Half snake girl

The rain gradually stopped, and the panic brought by the monster was fading.

The fishermen of Selivia returned to their diligent work, setting out to sea in the drizzling dawn.

Now, the inn was serving food again.

Early in the morning, it was bustling, and the clamor from the first floor assaulted the senses like a flood.

“Yo, here comes our hero!”

As soon as Li Yin’s figure appeared from the stairway, someone shouted.

The entire room turned to look at her.

The sheer force of the attention stunned her, freezing her on the spot.

It was the end for a social phobic!

Oh heavens, why do you torment me?

And who was the idiot spreading rumors!

They even got the wrong person!

It was Li Luo who did it, not her!

Though the two of them really did look almost identical…

“Yinyin, what’s wrong?”

Li Luo came up behind and gently patted Li Yin’s back.

Her mind was still rebooting, so she couldn’t handle such a sudden shock.

“Eek!”

She shrieked, her hairs standing on end, and that little tuft of silver on her head went straight up like an antenna.

Embarrassed and angry, Li Yin vented her frustration on Li Luo, grabbing her by the waist and twisting hard.

“Oww!”

Li Luo winced in pain.

And so, the morning’s amusement began.

To avoid further embarrassment, Li Yin hurried to the counter to order.

She didn’t want to be laughed at, but even as she passed the tables, she couldn’t avoid hearing some whispers about her.

Sweat beaded on her forehead.

She was burning up, and her whole body itched.

All from being stared at.

For a social phobic, being watched by a crowd of strangers was no less devastating than an atomic bomb!

“Aunt Lu, three portions of Lu Xiang Cao grilled fish.”

“Any drink will do.”

Li Yin spoke quickly.

Ever since her first taste, she had been hooked.

The combination of spicy and fresh, plus the fish’s tender, slightly sweet flavor, perfectly matched her cravings.

So much so that now she had to have it almost every day.

“Oh my, eating that first thing in the morning?” came a motherly tone.

Anyway, aside from the initial stares, the breakfast was quite satisfying.

By the time they finished, most of the guests had left.

Under Li Luo’s coaxing, the two decided to go back to their room and sleep a little more.

Just then, a man dressed like a guard walked in.

After looking around, he headed their way.

This… not another problem, was it?

“Good day, young ladies.”

He stopped before their table, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed politely.

“May I ask, was it you who eliminated the monster yesterday?”

“Uh… yes.”

Li Yin hesitated before replying.

His direct question gave her a bad feeling.

She felt like she was about to be sent to “work” again.

It wasn’t that she hated it—after all, as a transmigrator, she actually liked events that felt like game quests.

But right now, carrying an egg was really inconvenient.

What if something happened to the child?

“Our mayor invites you.”

“She says she wants to thank you in person.”

“That’s all?”

Li Yin was a little surprised.

She thought there’d be something else.

“Also, there’s a matter we need your help with.”

He continued seriously.

“…”

Curse your mouth!

Curse your mouth!

Li Yin wanted to slap herself.

If it were an ordinary person, she might refuse, but the mayor’s invitation was hard to decline.

“Then lead the way.”

Li Yin frowned, a hint of resentment in her voice.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Seeing her seemingly angry expression, the man panicked.

The mayor had told him to treat them well.

If he angered them and ruined things, he’d definitely lose his job.

Going to sea was out of the question—he was a landlubber.

And weaving was women’s work.

More importantly, these women could kill him in the blink of an eye!

His heart leaped into his throat.

“No, just lead the way.”

Upon hearing her reply, he sighed in relief.

As long as they didn’t refuse… as long as they didn’t refuse…

“Yes…”

Water dripped from the eaves into puddles, making a “dong–dong” sound, rippling the mirrored surface.

The sky had cleared.

Sunlight fell on the ground, bringing a slight warmth.

The town’s houses were built in terraces on the hillside, somewhat like the Potala Palace.

After climbing countless steps, the trio finally arrived at the mayor’s house.

It wasn’t as luxurious as imagined.

Compared to other houses, it only had an extra yard and a gate.

Entering the courtyard, they could immediately see various potted plants and a pond of colorful koi.

Overall, it looked nice.

The mayor seemed like a health-conscious person.

So, she wouldn’t be some old man or woman, right?

“The mayor is inside.”

“You may go in.”

“I’ll take my leave.”

At the door, the man bowed again.

Then he scurried off, his face relieved.

?

What’s up with this guy?

Am I that scary?

“Luoluo, do I look scary?”

“Of course not.”

“Yinyin is the cutest in the world.”

“Maybe he was scared back at the inn?”

“…”

Got it.

It’s not that I look scary.

It’s that I’m scary as a whole.

Goddamn!

Creak—

Just as Li Yin was cursing in her heart, the door opened.

A golden-haired girl poked her head out from the crack, like a groundhog.

“Oh my, you’re already here!”

“Come in, come in.”

She waved a hand.

What was she doing?

Couldn’t she just open the door properly?

Acting like a thief?

“Um, could you open the door first?”

Li Yin was speechless.

Was this the mayor’s servant or daughter?

Why was she so strange?

“Oh!”

Reminded, the golden-haired girl looked surprised.

“Sorry, habit.”

The door swung open, and Li Yin froze.

She saw that the girl’s lower body was a snake tail.

Wait, why was a beastman in human territory!

Li Yin was completely baffled.

She racked her brain but couldn’t figure it out.

She looked to Li Luo for an answer, but Li Luo was perfectly calm, her expression unchanged.

Right—after all, she herself was a dragon living among humans in disguise.

So why couldn’t a beastman do the same?

Li Yin relaxed…

Yeah, right!

One was completely disguised as a human; the other wasn’t disguised at all.

How was that the same!?

“Come on, come on in!”

The half-snake girl urged again.

Anyway… let’s go in.

“Sit down.”

“I’ll make tea.”

After leading them to the living room, the half-snake girl left.

Now only Li Yin and Li Luo were left in the room.

For a moment, Li Yin felt like she was being toyed with.

So much for the mayor’s invitation.

They were in the house but hadn’t seen the mayor.

Instead, a beastman was entertaining them.

“Yinyin looks so cute with that confused expression.”

Li Luo rested her chin on her hand, teasing.

“Wha—”

Li Yin started to retort, but Li Luo pressed a slender finger to her lips.

“Don’t worry.”

“Once Yinyin has seen more of the world, little things like this won’t surprise you anymore.”

Li Luo smiled, poking Li Yin’s cheek a few times.

“…”

Playing riddles now, huh?

Li Yin raised her little fist.

But this time, Li Luo fought back.

She grabbed the raised fist and pinned Li Yin down on the sofa.

As luck would have it, the girl returned with tea just then.

“What are you… doing?”