Capturing My Demon King Costar

MY COSTAR IS DILIGENT

The day of the opening ceremony draws closer, and Yao Shen makes preparations for the trip to Hengdian. Bi Jialu comes over to help him pack.

It's her first time in his apartment, and as expected, she's underwhelmed.

"Laoshi...how long has it been since you vacuumed?"

"That's not important right now, help me pack my video games," he says, shoving a duffel bag at Bi Jialu that will be filled with two consoles and his laptop.

Bi Jialu eyes the display case with all his physical games wearily. "I don't think laoshi is going to have much free time while filming the drama."

Yao Shen stops what he's doing and gives his cramped living room an accessing look.

"This is the first time I'll have a main Lead role," he rubs the back of his neck self-consciously, "I'm usually bored on set."

Bi Jialu nods, her large wire-frame glasses sliding down her thin nose-bridge. "Laoshi's fortunes will turn after this role, I know it!"

Her optimism isn't contagious, but Yao Shen appreciates the effort. He pats her on the arm. "Thank you for staying with me all these years, I know it would have been easier for you with someone else."

"Ah, laoshi, I'm very lazy, I'm afraid I've stayed with you for my own selfish benefits," she lets out a dispirited sigh. "I'm afraid I'll have to find someone else once Yao laoshi becomes very famous."

Yao Shen can't help letting out a loud laugh. He can always count on Bi Jialu to be honest to a fault.

He flicks her arm on the same spot he patted it. "I won't let you," he flashes her a menacing grin. "If I become famous I'll drag you all the way to the top with me."

She flails theatrically and pretends to pass out over his couch.

Yao Shen kicks her foot. "Hey, Lu-jie(1)! Don't think you're getting out of helping me pack. Lu-jie!"

---

The flight from Beijing to Hengdian is tortuous. As usual, HuaHua didn't feel like spending money on Yao Shen, so he and Bi Jialu are flying economy.

The plane is loud and crowded, and there's a kid sitting in the seat in front of his who keeps turning around to stare avidly into Yao Shen's face.

"Maybe he recognizes you, laoshi," Bi Jialu suggests after the little boy spends five minutes locked into a staring contest with Yao Shen over the back of his chair.

"How can such a small child recognize me?" Yao Shen shakes his head. "No, this is just another of the Universe's trials for me."

And so, he spends the entire flight being stared at by the little boy, without his parents doing anything to stop him.

When they're close to landing, Yao Shen goes to the bathroom and is shocked to find the small boy waiting for him outside the folding door, his big eyes trained on Yao Shen.

"Listen kid, you should return to your seat," Yao Shen says, with a sigh. "Your parents are probably worried about you.

"Yao Shen, who do you think you are?"

Yao Shen is taken aback by the kid's serious tone and oddly mature voice. "I---What?"

The kid grins, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "Ghosts shouldn't pretend to be human."

He's still trying to process the grisly sight of the kid's serrated teeth when he vanishes into thin air.

'What the fuck was that?' Yao Shen asks the system, trying to regain control of his breathing.