“What are you here for?”

After saying that, Yue Lin took a few steps back and moved behind the door. One hand pressed against the edge, ready to slam it shut at any moment.

She wasn’t stupid. A bunch of shady strangers showed up, and after she snapped at them, they might just beat her up.

But that weird old human had opened with a bunch of annoying nonsense, so there was no way she was going to waste words on someone like him.

Karan glanced at his teacher’s less-than-pleasant expression and quickly forced out a smile to smooth things over. “We’re here to visit Mr. Li Wei.”

...So they were here for that unreliable man again.

Yue Lin only showed a small face from behind the door. She glanced at Vivian, who still hadn’t spoken, then frowned slightly. “He’s probably busy right now.”

“Did Mr. Li Wei go out?”

“No. Mom is working with him.”

“Working?” Karan asked curiously.

“Mom?” Ge Ling suddenly snapped back to attention. “What exactly is your mother’s relationship with Mr. Li Wei?”

“What do you mean, what relationship?” Yue Lin looked baffled. “Don’t you have a dad and mom?”

“???”

How was this kid insulting people so naturally?!

But after saying that, Yue Lin paused when she looked at Ge Ling’s aged appearance. “Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

That gaze of hers, which seemed to carry a bit of pity, made Ge Ling feel deeply offended.

But before the three outside could react, Yue Lin swiftly shut the door with a smack.

Listening to the footsteps retreat behind the door, Vivian thought of that girl with the cute little ahoge. After a brief daze, she looked at Ge Ling’s dark face and hesitated before explaining for her:

“Master Ge Ling, that probably wasn’t what she meant. She was just trying to say that her mother and Mr. Li Wei are husband and wife.”

“I know, Miss Vivian. No need to explain. Why would I argue with a child?” The wrinkles on Ge Ling’s face twitched slightly. He looked at the tightly shut door, adjusted his mood, then turned to Vivian with interest. “Still... so they really are husband and wife.”

“That does make one curious. After turning down the affection of so many outstanding women, what kind of person is the wife Mr. Li Wei ultimately chose?”

Vivian said flatly, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know either?” Ge Ling froze for a moment. “Did he only meet her recently?”

Vivian’s gaze shifted slightly. “No. It’s been a long time. It was just kept hidden before.”

“I see. Though with his ability, hiding a few secrets would be far too easy.” Ge Ling fell into thought, then muttered softly, “But if this news gets back... heh, who knows how much turmoil it’ll stir up in the Holy City.”

Vivian lowered her head, her thoughts tangled.

She didn’t even know why, when she sent that letter, she had still hidden this from Inona. Did she still have some kind of expectation toward Li Wei?

Was it because of Tiffany’s influence?

No. There was no way that elf’s messy nonsense could shake her. She just didn’t want to deal with this kind of thing. She couldn’t be bothered to say more.

While Vivian was lost in thought, Ge Ling raised a hand and knocked on the door.

The girl behind it had long since run off, but Ge Ling believed Li Wei should already know they had arrived.

They waited quietly for a while. Then all three clearly sensed another presence approaching from behind the door.

But for some reason, the moment they first felt that aura, even Ge Ling suddenly had the illusion of being oppressed.

His eyes widened in shock and uncertainty. But before he could probe further, that threatening pressure vanished as suddenly as if it had only been his imagination.

Then the door opened, revealing a slender, petite silver-haired girl behind it.

Her appearance didn’t just erase that faint, looming threat completely. The beauty of her very existence seemed to make the air itself turn sweet.

Tsukika yawned, looking like she’d just been woken from a nap. She lifted those noble, beautiful crimson eyes and lazily looked over the people outside.

She was wrapped up tightly in what looked like an oversized sleep robe from Li Wei, which made her seem a little funny and cute. Even so, the noble aura flowing from her was impossible to hide.

Looking at the girl’s youthful beauty and peerless face, even the two old men couldn’t help staring for a moment.

Vivian faced Tsukika again and still felt immense pressure. And today, Tsukika seemed to have a little less of that girlish innocence. In its place was a touch more noble charm. It was almost as if she’d been nourished by some kind of rain and dew, making her even more captivating than a few days ago.

“You are...?” Ge Ling restrained his gaze. The girl’s beauty seemed able to pierce through any defense and stir the heart without reason. Yet for some reason, the desires in his heart felt suppressed by something terrifying. He didn’t even dare let improper thoughts arise.

And that majestic yet beautiful bearing of hers gave him a strange sense of familiarity. Had he seen her somewhere in the Holy City before?

“Tsukika. That’s my name. But you don’t need to mind me. You’re all here to see my husband, right?” Tsukika gave the two old men a thoughtful glance, then turned to Vivian with a half-smile, as if Vivian wanted to hide behind them.

“So Vivian came too.”

“I was just wondering these past few days when you’d come visit again.”

Vivian took a deep breath. “I didn’t plan to come. These two masters were looking for Li Wei and had something to discuss, so I only brought them here.”

“Why explain so much, Vivian? You used to be my husband’s companion too, didn’t you? Why act so distant on purpose? Even if you’ve parted ways, you’re not enemies. You can come by anytime.”

Those gentle words from Tsukika left Vivian confused and at a loss.

“You... don’t mind?”

“Mind? Why would I mind?”

Tsukika tilted her head, showing an innocent, puzzled expression.

That was a lie.

Though not entirely a lie.

At least when it came to Vivian getting close, Tsukika truly didn’t mind.

Not because this Demon Lord was especially broad-minded.

It was just that, in Tsukika’s eyes, Vivian...

was purely a toy.

When a born troublemaker saw living, breathing entertainment right in front of her, how could she possibly resist playing with it?

As the one fully in control of the situation, Tsukika quietly curled up her soft pink lips. If Li Wei were here, he would definitely recognize that smile.

It was like a wicked cat spotting a mouse trembling in a corner with nowhere left to run.

A cruel smile, the kind used to toy with prey.

After a brief moment of feigned surprise, Tsukika then put on a look of sudden realization. “I get it. Vivian, do you think I’d worry about other women getting close and stealing my husband’s love away from me?”

“But I’m not that petty.”

“And though this might sound a little narcissistic, I’m actually pretty confident in my own charm~” Tsukika blinked playfully.

That expression left Vivian dizzy and entranced.

What a great and generous personality.

Faced with a girl this radiant and pure, Vivian even began to feel sickened by some of her own ugly, jealous thoughts.

If Li Wei weren’t still in the bedroom right now, he definitely would’ve objected to that statement.

Confident in her charm (x)

Confident in her violence (√)!

As for radiant and pure...

He probably wouldn’t argue with that. He’d only say that being able to see nothing but the surface really did suit Vivian’s abilities.

“Of course, if some girl really came chasing after my husband, I’d still get angry.”

“But Vivian, you were his teammate. I think I can trust you. Besides, Vivian is so cute. Like a child. Every thought shows right on your face, so how could I possibly overthink it?” Tsukika covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“Pfft!”

Another stab.

And this one was fast and vicious.

It even felt like it had terrifying effects attached to it: [Guaranteed Hit], [True Damage], [Uncounterable].

Vivian felt her chest tighten, and her face turned slightly pale.

So I’m not even qualified to count as a threatening romantic rival?

Without realizing it, Vivian’s presence shrank another notch.

Tsukika was clearly smaller than her, and she didn’t have Tiffany’s fierce intimidation either. Yet every time Vivian faced Tsukika, she felt a pressure from her that was even more terrifying than her sister’s.

Especially when Li Wei wasn’t beside Tsukika, that pressure seemed even stronger. Vivian couldn’t understand why.

Ge Ling and Karan listened from the side, both starting to break into cold sweat. Even as bystanders, they found it painful to watch. They could hardly imagine how Vivian felt.

No matter who this woman really was, for her to become Mr. Li Wei’s wife, her methods for dealing with outside women were clearly no joke.

And yet in this situation, neither of them dared interrupt. Each kept his eyes lowered and stayed silent.

“Anyway, since you’re here, come in and sit for a while.” Tsukika invited them again.

“Vivian won’t run off like last time, right? I’m not some scary Demon Lord. I won’t eat you. Come on in.”

She was too cute.

Vivian thought in utter misery. She almost wished Tsukika would insult her outright, or show obvious disgust on her face, so Vivian would at least have room to strike back cleanly. But Tsukika kept smiling the whole time, like a great monarch on a throne looking down on her subjects with tolerant amusement. Vivian couldn’t find a single opening, nor could she summon any desire to challenge her.

If she responded with hostility to a smile like that, wouldn’t that only make her look even uglier?

And with Tsukika inviting her like this, she had no way out anymore. If she fled in panic in front of her a second time, how humiliating would that be?

After inviting them inside, Tsukika went to the bedroom and knocked on the door.

“Dear, more guests are here. They’re looking for you.”

“I know.”

A muffled reply came from inside the bedroom.

In the room, Li Wei had just changed clothes. Looking at the pale-faced, handsome young man in the mirror, he rubbed his messy hair with a helpless expression.

This morning, he’d fooled Yue Lin by using “Mom” as the spell target. Tsukika had smilingly acted as the sparring partner. Then, under Li Wei’s guidance, Yue Lin had unexpectedly smacked Tsukika with several fireballs.

And after lunch, in gratitude for Li Wei’s utter lack of conscience, Tsukika had turned him into her exclusive “sparring partner” too.

After realizing his body and physique kept getting stronger, Tsukika had become more and more “debauched.” If he were one of Tsukika’s ministers, he’d definitely impeach this Demon Lord hard.

But after thinking about it carefully, something felt off. Because damn it, he seemed more like Daji instead, the true culprit behind this Demon Lord skipping court.

Suppressing his wandering thoughts, Li Wei raked a hand through his hair, tidied himself up carelessly, then pushed open the door and walked out.

When he saw the trio waiting in the living room, he was a little surprised.

Vivian was one thing, but what was with the other two old men?

Looking at the faint holy hammer emblem embroidered on Ge Ling’s chest, Li Wei spoke calmly:

“A holy spirit blacksmith from the Holy City. What brings you to a remote place like this?”

“Heh, this area of Gedivia isn’t really that far from the capital. And with Mr. Li Wei here, it can hardly be called remote anymore.” Ge Ling smiled as he flattered him. His eyes flickered as he sized Li Wei up, then he rubbed his eyes out of habit and took out a crystal-lens monocle to put on.

Light reflected off the crystal lens, projecting Li Wei’s image, while dense lines of text began to appear.

[Name: Li Wei

Human, Lv. 213

Talent: What are you looking at?

Miracle: Too many words, can’t be bothered to make one up]

As he looked at the status panel floating before him, a trace of astonishment flashed across Ge Ling’s face. Then, in the very next second, he saw the text begin to flicker wildly. In the end, Li Wei’s level turned into a string of 999s.

Even breaking out in a cold sweat wasn’t enough to describe Ge Ling’s shock. He was so startled his soul nearly jumped out of his body. Luckily, after a moment, he noticed the numbers starting to shift nonstop again. Ge Ling twitched his lips, as if he understood something. He quietly put away the crystal chip, looked at Li Wei, and asked hesitantly,

“Mr. Li Wei, did you just use... a disguise crystal?”

Li Wei didn’t answer directly. He only said calmly, “What other information do you want to see? I can show it all to you.”

His tone was flat. There wasn’t the slightest trace of magical aura around him, yet he still gave Ge Ling a strange kind of pressure.

“My apologies. I know this is very rude. I was just too curious about your current condition, Mr. Li Wei.”

An apologetic look appeared on Ge Ling’s face.

After speaking, he paused, then took out a family crest he had somehow removed at some point and showed it to Li Wei.

Looking at the emerald bird on the crest with the sun in its beak, Li Wei raised a brow.

“So you’re with the Saintly Consortium.”

“Yes. I came to visit you without prior notice this time, Mr. Li Wei. I hope you can forgive the disturbance,” Ge Ling said politely.

Li Wei made a gesture, inviting the three of them to sit down together at the nearby dining table.

At this moment, Tsukika had already changed into a pretty dress and returned. Beside her was their daughter, wearing a stern little expression and carrying a tea tray with utmost seriousness.

She stood by Li Wei’s side, smiling as she watched their daughter carefully place the prepared tea on the table.

Steam curled up from the tea on the table, leaving Li Wei a little dazed... He really had never formally hosted other people like this with his family before. His feelings were strangely complicated at that moment. But when he saw that the cup placed in front of him was steeped full of tonics, he couldn’t help falling silent and glancing at the Demon Lord beside him.

Tsukika blinked at him, wearing a delighted expression that clearly said, “See how much I care about you? Hurry up and praise me.”

(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧