Chapter 11 The Drunkard

Tanglu, returning from the market laden with her purchases, was like a little mouse that had fallen into a rice jar, so happy she was practically bubbling with joy.

She held a cute little phoenix wood carving in her arms, wore a moonstone necklace around her neck, and was surrounded by all sorts of spiritual fruits, candies, and sparkling little trinkets. She even slept with a few glowing seeds in her arms.

Looking at her pathetic little money-grubber, Chi Li felt both annoyed and amused, so she simply let her be.

However, the saying "extreme joy begets sorrow" soon proved true for the little tree spirit.

The problem lies with those spiritual fruits.

The spiritual fruits sold in the demon realm market are of many kinds and have different effects.

Although Chi Li had reminded Tang Lu which foods she shouldn't eat too much of, the little one was clearly captivated by the colorful appearance and tempting aroma, ignoring her advice.

In particular, there is a fruit called "Drunken Cloud Fruit", which has a fluffy and white appearance like cotton candy, melts in your mouth, and brings a pleasant, slightly tipsy feeling.

After trying one, Tang Lu immediately fell in love with the blissful feeling. While Chi Li was dealing with some urgent messages, she secretly ate the remaining seven or eight.

When Chi Li returned, she saw a little drunk tree with flushed cheeks, dazed eyes, sitting in a pile of gifts and grinning foolishly.

"Hehe... Lili...you're back..." Tang Lu stood up unsteadily, opened her arms to hug him, but her legs gave way and she fell flat on her face.

Chi Li was startled and quickly went over to scoop her up. As soon as she got close, she smelled a strong fruity fragrance mixed with a sweet, cloying alcohol scent emanating from her.

"How many Drunken Cloud Fruits did you eat?" Chi Li frowned and pinched her burning cheeks.

Tang Lu held up two fingers, thought for a moment, then added three more, and finally spread both hands wide, grinning foolishly: "So many...so many...like clouds...hiccup..."

Chili: "..."

It's over.

The name "Drunken Cloud Fruit" sounds elegant, but its aftereffects are quite strong. For a little demon like Tang Lu who has little or no alcohol tolerance, it's no different from drinking strong liquor directly.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for the effects of the alcohol to take hold.

Tang Lu began to become unusually...lively.

She first hugged Chi Li's arm, rubbed her cheek against it, and muttered, "Li Li smells so good and feels so warm."

Then he started trying to climb onto Akari, trying to reach the "star" that didn't exist above her head.

"Stars! Bright and shiny! For Tanglu!" She waved her little hand persistently.

Helpless, Chi Li had no choice but to hold the restless little drunkard to prevent her from falling.

"Don't move, just go to sleep," she tried to soothe him.

"No sleep! Tanglu is going to sing for Lili!" the little one announced loudly, and then began to hum a tuneless lullaby. The lyrics were unclear, but they were probably about sunshine, rain, and her favorite Lili.

Halfway through the song, she started tearing up again, complaining pitifully, "That...that old man selling candy...he didn't give me enough candy...Tang Lu saw it..."

Chi Li was both amused and exasperated, and could only pat her back and coax her gently, "Go find him tomorrow and settle the score with him, and make him pay you back."

After finally managing to coax her to stop crying, Tang Lu suddenly had another idea and began to activate her spiritual power.

In an instant, Chi Li's bedroom seemed to have transformed into a primeval forest.

Delicate golden vines spread from Tang Lu's body, wrapping around the table legs, chair backs, bedposts... and Chi Li's waist.

"Bloom! Bloom for Lili!" Tang Lu shouted excitedly, trying her best to make flowers bloom on the vines.

Unfortunately, she was too drunk to control her spiritual power, and only a few small flower buds managed to sprout on the vines before nothing happened.

Chi Li looked at the bedchamber and herself, which were "bound" by vines, and took a deep breath.

She felt like she wasn't raising a tree, but rather a demolition team leader who was also a drunken singer.

After a good half hour of commotion, the effects of the Drunken Cloud Fruit finally began to wear off, replaced by a strong feeling of dizziness and discomfort.

Tang Lu wilted, her face turning from rosy to pale. Clutching her stomach, she huddled pitifully in Chi Li's arms: "Li Li... I feel unwell... dizzy... I feel nauseous..."

Chi Li's helplessness was replaced by heartache.

She immediately channeled her divine power, and a gentle warmth slowly flowed into Tang Lu's body, helping her to neutralize the remaining effects of the alcohol and alleviate her discomfort.

"I told you not to listen and to stop eating random things." Chi Li's tone was reproachful, but her movements were incredibly gentle as she let her lean against her chest and patted her back gently.

Tang Lu whimpered and snuggled into her arms like a sick kitten.

Soothingly under the power of the Crimson Glass, the discomfort in his stomach gradually subsided, and a strong drowsiness washed over him.

Tang Lu's eyelids began to droop, but her little hands still gripped Chi Li's clothes tightly as she whispered, "Li Li... don't go..."

"I won't leave." Chi Li pulled her closer to his arms and covered her with the brocade quilt. "Go to sleep, I'm here."

Having received the promise, Tang Lu finally fell into a deep sleep, feeling at ease.

Chi Li leaned against the headboard, still holding Tang Lu in her arms, listening to the even and long breathing of the person in her arms, and feeling her gently nestled in her embrace.

Traces of entwined vines still lingered in the bedchamber, and the air was filled with a faint scent of fruit wine and the fresh herbal fragrance emanating from Tang Lu.

Looking at the little guy's slightly tired sleeping face, made up from his drunken antics, Chi Li's heart melted.

Although it was a bit noisy and troublesome, but... Tang Lu, so vibrant and wholeheartedly dependent on her, made her feel, for the first time, that this cold and empty bedroom had the warmth of "home".

She lowered her head and placed a gentle kiss on Tang Lu's smooth forehead.

"Little drunkard," she murmured softly, her tone filled with undisguised affection.

It seems that from now on, all the spirit fruits containing alcohol on the market should be included in the "Tanglu Forbidden Food List".

Tonight, His Majesty the Demon King was unable to review a single memorial or cultivate for even a quarter of an hour.

She devoted all her energy to taking care of a greedy little drunkard tree.

But she felt that this was more meaningful than handling any political affairs or cultivating any supernatural powers.