With trembling hands, Grandpa Yang accepted the gift box from Shen Changan, then he heard the child whisper to him, “Oh, right, my friend specially prepared this for all the elders. He’s a bit of a quiet personality, and doesn't like to talk much, but he’s always taken good care of me. Since you’re an elder, please don’t be too stern with him later.”
After saying that, another gift box was placed in his hand.
Looking at the small box radiating a rich aura, Grandpa Yang shook so much that he almost threw the gift box to the ground.
He wouldn’t dare act like the Heavenly Dao’s elder even if he had ten thousand lives. But the contents of the box were indeed precious—capable of extending the lifespan of humans and increasing the cultivation of demons if they eat it.
It seems that Lord Tiandao is really not here to catch me, otherwise why would he prepare these gifts?
“Old Yang, there’s no need to get so worked up just because Changan is back.” Grandpa Wang pushed his glasses up his nose. “If your eyes are failing you, just admit you’re getting old. Don’t always think about winning.”
Grandpa Yang glared at him, yet miraculously held his tongue. He was so honest that Grandpa Wang couldn't help but wonder. Could this old fellow be pretending to be pitiful in front of Changan?
Thinking this, he said to Shen Changan, “Changan, don’t let this old guy’s pitiful act fool you. Five minutes ago, he nearly flipped the chessboard, saying that his chess skill is the best among us."
Hearing this, Shen Tu cast a complicated glance at Yang Shu yao (Poplar Tree Demon). He knew demon cultivators were now living a very poor life, but he never imagined they’d be reduced to competing with humans over chess skills. How pathetic.
Long accustomed to the elders’ bickering, Shen Changan pretended not to notice their exchange and gestured for Shen Tu to sit down.
“Xiaonian ah.” Grandma Zhao, though over eighty, looked quite energetic. She had dedicated her life to biological research. Although she had been idle for the past two years, if young scholars had research problems, she would actively help solve them, and was a titan in the academic world that made countless people look up to her.
Dressed simply, she looked like any ordinary grandmother, but her eyes were sharp and clear. “Did you and Changan meet in Wuming City?”
Dao Nian nodded. “My home is in Wuming City.”
"Oh." Grandma Zhao smiled and nodded. She didn’t glance at Dao Nian’s wheelchair, treating him like any other junior, without a hint of arrogance. “It’s good for young people to make friends. We were worried Changan wouldn’t adapt to life in Wuming City. It’s good to have a mature and steady friend looking out for him.”
“We old folks always worry about young people living away from home, but children grow up and have their own ideas. We’re afraid they won’t listen if we say too much.” Grandpa Wang waved his hand. “Changan, go to the kitchen and cut some fruit.”
“Okay.” Shen Changan stood up, subtly signaling with his eyes for the elders to be kind to Dao Nian. Dao Nian was introverted, unlike his own thick skin, and couldn’t handle their teasing.
“I’ll go with Changan.” Grandpa Yang stood up. “He hasn’t lived here much in recent years. I’m afraid he’s not familiar with the kitchen.”
“He’s always spoiling the child. When we were strict with Changan as a child, he was always the one holding us back.” Grandpa Wang watched Old Yang totter after Shen Changan. Shen Changan was worried that he would fall, so he turned around to support him. Seeing this, Grandpa Wang felt a bit envious, “He’s used up all his cunning in life just to win over children.”
“Wang Laoshi (teacher), don’t you remember who it was that lectured Changan about frugality while secretly slipping him pocket money?” After criticizing her longtime friends, Grandma Zhao turned to Dao Nian with a smile. “They say old people become like kids again. These old fools are getting senile. Don’t mind them.”
Shen Tu: “…”
You who said this are no younger than the others.
Human old people are such complex creatures.
Many of the furnishings in the courtyard were antiques. The elders weren't particular about their living conditions. If not for the housekeeper attending to their diet and daily needs, they might well starve themselves.
Probably because they dedicated their whole life to scientific research, their self-care ability was a bit poor.
Shen Changan found fruit in the refrigerator, washed and cut it, and carried it out. Seeing the pleasant atmosphere, he relaxed. "You guys sit here and chat slowly. I haven't been back for a long time. I will cook a meal for everyone."
Hearing that Shen Changan would cook for them, the elders protested that he should rest, yet their expressions betrayed their anticipation.
Grandpa Yang stood by the sink, helping Shen Changan wash vegetables. “Changan, how did you and this friend meet?”
“When I first started working in Wuming City, I saw him having a little trouble, so I helped out. We got to know each other over time.” Shen Changan skillfully chopped vegetables. “Grandpa Yang, don’t worry, I’m very happy in Wuming City.”
“A few days ago, the security department wanted to transfer me back to the capital, but I refused.” Shen Changan lowered the heat on the pressure cooker. "Will you guys blame me?"
“You brat, if we didn’t respect your decisions, we wouldn’t have let you go in the first place.” Grandpa Yang placed bright red tomatoes in the basket. “But can you tell me why you want to stay in Wuming City?”
“Life in Wuming City is relaxing.” Shen Changan smiled. “Every day, besides work, on my way home, I try to guess what delicious food Dao Nian has prepared for me…”
"Wait, you live in his house?" Grandpa Yang crushed the green pepper in his hand. “He’s letting you live there?”
“Mm-hmm.” Though unsure why Grandpa Yang reacted so strongly, Shen Changan nodded a few times. “Dao Nian is a very good person. Seeing that I was living alone, he not only let me stay at his place, but also gave me full access to his house…”
Grandpa Yang’s legs went weak, nearly sending him tumbling into the sink. He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, “Isn't this friend of yours… being a little too nice to you?”
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Shen Tu knocked on the kitchen door, then leaned against the frame, arms crossed, smiling at the two. “Changan, I came to see if there’s anything I can help with. Yang Laoshi, you should go rest. I can handle things here.”
“No, no, it’s fine. Although I look old, I can still work. Exercise is the key to a long life.” Grandpa Yang forced a laugh, his expression was a bit nervous. He seemed to want to bow to Shen Tu, but because Shen Changan was there, he restrained himself.
Shen Tu chuckled with unknown meaning. "I haven't seen you for many years. I wonder if Yang Laoshi’s wish has been fulfilled?”
Grandpa Yang remained silent.
Shen Tu was about to speak further when Shen Changan suddenly stuffed a handful of unpeeled garlic into his hands. “Peel these for me.”
“Okay.” Shen Tu obediently sat on a small stool, bending over the trash can as a garlic peeling little brother.
Grandpa Yang's mood was extremely complicated. Did Changan know he was ordering around a deity worshipped by humans for generations, a door god capable of warding off and suppressing evil?
Not only was Shen Changan unaware, but he also tossed Shen Tu a bunch of scallions. “Shen Tu, do you know Grandpa Yang?”
“Mm.” Shen Tu raised an eyebrow at Grandpa Yang, then said to Shen Changan, "You also know that there are many people who owe money to sir..."
“Grandpa Yang also owes him money?” Shen Changan looked incredulous. “Grandpa Yang, is this true?”
“It’s… it’s true.” Grandpa Yang admitted through gritted teeth. “But Mr. Dao Nian doesn’t know about this. He has many properties. He’s probably forgotten about me.”
“So that’s how it is.” Shen Changan nodded in understanding. “But why do you also call Dao Nian ‘Mr.’? You’re an elder, he’s a junior. It’s not appropriate to call him ‘Mr.’ Just call him Xiaonian.”
Grandpa Yang: “…”
No, I don’t dare. I wouldn’t dare even if you killed me.
Seeing the Poplar Tree Demon's bitter expression, Shen Tu chuckled. “But you don’t have to worry. Yang Laoshi has already repaid that debt. Although there’s still some interest, for Changan’s sake, sir won’t pursue it.”
Shen Changan looked at Shen Tu, then at Grandpa Yang, and felt that the atmosphere between the two people was a bit strange. Considering their ages, they should be like grandfather and grandson.
To accommodate the elders’ teeth and health, Shen Changan prepared a light meal, but he still made a few of Dao Nian's favorite dishes, placing them specifically in front of him when serving.
Grandpa Yang sat silently as far away from Dao Nian as possible, listening to the old folks bombard the Heavenly Dao with questions and giving him suggestions on company development and product promotion prospects. Grandpa Yang pushed his glasses up his nose. There is a saying—'so bold as to encompass the heavens'. But hasn't this gone as far as enclosing the heavens themselves?
After dinner, Shen Tu offered to wash the dishes. He waited in the kitchen for a while, and as expected, the poplar tree demon came over.
“This humble demon greets Lord Door God.” Before Shen Tu, the poplar tree demon still had the appearance of an old man, but there was no trace of the old age in his posture and movements.
“No need for formalities. The divine realm has declined. There’s no need for such things anymore.” With a wave of Shen Tu’s hand, the clean dishes arranged themselves neatly in the sterilizer, leaving the entire kitchen spotless.
“This humble demon is merely expressing gratitude for the past, when your Lordship spoke favorably of me before the Heavenly Dao, removing my demon status and allowing me to walk among humans.” Poplar Tree Demon still insisted on completing his bow.
“Over the years, have you regretted it?” Shen Tu asked. “Years of cultivation are not easily discarded. After losing your demon status, you will become more and more human, gradually losing your cultivation, and eventually… experiencing old age, sickness, and death.”
Yang Shu Yao remained silent.
“You don’t know what has happened to the demon race, nor how difficult things have become for the tree demon clan. Haven’t you felt even a shred of regret all these years?” Shen Tu looked at his aged face, finding it hard to imagine that decades ago, he was a handsome and elegant man.
“You asked me the same question back then, whether I would regret making this choice.” Looking through the window at the people in the courtyard, Grandpa Yang saw Shen Changan say something that made the elders burst into laughter.
“I remember saying that if I didn’t make that choice, I would regret it then. Having made the choice, perhaps I would regret it later.” Grandpa Yang smiled. “This is fine too. Human or demon, no one can live forever. I will simply die a little earlier than other demons.”
“The human you loved… she didn’t stay with you?”
“Her…” Yang Grandpa’s eyes crinkled in a smile. “She was a beautiful girl, with red ribbons in her braids. She was more beautiful than the flowers blooming all over the mountains and plains."
He seemed to recall something, and his smile dimmed little by little. “When she died, she told me she would definitely marry me in the next life.”
“She died?” Shen Tu fell silent for a long moment. “When?”
“Sixty years ago.” Grandpa Yang took out a cigarette from his coat, and lit it with shaking hands. “There was an accident in the laboratory. To protect the hard-earned data, she rushed into the fire. Most of the materials were saved, but she was gone.”
A few simple words, seemingly devoid of emotion, yet Shen Tu saw tears glistening in his eyes.
Most demons didn’t know how to cry.
“You…” Shen Tu couldn’t bear it. “Do you intend to live like this for the rest of your life?”
“Yes, I promised her I would live a good life, live to be a hundred years old, and contribute to the country.” Grandpa Yang grinned. “Haven’t I still got a few years to go? A man can’t go back on his word to a woman.”
Footsteps approached, and both fell silent.
“Grandpa Yang, so you’re here?” Shen Changan poked his head in through the kitchen door. “They want to teach Dao Nian how to play bridge. Grandma Zhao says you’re the best at it and wants you to join.”
Grandpa Yang: “…”
Why would he teach the Heavenly Dao how to play cards?
“Old Yang!” Grandma Zhao shouted from the courtyard. “Hurry up! If you don’t come over, we won’t recognize you as the Chess King anymore!”
Grandpa Yang: “…”
I'm not that childish!
Through the window, he saw the Lord Heavenly Dao glance in their direction. His legs trembled, and he obediently went out.
He might not be childish, but he was certainly cowardly.
"Shen Tu, I didn't expect you to be so good at cleaning the kitchen and get it clean so quickly." Shen Changan touched the wall. "You even cleaned up the stubborn stains that I accidentally got when I was a kid. How did you do that??"
“This… is a new type of cleaning agent that Yang Laoshi invented. It’s not quite perfect yet, but I tried it just now, and it’s quite effective.” Shen Tu picked up a bottle of unknown liquid from the corner. “It’s this. Do you want to try it?”
Shen Changan shook his head, then his eyes lit up. “Hey, if it really works and it’s safe, we could have Dao Nian buy the patent. This can definitely make money.”
Shen Tu: “…”
“I’ll go talk to Dao Nian!”
“Wait!” Shen Tu watched Shen Changan run towards the courtyard, feeling a bit worried.
How was he going to get Poplar Tree Demon to actually develop a safe, harmless, high-strength cleaning solution capable of removing all stains?
“Dao Nian.” Shen Changan whispered to Dao Nian as he approached, “I just discovered a potential money-making opportunity.”
He glanced at Grandpa Yang, who was drawing cards. If this worked out, Grandpa Yang, who still owed interest, would have some leverage with Dao Nian, and Dao Nian would also make money. It was simply killing two birds with one stone.
Poplar Tree Demon: ?
What does this look mean?
Author’s Note:
Yang Shuyu: Shen Tu, if it wasn't for the fact that I can't beat you, I'd beat you!