Chapter 26 Part 1

The setting sun left its afterglow in the sky.

Orange-tinted clouds drifted, reflecting like a sea of tangerine.

Ah Man sat on the solid wood bench, trimming flower stems. In her hand, she held a ranunculus blossom. Its bud was large, with petals of a pale blue-white hue. Layer upon layer of petals surrounded the stamen, the gentle, bright blue tones gathering at its heart. Ah Man’s jade-like white fingers cradled the ranunculus. Her gorgeous features, paired with the elegant and subtle flower, created a sight in the shop from which no one could tear their gaze away.

The shop boasted a vast variety, every bloom bursting with vitality. Yet the highly popular flowers favored by customers all seemed to dim whenever Ah Man smiled. Patrons couldn’t help but stare at her, some nearly forgetting why they’d come to the Flower Shop in the first place.

“Hey, miss, can we get to know each other?”

A sweet-looking, adorable girl, encouraged by her friend’s glances, blushed as she approached Ah Man.

Ah Man looked up, revealing her face—favored by the goddess Nuwa herself—to the girl. She smiled gently and pointed to a QR code nearby. “Of course.”

The girl was so excited she nearly laughed aloud. She quickly scanned the code and asked eagerly, “Is this your WeChat?”

Ah Man’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “No, that’s the customer service WeChat for flower delivery. My girlfriend is strict; she doesn’t let me accept friend requests from other girls.”

Her intentions seen through by Ah Man, the girl shyly bit her lip. Though disappointed, Ah Man’s soft voice and gentle tone instantly soothed the sting of a crush blooming and wilting in the same moment.

Ah Man picked up a ranunculus and offered it to her. “May you have a wonderful day.”

Instantly cheered, the girl’s eyes lit up. “Thank you!”

Watching her youthful, energetic figure retreat, Ah Man’s lips curved. But suddenly, a sharp pain struck her chest. The Peach Blossom Mark on her forehead flickered. Sensing the anomaly, she immediately turned her back to the customers. She touched her forehead; the mark was burning hot. The pain made Ah Man’s brows knit tightly.

Was Sixu in trouble?

Ah Man’s expression turned icy. She immediately pulled out her phone to call Sixu.

But the call went unanswered. Unable to calm herself, she ignored the shop’s business and rushed outside.

Just as she pushed open the glass door, Sixu finally answered.

“Hello.”

Ah Man stopped running, hand pressed to her forehead. She asked, her voice strained, “Sixu, are you alright right now?”

From a car parked by the roadside, Sixu watched Ah Man standing at the shop entrance through the window. Her eyes were calm, her expression composed. She answered, “I’m very not alright. Especially not alright.”

“Where do you live? I’ll come find you right now.”

Ah Man’s voice was firm, brooking no argument.

Sixu lowered her eyelids, her fingers picking at the pattern on her dress. “I don’t want to see you.”

Ah Man froze. Baffled, she asked, “Why don’t you want to see me all of a sudden? Sixu, did something else happen while we were apart?”

“No.” She was cold, but also conflicted.

In truth, Sixu’s body was in agony. Because she had harbored malicious thoughts toward Ah Man, she was suffering the bond’s backlash.

The bond was a scale balancing demon and Demon Tamer, impartial, protecting both sides.

But that didn’t mean it protected the Demon Tamer’s life. As Sixu had said before, a Demon Tamer’s blood and body were excellent nourishment for a demon. Once bonded, the Demon Tamer offered the most selfless devotion to the demon.

But the demon wouldn’t necessarily do the same, because the Demon Tamer was inherently the weaker party. Thus, the monthly pacification on the fifteenth also drained the Demon Tamer’s life force.

A Demon Tamer’s entire life was lived for their demon. Their lifespans were short, as fragile as night-blooming cereus flowers.

The very name “Demon Tamer” dictated that in this bond, the demon reigned supreme, while they merely assisted.

Feeling the torment in her body, the scent of blood lingering in her nose—all of it made Sixu resent demons, resent her own identity.

If only she were an ordinary human. Then she could stand fearlessly on her beloved stage and freely indulge in the joy dance brought her.

Alas, she was a Demon Tamer, one who wouldn’t even live to see thirty.

How utterly laughable.

Sixu’s eyes darkened with malice. She gripped her phone tightly, staring at the drop of blood on her dress. Hatred surged within her.

She wanted to curse everything. She hated all demons.

“Tao Man, I don’t want to see you. I hate you. I want you gone from my sight!”

Why should the bond punish her for a moment of malice? Calling itself a fair scale—all lies!

If the bond were truly fair, why did it allow demons to drain Demon Tamers of their essence blood?

It claimed to be just and righteous. Yet when countless Demon Tamers died, the bond’s existence was nothing but a joke.

A knock sounded on the car window. Sixu looked up instinctively and saw Ah Man standing beside the car.

From inside, Sixu could see the world outside, but no one could see in.

So Sixu knew Ah Man couldn’t see her. Yet the persistent tapping on the window forced her to acknowledge the truth.

She had found her.

Their call was still connected. Ah Man’s flat, emotionless voice came through. “Sixu, open the door. I know you’re in there.”

Should she open it?

No. She didn’t want to see Ah Man at all today.

Sixu remained silent. Ah Man persisted, “Open up. I want to see you.”

Sixu stared blankly at the woman, impossibly beautiful, standing outside the car door. She pressed her lips tightly together, a flicker of wavering in her eyes.

She was so spineless. She clearly remembered the harsh words she had just said. So why, the moment she saw her, did she want to change her mind?

“Sixu, I’m begging you, open the door.”

A tremor entered Ah Man’s voice. Sixu couldn’t stand to see others show weakness, especially when it was Ah Man using this tactic.

So, involuntarily, Sixu opened the door. Only when the breeze hit her face did she realize what she’d done.

She quickly tried to close it again.

But Ah Man’s hand was already blocking it. Her gaze was deep and intense as she stared at Sixu. “Close the door. Don’t mind my hand. I’m not afraid of pain.”

In that moment of hesitation, Ah Man grabbed her hand. With a gentle pull, she drew Sixu out.

Ah Man embraced her, simultaneously trapping her so she couldn’t leave.

“You didn’t want to hurt my hand with the car door just now, because you knew it would hurt. But Sixu, did you ever stop to think that my heart can hurt too?”

“From the very first moment I saw you, I held you in my heart. Saving you, forming a bond with you—I did it all willingly. I like being close to you, spending time with you.”

“You said it yourself, a Demon Tamer can only form a bond with one demon in this lifetime. So in this life, you can only be entangled with me. I can’t vanish from your sight.”

“Sixu, what on earth happened to make you this angry with me?”

Unable to break free from her arms, Sixu could only stand there, listening quietly.

Their skirts tangled in the wind, their long hair tousled by the breeze. It disheveled Sixu’s heart as well.

Their necks crossed, they leaned intimately against each other.

Sixu’s fingers glided through Ah Man’s silky black hair. She countered, “Yes, a Demon Tamer can only bond with one demon in this life. Do you know why? Because I won’t live past thirty. When I die, you can just find another Demon Tamer. So, Tao Man, what right do you have to say I can only be entangled with you in this lifetime?”

“Such a naive demon. The bond isn’t a good thing. It’s not for you and me to fall in love; it’s a death warrant.”

Sixu curled her lip, using her hand to grip Ah Man’s chin. She murmured like a lover, “My body hurts so, so much. Would Big Sister Ah Man be willing to save me? Just sleep with me once. That’s all it takes. How about it?”

Her words were merciless and taunting. Ah Man silently grabbed her hand and led her into the car.

Sixu sprawled over her, her hands playfully untying Ah Man’s bound hair. “Wear it loose,” she said. “It’s prettier this way.”

Perhaps because the mask of pretense between them had been torn away, Sixu no longer bothered with beating around the bush. She pressed, “Your place or mine? I can endure a little longer.”

Ah Man’s jawline was taut, her face expressionless as she started the car. The route she took told Sixu immediately they were heading to Ah Man’s home.

But no matter how much Sixu tried to tough it out, the physical pain drained the color from her face, leaving her lips pale. She looked like a flower ravaged by a violent storm.

The entire way, Ah Man half-supported, half-carried Sixu back to her apartment.

Ah Man was rarely this silent. The atmosphere between them was cold and rigid.

As soon as they were inside, Ah Man carried Sixu directly to the bed.

Sixu’s long hair spread out like an ink-black lotus. Her delicate face, tormented by pain, was bloodless and fragile. A hint of grievance flickered in her eyes as she gazed up at Ah Man above her.

The sound of fabric tearing was harsh, but it only made Sixu press her lips tighter. She defiantly held Ah Man’s gaze.

Remembering Sixu’s earlier words, Ah Man felt fury surge to the top of her head. Her eyes turned bloodshot. The churning emotions she’d been suppressing were now on full display.

She gave Sixu a deep look, grabbed her leg, and pulled her firmly into her lap.

Sixu’s bare skin pressed against the fabric of Ah Man’s dress. Her own clothes were torn, while Ah Man remained perfectly dressed. This contrast made the fair skin flush an even deeper pink.

Ah Man’s beautiful eyes stared intently at her, fierce as a wild beast. Her breathing was ragged. Her hands roamed downwards, the touch smooth and delicate. Ah Man rasped, “What right do I have to be entangled with you? Because of this, right now!”

Sixu wanted to grit her teeth and endure, but she knew her body too well. This demon learned far too quickly. Now, Sixu couldn’t suppress her as she had a few days ago.

A moan escaped her lips. The intensity was too much; she could only helplessly clutch Ah Man’s arm. Fragmented sounds spilled from her mouth, “Ah Man… Ah Man!”

“What do you want to say? Hm?” Ah Man looked up. Her lips, red as a rose, glistened. Though the bedroom was dark, Sixu could still see the scene, starkly intimate, by the faint light filtering through the curtains.

Nervous, ashamed, and furious, her voice trembled with a sob. “How can you bully me? How can you do this to me!”

Ah Man smirked, then captured Sixu’s lips in a burning kiss, inviting her to play along.