IFILWMWMAE Chapter 3: Like an Arrogant Mortal Playboy

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I had thought the Demon Realm would be a dark and terrifying den of evil, hidden away in some damp, uncharted corner, shrouded in eternal gloom.

But the scene before me was nothing like that.

A vast lake stretched out before me, mist curling above its surface. At the lake’s edge, clusters of translucent, glass-like water lilies bloomed, their brilliance dazzling.

By the lake stood a grand palace, its imposing structure surrounded by vibrant flowers in full bloom. At first glance, it looked more like a celestial paradise than a demon’s domain.

I marveled in silence—this place was far more beautiful than Cuiwei Peak.

Qiongqi carried me by the scruff of my neck, soaring over the lake before landing in front of the palace.

I twisted my body, trying to land on my feet, but Qiongqi let out a sneeze and sent me tumbling straight into a bed of flowers.

I rolled once through the blossoms, ending up covered in petals of all colors. When I looked up, I was met with Xie Lin’s disdainful gaze. Hurriedly, I scrambled to my feet.

Xie Lin, with Qiongqi in tow, walked toward the palace gates. I followed behind, gradually slowing my pace, my eyes darting around in search of an escape route.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Xie Lin said, "Don’t even think about it. Once you’ve stepped into my domain, there’s no way out."

Startled by his sudden words, I quickly withdrew my wandering gaze.

At the entrance, a gatekeeper dropped to one knee, clenching his fist in salute to Xie Lin.

I hid behind Xie Lin and stole a glance at the demon. To my surprise, the people of the Demon Realm looked just like ordinary humans—not monstrous creatures with ox heads and horse faces, nor hideous and grotesque beings as I had imagined.

All the way to Xie Lin’s sleeping quarters, people were constantly coming and going, and there were always those who nosily asked about my origins.

Xie Lin answered tirelessly, “A new treasure I got today.”

Not only did he smile, but he also pinched my cheeks, making me smile for them.

I was terrified. I forced a stiff curve on my lips.

Some people didn’t even bow to Xie Lin, chatting with him in a familiar manner. Xie Lin didn’t mind either, lazily responding with a few words.

It seemed like this place was a nest of snakes and rats, with no sense of hierarchy.

My heart was uneasy, and even after entering the inner hall, I still hadn’t recovered.

The inner hall was lavishly decorated. Several large luminous pearls embedded in the ceiling emitted a soft glow. A plush carpet covered the wide seating area, and the bed frame was made of ancient pearwood, looking hard and sturdy.

Dark red sheer curtains swayed despite the absence of wind, revealing the display shelf behind them. The shelf was filled with various rare treasures. I recognized a few—dragon bones, luminous pearls, thousand-year flowers—but the rest were entirely unfamiliar.

Xie Lin flicked my forehead, mocking my lack of experience.

I wanted to argue that I had seen countless treasures in the sea, ones that didn’t exist on land. But after thinking for a few seconds, I swallowed my words.

Someone outside the hall called out loudly, “Your Highness.” They seemed to say something else, but their speech was too fast for me to catch.

As soon as Xie Lin heard it, his expression turned urgent, and he hurried away, leaving me alone in the inner hall.

The moment Xie Lin disappeared, I breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the ground, deep in thought.

I was filthy and had no idea where I could bathe. When Xie Lin returned, I didn’t know how he would deal with me. Meanwhile, back at Cuiwei Peak, they must have realized I was missing. I wondered when Lord Zezhou would come to rescue me.

After pondering for nearly half an hour, hunger struck. Now that I was a mortal, I had to eat. On Cuiwei Peak, there was a small kitchen dedicated to making food for me, run by an old woman who said she was ordered to do so by Lord Zezhou.

Lord Zezhou was truly kind to me—despite being thousands of miles away, he still remembered to take care of me.

The sky had completely darkened, and I could no longer bear the hunger. I tiptoed to the door, gently pushing it open a crack to peek outside.

There was no one there, only a full moon hanging high in the sky.

Hunger emboldened me. I slipped out the door and wandered quietly along the corridor in search of a kitchen, but I found nothing.

On my way back, I was nearly discovered. A group of guards suddenly appeared at a corner. Pressing myself against a crimson doorframe, I didn’t dare breathe.

Once the guards passed, I suddenly realized that inside the room behind me, there was a noisy conversation mixed with Xie Lin’s laughter.

I pressed my ear to the door. It was indeed Xie Lin. Fearing he would catch me, I quickly tried to sneak away.

Just as I turned to run, the door creaked open.

Xie Lin stood there, one foot on a stool, a playing piece between his teeth, looking like an arrogant scoundrel of the mortal world.

They were playing Pai Gow.

T/N: a gambling played by dominoes.

The man sitting across from him glanced at me and said to Xie Lin, “Send him back to where he came from. Don’t get involved with mortals.”

I saw hope and immediately scurried over, clutching this righteous man’s hand and crying out, “Help! Save me!”

Another man pulled me away, covering his nose in disgust. “Filthy. Don’t rub yourself on my master.”

I refused to let go, wailing loudly.

The so-called master didn’t seem to mind me at all. He spoke to me gently, his tone warm and refined.

This master had a tall and upright posture, as gentle as jade. I later learned he was Xie Ji, the Second Prince of the Demon Realm.

The man who had just glared at me threateningly was his subordinate, Xun Xi—low-born, untamed, and obedient only to the Second Prince.

Xie Lin was still biting the jade tile, its green glow making his expression look eerily sinister.

Now that I had found a backer, I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Sticking close to the Second Prince, I pleaded for Xie Ji to send me back to Cuiwei Peak.

Xie Ji gently stroked my dirty hair, but Xun Xi grabbed his hand, his voice low and cold as he warned, “Your Highness.”

The chilling tone sent shivers down my spine.

In an instant, the room emptied, leaving only Xie Lin and me.

Xun Xi had openly defied his superior. I immediately decided that I would avoid him at all costs in the future.

The Second Prince was unreliable—his own subordinate had pressured him into abandoning me, leaving me to face this peril alone.

I regretted it. Truly. I shouldn’t have blindly sought help from someone so undependable.

Xie Lin’s expression darkened. He looked like he would devour me alive.

Extreme nervousness made my stomach growl, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Expressionless, Xie Lin remarked, “Quite the little actor.”

He kept calling me ‘little one.’ Not daring to argue, I obediently agreed, “Little one is hungry and would like some food.”

Xie Lin couldn’t hold back his laughter and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

The moment he smiled, I knew I was safe—at least for now.

I swallowed, unable to suppress my craving, and looked at him eagerly. “Can I have a chicken leg?”

That night, I ate six chicken legs. I didn’t know how they raised chickens in the Demon Realm, but the drumsticks were bigger than my small arms—tender, spicy, and incredibly delicious.

I ate so much that my belly was round, making walking difficult.

Xie Lin asked, “Did Su Zezhou mistreat you? Didn’t even give you chicken legs?”

I stubbornly replied, “In front of someone I like, I naturally have to be reserved.”

Xie Lin chuckled. “When Su Zezhou comes to ransom you, remember to have him pay for the chicken legs too. The Demon Realm never suffers losses.”

I flattered him endlessly, talking until my mouth was dry, before he reluctantly agreed to keep my secret.

I quickly begged him to forget about the ‘childhood betrothal’ nonsense as well.

Xie Lin warned me, “Don’t push your luck.”

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