I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 149

Chapter 149: As if Calling Out to Each Other

 

Yin Xiamo purchased the “Lulumu” bedding set from an online store. Strictly speaking, the set doesn’t feature the two little demon characters depicted by the artist Mao Yuniu in her drawings. However, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. In terms of the setting, they are still two demons named Lulumu and Lilumu.

 

Upon checking online, I found that these two characters are the mascots of the “Moe 2D” flagship store. One has pink hair, and the other has black hair. Both cute characters have a Lolita figure, with the pink-haired one leaning towards being soft and cute, while the black-haired one is more tsundere.

 

This store specializes in clothing, appliances, daily necessities, and even food related to the “2D” (two-dimensional) culture, with an explosion of varieties. I don’t know how Yin Xiamo came across such a store.

 

It is said that Yin Xiamo learned about online shopping about two years ago when she was poor and used everything sparingly in Ai Luodi’s house. However, as an employee of a grocery store, whenever there were “expired” items in the store, Yin Xiamo would request the boss to let her take them home. During casual conversations, the boss taught Yin Xiamo how to use online shopping, how to grab coupons, and how to buy a lot of things with just a few dollars.

 

Yin Xiamo, who had lived in another world for thousands of years, had never seen such high-tech things as online shopping. She became fascinated all at once. From then on, whenever there was a need in her life, if her grocery store didn’t have the goods, Yin Xiamo would choose to buy them online at a lower price.

 

Especially on those online platforms that claim to be “selling off inventory due to factory closures at a loss,” it was like heaven for Yin Xiamo.

 

“I won’t die, so I don’t care if they fake things.”

 

This is what Yin Xiamo told me.

 

Is the toilet paper too cheap with substandard quality? Heavy metals exceeded the limit? Causes a rash for sensitive skin? None of these are a concern for Yin Xiamo. Her body is immune to all modern harmful substances. Usually, for things like wiping sweat, she only requires “usable paper.” Whether the paper meets the standards or is aesthetically pleasing doesn’t matter to her, even if you don’t have a production permit.

 

Similarly, when Yin Xiamo is busy, she also buys “meal replacement biscuits” and “compressed dry rations” – the requirement is just one, and the price should be cheap. However, buying inexpensive napkins and biscuits is one thing, while buying furniture full of “2D” vibes is another. Before knowing that Yin Xiamo had bought so many things, I had no idea that she had already added so much to her shopping cart, let alone her deep understanding of the local culture.

 

The store Yin Xiamo is interested in covers a wide range of fields. They assemble computers, collaborating with manufacturers to release things like “Bride Motherboard Bride Memory” or “Custom 2D Chassis with Mascot Graphics Card.” The assembled computers are also extravagant. They sell curtains, bedspreads, sheets, pillows, hug pillows, tables, chairs, and practically every piece of furniture you can think of, not to mention clothing.

 

The set of five items, including “Lulumu hug pillow, bedsheet, pillow, full set of bedding,” consists of a very long double pillow with the images of Lulumu and Lilumu, the two mascots, printed on it in a cute and pink style. There’s also a super-large hug pillow of about 1.5 meters, featuring Lulumu in colorful clothes. Then there’s the matching bedsheet with the same theme, with a soft and non-stuffy texture, feeling like lying on cotton. Paired with a cherry blossom-colored air-conditioned quilt, sleeping with the air conditioning on should be very comfortable.

 

“I’ll arrange the new pillows and sheets on Nuo’er’s side, and from now on, I’ll sleep with Nuo’er. I’ll use that room as my office and study.”

 

After washing the new bedding and clothes she bought online, Yin Xiamo, as usual, came to my room with the pillows.

 

“This ugly mosquito net of Nuo’er can be taken down and thrown away. Mosquitoes are not interested in us.”

 

“I seem to understand Ai Luodi a bit.”

 

“How so?”

 

“You see, we live on the top floor, and theoretically, there should be few mosquitoes at such a high level. But you planted so many flowers on the first floor… Watering them regularly provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. While the mosquitoes bred there don’t bite us, they end up biting Ai Luodi on the floor above.”

 

“Really… is that so?”

 

“Yes, I suspect Ai Luodi chose to work the night shift at the café because of this. Mosquitoes fear light, and usually, during the day, there are fewer of them. Ai Luodi spends the whole night at the café to avoid mosquitoes. There are many mosquito traps there, and there are cats to share the probability of getting bitten.”

 

“But I really didn’t know the landlord would suddenly come back and live here. I’ve been living here alone for several years, and the flowers have been planted for quite some time.”

 

“Do you really like flowers?”

 

“That’s right…”

 

“…”

 

After I finished typing, I once again squeezed onto the same bed as Yin Xiamo. After experiencing various events over the past few days, I no longer felt so repulsed by the idea of her “hugging me to sleep” at night. On the contrary, I seemed to enjoy the feeling of being able to rely on someone, even if just a little.

 

Yin Xiamo looks like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl on the outside. Just based on appearances, she doesn’t seem like the kind of “powerful” older sister, but perhaps because I know her background and identity, whenever Yin Xiamo is around, I always feel… an especially reassuring sensation.

 

Due to my relatively small size, this person can hold me entirely in her arms. At first, I felt like I was being dominated as if I were a toy with no rights, but later, I gradually experienced a sense of security akin to a “mother protecting her daughter.”

 

Speaking of which, from a certain perspective, Yin Xiamo can indeed be considered my “mother” or “creator,” at least in terms of my physical body.

 

What she said about “consuming ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years of magic power” can now be confirmed as a fabrication, but I do not deny that she expended tremendous effort when “creating” her own body.

 

So, when Yin Xiamo holds me, does she have that kind of… a feeling of caring for the daughter she created with her own hands?

 

“…”

 

With this sentiment in mind, as usual, I entered the realm of dreams in the cool air conditioning and the warm embrace of someone.

 

“Sigh—”

 

“…”

 

Speaking of which, the voice actress for the little princess in “Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle” seems to be Inori Minase, the same voice actress for Chino Kafuu in “Is the Order a Rabbit?” and Rem in “Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World.” Recently, with the popularity of the promotional video for the Maid Cat Café in Tokyo, my fanbase has been rapidly increasing. Many people who have visited the café leave comments saying that my voice sounds like Chino, and my appearance resembles Chino, but I’m wearing a Rem maid outfit. Ironically, Rem also has that voice, creating a perfect fusion of characters.

 

What’s most frustrating is that after I “became popular,” my QQ receives a ton of friend requests every day. Dealing with harassment messages like “Do you want to meet? How much?” is manageable. Or messages like “Are you interested in joining our professional cosplay team?” or “I am a professional photographer, do you want to do a photoshoot?” I can easily reject. But I’m wary of encountering web novel editors trying to poach authors and undercover agents waiting to sabotage me.

 

Now, in the era of entertainment dominated by smartphones and computers, many capitalists hope to get a share of the pie in the fields of novels, comics, and anime. Honeydew is a relatively large novel website, and there are countless others beneath it. If a company with some financial backing launches a novel website, it’s easier to handle, as they can use various marketing strategies. However, if the owner of the website itself lacks effective marketing methods, it becomes challenging. A newly opened website without authors and readers, how does it grow? How does it operate?

 

There’s no choice but to invite a few “web editors,” who are essentially online editors, to go everywhere and recruit authors to write books. Typically, for websites that actively recruit authors to fill their libraries but lack reputation, authors who sign up may find themselves left to fend for themselves with no income.

 

I have a deep impression of this situation because I was once pulled by a small website editor to fill their library, wrote for almost half a year, and didn’t receive a penny.

 

Similarly, undercover agents in QQ groups are also a headache. These are individuals who don’t read your novels but want to join the group to cause trouble. You never know when you might wake up one day, and the group is gone.

 

Six months ago, Ai Luodi had “trained” us authors on similar matters. For instance, it’s best to place the reader group in the novel’s content or on the shelves, this can significantly reduce harassment since malicious individuals won’t easily find it. Most editors or some self-media marketing accounts looking for people usually go directly to your book’s comment section. If an author posts their novel’s QQ group in the comments, these individuals can easily join, contact the group owner, or even send temporary messages without adding the author as a friend. The author, seeing someone from the group, likely a reader, would take the time to check, even if they are busy.

 

In the past few days, I don’t know how those who previously “dug into” themselves promoted it, but my reader group’s numbers have doubled. What was initially a well-behaved reader group has turned into a “fan group.” Everyone in the group is discussing what clothes Nuo’er should wear, how cute her voice is, and then frantically sharing photos taken at the café these days.

 

Some artists are helping with simple drawings, there are skilled photoshoppers creating various edits, and there are people strategizing what activities the café should organize. It’s all kinds of “heated discussions.” Along with this, the books I’ve written are also gaining popularity. Many people are discussing why the plot is so hardcore when the author is a cute girl. I don’t know whether this situation is good or bad, I can only go with the flow.

 

……

 

?Is there really no way at all??

 

In my dream, it seemed I had transformed into a cold-hearted little demon, standing in a lush forest filled with vibrant green leaves and towering vines, brimming with the breath of life.

 

?The Tree of Life is not a deity and cannot transcend the laws of the world, dear.?

 

In the hazy vision, I saw several elves.

 

Pointed ears, emerald green long hair and eyes, bare feet, sitting on a large tree in front.

 

Some of these beautiful and graceful elves were not wearing clothes, some only had their bodies covered by green skirts, while others held harps in their hands, seamlessly blending into the forest behind them, giving a sense of being the “beloved of nature.”

 

?I have already used divine magic to preserve his body. The Tree of Life is hailed as the origin of life. There must be some way.?

?Dear, I can understand the pain of losing a loved one, but clearly, his soul has dissipated. The Tree of Life cannot perceive souls.?

 

A girl-sized elf jumped down from the tree.

 

?We will never forget the help of the hero to the Elven Forest, but the abilities of the Tree of Life are limited, and we cannot resurrect the deceased.?

?Even the most detested necromancy magic among the elves is not possible. If you want to revive him, it is a rebellion against the laws of the entire world.?

?Must we resort to using forbidden magic??

?No one has ever succeeded in that thing throughout history. You… child, please mourn.?

?Our Elven King will return in a month, and she seems to have some understanding of forbidden magic. Before that, perhaps you can try using the Fountain of Life near the Elven Tree.?

?Is it okay??

?The Fountain of Life is crucial for our Elven tribe, but if it’s the hero, it’s okay.?

?…?

 

In a daze, I dreamed again of carrying someone to a pool of clear spring water.

 

?I told you a long time ago, let’s leave there together, run far away, and live an ordinary life… Is that not good enough??

 

After placing the person into the pool of water in front of me, “I” whispered:

 

?I’m not like those noble princesses. My wish is simple—to be with my loved one, to live each day in a plain and simple way… that would make me very happy.?

?You always insist on shouldering so many responsibilities, never willing to take even a step back.?

 

As we spoke, raindrops fell from the sky above.

 

“I” walked into a small pool on the side, casually used the short knife on my back to cut a “lotus leaf”-shaped umbrella handle, took it in hand, and opened the “umbrella” for the person by the water.

 

?If I hadn’t asked your troublesome friends, I would never have known that you were carrying so much for me.?

?Indeed, sometimes I also wonder, wouldn’t it be better if I knew nothing??

?Then I could confidently leave you behind and return to my kingdom, becoming the ruler of the demon race, enjoying all the luxuries.?

?But please, don’t let me find you in another world. If that happens, I’ll definitely… do the same things to you as you did to me before.?

 

In the rain, “I” stood there holding the lotus leaf umbrella.

 

One day, two days, three days, ten days, half a month, a month.

 

Without moving, quietly watching the figure in the water in front.

 

?Rest well in the Elven Forest, my love. Here, no one will betray you again.?

?I am alone again…?

?……?

 

“……”

 

……

 

The Sunday morning was as quiet and peaceful as the previous days.

 

“Ahh—”

 

Sitting up in the small bed, I stretched with a big yawn, feeling like I had just had an extraordinary dream. Beside me, there was no sign of Yin Xiamo. Faint sounds of flames and the clattering of pots and pans could be heard from the direction of the kitchen.

 

Pulling the rabbit nightgown that had slipped to the side back into place out of habit, I yawned and hopped out of bed, heading straight to the kitchen.

 

As expected, Yin Xiamo had already gotten up early today, just like yesterday, preparing breakfast.

 

“What’s on the menu this time?”

 

I squinted with blurry eyes, “Whole grains?”

 

“For now, I only know how to cook taro, sweet potatoes, corn, and eggs.”

 

The girl in the kitchen, wearing an apron, looked a bit embarrassed, “It’s relatively simple. Just put them in, um… add water, then cover and simmer for about ten minutes.”

 

“Oh…”

 

I pondered, “So, have you overcome that… fear of cooking?”

 

“This isn’t really cooking, it’s just simple boiling.”

 

Yin Xiamo pushed me out of the kitchen. With a “whoosh,” she closed the door, saying, “Alright, alright, three more minutes. Go wash your face first.”

 

“Anyway, being able to cook is a good thing, progress is progress.”

 

I nodded, “Thanks for your hard work!”

 

Although, as Yin Xiamo mentioned, this kind of breakfast that only requires “boiling” is simple and lacks any technical complexity, in reality, her skill level hasn’t even reached the “beginner” level.

 

Yesterday, Yin Xiamo made the same “breakfast” for me. It was edible, as this type of dish can be eaten as long as it’s not overcooked. However, I couldn’t compliment the appearance of the corn-sweet potato-egg combination that Yin Xiamo prepared.

 

Firstly, the corn was purchased at the market downstairs these past few days. When we bought it, the old lady just removed the corn husk without handling the numerous silks inside. Yin Xiamo simply threw the corn into the pot as it was.

 

Next, the sweet potatoes. When cooking, Yin Xiamo didn’t bother washing them. Some of the sweet potatoes were just dug up from the ground, covered in mud. She threw them into the pot like this, making it look like a pot of “mud soup,” with the water in the pot turning cloudy.

 

Lastly, the eggs. While normal boiling would have been fine, Yin Xiamo, for some reason, waited for the water in the pot to boil before adding the eggs. Since the eggs were stored in the refrigerator with a low temperature, and boiling water has a high temperature, throwing them in caused the eggshells to crack in just a few seconds. A significant amount of egg white and yolk spilled out, turning it into a “cracked egg.”

 

Can you imagine the scene? Sweet potatoes covered in mud thrown into the pot to boil, the soil dissolving and blending into the chaotic water. Then, adding eggs, with the egg whites coloring the water a pale yellow. Finally, corn with untreated silks, where the silks fall out and mix with the muddy water.

 

Theoretically, this breakfast was still edible, just not very visually appealing. The egg yolk was mostly gone, the egg whites turned grey, and the originally beautiful yellow corn became a dark yellow. Surprisingly, the sweet potatoes, which needed peeling, ended up being the most normal-looking food in the mix.

 

Of course, I eventually ate the entire breakfast Yin Xiamo made yesterday.

 

Anyway, with high-temperature sterilization at 100 degrees for more than ten minutes, at most, it might look a bit ugly, with a bit more dirt, but after washing, it should be edible… probably?

 

After completing my morning routine, I opened the door to the balcony and took down the clothes that needed to be changed today.

 

Then, my gaze was drawn to the clothes and bedding that Yin Xiamo had washed on the balcony all night yesterday.

 

Ai Luodi’s balcony is one of those large panoramic balconies. The left side is precisely facing the place where the sun rises in the east. During this time, the sun just peeks out below the horizon, emitting a faint glimmer filled with a sense of hope.

 

In addition, the balcony is adorned with many flowers and plants, including roses, bougainvillea, strawberry grape seedlings, and every flowerpot is meticulously arranged, vibrant with greenery.

 

With the morning sun rising slowly from the east, looking at the flowers and plants around and the clean clothes above, I suddenly felt a sense of “this should be the life she wants.”

 

I approached the pot of grape seedlings, watching as the small grape tree divided into three branches, each one climbing upward along the railing with great effort.

 

One jasmine flower had already bloomed, emitting a delightful fragrance.

 

In the years when I was not around, would she wake up every morning alone… silently watering these flowers and plants, and then gazing at the sunrise on the horizon in a daze?

 

If my speculation about the “time reversal” is correct, such a situation would be even more heartbreaking. Yin Xiamo, countless times, nurtured these flowers alone, countless times watched the sun rise, all for the sake of welcoming the beloved girl into this home…

 

And then, countless times, she abandoned this “hope,” leaving behind the well-cultivated flowers.

 

“……”

 

“Ugh…”

 

Don’t overthink it. Yin Xiamo might be strong, and she just doesn’t know how to come to Earth. The so-called time reversal might just be my wild guess.

 

With such thoughts, I took the clothes back to the room and got dressed.

 

“Did you wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly when you cooked them today?”

 

Afterward, seeing Yin Xiamo, who was wearing an apron, coming out holding a meal tray, I teased, “I don’t want to eat muddy eggs again.”

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

Putting the tray on the table, Yin Xiamo looked proud, “This time, I deliberately got up ten minutes earlier, cooked the corn and eggs first, and then added the taro and sweet potatoes.”

 

Well, that’s another approach.

 

“Not bad.”

 

Although I found Yin Xiamo’s method a bit amusing, I still praised, “Miss Xiamo, you’re amazing!”

 

Anyway, she was willing to let go of me after holding me all night, and spent more time getting up to help with breakfast. Regardless of how good or bad it tasted, I had to express my gratitude; it’s a matter of respect.

 

“Hehe…”

 

As expected, Yin Xiamo blushed instantly after receiving my praise, “Um… did you, last night, dream of anything strange again?”

 

“Huh?”

 

While peeling the eggshell, I wondered, “What do you mean by strange things?”

 

I did dream last night, but I couldn’t recall the specifics. Like most dreams I have, I forget them as soon as I wake up.

 

I vaguely remembered that this dream should be related to elements like the “Life Tree” and the “Spring of Life” of the “Elven Tribe.”

 

Since the body created for me by Yin Xiamo has elven genes, it’s not surprising that I dream about such content.

 

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

 

Seeing my confused expression, Yin Xiamo seemed to relax a bit. She placed a piece of corn into my bowl, saying, “Quick, see if my cooking skills have improved!”

 

“How can this be considered cooking skills, huh?”

 

“It can be considered. After all, I used to be able to overcook clams!”

 

“Why would you proudly admit that!”

 

“……”

 

After having a lively breakfast, Yin Xiamo and I, as usual, held hands and walked along the path outside the residential area, crossed the quiet streets, and arrived at the highest point next to the Nanqi River, where the cafe was located.

 

“The coconut trees seem to have survived.”

 

Passing by the coconut trees given by Xiongxiong, I curiously looked at the huge leaves overhead, “I wonder if we can really drink coconut juice at this time next year.”

 

Yin Xiamo jokingly said, “If you like it, I can directly bring a coconut tree with fruit anywhere.”

 

“Ah… let’s forget about that.”

 

We pushed open the door and entered the cafe. Just like yesterday, several homeless and “freeloading” people were sleeping in the lobby on the first floor. Upon hearing the welcoming sound as we entered, many people opened their eyes, looking around in confusion.

 

“Oh… I just finished my dailies.”

 

Ai Luodi, who was playing games on a laptop at the largest table in the lobby, closed the screen, turned to us, and asked, “How did you two progress last night?”

 

I was a bit confused, “What progress?”

 

“Progress is going smoothly. Nuo’er has it been like a shell, you have to peel away the hard exterior to reach the soft inside. If you accidentally touch the shiniest pearl inside the shell, it will burst into the most beautiful rainbow.”

 

Yin Xiamo continued, “There’s still some breakfast at home. Editor, you can rest assured and go back.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Ai Luodi elongated her tone, looked at me and Yin Xiamo with a complicated expression, picked up her computer, and said, “No wonder I felt the latest chapter she updated yesterday was so soft, without any manly spirit. It turns out she was thoroughly devoured.”

 

What does that have to do with anything? What kind of guessing game are you two playing!

 

“Both of you can take a break tomorrow. Ouyang Xue will be back to cover the shift. Is that okay with her?”

 

As she walked toward the dressing room on the second floor, Ai Luodi asked curiously, “I feel like because of that promotional video in the past few days, there should be a lot of people coming to the café.”

 

“Let’s ask Sister Ouyang this afternoon.”

 

I explained, “Or we can ask Li Chen to come and cover the shift.”

 

“What I mean is, can we get Lan Jiajia to come.”

 

Ai Luodi yawned, “She has a big bust. If she takes a position here, it can conveniently raise the average cup size in our store.”

 

Yin Xiamo and I fell silent at that moment.

 

“I think it can work. Lan Jiajia had already agreed last night. She’ll come over this afternoon at the latest. If Sister Ouyang isn’t here, the two of you can introduce her to the store’s operations.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“……”

 

Ai Luodi changed into her clothes and left. Yin Xiamo and I, as usual, began the routine of organizing the cafe.

 

Cleaning up cat fur, adjusting the floor-cleaning robot, automatic water dispenser, and automatic feeder, testing the order system in the store…

 

After spending almost half an hour on preparations, I went outside the cafe and replaced the “Under Maintenance” sign with an “Open for Business” sign.

 

After today, it’s the day off. Hang in there, Nuo’er.

 

Seeing that there were not many customers for the time being, I, who had finished cleaning the milk tea equipment on the second floor, took out my phone and opened my QQ.

 

?Sister Nuo’er, I really want to leave the hospital to find you and the cats to play, but the doctor insists that I have to stay for a full month before being discharged.?

?I can feel the strong heartbeat in my chest, that is Nuo’er Brother’s heartbeat. This heartbeat is transmitted to me, so I will live well on behalf of Brother Nuo’er.?

?How about the little dress I sent? Sister Nuo’er, have you worn it??

 

First, I comforted the hospitalized Lu Xinmeng with a few words. Then, I deleted one by one the numerous harassing messages in the “New Friends” section and started browsing various messages.

 

Afterward, I saw the new editor “Catnip” who posted a new announcement last night—

 

?Honeydew and Yae-Do will soon hold the first offline author exchange conference. The invited authors are all big shots with more than 10,000 subscriptions on the website, totaling 30 people. In addition, each editor will select 3 lucky authors to participate in this meeting. Participating authors can receive mysterious prizes and a significant promotion on the website.?

 

“……”

 

……