Chapter 272: Extra (9)
After playing chess for a while, Zhou Zhou’s stomach began to rumble. Though he tried to endure it, finishing another round of chess, he finally couldn’t help but speak up as Su Lü prepared to start a new game.
“Brother Su Lü, I’m hungry!” He gazed pitifully at the red-robed man across from him.
His voice broke Su Lü’s focus on the chessboard, snapping him out of his concentration.
Su Lü raised his eyes and looked at the little boy.
Zhou Zhou was unlike him. Though both were fragments of a greater spirit, Zhou Zhou was much weaker. While Su Lü could absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, nourished by the essence of the sun and moon, Zhou Zhou couldn’t.
Of course, compared to ordinary beings, Zhou Zhou was far stronger. After all, in all of Su Lü’s inherited memories, no one else had ever managed to cry for half a month without stopping.
“Then let’s get you something to eat,” Su Lü said.
He glanced at the chessboard before him. This match had ended in yet another draw, and it had taken all his effort to achieve even that.
It was unavoidable—Zhou Zhou, though weak, was a natural-born knower. With a single glance, he could understand the rules of any matter or thing. Such innate ability was far beyond what Su Lü could match.
Still, it wasn’t a bad thing.
To meet a worthy chess opponent was a rare blessing.
Because of this, Su Lü didn’t entirely resent Zhou Yan for leaving this fragment behind. After all, rejecting it wouldn’t change anything.
He reached out, slowly gathering the chess pieces and putting them back into the box one by one.
Zhou Zhou, sitting across from him, also helped pick up the pieces. As he worked, he said, “But… but I don’t have anything to eat…”
Born without memories, Zhou Zhou only had a basic understanding of the world. Much of it still needed to be taught, and he required someone to care for him.
The little boy stared at Su Lü with wide, expectant eyes.
Su Lü glanced at him, then continued methodically placing the white pieces back into the chess box. Finally, he gestured toward the direction of the cave.
A vine slithered out from the depths of the cave, laden with ripe, red fruits that gave off a faintly sweet fragrance.
Zhou Zhou’s mouth watered at the sight. Excitedly, he asked, “Can I eat these?”
“Mm,” Su Lü replied simply, continuing to tidy up the chessboard at an unhurried pace. Though he could use magic, he saw no need to rush in a life without limits.
“Ahh!” Zhou Zhou plucked a fruit and took a big bite. The sweet, juicy flavor filled his mouth, and he let out a satisfied sigh.
“It’s so delicious!” he exclaimed happily. “Brother Su Lü, do you want to try some?”
Su Lü shook his head. “You eat.”
Zhou Zhou continued munching away, finishing two or three fruits before finally stopping, content and full.
“These fruits are so good! I wish I could eat them every day!” he said, his cheeks rosy with joy.
Su Lü paused slightly but said nothing, the only sound in response being the crisp clink of chess pieces.
And so, Zhou Zhou ate fruit for two months straight.
“Ahhh~”
When he saw the same fruits again, he let out a long sigh, his face falling. “I don’t want to eat fruit anymore.”
Su Lü ignored him, keeping his focus on the chessboard.
For the past two months, they had played chess every day. Zhou Zhou loved playing with Su Lü, as being by his side made him happy no matter what they did.
But he really didn’t want to eat fruit anymore!
“Brother Su Lü, can we eat something else?” Zhou Zhou ran to Su Lü’s side, clinging to his arm and pleading.
Su Lü didn’t respond, his attention fixed on the game.
But Zhou Zhou was nothing if not persistent. After relentless pestering, Su Lü finally relented, setting aside the chess pieces and leaving the cave with the boy.
They eventually arrived at a stream where Su Lü began fishing.
Thanks to ten years of effort from humans and demons, Earth’s ecosystem had made significant progress. Rivers that were once dry now flowed freely, supporting a growing variety of aquatic life.
Some species were reintroduced from other planets, while others were native to Earth. Carefully managed, they had formed a new food chain.
Su Lü casually transformed a tree branch into a fishing rod, even creating bait with a simple spell. He tossed the line into the water and settled in, staring at the stream without moving.
Zhou Zhou, sitting nearby with his chin in his hands, studied him intently. He had no doubt that Su Lü could sit there motionless for an entire month.
As Su Lü fished, Zhou Zhou kicked off his shoes and dipped his feet into the stream, letting the clear, spiritually rich water flow over them.
Watching the boy play happily in the water, Su Lü couldn’t help but call out, “Don’t go into the deeper water.”
“Okay!” Zhou Zhou nodded, though his attention was already on the stream.
This area had been well restored, and with no large-scale human fishing, the stream was teeming with fish. Zhou Zhou spotted one and immediately pounced.
“Splash, splash~ splash, splash~”
A plump silver fish was caught in Zhou Zhou’s arms, thrashing its tail with such force that Zhou Zhou lost his balance and toppled into the stream.
After splashing around for a moment, he was hoisted up by the back of his collar.
Dripping wet, the little boy flailed his arms a couple of times before looking up at Su Lü, who had pulled him out. Zhou Zhou gave him a sheepish grin, hoping to please him.
Su Lü pressed his lips together and carried him to the shore.
“Dry off.”
A towel was tossed onto Zhou Zhou’s face, blocking his view. He scrambled to pull it off with both hands and feet.
When he finally got the towel off, he saw a bonfire had already been lit in front of him. The warm, glowing flames drove away the chill of the stream, wrapping him in comforting heat.
In the orange light of the fire, even Su Lü appeared softer and more approachable.
The little boy stared at him in a daze, clutching the towel and remaining motionless.
Su Lü glanced at him, and after a moment of hesitation, couldn’t tolerate his disheveled state any longer. He pulled Zhou Zhou closer and began roughly rubbing the towel over his head.
Though Su Lü’s movements weren’t exactly gentle, leaving Zhou Zhou swaying back and forth, the boy couldn’t help but grin up at him whenever he caught a glimpse of Su Lü’s face.
When Su Lü finally finished, Zhou Zhou threw his arms around him and declared happily, “Brother Su Lü, you’re so kind! I really like you!”
The unexpected hug made Su Lü stiffen slightly. It wasn’t the boy’s words that caught him off guard, but the realization that…
He could have just used magic to dry him off. Why had he spent all that time doing it manually?
It wasn’t unusual for Su Lü to prefer handling things personally to pass the endless stretch of time, but those tasks were typically ones he enjoyed or at least didn’t mind doing.
But now…
Su Lü lowered his gaze slightly, meeting the boy’s bright, starry eyes. He saw his own reflection in them, and after a long pause, he sighed.
Fine. Let it be.
He placed a hand on Zhou Zhou’s face and gently pushed him away. “Go change into your clothes.”
Zhou Zhou took the clothes Su Lü handed him and clumsily began putting them on.
Watching him fumble with the outfit, Su Lü narrowed his eyes. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
A rule spirit who could understand the intricacies of a chessboard at a glance couldn’t figure out how to put on clothes?
Zhou Zhou looked up at him with an innocent expression. “I know how to put them on, but my arms are too small, so I can’t do it right…”
Lowering his head, he looked like a child caught in the act of mischief.
Su Lü couldn’t bring himself to reprimand him further and reluctantly pulled Zhou Zhou over to help him get dressed properly.
For some reason, a thought crossed his mind: this might not be the last time he’d have to do this. It seemed more and more likely that this little one was here to stay, completely attached to him.
“Brother Su Lü is the best!”
Completely unaware of Su Lü’s complex emotions, Zhou Zhou’s face lit up with joy. His sparkling eyes gazed at Su Lü as though he were looking at his entire world, his expression full of reliance and affection.
The warm orange glow of the fire enveloped them, casting a faintly tranquil and cozy atmosphere over everything.
Whether Su Lü wanted it or not, Zhou Zhou stayed by his side, just as Zhou Yan had intended—always there to keep him company.
