Beauty Snake - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: I Miss Her So Much.

Receiving the signal from Xie Chu, A-Mo nodded and followed her out the door. Meeting Xie Chu’s questioning and startled gaze, A-Mo sighed: “I just used my spiritual power to probe her; her soul hasn’t fully recovered. Logically, she shouldn’t have been able to wake up at this time, but plans change—this current amnesia is likely a side effect of the soul damage.”

“Once the damaged soul is completely mended, she should be able to recover her memories.”

“Only…” A-Mo trailed off, her tone unreadable.

“Only what?” Seeing her hesitation, Xie Chu’s heart skipped a beat, sensing a bad omen.

“As I said before, I can only stabilize her soul for now.” She sighed, her expression dimming. “Repairing the soul… there is no method yet. I can only go back and flip through more ancient texts.”

Most ancient texts remaining in the world are incomplete, leading to the loss of many secret arts. Soul damage is exceptionally rare; finding a way to fully repair it is harder than climbing to the heavens.

But currently, there was no other way but to pin their hopes on the surviving scrolls. Fortunately, Xie Yin had awakened and was in stable condition, giving them enough confidence and time to search for a solution.

“From what A-Yin just said, her memory might have regressed to a thousand years ago…” Xie Chu crossed her arms and looked up at the vast blue sky, seemingly lost in thought. “That time she lost her way while being playful and was hunted by those madmen…”

“You mean her memory is back to when she was two hundred years old? If that’s the case, then isn’t she…” A-Mo’s eyes widened slightly as the image of a two-hundred-year-old Xie Yin dragging her snake tail and “acting like a tyrant” in the Snake Den appeared in her mind.

Back then, Xie Yin was a heartless trouble-making machine, a literal little overlord—poles apart from the fifteen-hundred-year-old she was now.

A-Mo wiped non-existent cold sweat from her brow, unsure if this was a blessing or a curse.

“Back to being the two-hundred-year-old ‘ruler’ of the Snake Den…” Xie Chu continued to watch the sky, her eyes filled with nostalgia. “I haven’t seen her like that—carefree and bossy—in so long.”

“Then what about her…” A-Mo thought of Ji Yunfei, who still knew nothing about Xie Yin’s condition.

Sensing A-Mo’s hesitation, Xie Chu lowered her head and curled her lip slightly. “Keep hiding it from her. If everything went as expected, she should have finished merging her memories by now. If she finds out A-Yin has forgotten her completely… she might find it very hard to accept.”

“Let’s wait until we find a way to fully cure A-Yin before saying anything…”

“Feed Pangpang a small white mouse once a week, add some water, and just pay attention to the temperature and humidity in the terrarium.” Ji Yunfei handed her house keys to Chi Chang, explaining Pangpang’s care routine.

“What about Heihei and Baibai?” Chi Chang walked to the corner and rubbed the bellies of the two sisters, her eyes full of affection. Compared to Pangpang, Chi Chang much preferred the two “little trucks”—one black, one white—rolling around in front of her.

Ji Yunfei glanced at the sisters who were acting cute for pets and her eyes softened, but her words ruined Chi Chang’s little plan.

“I’ve already talked to Dr. Tan about Heihei and Baibai. I’m boarding them at her place for a while. There are more friends there; it’s better than being cooped up at home for so long.” Ji Yunfei knelt down and stroked the sisters’ heads, her gaze tender.

These two were famous social butterflies. When they stayed at Tan Qiao’s pet hospital for a few days before, they immediately became best friends with all the pets there, large and small. When Ji Yunfei went to pick them up, they even whined reluctantly.

So, rather than letting these two little overlords get bored at home, it was better to let them play with their friends.

“Fine, fine. Auntie will go visit you babies—mua mua mua!” Chi Chang scooped up a cat in each hand and buried her face deep into their soft bellies, taking a deep sniff.

“Alright, it’s almost time. I have to go.” Ji Yunfei checked the time and dragged her luggage from the room to the door. Seeing Chi Chang still addicted to “huffing” the cats, she said helplessly, “Sister Chi, retract your demonic claws. You’re going to huff them until they turn into black and white sesame seeds…”

Only then did Chi Chang reluctantly pull her face away from the warm, soft bodies, unhappily placing them into the cat carrier. “Fine, fine… don’t worry, I’ll get them to the hospital safely.”

“I know you’re the most reliable. I’ll leave things here to you.” Only after arranging everything did Ji Yunfei feel at peace. She dragged her luggage out, poking her head back in one last time before closing the door. “By the way, Happy New Year in advance.”

“Tsk, alright, get going or you’ll miss your bus.” Chi Chang laughed as Ji Yunfei poked her head around the door.

At those words, Ji Yunfei pulled her head back and closed the door. Walking to the elevator, she pressed the down button. Watching the numbers climb on the display, she unconsciously turned the two rings on her left middle finger.

When can the North Star return to her hand?

“Jizi Village arriving—prepare to get off if you’re getting off—” The driver’s voice, distorted by a loudspeaker, woke Ji Yunfei from her sleep.

She rubbed her aching eyes and looked out the window. The bus was driving on a narrow concrete road, passing yellowed, dry grass and the occasional small, low-rise house.

The village was almost here.

After quickly gathering her things, Ji Yunfei leaned her head against the window, letting the blur of the passing scenery daze her.

Gradually, the bus slowed down. Ji Yunfei saw familiar roads, familiar signs, and even more so, a familiar person.

Standing by a rusted bus stop sign was a hunched, white-haired elderly woman. She was clutching a red plastic bag, looking around constantly as if waiting for someone.

It was Grandma.

Ji Yunfei’s eyes widened. She looked carefully several times before confirming it was her. She sighed helplessly, her heart a tangle of emotions.

Her legs just got better and she’s already being disobedient. It was a long walk from the village to the bus stop. Ji Yunfei had said many times she didn’t need to be picked up, but the old woman was as stubborn as ever.

Pshhh— The bus doors opened. Ji Yunfei stepped off with her luggage, and Grandma immediately hurried over, trying to take the bags from her hands.

“Grandma… I told you you didn’t need to pick me up. Why don’t you listen?” Ji Yunfei dodged Grandma’s reaching hands, frowning slightly with a tone of mock-reproach.

“Mmph—” Grandma didn’t say anything. She just smiled, took a corn candy—Ji Yunfei’s favorite as a child—out of the red bag, unwrapped it, and stuffed it into her mouth.

As the chewy, slightly sticky candy entered her mouth, the fragrance of corn and a gentle sweetness exploded. Ji Yunfei’s frown gradually relaxed. She shook her head, realizing there was truly no winning with Grandma.

She still treated her like a child, thinking a piece of candy could dissolve all anger.

“Grandma was just afraid you couldn’t carry it all alone.” Seeing Ji Yunfei’s mood clearly soften, Grandma smiled even wider, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes becoming more pronounced. While Ji Yunfei was still chewing the candy, she snatched one or two of the bags and strode toward the village before Ji Yunfei could react, giving her no chance to “lecture” her.

“This stubborn old lady…” Looking at the vigorous figure walking away, Ji Yunfei sighed and hurried to keep up.

Although it wasn’t New Year’s yet, the festive atmosphere in the village was already being built up. New Year’s slogans were hung on the white walls by the road, and red lanterns were strung between the streetlights.

How long had it been since she had a proper New Year? Ji Yunfei couldn’t remember. It must have been a long time. After starting work, she spent most holidays alone. The last time she came back to the village for New Year was probably three or four years ago.

A family reunion felt like a fairy tale to her.

“Xiao Fei, after you’ve unpacked, come help Grandma in the kitchen. I’m making all your favorite dishes today.” Stopping in front of Ji Yunfei’s house, Grandma placed the luggage at the door, gave a few instructions, and turned toward the kitchen.

Soon, Ji Yunfei heard the clinking of cookware from the kitchen. She dragged her suitcase in and opened her bedroom door. Because it hadn’t been lived in for a while, a thin layer of dust had settled on the door; her movement sent it flying into the air.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Unprepared, Ji Yunfei was choked by the dust. She waved her hand to clear the air and began moving her luggage into the room.

After spending some time putting everything away, Ji Yunfei took the ancient book from her bag. She opened a drawer to place it inside solemnly, but unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar notebook.

She reached out and flipped it open. A pair of green snake pupils stared directly back at her. She reached out and gently stroked the paper, her lips curving up unconsciously.

That naughty Xie Yin. She had used their first meeting in this life to scare her in a dream. Knowing she loved those eyes the most, she had used them to lure her into the trap step by step.

Ji Yunfei gazed quietly at the snake eyes drawn on the paper. Suddenly, she felt they were drawn quite poorly—they had the shape, but lacked the spirit.

I miss her so much.

“Xiao Fei—” Grandma’s shout interrupted her thoughts. She hurriedly closed the notebook, stuffed it back into the drawer, and turned to shout back: “What is it, Grandma?”

“Are you done unpacking? Come help me pick the vegetables…” Walking into the courtyard, Ji Yunfei heard the sizzle of food frying over a high flame. She hurried into the kitchen and took over the task: “Coming, coming—”

When the four dishes and one soup were finished and served, the sky was already dark. The grandmother and granddaughter sat at the table, sharing food. Although there were only two of them, the meal was incredibly lively.

“Grandma…” Although she was happy eating, Ji Yunfei kept the other purpose of her trip in mind. She put down her chopsticks and asked tentatively: “That legend that’s always been told in the village… is it actually true?”

At those words, the hand Grandma used to hold her chopsticks trembled imperceptibly. It was only for an instant, but Ji Yunfei caught it.

“That’s just to trick children. You’re an adult and you still believe it? The path up the back mountain is steep and there are wild boars. It’s dangerous for kids to play up there at night, so they made up a legend to scare them.” Grandma smiled and shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice, seemingly trying to hide something. Seeing Ji Yunfei’s suspicious look, she teased: “Remember when you were little? You were so scared by this legend that you’d hide under the covers shivering at midnight…”

“Grandma, don’t tease me right now…” Being reminded of her childhood embarrassments, Ji Yunfei couldn’t help but blush. Realizing she was being diverted, she dropped her embarrassed expression and said seriously: “That subconscious, unnatural twitch just now gave you away…”

“Even though it’s surreal, you don’t have to believe it. But I still have to tell you—I have already seen the Snake Beauty with my own eyes, and I have merged the memories of my past lives…”

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