Demons Beside You

To be honest, Chen Zhao was indeed not mentally prepared at all.

It was really too sudden.

However, he did not know how to reject Fali whom he had been staying with for so long.

In the end, witnessed by three friends, Fali successfully proposed to Chen Zhao.

“Chen, how did you escape from the storm?” David asked.

“I was lucky. Got myself a new pet in the sea.”

“What pet?”

“A killer whale. Name’s Amon. He sent me to the shore.”

“…”

Everyone was speechless. They all knew that none of Chen Zhao’s pets was ordinary.

His pets were at least intelligent. Fali had even seen for herself how Black-Ma and White-Ma had appeared.

Hence, they all seemed to be very interested in Amon. David even asked excitedly, “Where’s Amon now?”

“Of course he’s in the sea. You didn’t think I would carry Amon back, did you?”

“When can we go and see him?”

“Maybe next time when you’re all free.”

“You’ve all been here for the whole day. Go back and rest,” Fali said.

“Now that Chen’s back, you’re going to chase us away like this? I’m staying tonight,” Sienna complained in dissatisfaction.

“Sienna, stop being a third wheel. We should leave before they kill us.” Chris pulled Sienna away. David gave Chen Zhao a hug and then left with them too.

Chen Zhao and Fali both sat on the sofa in silence. Suddenly, Fali stood up. “I’m taking a shower.”

Chen Zhao reached out and pulled Fali into his arms. “Not now. Let’s shower together later.”

Fali was extremely nervous, but Chen Zhao would clearly not allow her to retreat. He made the first move.

Unable to resist Chen Zhao’s aggression, Fali gave in almost immediately.

Nonetheless, Chen Zhao did not overdo it. It was Fali’s first time, after all.

In the bathroom, Fali actively started another round.

Only after a tiring battle, the two stopped.

It was the first night they slept in each other’s arms. Fali lay on Chen Zhao’s chest, feeling his warmth.

It felt so quiet and peaceful, a feeling that Fali had never experienced before.

The next day…

Fali was clearly fully energized and rejuvenated.

“Chen, do you want me to send you anywhere?”

“No. Be careful at work.”

“I know. See you.”

It would seem like their conversation was just as usual, but in fact it already felt different.

Chen Zhao sat on the sofa alone. After Fali left the house, he took out his phone.

“Hey, Gerlyn.”

“Chen? Huh, you sound so strange. Are you in love?”

It was a common belief that women were much more sensitive. Chen Zhao did not expect Gerlyn to be able to guess what he wanted to say before he even did.

“Yes.”

“Congrats.” Gerlyn’s gentle smile could be heard from the other side of the phone. She gave Chen Zhao her sincere blessing.

“Thanks,” Chen Zhao replied emotionlessly. “When are you coming back to Los Angeles?”

“Maybe never. I’m planning to work at the station in San Francisco.”

“I see.”

“I still have work to do now. Until next time.”

“Alright. Goodbye.”

“Bye…”

Since Chen Zhao had accepted Fali’s proposal, he had to leave the other relationships he had in the past.

Unlike a novel, in reality, few women could tolerate playful boyfriends.

It was just like how Chen Zhao could not accept his girlfriend having an affair.

Clearing the relationships he had in the past was good for both him and Fali.

Just then, Chen Zhao received a call from Morgery.

“Chen, are you free?”

“What?”

“You promised me that you’ll treat my baldness.”

“Fine. Where are you?”

“Right in front of your door.”

When Chen Zhao left the house, he saw Morgery’s car at once. Morgery also saw Chen Zhao’s entire family of pets behind him.

“Chen, what are those two things? Don’t tell me they’re Alaskan Malamutes, because they’re definitely not.”

“They are what you think they are.”

“Don’t tell me they’re coming too. My car’s too small for them.”

“They’re not going onto your car, but you’re coming out. Since you’re already here, let’s have the treatment in my house.”

“Sure.”

Morgery followed Chen Zhao into his house with some curiosity.

“Chen, your house is different from what I thought.”

“How?”

“I thought your house would be filled with the smell of medicine. Also, your house is too tidy for a person who has so many pets. I’ve had a dog before as well. That asshole would make a mess in my house everyday.”

“Simple. If my dog dares to behave badly in my house, I’ll beat the shit out of him.”

Chen Zhao was about to treat Morgery when he heard Azina’s voice from the outside.

Realizing that the door was unlocked, Azina shouted at the door to inform Chen Zhao and then came in directly.

“Hi, Chen.”

“If you’re here to play with Black-Ma and White-Ma, they’re in the yard. White-Ma’s injured and can’t run. I’m busy now.”

“Alright.”

Chen Zhao had treated Morgery a few times already, so Morgery really trusted him.

Nevertheless, when Morgery removed his shirt and Chen Zhao saw the gun hidden in it, his face darkened right away.

“Morgery, if you bring your gun into my house again next time, I’ll chase you out.”

“I didn’t bring it for you. It’s just that I have too many enemies. If I don’t bring a gun, I’ll feel really unsafe.”

“Then next time I’ll go to your place.”

“Will we still have another session?”

“Of course. Do you think it’s that easy to treat hair loss?”

“How long do I need to see the effect?”

“About a month. You need to contact me every week.”

“Okay. How much is it?”

“Two thousand per session.”

“Here you go.” Morgery readily paid Chen Zhao, like he always did. “By the way, last time you asked me about black market drugs. I’ll give you a number. Tell the person that I introduced you.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

Soon after Morgery left, Deon Slote came.

“Chen, I’ll only be the mayor till next week. What’s your decision about the land near Mirror Lake? If you delay further, after I resign from my position, I will no longer be able to promise you that you can definitely get the land. At least you won’t be able to get it at the same price.”

After some consideration, Chen Zhao made his final decision. “I’ll buy it.”

“When are you free?”

“Now. I still have something else later.”

“Sure.”

Chen Zhao still had the five hundred thousand check that Ethan had given him. Since he had enough money, he decided to be quick before it was too late.

The procedure was pretty easy. Chen Zhao signed the Land Purchase Agreement, notarized it, and then paid the deposit.

All the formalities took less than an hour.

After he finished everything, he finally felt relieved.

Then, he went to the fitness center for the boxing class.

Gaia asked Chen Zhao curiously, “Chen, did you encounter a windstorm yesterday on the sea?”

“How did you know?”

“Coastal Rescue Team. One of my former students is working there. I saw the photos of you and another girl being sent to the team. They sent out at least a hundred search and rescue ships for you.”

“Yup. Luckily I came back alive,” Chen Zhao said.

“Great. How do you feel now?”

“Not half bad.”

Suddenly, Chen Zhao’s phone rang. “Excuse me.”

“Help!! Chen, come here now!!”

Hearing the screams from the phone, Chen Zhao’s face darkened immediately.

It was obviously none other than Dell.