"Oh, fine," the female demon mage shot her brother a glance, finally settling down. She silently stepped aside and muttered, "Bro, go for it. Just don’t turn into a clown."
"I’ll handle this…" The male demon mage nodded firmly.
Luo Yu stared hard at them both, her legs shuffling backward, farther and farther away.
Farther and farther.
"Ahem… I came in as my sister’s family member," Xiong Sanpang said, watching Luo Yu quietly retreat from his spot. He sounded awkward. "It’s not what you think, Xiao Yu. Hey, hey, don’t walk away—"
"Who the hell are you calling Xiao Yu? That name’s not for you," Luo Yu snapped, stopping in her tracks. Her tone was impatient. "I’ve got tons to do. No time for your nonsense."
"I’m at least your Third Brother Xiong. How can you treat me like this?"
"I only know Bear One and Bear Two. Never heard of any Bear Three. Scram."
"You can’t lie straight to my face," the male demon mage—Xiong Sanpang—wiped sweat from his brow. "You borrowed money from me back then. We’ve got at least a business tie."
"Those few coins? I danced in a brothel to pay you back ages ago," Luo Yu said coldly, her voice turning sharp. "Bear Two, if you push this ‘connection,’ I’ll report you for groping me."
"My real name’s Xiong Sanpang, not Bear Two. Bear Two’s my sister—"
"Your family’s huge. Who knows where you rank?" Luo Yu’s patience was gone. "Ugly, gross, and a guy? Who’d even look at you?"
"…" The male demon mage fell silent for a moment, then sighed wistfully. "Luo Yu, you’re not that innocent little girl anymore. We pinky-swore to be best friends forever, sharing every secret…"
"Bro, when did you and Luo Yu ever swear anything? You’re fantasizing again," the female demon mage cut in. She grabbed his shoulder. "You barely spoke to her as a kid. Just followed her like a lovesick puppy, showering her with gifts and cash. Not even a ‘thanks’ in return. Total clown act."
"…Watch your mouth, sis," the male demon mage stiffened.
"And after years of simping? Nothing," she pressed on. "While Luo Yu danced for nobles in brothels, you were home praying to her photo in the Taoist temple. Even begged me to cosplay as ‘Sister Luo Yu’ during your showers…"
"…"
His face flushed red. He clamped a hand over his sister’s mouth.
As the siblings bickered, Luo Yu’s patience wore thin. Her calf trembled nonstop.
"Goodbye," she called offhandedly, ignoring the demon mages. Her gaze drifted to a pretty girl’s chest and long legs during a magic test. She turned to leave.
"Everyone wants to cling to this Emperor. Seriously," she muttered under her breath.
"Wait—"
The male demon mage rushed forward, blocking Luo Yu’s path. "Luo Yu, we didn’t just spot you to chat. We’ve got real business."
"Oh?" Luo Yu paused.
"Seriously, Luo Yu. Don’t go yet. Hear me out," he added quickly. "Just… stay put."
"Not catching up with me anymore?" Luo Yu spun around, arms crossed.
"You’re finally talking normally," he sighed in relief.
"You forced this talk. You’re the weird ones," she uncrossed her arms, hands on hips. Her face still frowned, but her tone softened slightly. "Spit it out. What’s up?"
"Auntie Mei Zi. You remember her well, right?"
"Miss Mei Zi?" Luo Yu blinked, startled. "What about her?"
"I know you left her a year ago," the male demon mage stepped closer. "Truth is, she’s sick. Her line of work… catching infections isn’t rare. She’s got syphilis now—"
"She never wrote me about this," Luo Yu’s expression shifted. "How do you know?"
"Tch." He sighed deeply. "It’s a long story—"
"When my brother visited Mei Zi to… relieve stress, afterwards, during the calm moment, he chatted with her and accidentally asked," the female demon mage chimed in bluntly, joining them.
Male demon mage: "…"
Luo Yu: "…"
"You damn idiot," he hissed, covering his sister’s mouth again. "Must you spill everything about your brother?"
"Right," he turned to Luo Yu after silencing his sister, studying her face. "Luo Yu… you okay?"
"Fine," she muttered, staring at the ground briefly before lifting her chin. Her mood unreadable. "Miss Mei Zi’s always been trash. Karma’ll get her."
"Glad you don’t care," he scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "Mei Zi also said she’ll hand her business to you after graduation. With your looks, men’ll swarm you—"
"I know. Her letter mentioned it," Luo Yu nodded, then shook her head. "Ugh. Low-level Demon Kind drama is so tiresome."
"You’ll really do it?" He looked at her earnestly. "Without selling yourself like Mei Zi wants, how’ll a talentless Lower Demon like you survive?"
"…"
Just then, the female demon mage shook off her brother’s grip and stepped up. "Luo Yu, you’re weak. No magic talent. Among the lowest Demon Kind, you’re bottom of the barrel—a pretty-faced vase. Unlike me, Fourth Sister. I earned my spot here. After graduation, I’ll join a hunt squad. A Lower Demon like you? Only option’s selling your body. Face it."
"Impossible." Luo Yu stretched her arms overhead with a yawn and turned away.
"Hey, Luo Yu! What’s your plan?" the male demon mage called after her, reaching out.
But her confident voice cut through.
"I won’t bow to some tragic fate as a lowly Demon Kind," Luo Yu declared, eyes fixed on the sun ahead. Her gaze burned with resolve. "Watch closely. By month’s end, I’ll do something earth-shattering. Shock everyone."
She strode out of the square, her back radiating cool confidence.
"…"
"…"
"Hey, bro," the female demon mage tugged his sleeve. "Luo Yu’s planning something big, huh?"
"…A talentless lowest-tier Lower Demon? What can she do?" He shrugged, patting her head. "You know Luo Yu. Always fantasized about greatness since childhood. Born with delusions of grandeur."
"…Yeah, you’re right," she nodded, grinning. "Hehe. Can’t wait to see this arrogant girl crash. I love that trope."
"Oh," he patted her shoulder. "Sis, lend me more money. I need to save up big time."
"Why?"
"Luo Yu’ll follow Mei Zi into selling herself soon, right?" His eyes gleamed with hope. "I’ll be her regular client. You know—rescuing fallen girls costs a fortune…"
Female demon mage: "…"
