Demons Beside You

“Walter can’t live for long, so he has to stay with me. Only I can extend his life,” Chen Zhao started to lie. “You heard for yourself that it has cancer. You know what this means. Robio asked me to save Walter. I’ve been trying my best to extend his life, but if he leaves me, he’ll be sick before long. Do you want to see how the disease has tortured him just half a month ago?”

Taking in a deep breath, Gerlyn said, “You should explain this to that girl.”

“Didn’t you see her attitude? Her wild attitude towards Walter. Do you think she would allow Walter to leave her?”

“But she views Walter as her kin. Isn’t it cruel for you to strip Walter from her?”

“Fine. What would you do if you were me? Let it return to its original master, and then die in suffering and pain, or let it stay here, so that it can run and play freely? At least it wouldn’t be tortured by the disease.”

Chen Zhao sounded all-righteous. Gerlyn fell silent for a while. “I don’t know… I only feel that this is unfair for her.”

…

Fali charged into the HQ of the Coastal Rescue Team and shouted at Robio, “You lied to me! You lied… That’s Walter! Walter’s not dead!”

The members around her were all perplexed. What’s Fali saying?

Robio’s face darkened. “All of you, go out.”

Slightly shocked, the other members all left the office.

“Are you guilty now? That is Walter.”

Robio took in a deep breath. “Answer me. Do you want Walter to be alive?”

“Of course. I want it to be alive more than anyone else, so when I found out that it’s still alive, I’m happier than anyone else.”

“Chen can extend Walter’s life. You saw it for yourself: Walter has regained his vigor beside Chen, but what would happen if it leaves Chen? Do you know what will happen to it? Have you ever thought about it?”

Robio stared at Fali with a gloomy look. “You only care about whether Walter belongs to you, but you’ve never cared for Walter itself.”

“I…”

“If you want Walter to live, just give up. Perhaps you can go and visit it, but don’t try to snatch it away.”

Robio was very satisfied with Chen Zhao who had fulfilled his promise.

He had indeed restored Walter’s energy. Therefore, Robio had to fulfill his promise too. At least, he must not let Fali destroy their agreement.

If possible, he hoped that he could keep this a secret forever, even if he would be accused of being a murderer. However, Fali still managed to find out the truth.

He could only tell her everything in an attempt to persuade her.

Fali sat down on the chair in disappointment, her eyes staring blankly in front of her.

“I’ll give you two days to rest and relax. Use this opportunity to think over it.”

…

Chen Zhao spent two days with Gerlyn and did nothing else, apart from a picnic the previous day and having their usual bed activities.

After the two days, Gerlyn left Chen Zhao again.

Just like what they had promised, when they needed each other, they would be like a couple.

For the rest of the time, they would only be friends.

Chen Zhao was also back to work and called Ethan himself.

“Ethan, you have a job for me?”

“Chen, what a surprise that you called me yourself! I thought that you’ve already forgotten about your job.”

“I only took two days off.”

“Fine. Lucky for you, I have a job at hand. Street 98, flat No. 521, but the pay isn’t high—only a thousand dollars. Do you want it?”

“Yes.” Chen Zhao tidied himself up, after which he left with Beelzebub, Raymond, and Carrie.

Just then, he saw Mary walk towards him with some grilled bacon and ham. “Chen, are you going out?”

“Yes, I’m going to work. A patient is waiting for me.”

“Here’s some bacon and ham I’ve just made.”

“Thanks.”

“No, I should be the person to thank you. You saved Ken.”

“I’m a doctor. Saving people is my job.” After chatting briefly with Mary, Chen Zhao took the bacon and ham and returned to his house. However, he could only eat them after coming back.

Leaving his house again, he saw Vincent at the next road junction.

“Chen, where are you going?”

“Street 98.”

On their way, Chen Zhao received a call from the agency.

“Hello, Mr. Chen, I’m Hister, do you still remember me? I was the agent when you signed the Rental Agreement.”

“Of course. Hi, Mr. Hister, how can I help you?”

“You said that you’re looking for a housemate, right?”

“Yes, and I also said that I only want a beautiful female housemate.”

“Of course. A lady told me that she likes your house. Are you willing to share it with her?”

“Do you think she’s beautiful?”

“Of course. From my aesthetic judgement, she can very well become a Hollywood star.”

“Is she single?”

“Yes, she said that she lives alone.”

“No problem then. Rent the house to her.”

“Don’t you want to come here and see your housemate first?”

“I’ll have the chance later anyway. As long as it’s a beautiful lady, I wouldn’t mind.”

…

“Chen, I really envy you. You’re always so lucky.”

“This isn’t luck; this is the charm of the Eastern people.”

“I don’t believe in that. Your housemate hasn’t even seen you. Perhaps she just happens to need a housemate.”

“Everyone has his or her own unique aura, and the auras between different people would attract or repel each other too…”

“Come on. You’re a doctor, not a spiritualist.” Vincent rolled his eyes.

“Vincent, do you think I should buy a gift for my housemate whom I’ve never seen?”

“Anything will do as long as you don’t give yourself to her.”

“You’re just jealous.”

“Yes, I am indeed jealous of you. I should go and learn medicine too.”

“Don’t force yourself. Cab driver is a promising job as well.”

“Bastard… We’re at Street 98. 88 dollars in total. Do you need me to wait here?”

“Nope. I’ll call you if I need you.”

Usually, Chen Zhao would call a cab himself to go home, unless it was late into the night.

The street was filled with condos on both sides. Chen Zhao found the house of his client.

He rang the doorbell. After a while, the door opened.

A beefy man who was over 1.9 meters tall had opened the door. He was half-naked and his muscles were comparable to those of a bodybuilder. His body was filled with sweat and he looked like he had been exercising.

“I’m a doctor. I was told that I have a patient here.”

The man made way. “Come in.”