Beauty Snake - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Snuggling Another Snake in Front of Yinyin? How Foolish!

In the dead of night, Ji Yunfei—who had somehow been changed into her pajamas—was curled tightly in her warm duvet, fast asleep. She smacked her lips slightly as if in the middle of a pleasant dream, a lingering flush from the alcohol still painting her cheeks.

Hiss, hiss—

A rustling sound broke the darkness. A large shadow glided slowly from beneath the bed, its slitted pupils glowing with a faint green light as it fixed its gaze on the sleeping woman.

The shadow drew closer and closer until it reached the pillow. Xie Yin gently pressed her forehead against Ji Yunfei’s, nuzzling her with deep affection. After a lingering moment, she flicked her tongue out to lightly lick the crimson cheek of the woman before her.

In those pale green eyes was a thick, intoxicating layer of adoration.

Suppressing the restless heat in her heart and the urge to “devour” the woman whole, Xie Yin made sure not to wake her. She rested her head lightly on Ji Yunfei’s shoulder, coiled her body beside her, and closed her eyes.

Sweet dreams, A-Fei…

“Hiss—AAHH! It hurts!”

The moment Ji Yunfei regained consciousness, a piercing pain shot through her neck. She tried to reach up to rub it, but she couldn’t move.

“!??”

She opened her eyes in confusion, only to be met with a sight that made her want to curse out loud.

Apparently, she was currently just a head without a body… this was way too bizarre!

After managing to calm down, she looked around and realized the scene was hauntingly familiar. Towering flames and rolling thick smoke surrounded her; she could even smell the acrid, choking scent in the air.

Taking in the situation, she thought to herself: Wow, this dream comes with a subscription renewal service? But did I only renew half of it? Why am I just a stationary head!! Am I supposed to just have a staring contest with the sky?? Oh, wait… I remember now. I got decapitated last time…

As she was grumbling internally, hurried footsteps approached. Suddenly, she felt something wet hit her face.

Is it raining?

She snapped back to reality and saw a shadow looming over her. With a heavy thud, a figure knelt down. Ji Yunfei realized that the “rain” on her face was actually a stream of tears falling like broken pearls from the person above her.

If she could move, she would have straightened up to see the person’s face. But before she could finish that thought, she felt a sensation of weightlessness as the distance between them closed.

“It’s you…” she murmured instinctively.

But the person couldn’t hear her. The tender green eyes behind the snake-patterned mask were currently overflowing with sorrow and despair. A mournful wail echoed through the forest, startling the birds… and piercing Ji Yunfei’s heart.

After a long time, the person stopped crying. Seeing the swollen, wet eyes, Ji Yunfei felt a surge of pity. She only hated that she had no hands to wipe those tears away.

As she sighed inwardly, the kneeling woman suddenly stood up and clutched the head tightly to her chest. Everything went black for Ji Yunfei as that rich narcissus scent enveloped her once again.

She began to feel lightheaded…

When she regained her vision, she was back in that familiar cave. She was placed on an icy pedestal, the bone-chilling cold spreading from her neck to her crown.

I’m freezing! I’m freezing!

She was about to roll her eyes from the cold when, fortunately, the woman picked her up and…

Attached her back to her body???

Watching the woman meticulously sew the connection point, Ji Yunfei felt the absurdity of it all. Should I say ‘thank you’ for putting my head back on?

Soon, the woman finished. She cradled Ji Yunfei’s newly reattached head, pressing their foreheads together. Ji Yunfei could see her lips moving, seemingly saying something, but she couldn’t hear a word.

Finally, the woman seemed to have said her piece. She laid Ji Yunfei down gently, leaned over, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Then, she picked up her sword and walked out.

Ji Yunfei was left there to savor the moment. Mmm… soft and cool…

Before she could dwell on it, a faint scent of blood filled the air. Heavy, deliberate footsteps approached from outside. As they got closer, the metallic smell became so thick it made Ji Yunfei nauseous.

Did she go on a killing spree? The smell is so strong… … Wait, she actually did!!!

As the woman entered, Ji Yunfei saw a gruesome sight. Covered in blood like a Rakshasa from hell, the woman carried a massive burlap sack that was leaking a dark trail. She dumped it like trash, sliced the rope with her blade, and a heap of body parts and severed heads spilled out.

It was the bandits. She had killed them all.

Was it for revenge? Even though it was a dream, Ji Yunfei felt deeply moved—and even a little embarrassed. Especially because of the woman’s soul-stirring gaze, and the way her blood-stained hand trembled as she reached out to touch Ji Yunfei’s face, only to pull back to avoid smearing her with gore.

The scene began to blur and twist. As if caught in a time machine, the surroundings shifted rapidly before settling into clarity.

Ji Yunfei miraculously found she could move again. She immediately hopped in place, nearly doing a set of calisthenics. Being able to move is great!

After calming down, she surveyed the area. It was an entirely strange place filled with trees she had never seen. A dense mist limited her vision. The only path forward was a small dirt trail.

Rustle, rustle—

Walking along the path, she heard a noise in the bushes. She turned to see a black-and-yellow patterned snake tail flash out of sight.

“Hey, you rascal! Playing tricks on me even in my dreams!” Annoyed by the familiar tail, she ignored the urge to explore and kept walking.

Seeing she hadn’t taken the bait, the “rascal” soon blocked her path directly.

“Oh? Not running anymore?” Ji Yunfei stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at the black snake coiled on the ground, whose eyes were full of guilt.

The black snake flicked its tongue and gestured for her to follow. Curious, Ji Yunfei didn’t hesitate and followed it.

After a while, the scenery changed again, and the creature finally stopped at the edge of a cliff. Ji Yunfei’s legs began to shake. She peered over the edge and immediately retracted her head. It was a bottomless abyss filled with thick fog.

We don’t need to be this adventurous…

“Hey! AAAAAHH—!”

Sensing her cowardice, the black snake shook its head, wrapped its tail firmly around her, and leaped off the cliff.

Ji Yunfei shut her eyes tight, fearing she would be smashed into a pulp. But a second before impact, a force gently buoyed them up and set them on the ground. Unharmed!

She opened her eyes to a hidden paradise—except the inhabitants were all full-sized snakes or snake-shifters with human upper bodies.

The residents looked at her with curiosity. As a few approached, a commotion broke out in the distance.

“Boss—!”

“And Master!!!”

A group of snake-shifters pushed through the crowd toward them.

“Look familiar?” A cool, familiar voice whispered in her ear. The black snake had transformed into her human form, resting her head on Ji Yunfei’s shoulder, her eyes full of charm.

“Glasses? Hua Hua? Xiao Mi?” Ji Yunfei looked at the three shifters in front of her. Though it was unbelievable, she tried calling out the names of her pets.

“It’s us, Master! We missed you so much!!” The three were so excited they tried to dive into her arms for a hug.

But before they could touch a thread of her clothes, an unknown force flung them away.

“Speak if you must, but keep your hands off,” the woman leaning bonelessly against Ji Yunfei said, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.

Seeing her “snake babies” thrown so far, Ji Yunfei’s heart ached. She pushed the woman away and ran to help the three up, completely missing the way the woman’s face instantly darkened.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt?” Ji Yunfei asked with worry.

“Wooo, if Master blows on it, it won’t hurt,” Hua Hua said with teary eyes, wagging her tail.

“Okay, okay… hey, let me go!” Just as Ji Yunfei leaned down, she was snatched back. She turned to find the “bad woman” staring at her.

“Blow on what? Keep faking it and there will be no frogs for dinner,” the woman said with a fake smile, glancing sinisterly at Hua Hua.

“Hehe… frogs are more important… sorry Master, gotta go!” Hua Hua grabbed the other two and retreated into the crowd with an awkward laugh.

“Now, it’s your turn…” Seeing the crowd disperse, the woman turned to Ji Yunfei with a “kind” smile.

Ji Yunfei was swept up by the waist and brought into a small wooden cabin. Once inside, the woman tossed her onto a soft, large bed and locked the door.

“Hey… wait… mmph…”

Ji Yunfei sensed a disaster coming. She tried to say something, but her words were blocked by cold, soft lips.

“Ask your questions when we’re done. Right now, you need to be punished.”

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