Humans were a species for whom having money was bad, and having no money was bad too. What was that all about?
After agonizing over it for a long while, Gourd said quietly, [All right, I more or less understand. Would you like me to tell a dark joke about humans?]
"Sure. Show me what you've got."
Gourd Lady racked her brains. She was not particularly good at this, and it took her ages to come up with something she was satisfied with.
[An old man was out walking when he accidentally fell into a river beside the road and cried for help. Two police officers heard him but ignored him, continuing to walk, talk, and laugh as before. In desperation, the old man had an idea and shouted, "Down with the president!" Alarmed, the two officers immediately jumped into the river, dragged the old man ashore, and handcuffed him.]
[What do you think of my dark joke?]
Zhang Ming said meaningfully, "My dear Gourd, that was very good. Don't tell it again. It has a deeply human flavor."
"As a human myself, I find it deeply hurtful."
Gourd said, [Hmph, foolish human. Next time, even if you beg me, you won't get another dark joke.]
Zhang Ming quickly changed his tune. "I'm sorry, Gourd Queen. Please put on a cream-colored sweater and mercilessly lash my fragile heart."
Gourd swayed in the air for a long while as if drunk, then said arrogantly, [Zhang Mama, are you ready for my lashes? In a moment, I'm going to poke your soul with needles.]
Old Bai Ze, who was staying by the Demon God's Heart, listened rather speechlessly to their bizarre conversation. He kept feeling that there was something seriously wrong with their heads. They spoke as though they were performing an