Chapter 39: Her boyfriend could slap a coquettish troublemaker dead with a single blow (2)

No one dared to move until Jiang Xun spoke up and suggested they line up to get off the bus. Only then did the others slowly begin to disembark.

By now, dusk had fallen. The town, with its white buildings bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, seemed warm and tranquil. This peaceful scene could almost have convinced them that they were truly on a holiday—if not for the fact that they'd just witnessed two people die before their very eyes on the bus. The memory of that horror lingered, shattering any illusion of safety.

"Miss Bai! I went out driving with my dad, but I still studied and did my homework properly!" chirped a little girl with twin braids, her hand clutching a woman's arm as she babbled excitedly. She looked up, her joy nearly making her bounce on the spot. "And I memorized 'Ode to the Willow'! I’ll definitely get a perfect score on tomorrow’s dictation!"

From the bouquet of red roses she held, the woman drew a single, beautiful blossom and placed it in the girl's hand. "Good job, Tian Tian. I'll bring you candy tomorrow," she said.

Those who had just gotten off the bus could only see the woman's graceful silhouette. Her voice was melodious and lively, even softer and more gentle as she coaxed the child.

The girl named Tian Tian received the flower with growing delight. She hugged the woman around the waist, rubbing against her affectionately, her smile radiant.

The new arrivals felt a strange sense of unreality as they watched this scene. Was this innocent, lively child—so much like any ordinary girl—really the same one who, back on the bus, had cleaned up human remains without batting an eye?

At that moment, the woman in the green floral dress turned to face them. "Are you the new visitors?"

The instant her face was revealed, a flash of astonished admiration passed through the crowd.

Her lips were red, her skin snowy white, and her features exquisitely refined. Her eyes seemed to hold a galaxy of stars, sparkling under the sunset’s glow. The green floral dress accentuated her slender figure, the delicate curve of her waist, and her tapering ankles, evoking an urge to gently hold them.

The roses in her arms were vibrant and luscious, only serving to enhance her own dazzling beauty.

Of course, they had seen beautiful women before, such as Tian Susu—the kind who inspired protective instincts in men. But this woman’s allure was entirely different from Tian Susu’s soft fragility. She was radiant and poised, the type who would never coquettishly purr “big brother” at anyone.

Beautiful women always drew the attention of other beautiful women.

Tian Susu was flanked on either side by Jiang Xun and Zha Lan, both intent on shielding her. She noticed that the men who had vowed to protect her now kept their eyes fixed on the other woman far longer than necessary. Tian Susu stared at the woman herself, and soon heard the contemplative voice of her system in her mind.

System: [Strange.]

Tian Susu: [System, what’s wrong?]

System: [There is no information about her in my database.]

Tian Susu was perplexed—what did that mean?

In such an unsettling situation, even the sight of an unthreatening beauty did not put anyone at ease.

It was Jiang Xun, always the boldest, who finally stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Jiang Xun."

The woman glanced at his outstretched hand. Out of courtesy, she was about to shake it when the child at her side tugged at her dress. "Miss Bai, it’s getting dark."

The woman changed her gesture, instead patting the girl's head. She smiled warmly at Jiang Xun. "Hello, I’m Bai Yao, the intern teacher here in town."

Jiang Xun noticed the ring on her middle finger—it seemed she was engaged. He wanted to seize the chance to ask more questions, but just then, the great clock atop the tallest building in town began to chime.

It was six o’clock in the evening.

The bus driver got off, pulling Tian Tian to his side. He grinned at Bai Yao with a simple, honest face. "Miss Bai, it’s getting late. Your fiancé will be home soon, right? I won’t take up your time. I’ll show the visitors to their accommodations."

This same driver had worn a stiff, corpse-like expression on the bus, cold and sinister. Now, speaking to Bai Yao, he was friendly and warm, with none of that eerie demeanor.

Tian Tian was reluctant to part with Bai Yao. She struggled to throw her arms around her again, but the driver held her firmly, not letting her approach.

Bai Yao glanced at the time, realizing it was indeed late. She offered the newcomers a friendly smile. "Arctic Town is quite an interesting place. I hope you enjoy your time here." Waving to Tian Tian, she bid farewell and walked away with her flowers.

Only when Bai Yao’s figure had vanished did Tian Tian stop struggling, and the driver released her.

Tian Susu, delicate and frail, had already gotten sunburned after just a short while in the sun. She pouted unhappily and whined to the father and daughter ahead, "I’m so tired. When can we rest…"

Suddenly, she was pierced by an icy gaze. Tian Susu shivered, unable to finish her sentence.

Both the driver and the girl wore expressionless faces. Their cold, emotionless stares made those they looked at feel like nothing more than meat laid out on a butcher’s block.

It wasn’t just Tian Susu—everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Fifteen minutes later, Bai Yao returned home. Entering the living room, she immediately noticed something piled on the floor—a thin, dry layer of scaly material, scattered messily across the floor and trailing into the bedroom.

Bai Yao hurried into the bedroom.

The curtains were drawn, blocking out the sunlight. In the dim room, a massive white python occupied nearly all available space. It could have rested more comfortably in the spacious living room, but the bedroom carried her scent.

Its enormous body was curled tightly atop the bed, but it was simply too large to fit entirely. Still, it tried to haul the part of its tail that had slipped off the bed back up with the rest of its coils.

A terrifying sight, and yet, there was a hint of aggrieved helplessness in its posture.

Seeing Bai Yao return, the snake raised its head, its vertical pupils shining like lanterns. As it moved, Bai Yao saw that what it had coiled up with its massive body was her pillow.

Before she could approach, the strong tail wound around her waist, lifting her and gently placing her onto the bed, encircling her completely. This was the classic pose of a snake constricting its prey, but instead of panicking, Bai Yao clutched her flowers protectively. "Be careful!"

The white python nuzzled her face, its scales cool to the touch, making her giggle at the ticklish sensation.

Bai Yao managed to free her hand and stroked its head soothingly. "I’m sorry, I didn’t expect your molting would come early. I’m late coming home."

The great snake drooped its head onto her shoulder, genuinely seeming to sulk.

Bai Yao felt a pang of guilt and kept gently stroking its scales, reassuring it that she would always stay by its side.

She didn’t know how long this lasted, but eventually the tight pressure around her body eased. Then a hoarse male voice murmured by her ear, "Yao Yao."

She looked up.

A tall man stood before her, his shoulders broad and waist slender. Even as she nestled in his arms, there was still plenty of space—until he leaned down and embraced her tightly, filling every inch with his presence.

Her arms and heart were both full of him.

Exhausted from the ordeal of shedding his skin, the man nuzzled her hungrily, desperate to let the scent of her seep into his newly revealed skin.

This was her fiancé—Xue Yan.

Bai Yao had seen him through a molting once before. This was the second time, and based on her experience, he always became especially clingy after shedding.

She placed the carefully protected bouquet in his hands, smiling. "Xue Yan, congratulations. You’ve grown a little more."

The handsome young man’s eyes narrowed in a lazy smile. But as he counted the flowers, he blinked. "Yao Yao, there’s one missing."

For every significant occasion in his life, she had always given him a bouquet—without fail, ninety-nine roses. But today, there were only ninety-eight.

Bai Yao explained, "I ran into Tian Tian on my way home. She’d just finished working with her father—such a sensible, obedient child. So I gave her one of the roses."

Xue Yan let out a dissatisfied "oh." He had suspected the florist, but hearing Bai Yao’s explanation, he gave up on his plan to tear the shop apart.

Bai Yao’s tone turned gentle with concern. "You molted earlier than expected today. Did anyone see you on your way home?"

Xue Yan shook his head. "No."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. There are so many old people and children in the town—they scare easily. It wouldn’t do to frighten anyone."

She was so endearing.

Xue Yan pressed his lips together, smiling, and leaned in to kiss her. His voice was low and urgent. "Yao Yao, I’m uncomfortable. Help me."

Bai Yao had never studied snakes, so she didn’t know if molting was naturally followed by a mating season—but with him, it always was. The last time, he’d entangled her for an entire night after shedding.

His tail slipped out unconsciously, the tip brushing against her ankle again and again. In his mind, her foot and his tail were one and the same—he was inviting her to mate.

No matter how desperate he was, he would never act without her consent.

She had once asked him what he did during his mating season before they were together.

He had replied, "I’d dive to the bottom of a lake. If I really couldn’t endure it, I’d pluck out my own scales so I wouldn’t think about mating."

His freshly shed white scales were clean and beautiful. Bai Yao couldn’t imagine the pain of plucking them out. That was why she always indulged him—just as she did now.

He lay atop her, whispering in her ear, "Yao Yao, don’t be scared. Don’t be afraid of me..."

She kicked his tail lightly. "What’s there to be afraid of? Hurry up and finish—you still have to cook dinner. If we don’t eat those vegetables in the fridge, they’ll go bad tomorrow."

How ridiculous.

Two tails? As if she’d be frightened by something so trivial!

Xue Yan let out a satisfied hum when she kicked him. Remembering what she liked to hear, he obliged, murmuring as he moved with her, "Yao Yao, I love you very much today, too."

She shot him a glance.

If he really loved her so much, why hadn’t she received the completion prompt yet?