Chapter 30

By the time they got home carrying bags big and small, it was already dark.

Ah Wan had just opened the door when Little Snake rushed in, hugging her little phone and big tablet. She sat down at the table, heaved a long sigh, and started playing again. She must have been exhausted.

Ah Wan glanced at her, didn’t bother her, and silently went back to the room to boil water. Then she crouched on the floor to unpack the deliveries.

She took out the Electric Blanket and set it aside first. She needed to strip the sheets and covers from the bed, put them in the washing machine, and then make the bed.

Her bedding was all pure cotton. Once the temperature dropped, Little Snake was always complaining about being cold and wanted hot water bottles stuffed under the covers. But hot water bottles couldn’t keep warm all night. Ah Wan herself had cold hands and feet, so they had to rely on the Electric Blanket.

After making the bed, she walked back out and looked. The human at the table wasn’t playing games anymore. Instead, she was swiping randomly on her phone, muttering something indistinctly.

“Spring Night?”

“Spring Leaf?”

“Spring Lord?”

“Stupid snake.” Ah Wan called out to her. “What are you doing? Come wash up and get ready for bed.”

Little Snake heard her voice, answered, and reluctantly put down her phone before getting up and walking over.

Ah Wan ruffled her hair, stepped aside to let her pass, and casually reminded, “The bedsheets are in the washing machine. Don’t throw your clothes in there. Put them aside, I’ll wash them later.”

“Oh.” Little Snake responded softly.

While she went to wash up, Ah Wan rolled up her sleeves and went to tidy the tabletop, coincidentally seeing the phone screen still on.

It was a browser page. She wasn’t sure what she was searching for.

Ah Wan didn’t look. She casually closed it for her, set the phone aside, and after clearing the table, put the bought meat and vegetables into the fridge. Then she went to feed the room’s little creatures.

Little Snake, preoccupied with her phone, showered in less than half her usual time.

Ah Wan had just finished feeding the toxic creatures when she saw her run out, dripping wet, a bath towel on her head. As she passed Ah Wan, she didn’t even spare her a glance, hurrying straight to the table to sit and continue playing.

The door was not closed. A gust of wind blew in, causing Little Snake to shiver solidly. Even so, she persisted in playing.

Ah Wan walked over, shut the door, and then fetched the Hair Dryer to blow-dry her hair. Afterwards, she directed, “Go play on the bed.”

“Oh.” Little Snake answered, but didn’t even look back.

Seeing she hadn’t glanced at her once, Ah Wan took a deep breath, ground her teeth, grabbed her own clothes, and went to wash up first.

After her shower, Ah Wan hand-washed both their clothes, hung them to dry, cleaned the bathroom thoroughly, and only then opened the door and came out.

But upon closer inspection, Little Snake was still sitting at the table, engrossed in her phone, frozen stiff. The white scales on her neck and the back of her hands were flickering on and off.

Ah Wan’s expression darkened. She walked over, confiscated her phone and tablet, and without another word, scooped her up by the waist, turned, and went back to the bedroom. Her face cold, she lifted the blanket and stuffed her in.

“Human, my phone…”

Little Snake sprawled on the bed, reaching out her hand. Before she could finish, she noticed something was different. She looked down and touched the bedding beneath her. It was warm and wonderfully comfortable.

Ah Wan tossed the phone to her and also climbed into bed. Holding Little Snake’s face, she frowned in displeasure. “Aren’t you cold? Freezing to this extent.”

Hearing this, Little Snake finally realized Human was angry. She lifted her eyes to look, thought for a moment, then proactively pressed her cheek against Ah Wan, coaxing softly, “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad.”

Then she obediently tucked her hand into Ah Wan’s palm.

Seeing her so compliant, Ah Wan truly couldn’t bear to scold her. She could only take a deep breath to calm her emotions, close her palms around Little Snake’s hand to warm it, then lower her head to gently nuzzle her nose against Little Snake’s cheek. Only then did she cuddle her to lie down, letting her sleep in the crook of her arm.

“What were you playing?” Her tone had softened considerably.

“Mm, this.”

Cleverly, Little Snake had only brought the tablet over, surreptitiously tucking the phone under her own pillow.

She had cleverly realized Human didn’t like her watching that story, so she hid it.

Then, looking up at Ah Wan, she poked the tablet glumly with her finger. “Little game. Won’t open.”

“No internet.” Ah Wan explained, turning to take her own phone and turning on its hotspot to connect the tablet. “Once the TV is installed tomorrow, there will be internet.”

“Net?” Little Snake didn’t understand. She grabbed at the air with her hand and suggested earnestly, “Catch a spider and let it weave a net?”

Ah Wan paused, then caught on, unable to hold back a laugh. Suppressing the smile tugging at her lips, she teased, “We don’t allow illegal laborers here.”

Saying this, she held Little Snake tighter, resting her chin on her hair, coaxing, “Play now. There’s internet now.”

“Being held like this gives internet?”

Little Snake asked curiously. Suddenly she recalled how, when they were eating out during the day, she and Human had been hugging like this too, and then the big tablet started working.

Thinking of this, Little Snake didn’t hesitate. Hugging her tablet, she stuck her bottom out and vigorously wiggled backward.

Ah Wan looked down at her, not understanding why she was suddenly trying so hard to burrow into her arms, but instinctively held her tightly nonetheless.

Once settled, Little Snake tapped the screen. The little game launched successfully. Sure enough, hugging together brought internet.

She lifted her head to look at Ah Wan, her small face full of adoration.

“What are you looking at me for?” Ah Wan found it a bit odd, and even more so, couldn’t bear her frank, love-filled gaze. She reached out and turned her head back. “Play your game.”

After that, she checked her own phone. Eight o’clock.

She thought then added, “Play until ten, then sleep.”

“Mm-mm.” Little Snake nodded and started playing without wasting a single second.

Ah Wan just lay there holding her, watching quietly, not minding the tiredness. Half an hour later, seeing Little Snake stuck on a level, her little face scrunched up in worry, still unable to pass, Ah Wan curled her lips and offered magnanimously, “Let me do it.”

Saying so, she took the tablet from her.

Little Snake let go, turned over, and lay on her, watching curiously.

Ah Wan bent one leg to prop it up, resting the tablet on it, holding the little one in her arms with one hand and operating the game with the other, single-handedly.

“This one, this one.”

“Oh, this one, this one. This one can be cleared.”

“That one too. Tap that one, Human.”

Ah Wan’s slow, unhurried movements made Little Snake anxious, almost wanting to do it herself.

Their hands tapped the screen nearly simultaneously. Two fruits dropped down one after another, filling the pit. Unable to clear, the game displayed the ‘game over’ screen.

“Ah!” Little Snake immediately withdrew her hand, instinctively biting it. Looking somewhat lost at the static screen, she murmured, “Died.”

Then she looked up at Ah Wan, a tiny bit of guilt in her eyes. “Human, Snakey didn’t do it on purpose.”

Ah Wan glanced at her but said nothing, silently tapping the ‘revive’ button. An advertisement page popped up.

“Huh? Why did it change?”

Little Snake couldn’t read. She reached out a finger to poke it, but Ah Wan grasped her hand, held it, gently squeezed her fingertips, and soothed, “Don’t rush, wait a bit.”

Thirty seconds passed, and the game revived.

Seeing this, Little Snake was greatly astonished. Her eyes went round, pointing at the screen, too excited to speak for a long moment.

Ah Wan raised the corner of her lips, chuckled lightly, and asked, “Am I amazing or what?”

Little Snake nodded blankly. But then she seemed to remember something. She reached out and tapped wildly on the screen’s fruits. When the game ended again, that same page popped up once more.

She couldn’t read, but she remembered how Ah Wan had operated just now. She tapped it similarly, and soon an advertisement page appeared.

“Human, look.” Little Snake pointed at the screen.

Ah Wan reached up and fiddled with a small tuft of hair sticking up on Little Snake’s head, gently pressing it down, and praised without reservation, “You’re amazing too.”

“Mm! Snakey super amazing!”

Little Snake beamed happily, nodding her head firmly. She leaned back into Ah Wan’s embrace and continued playing.

The tablet was too big; holding it made her hands sore. So Ah Wan continued propping her leg up to support it for her. Even when her leg grew numb and sore, she didn’t move, just quietly watching her play.

At nine-thirty in the evening, as she played, Little Snake yawned. Her damp eyelashes fluttered toward Ah Wan.

“Sleepy?” Ah Wan gently stroked her face.

“Mm.” Little Snake’s voice sounded very soft. She was drowsy.

So Ah Wan put the tablet aside, cuddled her down, and covered them with the blanket. Embracing each other, they fell into a deep sleep.

With the Electric Blanket, sleeping was indeed very comfortable. By the middle of the night, the bed had become scorchingly hot.

Ah Wan got up to adjust the temperature, then returned to holding Little Snake as they slept.

But shortly after lying down this time, she felt something burrowing around in her arms. Blearily opening her eyes, she found Little Snake, a tuft of messy hair sticking up, her whole body radiating heat, trying to wriggle into her embrace.

Ah Wan reached out steadily to catch her, almost subconsciously touching her forehead. Finding it wasn’t hot, she breathed a sigh of relief. Cupping her face, she naturally kissed the fluffy top of her head, her voice hoarse as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Little Snake froze when her head was kissed. For a long moment, she didn’t speak, just lay propped up on Ah Wan’s chest, looking up at her with blushing cheeks.

After a long while, she finally flicked out her snake tongue to lick Ah Wan’s chin and said pitifully, “Tummy hungry.”

“Today’s meat not filling enough.”

As she spoke, she pulled Ah Wan’s hand to feel her starved, shriveled belly.

But the instant Ah Wan’s fingertips touched Little Snake’s smooth skin, she jerked her hand back abruptly. Immediately, her eyes snapped fully open. Looking at the human in her arms, her throat moved as she swallowed.

Following that, she grabbed Little Snake by the waist and lifted her off her body, then got up and tucked her in.

“I’ll go make food. What do you want to eat?”

Little Snake lay on her back under the blanket, blinking her eyes, and replied obediently, “Meat.”

Ah Wan laughed softly, nodded with an “Mm.” “I’ll call you when it’s done. Don’t get up, it’s cold at night.”

“Mm-mm.”

In the deep night, inside the Mid-Mountain Cabin, a bright light suddenly flickered on.

Ah Wan lit the stove, set a small pot of water to boil, and took the minced meat they’d just bought that day from the fridge, planning to simply make a bowl of Meatball Soup with Rice.

Alone in the bedroom, Little Snake stared at the ceiling and picked at her fingers out of boredom.

Then, as if suddenly struck by an idea, she flipped over, buried her face in Ah Wan’s pillow, and inhaled deeply. Right after, she giggled foolishly. Only when she’d laughed enough did she get out of bed and run to stand guard at the kitchen doorway.

Ah Wan turned back to look at her, assuming she was just craving food, and coaxed, “Ten more minutes.”

“Mm-mm.” Little Snake nodded, one hand on the doorframe, taking another step inside. Her eyes were fixed intently on Ah Wan, licking her lips with difficulty.

Every so often Ah Wan would glance back. Seeing her dressed so lightly, she reminded her, “Go put your Little Blanket on and sit at the table to wait.”

“Oh.” Hearing this, Little Snake finally scampered off with her tablet.

The Meatball Soup with Rice was ready. Ah Wan brought it out to the table. Seeing Little Snake still playing games, she reminded her, “Eat first.”

“Okay.”

Little Snake replied, pushing the tablet aside. Hugging the bowl of food Ah Wan had made, she drooled greedily. Impatiently, she scooped up a spoonful, but instead of putting it in her own mouth, she turned her hand and offered it to Ah Wan.

“I’m not hungry, you eat.”

Ah Wan said, pushing her hand back, then rested her chin in her hand and watched quietly.

The food was freshly made and quite hot. Little Snake’s mouth was unusually sensitive and fragile, clearly disliking overly hot food. Each spoonful had to be blown on for a long time before she could eat it.

With the motion of lowering her head, her thick, lush hair slipped over her shoulders.

Ah Wan reached out to catch it, then used the black hair tie on her wrist to tie Little Snake’s hair up.

All the while, Little Snake didn’t speak, obediently concentrating on eating. Only when Ah Wan’s cold fingertips accidentally brushed the skin behind her ear did she startle slightly, then turned her head to stare blankly.

Their eyes met unexpectedly. Ah Wan looked at her silly little expression and couldn’t help smiling. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

Little Snake’s voice was thin and weak. Lost in thought, she slowly turned back to continue eating, though clearly preoccupied now.

Ah Wan watched, her eyes lowered, as Little Snake’s ears slowly reddened, while she still pretended nothing was the matter, vigorously stuffing food into her mouth. Her already plump cheeks were puffed out round, like a little hamster frantically hoarding grain.

Very cute.

Ah Wan couldn’t resist poking her cheek with a finger. The chewing mouth suddenly stopped.

Little Snake stealthily shifted her gaze to steal a glance at Ah Wan. She didn’t speak. After a while, she continued chewing.

Ah Wan poked her again. Startled, she stopped once more, peeking from an angle she thought Ah Wan wouldn’t notice.

How could she be this cute. I want to kiss her.

Ah Wan ground her teeth, finding it hard to restrain herself.

After eating, they sat for a while, washed up again, and then finally went to bed.

Ah Wan checked the time on her phone. It was already two-forty.

“Alright, time to sleep.” She put down her phone, turned to hug Little Snake, and took the tablet away, setting it aside. “No more playing.”

But Little Snake, having just eaten, was full of energy and not sleepy at all. Lying on Ah Wan, she reached for the tablet on the nightstand, only to have her hand caught by Ah Wan and pressed firmly against her chest as they hugged.

“Don’t move. Sleep.”

Ah Wan spoke against the side of Little Snake’s neck, her voice thick and sticky. Her breath, like a hook, tickled and scraped Little Snake’s fair nape.

Little Snake felt ticklish on her neck from the sensation. She instinctively tilted her head to rub against it, her cheek inadvertently brushing against Ah Wan’s lips.

A certain someone secretly smiled. She bundled up the soft little one and tucked her into her arms, patting gently. “Stop fussing. Really sleeping now.”

Then her voice weakened, carrying a charming hoarseness. “Tired.”

Hearing this, Little Snake instantly became completely still, obediently acting as Ah Wan’s human body pillow. In the darkness, she kept her big eyes open, bored, playing with the ends of Ah Wan’s hair.

She waited until Ah Wan’s breathing was steady, clearly deep in slumber. Little Snake poked her again. Getting no reaction, she then with difficulty turned over, her back now facing Ah Wan. From under her own pillow, she pulled out the hidden phone.

Opening it, she swiped randomly while muttering to herself, “Spring Field?”

She mumbled and muttered to herself alone for a long time, still finding nothing.

Past three in the morning, the phone suddenly gave a low battery warning. Little Snake jumped in fright, unsure what was happening. Not daring to tap randomly, she thought to just make the screen go dark, but accidentally triggered the voice-activated smart assistant by mistake.

A childish voice chimed, “I’m here.”

Little Snake was so startled she clutched the phone and didn’t dare move. After waiting a bit, she said cautiously, “Spring Field?”

As soon as she spoke, the phone screen displayed strings and strings of characters she didn’t recognize.

“Spring Field, a same-sex themed movie, mainly tells the story of…”

Below the page, there was even a film clip compilation video from a certain platform.

Little Snake couldn’t read, only able to poke randomly at the screen. Somehow, she must have hit the right spot, because the phone suddenly jumped to a short video platform.

New phones really do jump fast, not lagging at all, incredibly smooth.

Familiar images of the two girls appeared on the screen. The edited clip was exactly the kissing scene from the movie.

Little Snake instantly perked up, her eyes unblinking, lying in Ah Wan’s arms, secretly watching.

She watched it over and over, a full three times, yet still not tired of it, wanting to watch it even one more time.

But just as the video started playing again, a hand suddenly reached out from behind Little Snake, gently pinching the phone and tapping it. The phone screen instantly went dark.

A soft, slow voice sounded by her ear, carrying a suggestive tone. “So curious? Why not ask me, then?”