of few words.”

As the bar got busier, the four moved to a side table. Tang Qian clearly couldn’t hold her liquor; after three drinks, she was tipsy but insisted on continuing—since a “rich friend” was paying and it tasted good, why not? Eventually, she ended up leaning against the wall with a flushed face, giggling at her phone while typing something she wouldn’t let anyone see.

Later, Chen Yang dragged them to the stage to hear Manzhu sing. She immediately became a “fangirl,” requesting song after song. As a “wealthy patron,” she didn’t care what the songs were; she just wanted to support Manzhu. She treated the requests like a tipping feature, scanning the QR code for 50 yuan over and over. “Whatever! I’m not picky! Sister Manzhu, sing whatever you want!”

By the end of the night, the three girls were half-drunk. They could have gone back to school, but Yudong was worried about the long distance. Finally, Xiaozhi and Huanxi squeezed into Yanque and Xiaobai’s room for the night, freeing up a staff dorm for the three girls.

When Tang Qian heard there was a free place to stay, she kept repeating the same sentence with different inflections: “Wait? There’s this kind of good thing? There’s this kind of good thing! There’s this kind of good thing~?”

“Good thing~” Ye Liujing stood at the top of the stairs, bowing frantically to everyone cleaning below. “Thank you… thank you, Great Demons and Little Demons!”

Chen Yang dragged her back into the room. “Little Leaf! Stop talking nonsense!”

“They’re all demons… why won’t you believe me? If they weren’t demons, how could they be so beautiful…”

“Fine, fine, they’re demons, you’re a demon too. Go wash up and sleep, little demon!”

“Hehehehe…”

Yudong watched them enter the room, feeling stuck between laughter and tears. As she turned, Manzhu was standing behind her. Their eyes met, and Manzhu smiled. “Let’s go home. Xiaozhi and the others will look after your classmates tonight.”

Yudong nodded and gently took Manzhu’s cold hand, interlacing their fingers.

“Sister.”

“Hmm?”

“That outfit you’re wearing today,” Yudong said as they walked downstairs. “It’s especially beautiful.”

“Should I make a set for you, too?” Manzhu asked.

Yudong shook her head and smiled. “It only looks this good because you’re the one wearing it.”

Manzhu blinked, then a faint, involuntary smile touched her lips.

This girl… she rarely complimented her looks so directly.