Chapter 245

Chapter 245: What Kind of Demon Marries Her Own Food? Are You Sick?

Chong Ming finally released her wrists, one brow lifting. “You noticed. That’s a miracle.”

“If things weren’t so chaotic lately—and if fireworks weren’t inappropriate—I’d throw a whole celebration.” Jiang Tea Tea forced a laugh and scrambled off him like her dignity was on fire. “I’d celebrate that your eyes finally work.”

“Um. We’re different species. Stop seducing me. There’s a generation gap.”

“My health has been great lately. I don’t need dragon blood. I don’t need your psychic-force soothing. If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to the mountain I bought. When school starts, I’ll return to campus.”

Chong Ming’s hand clamped around her waist and stopped her. His gaze was sharp and unblinking. “Jiang Tea Tea, why are you running?”

“Who’s running?” Jiang Tea Tea snapped, tugging at his hand. “I’m just saying we aren’t that close. Stop saying things that make people misunderstand. If anyone hears, it’ll ruin your reputation.”

Chong Ming let her pry his fingers loose, but his eyes didn’t soften. “We were at negative distance. We’ve shared a bed. You’re carrying my cubs.”

He took a step closer, looming over her. “And you’re telling me we’re not close? Jiang Tea Tea—are you what pure humans call heartless? You don’t want to take responsibility?”

Responsibility?

The commander-in-chief of the Zhen Lin Empire was demanding responsibility from her?

Jiang Tea Tea almost laughed in his face. Instead, she jumped back in one smooth motion, putting distance between them. “Who are you calling heartless? That negative-distance thing was an accident.”

“And sleeping in the same bed? I was using you as a tool-dragon for my cubs’ healthy growth.”

She pointed at him like he was the one being unreasonable. “Don’t get friendly with me. And don’t try to seduce me. I don’t want to date you. I don’t want a relationship. And I definitely don’t want to register a marriage with you.”

What kind of decent demon registered a marriage with her own food?

If this got back to the demon realm, she’d be laughed at for a thousand years.

For the sake of her great demon reputation, she wanted the cubs.

Not the cubs’ dad.

And there was another reason—one she didn’t say out loud.

Her contract with the fake heiress wasn’t finished. Once it was completed, she would leave this place sooner or later and return to the demon realm.

A registered marriage would become a tie. A shackle. A debt.

If he died, she’d be expected to chase his reincarnation.

Forget going home.

Cubs were different. She gave birth to them. She could leave their fate here or drag their fate back to the demon realm.

Chong Ming sat on the bed, silent and cold-faced, watching her like he’d finally cornered something that had been slipping away for too long.

Jiang Tea Tea felt her skin prickle under that stare. She cleared her throat, pretending she wasn’t unsettled. “Listen. Someone like you—handsome, tall, strong, powerful—you should find a mate among princesses. Or at least a female from a great noble house.”

“As for me?” She spread her hands. “Father unknown. Mother unknown. Unreliable. Ugly. Lazy. Sneaky. Arrogant. I don’t deserve you. Not even a little.”

“So instead of wasting time thinking about me, go find someone else. With your face and status, you could register a marriage with whoever you want and have cubs easily.”

She lifted her chin, rushing on before he could cut in. “Don’t worry. Only you and I know. Cheng Lin Yue, Sui Xuan Chu, Cheng Yuan—five people total. I won’t let a sixth person find out.”

“When the cubs are born, I’ll dye their coloring. No one will know who their father is. Their existence won’t affect you and your future mate.”

“I don’t need child support. I don’t need you to give them anything. I’ll give birth. I’ll raise them. I’ll handle everything. We’ll stay far away from you. We won’t become an obstacle in your life.”

Chong Ming stared at her, calm on the surface—and something slow and dangerous building beneath it.

He shifted. His dragon tail began to turn into legs as he started to rise—

Jiang Tea Tea snatched up her coat in a panic. She didn’t even bother with her shoes.

“Never mind,” she blurted. “You don’t need to get up. Keep sleeping. I’m done sleeping. I’m going to check whether Jin Lin has digested those four dragons. Bye—”

“Jiang Tea Tea—”

The moment Chong Ming said her name, she vanished.

Gone so fast he didn’t even have time to reach for her.

—

Zhong Li He was sleeping in beast form, head tucked under a wing.

His lightbrain vibrated violently.

Groaning, he stretched out a claw and kicked the nearest warm lump of body.

Kong Que nearly rolled off the bed. He jolted awake, shifted into human form, grabbed Zhong Li He’s lightbrain, and checked the message. Then he looked at Zhong Li He—still a gorgeous beast, feathers bright and lavish even in sleep.

“Chief Executive,” Kong Que said. “Commander-in-Chief Chong Ming requests you come to the military department. He has something to discuss. His flyer will arrive in about five minutes.”

Zhong Li He lifted his head from under his wing, sapphire eyes instantly sharp.

Kong Que held up the message for him to see.

Sleep vanished from Zhong Li He’s face. He shifted into human form, took the lightbrain, strapped it around his wrist, and threw himself out of bed. “It’s 3 a.m. If he’s calling me now, it must be serious.”

He grabbed a handful of hair to tame it and barked orders as he moved. “Kong Que, get ready. Come with me. On the way, contact the rescue teams and researchers. Also check Da Xi Nation’s surrounding routes, stations, and defense posts. See if there’s any sudden military intelligence.”

“If there’s nothing urgent, tell them to keep guarding our own Fringe Star region—but also keep a close watch on the Zhen Lin Empire’s Fringe Star zone. If the insect clan or anyone else tries to invade, we need to know immediately.”