Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 96

Side Story 8:

【Greetings, Host. This is the system you were previously bound to.

Due to the numerous collapsing stories and the deep-seated resentment of characters abandoned by their authors, the Transmigration Management Bureau was established.

Our aspirations are lofty, but our power is limited.

Our mission is to assist every host in completing their tasks, allowing each journey to save a broken world!

Recently, the Transmigration Department received many complaints, most transmigrators expressing dissatisfaction with the “return home with rewards” or “stay in the novel world” dilemma—therefore, the higher-ups decided to revise the final reward system.

Besides “return” and “stay,” a third option has been added.

Hosts who have completed their missions can now choose a new option:

Exchange all rewards for a dream of returning to the real world!

This dream will last for fifty years in the real world.
The dream will end prematurely if the host dies in the real world or chooses to wake up.
Everything within the dream is real, every action having consequences in the real world. Therefore, do not engage in any illegal activities just because it’s a dream!

Friendly reminder, the host can bring one person into the dream. The system will temporarily seal their powers, grant them a legal identity, and provide a monthly stipend of 3000 yuan, to alleviate the financial burden.

If the host wishes to choose this option, simply crush this pearl.
Note: This pearl has an expiration date of one hundred days.】

A strange letter, along with a blue pearl, was nestled among a few smaller pearls on Li Yu’s pillow when she woke up.

The letter was from the modern world, the words typed neatly.

Li Yu sat up and carefully read the letter, her eyes widening with surprise.

If returning meant she could never come back, she would probably have chosen to stay.

After all, she had promised Si Qinglan she would help guard the Upper Spirit Lamp.

This wasn’t just a promise to Si Qinglan but also a responsibility towards the ancient god and the original owner of this body.

But her family and friends were in her original world.

Although those days of endless work were exhausting, choosing to stay here would always leave a lingering regret.

She had thought this regret would remain forever, but unexpectedly, after thirty-something years in this world, she had the chance to return.

To return, experience a normal human life, and then come back, bringing someone with her, how could she refuse such an opportunity?

Li Yu was overjoyed.

Mu Tao, rubbing her eyes, sat up and sleepily hugged Li Yu from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder and looking at the letter.

“Master, what is this?” Her voice was still thick with sleep.

“I think…I can go home!”

“Huh?” Mu Tao’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mu Tao! I can go home!” Li Yu said excitedly. “Come with me, okay?!”

Mu Tao blinked, her eyes filled with confusion, but her voice was firm. “Okay!”

Li Yu was overjoyed. She turned to Mu Tao, extended her index finger,

And, to prevent being sent back prematurely, established a few new rules with Mu Tao.

Once these rules were set, they could go home.

It was a hot autumn day, the AC running all night. A thin blanket covered Li Yu.

The alarm blared beside her ear, and she rolled over, groping for her phone, finally silencing the annoying sound.

The faint, milky scent of steamed buns wafted from the kitchen.

Something blocked the morning light, a warm breath brushing against her face.

Mu Tao kissed her forehead. “Master, if you don’t wake up now, you’ll be late for work.”

Such demonic whispers!

Li Yu took a deep breath, quickly sat up, and started her day.

Every morning, Mu Tao prepared a simple breakfast, then they would ride her newly purchased electric tricycle, a two-seater, to Li Yu’s office. Mu Tao would then find temporary work at a nearby cafe.

And when Li Yu was about to finish work, Mu Tao would be waiting downstairs to take her home.

This constant picking up and dropping off was eventually noticed by her colleagues.

Mu Tao, uncomfortable in modern clothes, usually wore long-sleeved, floor-length dresses with traditional Chinese elements, and her presence, alongside the somewhat incongruous electric tricycle, made her even more conspicuous.

“Li Yu, that cute girl who always picks you up, the one with the long hair, is she your…”

“Mm.”

Li Yu’s vague answer made her colleague even more curious. “Younger sister? Still in school?”

“She’s already graduated,” Li Yu said, a smile appearing in her eyes as she lowered her gaze.

Her female colleague teased her, “Xiao Yang, still don’t believe you’re oblivious to romance, huh? Can’t you tell they’re a couple? Your phone’s wallpaper is that girl! They pick each other up every day, sometimes she even brings you lunch, and you’re asking if you can be introduced?!”

“Huh?!”

Li Yu looked down at her phone, a smile playing on her lips, saying nothing.

Life now, though not as carefree as at Chaoxi Pond, was still comfortable.

It had been over six months since they returned; everything had settled into a routine.

Initially, it had been chaotic.

Having lived in another world for over thirty years, longer than her life in this world, returning was disorienting.

Her spiritual energy was gone, the world outside her blanket cold, and simple tasks that once required only a flick of her wrist now needed to be done manually.

Going from a life of luxury to a simple one wasn’t difficult.

What was difficult was the day she returned, opening her laptop, her memory a distant fog.

Staring at the projects and documents, her mind blank, every word and sentence as incomprehensible as ancient runes.

She was doomed…

She couldn’t remember what her thirty-something-years-ago self had been working on, how was she supposed to continue?

But that wasn’t the biggest problem.

The biggest problem was Mu Tao.

Mu Tao didn’t know anything, couldn’t do anything, everything required step-by-step instructions.

And Li Yu, burdened by her demanding job, leaving early and returning late, didn’t have time to teach her.

To avoid any mishaps, she instructed Mu Tao, like a child, to stay home and watch TV.

For a long time, Li Yu went to work with a knot of anxiety, afraid of what Mu Tao might do at home.

Returning to find Mu Tao sitting obediently before the TV, without any incidents, she would breathe a sigh of relief, take a shower, and collapse onto the bed, exhausted.

And every night, Mu Tao would come to her bedside, clearly wanting…

But Li Yu, exhausted from work, lacked the energy.

She suspected that her past self, a powerhouse in bed, had been ruined by this damn life.

“I’m too tired today, I have to wake up early tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow is the weekend.”

“I have to work overtime.”

“…” Mu Tao would bite her lip and lie down beside her, hugging her and muttering, “Master is always busy.”

Her tone, like a neglected puppy’s.

Hopefully, Mu Tao didn’t regret coming back to this world with her.

Li Yu thought that this couldn’t continue.

Looking at her meager savings, she hesitated.

But before she could even make a decision, she was laid off.

Having lived in another world for so long, although her resilience had greatly increased, readjusting to the demands of a normal job took time.

Simply put, she no longer met the company’s standards for a workhorse.

But it didn’t matter; she no longer feared unemployment.

After completing the handover, Li Yu left the bustling city with a generous severance package.

She and Mu Tao found a smaller, quieter city with lower rent.

The city, surrounded by mountains and water, had clean air and distinct seasons.

Her new workplace was close to their home, just a ten-minute bike ride.

The small apartment was more than enough for two people, easy to clean, and the rent was only six hundred yuan a month.

Although her salary was lower, Mu Tao could now work, and with the monthly stipend of three thousand yuan, she had weekends again and rarely worked overtime.

Li Yu had thought her mother would be angry, after all, she had spent so many years in the big city, only to return in defeat, losing face in front of their relatives.

But her mother, upon hearing the news, was only concerned about her well-being.

“Big city, small city, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re happy!”

“Why didn’t you come home? Why E City?”

“But E City is nice, good climate, similar food. Stay wherever you’re happy, and if you’re not, just come home, don’t make things difficult for yourself…”

“It’s hard to find a job these days. I only have one daughter. If you’re struggling, just come home. Even if you don’t work, I can support you, your expenses are nothing, I can definitely afford it!”

Li Yu’s eyes teared up, but she fought back the tears.

“Okay, okay, I know you can support me, but I want to earn my own living. Save your money for traveling after you retire!”

She hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

Her previous worries seemed insignificant now.

The tension she had felt since returning finally eased in this new environment.

But she did have one regret: she hadn’t had time to be with Mu Tao when she was still unfamiliar with this world.

Now, Mu Tao, through books and TV shows, had a basic understanding of modern life.

She also had a legal identity now, provided by the system.

According to her ID card, Mu Tao was twenty-one years old.

Mu Tao, looking at her ID card, couldn’t help but say, “I’m so…young.”

Li Yu chuckled.

Actually, Mu Tao looked even younger than twenty-one.

A demon less than six hundred years old was just a young adult in that world.

With her lingering baby fat, her bouncy steps, her long hair swaying behind her, she looked like a student.

They were occasionally mistaken for high school students when they went out together, people even handing Mu Tao flyers for tutoring classes.

Whenever that happened, Li Yu would tease her, “High school student, need some extra lessons?”

Mu Tao would puff out her cheeks and retort, her voice sweet, “I’m not! I’m an adult!”

But despite her youthful appearance, Mu Tao was incredibly capable.

Just like adapting to the Demon Realm, she quickly learned to navigate this world.

For example, with cooking, initially, she only used whatever was available.

Then, gradually, after seeing various recipes and cooking shows online, she started acquiring new kitchenware and ingredients.

Dishes that once required traveling to different regions could now be learned online.

And whatever she learned, she would cook for Li Yu, adjusting the flavors to Li Yu’s preferences.

Li Yu sometimes wondered if, with Mu Tao’s culinary skills, they could open a restaurant.

But then she thought that it would mean Mu Tao spending all day in the kitchen, cooking for others, and she was content with their current situation. They didn’t have extravagant desires; their combined income was enough.

Li Yu’s job was relatively easy, and during her free time, she would browse online, often finding delicious-looking food.

And whenever she did, she would send the link to Mu Tao.

Today, she found a video tutorial for Guobaorou, a sweet and sour pork dish. [T/N: 锅包肉 (guō bāo ròu) is a popular Chinese dish, crispy fried pork with a sweet and sour sauce.]

She loved sweet and sour dishes.

But she hadn’t seen this dish in her hometown or in this city.

She was craving it.

Li Yu: [Link: Make this for me.]
Li Yu: My dear disciple, I want to eat this.
Mu Tao: Then come with me to the supermarket after work to buy ingredients.
Li Yu: [Kisses]
Mu Tao: [Kisses]

After work, Li Yu happily went downstairs, got on their little tricycle, and they went to the nearby supermarket.

As they shopped, Li Yu’s phone rang.

Mu Tao glanced at the caller ID, her eyes widening slightly with curiosity. “Your mother-in-law?”

Li Yu shushed her and quickly answered the phone.

“Hi, Mom!”

“Xiao Yu, you didn’t come back for May Day, are you coming back for National Day?” [T/N: May Day (五一) and National Day (十一) are major holidays in China.]

“Uh, National Day…”

“I’m not rushing you, but…aren’t you living in E City now? I’ve never been there. If you have time, I’d like to visit.”

“Ah, yes, I have time, definitely!” Li Yu said quickly, slightly nervous. “It’s just…I’m sharing an apartment now, it’s a bit small…”

“Small is fine, it’s still warm, I can sleep on the sofa, or on the floor, I just want to spend a few days with you. Ask your roommate? If she’s not comfortable with it, I can find a hotel nearby, and you can just spend the day with me.”

“Oh, okay…”

Li Yu hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

Mu Tao: “If she doesn’t like it, your mother will hold it against me, won’t she?”

Li Yu: “It won’t be a problem…”

Mu Tao: “I can sleep on the sofa!”

Li Yu looked at Mu Tao and whispered, “My mom might not…fully understand our relationship.”

Mu Tao blinked. “Should I…pretend?”

Li Yu nodded seriously.

Mu Tao thought for a moment and smiled. “Don’t worry, we still have two weeks, I’ll make you that Guobaorou first!”

She took Li Yu’s hand, picked up their shopping basket, and skipped towards the checkout counter.

That night, Li Yu finally had her Guobaorou.

And it tasted even better than she had imagined.

As they ate, Mu Tao moved her stool closer, leaned against Li Yu’s shoulder, and asked softly, “If your mother likes me, will you…tell her…who I am to you?”

Li Yu: “Tell her you’re my…little disciple?”

Mu Tao pouted. “Not that.”

Li Yu: “Let’s take it slow, this…might be a bit difficult for her generation to accept… But don’t worry, one day, I’ll tell her, and I’ll find a way for her to accept it.”

Mu Tao: “Then…can we…get married here too?”

Li Yu: “Didn’t we already get married?”

Mu Tao: “That was different!”

Her master seemed to be very popular everywhere.

Her master had to work, and so did she; she couldn’t be with her master all the time. And since her master was single, her family might try to set her up on blind dates.

Even without her spiritual power, she still had martial arts skills and was more than capable of dealing with those men pursuing her master.

If it weren’t for the ubiquitous surveillance cameras in this world, and her master’s repeated warnings against using force, she would have already beaten up a few of them.

“Our wedding there…doesn’t count here!” Mu Tao’s voice was filled with a hint of resentment and possessiveness. “Master doesn’t belong to me here, and there are always people trying to steal you from me…”

Seeing that Li Yu didn’t respond, a flicker of displeasure appeared in her eyes. “Are you…tired of me, Master?”

Li Yu: “Huh?”

Mu Tao: “Even if you are, you still belong to me! I won’t let anyone steal you, even if it means going to jail!”

Li Yu was stunned, then chuckled, gently tapping Mu Tao’s nose.

This stubborn girl, even “going to jail” crossed her mind.

Was it really that serious?!

She shook her head and pinched Mu Tao’s cheek playfully. “You don’t trust me anymore?”

“I do, Master, I trust you!” Mu Tao quickly took Li Yu’s hands, her eyes wide. “I was just…saying that!”

“But you’re right, our wedding there…doesn’t count here.”
Li Yu looked into Mu Tao’s eyes and said seriously, “We’ll…have a wedding here too.”

She thought, this time, she would be fully conscious.

She wouldn’t be bullied by this little crybaby.