Chapter 2: The Genius Summoner's Cherished Beloved, Part 2

He unknowingly gripped a little harder. Lu Ningshi felt the heat in his palm and glanced sideways with a coquettish complaint.

“You’re squeezing me too hard.”

Yu Xuan suddenly loosened his hand, but just as he was about to let go, he quickly clenched again. His thin lips pursed gently. “Sorry.”

What good is an apology? Just let go already!

Lu Ningshi rolled her eyes dramatically, murmuring to herself.

“Lin Yang, she’s mine. If you dare speak filthy words again, you won’t be so lucky next time,” Yu Xuan warned coldly as he looked down at the man on the ground.

Lin Yang clutched his stomach, angry but too afraid to say anything.

He had only contracted three demon beasts, weaker than Yu Xuan. Even though this time Yu Xuan summoned a useless one, the previous five were enough to overwhelm him.

Besides…

Lin Yang rubbed his swollen face and silently massaged his stomach, which hurt as if his intestines were twisted.

He was unwilling to admit it, but no matter how powerful this newly contracted demon beast was, it struck decisively and fiercely, with a fiery temper. Just that alone proved it was no weakling.

Yu Xuan pulled Lu Ningshi along to the car, settled her in the passenger seat, then circled around to the driver’s side.

“What’s your name?”

Lu Ningshi turned to reply, but was caught off guard by his eyebrows like swords and eyes sparkling like stars—his usual coldness softened by a gentle warmth.

Her angry words stalled, then shifted: “I didn’t notice before—you’re actually quite handsome.”

Yu Xuan’s face remained impassive. His five fingers on the steering wheel twitched, slowly tightening, veins visible on the back of his hand.

Lu Ningshi’s index finger brushed against his cool skin.

Just as she was about to pinch to test the softness, Yu Xuan stopped her. “If you don’t have a name, may I give you one?”

“No need. I have a name—Poison Vine.”

She failed to pinch his face, withdrawing her hand in disappointment.

Most demon beasts in human form had names. Yu Xuan knew this but couldn’t help feeling a strange, almost disappointing emotion.

“Xiao Man, what’s your true form?”

“Datura flower.”

Lu Ningshi’s eyes flickered as she climbed over from the passenger seat, hooking her finger under his chin to gently lift it. “My blood is the deadliest. Just a tiny drop can kill instantly.”

“Yu Xuan, is there anyone you dislike? I’d be more than happy to eliminate them for you.”

Yu Xuan said nothing. His cold, stern face slowly leaned toward her.

Lu Ningshi’s fingers trembled. Just as their skin was about to touch, she shied away first.

She suddenly stepped back, legs together, hands resting on her knees, sitting upright and staring straight ahead with a flicker of confusion deep in her eyes.

This made no sense!

She had teased him, even revealed her venomous nature, yet he hadn’t laid a hand on her?

Could it be she wasn’t as good at provoking him as the original?

Lu Ningshi lowered her head to think. How exactly did the original make Yu Xuan hate her and allow her to run wild outside?

Was it by using his personal belongings and sitting on his lap to seduce him until he grew tired of her?

“Too light,” she whispered softly.

“What’s too light?” came the cold voice close to her ear.

Startled, Lu Ningshi shivered and swiftly backed toward the car door, eyes blazing with anger. “Who told you to get so close to me?”

“Seatbelt. The car makes noise if you don’t wear it,” Yu Xuan said, pointing to the warning light beeping and then to the seatbelt resting half on her shoulder.

“…Oh.”

An embarrassed flush crossed Lu Ningshi’s face, but she stubbornly replied, “I know that without you telling me. Just don’t get so close next time.”

“Mm.”

Yu Xuan responded coolly.

As they drove, Lu Ningshi rested her chin on her hand, staring out the window lost in thought. Yu Xuan glanced at her from the corner of his eye, masking the unusual expression flickering in his gaze.

Of the five demon beasts he contracted, all were fierce warriors. The third one was a green vine capable of strangling enemies instantly.

She resembled the green vine’s true form. That green vine was quiet and obedient, acting only on his command, but she seemed overly proactive and lively.

Like a tigress—fierce but occasionally adorable—more complex, like a human.

Yu Xuan contemplated quietly.

“Do you live here?”

Lu Ningshi followed him to the sixth-floor apartment and complained disdainfully, “Small, shabby, nothing special.”

“Look at this floor…”

“PVC matte finish. Not dirty; that’s its natural color.”

“And the table…”

“Rosewood. Great for heat dissipation and breathability. The faint fragrance refreshes the mind and is good for health.”

“…”

Lu Ningshi met his gaze and ground her teeth silently. “You’re a big man but know quite a bit about furniture materials, huh?”

“A little,” Yu Xuan said modestly.

Lu Ningshi snorted and stopped teasing. “Where will I live then?”

Yu Xuan frowned slightly at her question.

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “If you don’t go back, won’t it harm your body?”

“Maybe other demons, but not me.”

Lu Ningshi crossed her arms, chin raised proudly and defiantly, full of spirit.

Yu Xuan pressed further, “Can you stay in the mortal world continuously, or can all your Datura clan do that?”

“You keep asking. You’re annoying,” Lu Ningshi waved her hand impatiently.

Yu Xuan’s lips flattened. “I’ll clean up the spare bed. You’ll sleep next to me.”

He stood and left, seeming in a bad mood.

Lu Ningshi didn’t mind. She inspected the place, as if planning to claim territory.

Half an hour later.

“Hey, Yu Xuan,” she called, striding over confidently and holding out her hand. “Give me money. I want to buy a phone.”

“What brand?”

“The most expensive!”

Lu Ningshi didn’t know the brands; she just wanted to spend his money, preferably until he couldn’t stand it and kicked her out—so the priciest would do.

“You don’t have ID. Let me buy it for you.”

Yu Xuan pulled out a piece of paper to wipe the dust from his hand, tapped a few times on the phone, and said, “Wait patiently for half an hour.”

Lu Ningshi blinked, her feet unmoving.

“Anything else?” Yu Xuan asked sideways.

“I was summoned by you, so you have to take full responsibility for me, right?” she queried.

Yu Xuan looked down at her coldly.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes.”

Lu Ningshi counted on her fingers. “I’m a girl. I need clothes, shoes, jewelry, bags—to look the part, right?”

“And makeup. Going out without it is absolutely not an option!”

Her expression was serious as she crossed her arms emphatically in front of her.

Yu Xuan’s cold facade cracked for a moment.

His lips twitched barely perceptibly. “Are you sure you can use cosmetics?”

“Why not?”

“The ingredients aren’t good. Some substances are harmful to the body.”

She was a demon beast, but also a plant, and plants were very fragile in the mortal world.

Yu Xuan couldn’t help but worry that someday he might end up killing her by accident.

“Then just buy me the most expensive, harmless products.”

Lu Ningshi rolled her eyes, as if looking at a fool.