Chapter 20

Little Snake fell into a deep sleep. Ah Wan rummaged through the storage room, searching for something.

After a long while, she finally found a tattered old book in the corner. On the cover, four large characters could still be faintly made out:

《Snake Encyclopedia》

A light flip sent dust flying everywhere.

Ah Wan carefully carried it out, sat at the table, and began flipping through it seriously.

She didn’t remember ever seeing a white snake species, let alone one as beautiful as Little Snake.

Perhaps… the book would have something.

But she flipped through the entire book in one breath and didn’t catch a single hint of information related to Little Snake—as if she were a species not of this world.

A dreamy murmur came from the room, a soft call of “Human.”

Ah Wan turned to look. After thinking for a moment, she still closed the book and went in.

The sound of water running came from the bathroom. A hazy shadow showed through the frosted glass door.

Little Snake woke up groggily. She lifted her head, saw the light in the bathroom, rubbed her eyes, and tossed aside the blanket to walk over.

She pressed against the glass door, gently leaning her small face against it to nuzzle the shadow, murmuring quietly, “Human.”

Ah Wan turned off the water and changed her clothes. The moment she opened the door, she caught the little one who threw herself at her—soft, and the rush of air she brought carried a thick, rich fragrance.

“Human,” Little Snake wrapped her arms around Ah Wan’s neck, standing on tiptoes to press close, sniffing at her neck like a puppy. She rubbed against her with soft, whiny sounds, her eyes holding a bewildered, pitiful helplessness as she gazed at Ah Wan. “Human~”

Ah Wan raised a hand to wrap around her waist. Her fingers sank slightly into the soft, smooth skin that was shockingly hot.

Little Snake wore only a thin, long-sleeved pajama top. One button at the collar had been tugged open, revealing a small patch of flushed chest. She was squinting and calling out for “Human.”

Her voice seemed soaked in a lethal dose of Alluring Honey Fragrance, sweet and cloying, scratching at the tip of one’s heart.

“Mn,” Ah Wan answered, her voice carrying a slight tremor. She hugged her waist and lowered her head a little, but in the end, she only restrainedly brushed through her hair and softly said, “Go to sleep.”

But Little Snake had no strength. She couldn’t move while clutching Ah Wan’s neck, her entire body leaning into her embrace.

So Ah Wan scooped her up in a princess carry and gently laid her on the bed.

Little Snake seemed to have caught skin hunger—she couldn’t bear even the slightest separation. As soon as Ah Wan lay down, she scooted over, wrapped both arms around her waist, and draped her right leg over Ah Wan’s. She was absurdly possessive.

Only the tiny crease between her brows still showed her inner unease.

Ah Wan reached out a finger to gently smooth it. Perhaps her fingertip pad was too rough and hurt her.

Little Snake nestled in her arms, rubbed her head, pouted in dissatisfaction, and slept rather restlessly.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Ah Wan looked at her sleeping face, speaking to herself. Her fingertips toyed with a strand of Little Snake’s dark hair, playing with it idly.

Rubbing, twining, teasing it with practiced skill.

Then she slowly lifted her hand, wound the strand around her fingers, and brought it under her nose to inhale softly.

The rich fragrance entered her body, flowing through all her internal organs.

Reluctantly, Ah Wan put it down. She gathered the human beside her into a bundle and hugged her entirely into her arms, falling into a quiet sleep.

In the middle of the night, an unusually dense, ripe fragrance wafted over Ah Wan’s face.

She opened her eyes. By the dim light from the window, she saw Little Snake lying on her chest, clutching her little underwear in one hand.

Pure white, with a small, cute bow on the front.

She must have felt uncomfortable and taken it off in her sleep, gripping it in her hand.

Ah Wan frowned slightly and reached for it.

Little Snake held on tightly. Ah Wan had to use some force to snatch it away and set it aside. Then she rolled the sticky moisture between her fingertips and looked down at the girl in her arms again.

The pale, delicate fingers still maintained the grasping pose, yet the knuckles were flushed, as if they would shatter at the slightest touch. Soft, fragmented whimpers escaped her lips.

Like a cat in spring.

“So she’s in heat?”

Ah Wan’s tone was cool, unhurried, a little careless. She returned what was on her hand back to her, smearing it in a slow motion onto her bright red lips.

After staring for a moment, the lust in her eyes grew so thick it was almost impossible to dissolve.

Ah Wan didn’t hesitate anymore. She leaned down and took her lip into her mouth, extending her tongue to gently lick.

It was that fragrance which had disturbed her clear dreams—sweet.

Little Snake’s lip was sucked. It felt somewhat pleasant, but also hard to bear. She reached out and pushed against the human half-pressing on her, letting out constant, small, stifled moans.

Ah Wan reached to feel her forehead, but only found a fine layer of sweat. Her fluffy bangs were dampened.

“Be good.”

Ah Wan kissed the top of her head, then let go and got up.

The bathroom light turned on. Ah Wan took a basin to run hot water, then reached for a towel.

Two towels hung side by side on the rack. Ah Wan’s hand paused in front of Little Snake’s towel before she unhesitatingly switched to her own, taking it down and putting it in the basin.

On the bed, Little Snake twisted and writhed in discomfort, rubbing herself, fingers clutching Ah Wan’s pillow as she softly moaned, the corners of her eyes wet.

Ah Wan lifted the blanket to glance, then held her breath. Frowning, she wrung out the towel and gently wiped her.

The girl’s skin was like congealed cream. Ah Wan’s rough towel left a red mark with even a light pass.

“So tender,” Ah Wan pressed her palm against it, musing, “How will you bear it later?”

Little Snake flinched from the heat, lying on Ah Wan’s pillow and trembling slightly.

The next day brought unending drizzle.

Ah Wan lay in the backyard, listening to the rain patter on bamboo leaves and the wind sweep through the treetops, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of the reclining chair.

A scorpion crawled out of a jar, climbed along Ah Wan’s arm all the way to her shoulder, and obediently settled there, its tail raised high.

It was trying to please Ah Wan.

“Mine!”

A clear, ringing voice suddenly sounded from behind. Ah Wan turned her head to see the girl wearing the pajamas she had just changed out of that morning. She stood not far away, her cheeks puffed up with anger.

Ah Wan turned back, the corner of her mouth lifting. She asked, “What’s yours?”

Little Snake charged over, pointed at the scorpion on Ah Wan’s shoulder, and said, a little aggrieved, “Human, mine.”

“Here, take it.” Ah Wan grabbed the scorpion and tossed it into her arms.

Little Snake let out a shrieking squeak and hurriedly threw the scorpion away. Then she clapped her hands, grabbed Ah Wan’s arm, and declared domineeringly, “Human, is mine.”

Ah Wan knew she meant just that, but she still wanted to tease her a bit. She only smiled after she heard a definite answer from Little Snake, feeling incredibly pleased inside.

She turned to Little Snake, gave a soft “Mn,” then extended her hand. “Let me feel your forehead.”

Little Snake obediently bent over and stuck her head forward, butting against Ah Wan’s palm.

Ah Wan lightly swatted her as if in blame, and she finally settled down a little.

She felt her forehead—no more fever. Only then did Ah Wan relax. She rubbed her head and praised, “Good, go back inside and drink your medicine.”

“Won’t drink.” Little Snake threw a tantrum, pressing herself against Ah Wan’s chest and answering obstinately, “Snakey doesn’t want to drink medicine.”

Ah Wan pushed her, but she only twined around her like she had no bones, clinging even tighter.

“Human smells so good, Snakey likes it.”

Little Snake finished speaking, buried her head in Ah Wan’s chest, and butted as if determined to nose out something.

Ah Wan knew she was being affected by her heat. She pinched her cheek to stop her from rubbing, then stood up and pulled her into the house.

“Drink your medicine.” Ah Wan lifted the bowl to her lips. “It’s good for you.”

“No,” Little Snake turned her head away and pouted. She whispered, “Snakey doesn’t want to drink medicine. Snakey wants to hug Human.”

“No hugs if you don’t drink.” Ah Wan bargained with her. But a snake in mating season clearly wasn’t in a good mood. Upon hearing this, she grew agitated on the spot, frowning and shouting, “Want hug, want hug!”

After yelling, she stretched out her arms and pressed toward Ah Wan, but Ah Wan pushed her away.

In her urgency, Little Snake bit down on the web of Ah Wan’s hand.

“You…”

Ah Wan frowned and watched, but she didn’t pull her hand away forcefully, afraid of hurting her.

Bright red blood trickled down her wrist. Little Snake bit down fiercely. Only after a long moment did she lift her head to glance at Ah Wan. Then the strength left her and she let go.

“Human, you bully Snakey.”

The one who bit first was the first to complain. Her big eyes were wide open, and teardrops pattered down.

She looked truly pitiful as she wept.

“You, go reflect.”

Ah Wan left her with those words, turned, and went back into the room to treat the wound on her hand.

A short while later, Ah Wan came out with her hand bandaged. But the room was empty—Little Snake was gone, only a piece of clothing lying on the floor.

Ah Wan walked over, picked up the clothing, and sniffed it. The scent was very strong.

Outside, the rain was pouring harder. Ah Wan casually grabbed an oil-paper umbrella leaning in the corner and stepped out. She stood in the courtyard and asked, “Where is she?”

The Flower Vines on the courtyard wall all pointed uniformly in the same direction.

Ah Wan’s expression immediately darkened. Not daring to delay for even a moment, she immediately set out to search.

Little Snake had run very fast, and the rain had diluted that fragrance in the air. Ah Wan couldn’t find her.

An orchid mantis flew out from the knuckle gripping the umbrella handle and circled around Ah Wan twice.

“Go find her.”

A note of panic appeared in Ah Wan’s usually steady voice for the first time.

The orchid mantis immediately flew into the rain.

Not far from home was a small cave, its entrance completely hidden by weeds.

The little white snake was curled up on a wrinkled piece of sleepwear, rubbing her tail against it in unbearable discomfort.

It was the pajamas Ah Wan had dressed her in the first time they met, which she had carried back to her own nest like a treasure.

Rain couldn’t block the mating pheromones of a snake. A male snake braved the rain and slithered over, circling at the cave entrance. Soon, more followed.

Little Snake raised her body and viciously flicked her tongue at them, hissing to drive them away. But they weren’t afraid at all.

Just as she grew a little helpless, a beautiful orchid mantis suddenly flew in.

Little Snake instantly fell silent, staring at it blankly with her tongue still flicking.

So beautiful.

The orchid mantis did a lap inside the cave, as if checking on Little Snake’s safety. Only then did it fly out to intimidate the other snakes.

Most of the snakes slunk away in defeat. Only one, after crawling halfway, seemed unwilling to give up. It turned its head back and charged desperately toward the cave.

Ah Wan walked over step by step. She lowered her eyes and coldly watched that snake with a death wish, then stomped its head flat.

Then she bent down, gently pushed aside the grass at the cave entrance, and looked at the dirt-smudged Little Snake inside. Her face full of anger, she said, “In heat and you still dare run outside?”

“Have I been spoiling you too much lately?”