I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 147

Chapter 147: The Beauty Deserves Only the Possession of the Strong

 

“Is this really the ‘butterfly’ I gave to the teacher back then?”

 

Around nine o’clock, when I handed the doll I had spent more than ten minutes tidying up to Li Denghua, the little devil showed a confused expression, “Why does it look new?”

 

“Do you think it looks new?”

 

In response to Li Denghua’s suspicion, I just smiled faintly, “As soon as I entered Starlight Elementary School, I looked for your class teacher, a handsome female teacher, and she gave me this.”

 

Li Denghua’s class teacher is also an adult, and she should know what a “white lie” is.

 

If Li Denghua really took this doll to find the class teacher and said something like “Is this the one you gave my friend?” she would surely understand at a glance, because at that time, I had asked her how to get to the stationery store near the school.

 

Although this matter is somewhat selfish, with a touch of the parental “it’s for your own good” flavor, I believe that regardless, Li Denghua, as a child of about ten years old, should not have to endure such malice.

 

Children are very innocent, and this innocence is not necessarily benevolent, it could also be “innocent malice.”

 

Li Denghua’s original doll had many unsightly graffiti on it, probably written by those children in the class when the teacher wasn’t paying attention.

 

Through such incidents, it is not difficult for me to infer that… Li Denghua has likely been subjected to similar bullying in class.

 

For example, throwing cockroach into her drawer or scribbling on her textbooks.

 

I have seen similar cases of school violence more than once in school.

 

Li Denghua did nothing wrong, she was born into a relatively wealthy family, with both parents having high backgrounds: one working in aerospace-related jobs, the other in high-end physics-related work. With good genetics from her parents, if neighbors start gossiping about having such parents, the child must be a prodigy, and if her parents push her even a bit more at home, Li Denghua can only “listen to her parents, study well,” and be a good child.

 

Elementary school covered subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry. She even spent every day researching advanced physics and high-end science. A “child prodigy” like this, when it comes to interpersonal relationships, is likely to be abandoned eight or nine times out of ten.

 

While other kids used their time for fun and socializing, Li Denghua was busy studying. As a result, she found it challenging to integrate into the circles of her current peers.

 

However, this little one yearned for friendship and the respect of others. So, upon learning that she would be hospitalized and unable to attend the graduation ceremony, she mustered the courage to buy a doll with a yearbook function and gave it to the teacher.

 

Later on, she probably didn’t anticipate that her hospital stay would be so long. Considering how her classmates treated her during regular class times, even after being discharged, Li Denghua couldn’t gather the courage to personally retrieve the doll. As she expected, the doll was defaced, with many highly offensive sentences written on it.

 

If I were to return it to her like this, the child would undoubtedly be heartbroken and possibly develop thoughts like “maybe it’s better if I can’t see.” In the hospital, at least, Mom and Dad would frequently come to visit. “Feels like new.”

 

Under my gaze, Li Denghua carefully examined the doll I handed her for quite some time. It wasn’t until she noticed some dust and scratches on it that she looked somewhat incredulous: “Did the teacher give this to you?”

 

“Yes, didn’t you ask me to find the butterfly myself? After entering the school, I asked many people, even attended an evening study session on your behalf, and finally found your class teacher to understand what the butterfly was.”

 

I joked lightly, “What’s with that expression? Could there be fake butterflies?”

 

“I need to double-check.”

 

Saying that, Li Denghua lifted the doll’s skirt and pulled out a few pieces of paper from inside.

 

The mechanism design of the underskirt of this doll seems a bit bizarre to me. Its waist is designed like… something similar to a park carousel, with a central circle. Numerous ropes and lace fabric pieces connect to the outer layer, and on these fabric pieces, classmates write graduation wishes. There are many fabric pieces, all piled together to form a “skirt support,” making the doll’s skirt look fluffy and voluminous.

 

I, for one, cannot fathom how the designer thought of combining the elements of a “doll” with “classmate messages.” Fortunately, the “message notes” under the doll’s skirt are detachable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to forge this thing.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Under the café’s light, I carefully examined the notes under the doll’s skirt. The expression on Li Denghua’s face went from initially incredulous to a mid-stage of confusion and puzzlement, ultimately transforming into a relieved and happy demeanor.

 

She cradled the doll like a precious treasure, and a faint look of happiness appeared on her initially numb face.

 

“Isn’t this the butterfly you were looking for?”

 

Seeing the series of expressions on the young girl’s face, I pretended not to know, “How about next time I go with you to talk to your class teacher?”

 

“No need.”

 

Carefully cradling the doll in her arms, Li Denghua looked at my expression with a hint of gratitude. “Consider yourself passing the test.”

 

“Huh?” I questioned, “What test?”

 

“It’s a loyalty test for me.”

 

Li Denghua put her hands on her hips. “Now that you’ve passed the test, I’ll allow you to come to my house to tutor me in my studies.”

 

“You little rascal…”

 

I couldn’t help but smile and cry, “Remember to speak politely to elders, okay?”

 

“Are you older than me?”

 

The little girl in front of me had a somewhat deserving-of-a-smack expression. “I haven’t seen any elders shorter than me, have I, Sister Yin Nuo’er?”

 

“You…”

 

“Hey, you two!”

 

Amidst cheerful greetings, Yin Xiamo carried a tray with a cup of bright red liquid, presumably watermelon juice. “Want some juice, Xiao Denghua?”

 

Li Denghua hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “Yes.”

 

“Here, just take a cup.”

 

Approaching Li Denghua, when the little girl took one of the cups of watermelon juice and a straw, Yin Xiamo handed the tray to me. “Here, I finally learned how to use the juicer. You’re not suspecting me of putting catnip in it, are you?”

 

I took the cup of watermelon juice, which was mostly filled with ice cubes. “There’s a possibility.”

 

“I let Xiao Denghua pick first!”

 

“She doesn’t react to catnip anyway!”

 

“Just enjoy your drink!”

 

Over there, Li Denghua inserted the watermelon into the cup, took a sip, and showed a satisfied expression. “Thank you, Sister Xiamo!”

 

Why do I feel like your attitude towards Yin Xiamo is a bit different from your attitude towards me?

 

“About this clothing.”

 

Having also taken a sip of watermelon juice, I walked to the small table, picked up the neatly arranged clothes and school card, and handed them to Li Denghua. “Here you go.”

 

“The clothes don’t fit me, I’ve already said they’re for you.”

 

Li Denghua only took the school card. “Little sister Yin Nuo’er, you can take it back and wear it as ordinary clothes.”

 

Why are even you starting to call me “Little sister Yin Nuo’er”? Are elementary school students this audacious nowadays?

 

“That’s fine then, I have to go back.”

 

Putting the school card into the pocket of her skirt, Li Denghua held the watermelon juice in one hand and “pop,” opened the umbrella with the other. “For tutoring matters, just talk directly to my mom.”

 

“Sure, sure.”

 

I watched the figure of this little one, “Do you want me to walk you home?”

 

“Little sister Yin Nuo’er, such a cute girl like you has no problem going to and from work every day. Even if there’s a strange uncle determined to take risks, the first person he’d try to kidnap wouldn’t be me but you, sister Nuo’er.”

 

At the entrance, Li Denghua’s calm voice came through, “Don’t worry, I’m not foolish.”

 

Tsk…

 

Holding the watermelon juice, I arrived at the massage chair in the corner of the café, sat down, and pressed the button. Amidst the humming massage sounds, I, as usual, enjoyed the night view outside while sipping on the watermelon juice.

 

“Both of you worked hard today.”

 

After another seven or eight minutes, Ai Luodi’s voice came from the café’s entrance, “Are there still customers?”

 

“There’s one on the second floor playing chess.”

 

I gestured towards the stairs, “Why did you come so early?”

 

“Working the night shift at 9 PM or coming in the wee hours doesn’t make much difference.” Ai Luodi, wrapped up tightly and carrying a large backpack, yawned, “Look, there aren’t many people in the café right now. The main thing is… ugh… at this time, there are still quite a few people on the road. It’s safe for me to walk. If I wait until midnight, what if a middle-aged man kidnaps me, a delicate and charming old aunt, on my way home?”

 

What a peculiar way to describe oneself as a delicate and charming old aunt…

 

“There’s someone upstairs playing chess?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I explained, “It’s not traditional chess, it’s a game, League of Legends.”

 

“Oh, I know that. I’ll go check it out later.”

 

Ai Luodi glanced at both me and Yin Xiamo, “You two can go back and rest. I’ll keep an eye on things here.”

 

“Isn’t it still too early?”

 

“It’s almost time, and there aren’t many customers anyway.”

 

Ai Luodi seemed indifferent, “Shall I call your café manager?”

 

“No, no, at this hour, let her rest properly.”

 

I hopped off the massage chair, “Then Yin Xiamo and I will head back. Has Sister Lan Jiajia returned?”

 

“Not yet. She… um, it seems like she’ll be partying all night at the rental house tonight. It’s a friend’s birthday, or something like that. I don’t quite understand.”

 

“Oh.”

 

I cradled the Starlight Elementary School uniform in my arms and walked towards the second floor of the café, “Then, Editor-in-Chief… cough cough, Sister Ai, take care.”

 

“No trouble at all. The night shift is quite easy.”

 

Ai Luodi gestured towards the backpack behind her, “The internet speed here is super-fast, a gigabit. I brought my laptop, so tonight’s online gaming will be quite thrilling.”

 

No wonder, I was wondering why you were so enthusiastic about coming to work.

 

“Wait a moment, why haven’t they restocked the snacks here?”

 

While changing clothes in the dressing room on the second floor with Yin Xiamo, I heard Ai Luodi’s exclamation from the employee break room, “How am I supposed to survive tonight? Should I just order takeout? Have someone deliver a hundred packs of spicy strips?!”

 

“There’s no such thing as restocking. Do you think this is a game where the NPC store refreshes its stock?”

 

I couldn’t help but smile and sigh, “I remember there should still be a lot of Starry Cup crispy sharks, right?”

 

“Too sweet, and it makes you gain weight.”

 

Well, then I have no choice. Snack management was previously handled by Ouyang Xue, and now that she’s hospitalized, I can’t just secretly use company funds to buy snacks for you, right?

 

“… ”

 

Having changed into our usual clothes with Yin Xiamo, we both turned to Ai Luodi, who had just awakened from the sorrow of “no spicy strips tonight,” dressed in a maid outfit and standing at the bathroom door. We waved, “Goodbye.”

 

“Goodbye.”

 

Heading down to the first floor, I pushed open the café’s door, instantly greeted by a wave of hot air.

 

Oh my goodness…

 

With a rabbit backpack on my back, I took a deep breath at the café’s entrance.

 

At this rate, the average temperature for the next few days will be above 39 degrees Celsius. It’s already past nine in the evening, and it’s still so hot.

 

Looking at the little path where Li Denghua had disappeared just now, I thought for a moment, carried the rabbit backpack to the front, unzipped it, and took out that ugly doll from inside.

 

The insulting words on the doll’s face and body had been scrubbed away by me, but due to the irreparable left eye, it remained empty and somewhat frightening.

 

“Xiao Mo.”

 

After some thought, I placed the doll back into my backpack and said to Yin Xiamo beside me, “Are you free tonight?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Yin Xiamo showed an expression as if to say, ‘Has the little loli finally couldn’t resist?’.

 

“I’m free, I’m free. I am Yin Nuo’er’s exclusive Grim Reaper. As long as it’s Yin Nuo’er’s request, I’m always available!”

 

“Why do you make it sound like I’m going to eat you?”

 

I sighed lightly, “Tonight, I want to go back to the lighthouse again. Is that okay?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Yin Xiamo seemed surprised by my sudden request, “Why so sudden…”

 

“Didn’t you say that when you first came to this world, you used to enjoy resting there?”

 

I smiled, “I think… we can treat the Nanqi Tower as our daily check-in point. After work at night, just like this, we can go there to see the sea and relax.”

 

“Great idea!”

 

My words caused Yin Xiamo’s eyes to sparkle with many bright stars. She took a step forward, directly lifted me in a princess carry, “Indeed, Yin Nuo’er suits being a girl. So romantic!”

 

“What…what are you talking about!”

 

I felt my face burning: “I was just suggesting, just suggesting! I am an uncle!”

 

“Typical uncles would never have such girlish thoughts. Yin Nuo’er should be a girl!”

 

Yin Xiamo chuckled, “Hold on tight, close your eyes, and get ready to take off!”

 

“Uh, right here?”

 

“Yes, right here. Because I need to visit the convenience store downstairs later, we’ll fly directly from here this time.”

 

With my eyes closed, the girl holding me lowered her head and kissed my forehead, “Be prepared—”

 

I quickly closed my eyes.

 

Soon after, there was a “whoosh” sound, and the familiar sensation of weightlessness came from all parts of my body.

 

“Ah!”

 

Lying in Yin Xiamo’s arms, I didn’t dare to open my eyes at this moment. Instead, I shouted to the girl above my head, “Are you flying or jumping?”

 

“Both work!”

 

In the whooshing wind, Yin Xiamo seemed to be quite happy, “The great hero used to teach me this way. We once leaped over mountains and forests together. He danced gracefully with me, carrying me in the smoke of war—”

 

“Oh! He is my proudest prince, stealing my heart and returning it to the vast land!”

 

“The hunter in the castle, lighting the fire, mounted my centaur and dashed out of the city gate, oh!”

 

“Praise the dark goddess, she let you and me meet in a different world…”

 

“Why are you singing now? Won’t people see us like this?”

 

“That would probably be considered the thirteenth urban legend in Shenzhen City, right? Dancing with a beloved girl under the moonlight, an urban yuri legend?”

 

“That kind of thing is definitely strange!”

 

“…”

 

I don’t know how long it took with the continuous “whoosh” of the wind blowing through my hair and lifting my twin ponytails, but when Yin Xiamo landed smoothly for the last time, claiming that I could open my eyes, in the gradually recovering sight, I once again saw the beautiful black sea.

 

Just like before, standing at the top of the Nanqi Tower, feeling the continuous blinking of the lighthouse beneath my feet and the rolling waves in front, I couldn’t help but marvel at the tranquility and greatness of nature.

 

Taking out my phone, I aimed the camera at the horizon ahead and clicked a photo.

 

Yin Xiamo, holding the “couple phone,” raised it to my face and made a victorious gesture with her right hand behind my neck, switching to the front camera—

 

“Click.”

 

“Are there magical items like smartphones in this other world?”

 

After taking a few more photos of the nearby rocks and the beach behind, I sat down on the platform in front, legs together, and played with the bangs on my forehead.

 

“Yes, but those things require magic to extract the images, and I didn’t bring it with me.”

 

Yin Xiamo sat down beside me, resting her little head on my shoulder, “Whatever, that dumb hero is already dead. Now, you’re my wife, Yin Nuo’er.”

 

“Is this considered infidelity?”

 

“At least not for me.”

 

What about me?

 

I shifted my gaze and looked at Yin Xiamo’s fair face. “Xiao Mo.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“About Li Denghua just now…”

 

“What happened to Denghua?”

 

“It’s just… we unilaterally modified Denghua’s message, only leaving her with those peaceful words, and we also replaced her doll. Isn’t that a bit selfish?”

 

“It is a bit.”

 

The girl next to me kept her head on my shoulder. “But the world is inherently selfish, isn’t it?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“The hero from the previous life treated me the same way.”

 

Flipping her left wrist, Yin Xiamo grabbed my right hand from below and interlocked our fingers. “He never told me about some painful, sad, or desperate things. When he was bitten by a monster, he said he accidentally fell. When there wasn’t enough food, he gave me his portion, claiming he had already eaten. Clearly, a few days ago, many people died in the battle, and they also killed many demons. Yet, in the morning, he would take me to the forest to see the birds catching insects and marvel at the sprouts emerging from the soil, expressing admiration for the greatness of life.”

 

“The world is selfish and contradictory.”

 

When she said this, Yin Xiamo moved the hand that was holding mine. “Humans need to eat a lot every day to survive, and at the same time, they praise life just because we are the masters of life, having that right.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I turned my head. “Why does it sound like we’re a bit domineering?”

 

“It’s originally domineering, the strong will dominate,” Yin Xiamo blurted out. “The hero, because of his strength, can selectively tell me all sorts of things or even lie. Humans, standing at the top of the food chain, can eat while praising life. Because of this, the world seems beautiful, and everyone wishes to see beauty.”

 

“Similarly, you and I are the elders of Li Denghua. We have the right to paint various colors on her life canvas. When Li Denghua grows up, she also has the right to choose what kind of colors to leave for the next generation.”

 

So, it’s a principle like that?

 

“What about Xiao Mo?”

 

I raised my head, looking at the moonlight that was faintly visible through the clouds over the sea. “Has Xiao Mo done similar things?”

 

“What do you mean by similar things?”

 

“Like… things Xiao Mo thinks are good for me and doesn’t let me see the dark side.”

 

I thought for a moment. “For example, what preparations you have made for me in recent years, what you gave up, what you lost. You haven’t said any of these. The first time we met, you deliberately put on airs to make me feel afraid of you for a certain purpose, right?”

 

“…”

 

“Or is it that the Demon King has actually died a long time ago? What you defeated before was just something similar to a mental demon. A few thousand years ago, you defeated the Demon King, became the Demon King herself, and then, after a few thousand years, her heart was controlled by dark magic. Besides Xiao Mo, there is also a ‘Dark Xiao Mo’ or something like that?”

 

“…”

 

“Either I speculate on an even more fantastical plot: Xiao Mo not only has the ability to control life and death but also manipulate time? Or is it time reversal? The conditions for defeating the Demon King are very strict. For these hundreds of years, you’ve been constantly reincarnating, watching me die and be reborn time and time again. In the end, the only way to defeat the Demon King is to kill my male body and transform me into a little girl. Only then can the Demon King be killed, and peace can be achieved?”

 

“…”

 

“Fool.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I said you’re a fool.”

 

“Why are you suddenly calling me a fool?”

 

I turned my head. “I’ve been discussing various possibilities seriously about our meeting, and you refuse to tell me!”

 

“So, Nuo’er is a fool…”

 

The girl sighed lightly. “Like Xiao Denghua just now, do you want her to come back holding that doll and discuss various possibilities of the ‘butterfly’ with you?”

 

“Well…”

 

“Our meeting… did take a lot of effort on my part, but all that is in the past.”

 

Yin Xiamo whispered, “I won’t tell you about those dark aspects unless Nuo’er’s strength surpasses mine.”

 

“How can I possibly be stronger than you as a…”

 

I gestured with my remaining hand. “Stronger than a Grim Reaper? Didn’t you claim to control the concept of death in this world? That’s already on the level of a deity!”

 

“Anyway, Nuo’er won’t die. We can take our time.”

 

Yin Xiamo seemed to smile ambiguously. “What if it’s really possible?”

 

“I feel like you know deep down that it’s impossible, but just because you want to see me struggle, you intentionally tell me that eternal life is possible for everything?”

 

“Very clever, you guessed it right away!”

 

“As expected…”

 

“So, don’t let your imagination run wild!”

 

After saying that, Yin Xiamo suddenly stood up, facing the vast sea ahead. She raised her hands like a trumpet and shouted, “Yin Nuo’er is a big fool!”

 

“Hey…”

 

I also stood up. “Didn’t you say there’s an old man guarding on the Nanqi Tower? If you shout like this, you’ll wake him up…”

 

“It’s okay, he can’t hear it.”

 

Taking another deep breath, the girl shouted again, “But Momo likes to have a foolish girlfriend!”

 

“…”

 

The slightly cool sea breeze lifted Yin Xiamo’s long hair behind her, swaying slightly under the night sky, like willow branches swaying by the shore.

 

“Enough.”

 

After these shouts, Yin Xiamo reached out to me. “It’s time to go back. I still need to go to the convenience store downstairs in the community.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Curious, I asked, “Why are you going to the convenience store?”

 

“The bedding I ordered has arrived, including custom bed sheets and pillow cushions. Oh, and there are a few clothes I bought for you.”

 

“Clothes?”

Suddenly, I had an ominous feeling. “Wh… what kind of clothes?”

 

“Nothing much, just some cute lingerie, socks, pajamas, and little dresses.”

 

Yin Xiamo took out her phone from her pocket, tapped on the screen a few times, and then handed the phone screen to me. “Here, this is the list.”

 

I leaned in to see —

 

?LuluMu Hug Pillow Bedding Set?

?Blue and White Striped Over-the-Knee Socks, One Size?

?MeowMeow Original Cat Paw Patchwork Socks, One Size (with cat meat pad)?

?Puff Girl Lolita Original Big Head Thick-Soled Shoes, Size 32 (detachable bow)?

?Puff Girl Lolita Original Big Head Thick-Soled Shoes, Size 34 (detachable bow)?

?Black and White Cat Bra and Panties Sleepwear Set?

?Sleeping Beauty Chiffon Dress Second Dimension Fairy Girlfriend Japanese Style Long Skirt, Pink?

?Sleeping Beauty Chiffon Dress Second Dimension Fairy Girlfriend Japanese Style Long Skirt, Black?

 

After reading the long list displayed on Yin Xiamo’s phone screen, including various orders saved with the note “Already saved at the Blue Sky Grocery Store in the Starry Garden, Nanqi District, Shenzhen City. Pick up with code 1-3-5544,” my mouth involuntarily twitched a bit.

 

“Dear Xiao Mo.”

 

Taking several seconds to compose myself, I shifted my gaze to Yin Xiamo’s face. “You bought these things… should be planning to use and wear them yourself, right? It should be like that, isn’t it?”

 

“No, not at all!” Yin Xiamo shook her head. “Except for the bedding and the black summer dress, everything else is for you.”

 

“Wait a minute!” I instinctively took a few steps back. “These… these things are so cute, not suitable for an old man like me…”

 

“Whether they suit you or not isn’t for me to decide. Since I got so much compensation, I’m definitely going to buy all sorts of pretty clothes for you.” Yin Xiamo looked matter-of-fact. “If we talk about the compensation, there’s still quite a bit left. I feel like I can browse online stores again these days and buy more for you.”

 

“Can I refuse?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Didn’t I just say? I’m a Grim Reaper, and I have the most authority.”

 

“Now you’re not even bothering to find a reason and just bullying me directly?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

While I wasn’t paying attention, Yin Xiamo took a quick step forward and hugged me.

 

“So, after picking up the delivery later, when you get home, just obediently change into the new clothes!”

 

“……”

 

……