Gift Giving

Jiang Ningshu had initially thought of picking something at random—exchanging gifts wasn’t something she was particularly interested in anyway.

She even felt that wandering around aimlessly was just a waste of time. What was the point of walking alone on the streets like a fool?

But then she remembered it was for Su Luo...

Fine, she’d take a look.

Yet the moment she took a step forward, Jiang Ningshu stopped.

It had been a long time since she’d last picked out a gift, and she had no idea what Su Luo would like.

What should she choose for Su Luo?

Without a clear goal in mind, she could only browse and see.

After walking for a while, nothing seemed quite right. Most of the things she saw were beneath her standards, and she doubted Su Luo would find them appealing either.

This was giving her a bit of a headache. She could’ve just picked anything and been done with it.

Yet Jiang Ningshu kept looking, determined to find something decent.

A jade pendant? Among the things she’d seen, this was relatively better—well-crafted, at least.

But that was only by comparison. For someone of Su Luo’s stature, this pendant would be as useless as a rock on the roadside.

It should be fine, right?

Jiang Ningshu hesitated. She truly couldn’t find anything more suitable, and the meeting time was approaching.

This would have to do.

In the end, Jiang Ningshu settled on the jade pendant.

She had even considered modifying it—or perhaps discarding it entirely and crafting something herself using the high-quality materials stored in her personal collection.

If she infused it with powerful enchantments, it would be both practical and elegant, making for an impressive accessory to hang at the waist.

But she dismissed the thought. Su Luo had set the rule: the gifts had to be from this city.

Plain was plain, then.

......

By the time they were supposed to regroup, Su Luo had arrived at the meeting point.

Yun was already there waiting.

Since she had picked something at random, it hadn’t taken her long at all. Wandering alone wasn’t fun anyway, so she’d decided to come early.

"Su Luo, how about you? Find anything good?" Yun asked with a smile.

"Not bad, I suppose. What about you?"

"Haha, same here. I think the Demon Lord might like it."

Yun, however, doubted Jiang Ningshu would.

Then Jiang Ningshu arrived.

"You two are fast."

Su Luo replied, "I only got here a little earlier than you."

"Where’s Little Yu?" Jiang Ningshu glanced around—only Little Yu was missing.

Right on cue, Little Yu came rushing over. "I’m here, I’m here!"

She had nearly missed the meeting time.

Yun reassured her, "No need to hurry. If you saw something you liked, it’s fine to take your time. We don’t mind."

"Exactly, there was no need to rush. We could’ve come to find you," Su Luo added.

"No, no, I just got caught up talking with the shopkeeper."

Now that everyone was present, Su Luo looked at the three of them and said, "Seems like you all had a good time in the city."

"More or less."

Wandering alone would’ve been dull, but searching for a gift had made it a different experience altogether.

Su Luo cut straight to the point. "As we agreed earlier, let’s exchange gifts. I’ll go first."

She took out a small doll. "Little Yu, see if you like it."

"I do." Little Yu held it in her hands, examining it closely—the more she looked, the more she liked it.

Her expression was exactly the same as before, making Su Luo wonder if she genuinely liked it or was just being polite.

"Little Yu, do you really like it?"

"Why do you ask, Su Luo? Of course I do."

"Honestly, I just realized—you look the same whenever you like something. It makes me doubt you sometimes. Don’t force yourself. Showing dislike can also be a way for me to understand you better."

"But I really do like it. Everything you’ve ever given me, I’ve cherished."

Little Yu began pulling out item after item.

"This is the coat you gave me when I first joined the Seven Stars Sword Sect."

"This is the jade we found together at Tianxuan Peak."

"This is the storybook you used to read me to sleep."

"This is the protective talisman you gave me at the Heavenly Demon Sect."

......

She recounted each one like treasured memories.

What she loved wasn’t just the objects themselves, but the moments she’d shared with Su Luo.

Su Luo was momentarily speechless. Some of these things she had even forgotten—how shameful.

"Then why don’t you wear some of them?" Su Luo had assumed Little Yu didn’t like accessories since she rarely wore any.

"I was just afraid of damaging them. I’ve kept everything you’ve given me safe." Little Yu carefully put the items away again.

Yun sighed dramatically. "Ah, Little Yu, you’re making me emotional."

"Stop it." Little Yu flushed at Yun’s teasing.

Then, a second later, she remembered her turn.

"Oh, right—Yun, this is for you."

Little Yu handed over the dress she’d picked.

"Wow, Little Yu, this is gorgeous! You’ve got great taste!" Yun exclaimed, delighted.

"I’m glad you like it." Little Yu’s nervousness faded—she’d been genuinely worried Yun wouldn’t.

Yun put the dress away. "Now it’s my turn. Demon Lord, please open this yourself."

She handed Jiang Ningshu a gift box, grinning.

"Thanks." Jiang Ningshu responded politely—something she wouldn’t have done if they hadn’t traveled together for so long.

But she had a feeling Yun was up to no good.

Not that she was afraid, of course. She opened the box without hesitation.

A grotesquely exaggerated grinning face sprang out at her.

"Haha, what do you think?"

"Not bad," Jiang Ningshu remarked. "I didn’t know you could be this childish."

The comment carried a pointed undertone.

"Tch, none of your business." Yun had expected this outcome—there was no way she could startle Jiang Ningshu.

Su Luo didn’t intervene. Though Jiang Ningshu was the Demon Lord, she wouldn’t punish Yun over something so trivial.

Still, Su Luo didn’t understand why Yun didn’t try to curry favor with the Demon Lord. A well-chosen gift could’ve earned her valuable rewards or information.

"Finally, my turn." Jiang Ningshu produced her gift.

Su Luo waited eagerly.

Seeing that expectant look, Jiang Ningshu suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

She was the Demon Lord, after all—wasn’t this plain jade pendant too underwhelming?

Noticing Jiang Ningshu hesitate halfway, Su Luo asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, it’s just... maybe next time I’ll give you something better."

Before she could finish, Su Luo cut in. "It’s fine, let me see."

Hearing that, Jiang Ningshu’s thoughts tangled, but she had already taken out the pendant.

Su Luo accepted it. "Isn’t this lovely?"

She fastened it at her waist.

"So? Dashing, right?"

Little Yu: "Mhm!"

Yun: "Absolutely! So handsome!"

Su Luo: "Demon Lord, you’ve got great taste."

Jiang Ningshu shook her head slightly, realizing she’d overthought things.

How strange—just a few simple words from Su Luo, and her heart felt instantly lighter.

Jiang Ningshu couldn't help but laugh. "Of course—I am the Demon Lord."