Chapter 3 — Little Fish and the White Serpent

I filled the bathtub with water. The black serpent slowly loosened his tail, which had been wrapped tightly around my body, and slithered into the tub. His massive form filled the basin almost entirely. The man slumped his head against the rim of the tub, blood from his numerous wounds staining the water a deep, crimson red. I dragged out the emergency medical kit and began to treat him. The wounds were far more severe than I had initially imagined. Some areas had already begun to fester, others were gashed deep down to the bone, and a few places even exposed stark, white bone. My hands trembled uncontrollably. When I had first brought Fan Han home, he had shrunk his true form down, so applying ointment only required handling a small snake. I had zero experience treating a fully grown adult man, let alone a colossal serpent like this.

Who are you, and how did you get hurt this badly? I asked softly.

The black serpent pondered for a moment before replying, A few beastmen from the same cohort were competing to mate with a human girl. My family background isn't as affluent as theirs, but I am better-looking. Tomorrow is the physical examination, so they hired thugs to beat me up beforehand to eliminate my chances of competition. I glanced at his face for a moment, finding this explanation quite plausible, and clicked my tongue in sympathy. These high-ranking beastmen are getting more lawless by the day. How could anyone resort to murder just to win a partner?

Ye Ming replied, Beastmen with reproductive capabilities who remain unchosen by a certain age face reduced social welfare and status. I am just unlucky; even though I can reproduce, my background is poor, and I am used to it by now. He was genuinely handsome; even in his current bedraggled and miserable state, he could not conceal his striking features. After washing away the layer of mud and grime from his face, I felt that compared to Fan Han, he was by no means inferior. Ye Ming rested his head on his arm, droplets of water still clinging to his cheeks. Throughout the entire process of treating his wounds, his gaze remained fixed entirely on me. When I used medical alcohol to cleanse his cuts, his body visibly shuddered, and the tip of his tail in the bathtub instinctively reached out to wrap around my waist. I paused slightly, but did not push him away. I had no idea how much time had passed by the time I finally finished tending to all his injuries. I was so exhausted that beads of sweat dripped down my face, and I sat down heavily right beside the bathtub. The eyes of the black serpent continued to stare unblinkingly at me. The emerald green of his irises had faded slightly, transforming into a pale, watery blue reminiscent of a surface veiled in a fine morning mist.

Thank you, he spoke, his voice much steadier than before. My name is Ye Ming.

I am Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu, he repeated, rolling the name over his tongue as the tip of his tail gently stirred the warm water. What a lovely name.

I let out a soft laugh. It is not the kind of Yu that means fish; it is the character Yu with the radical for a human being.

A little fish swimming in the river, he murmured. Very adorable.

My smile froze instantly on my face. The deadpan seriousness in his expression did not look like he was joking at all. Apart from my parents, this was the first time anyone had ever treated me with such warmth.

The injuries on Ye Ming's body healed at an astonishing speed. Three days later, he was able to transform completely into human form. In the morning, I walked into the bathroom intending to change the water for him. As I pushed the door open, I froze at the sight of a completely naked man standing inside the tub. Ye Ming's facial features were much deeper and sharper than Fan Han's, which should have naturally carried an aggressive aura. Yet, his emerald eyes held none of the ferocious hostility of a wild beast; instead, they were as gentle as a deep, tranquil pool of water. His long, pitch-black hair was soaked, clinging tightly to his sculpted, muscular frame. His physique was magnificent. I had seen the bodies of a few other beastmen before, but he was even more robust and powerfully built than Fan Han... I stood there, utterly paralyzed. Ye Ming was equally stunned. Then, with a sudden jerk, he spun around, instantly manifesting his massive snake tail to cover his most sensitive area, the tips of his ears burning bright crimson.

Jiang, Jiang Yu... he stammered, his voice faltering. Could you... could you find me some clothes?

My face burned with a fiery blush as I scrambled away to search through my late father's old wardrobe to find something for him to wear. Snakes... did they really have two of those... I covered my face with both hands, hastily trying to banish the dark, inappropriate thoughts from my mind. Ye Ming emerged dressed in the clothes, keeping his head lowered, too mortified to look me in the eye. I suddenly found the situation rather amusing. His true form was that of a colossal, terrifying serpent, yet he was capable of such shyness.

Are you hungry? I asked. He nodded in response.

I went into the kitchen to reheat a pot of porridge, fried a few eggs, and brought them out to set before him. Ye Ming looked down at the food in the bowl, then back up at me.

What is wrong? I asked, slightly puzzled. Do you not like these dishes?

It is not that, he shook his head. While I was fleeing, I heard the local villagers talking about you, saying you are the kindest human being in these parts. They said you have a good heart, and often share your food with the surrounding beastmen. The white serpent you keep has a terrible temperament, yet you have never treated him poorly, and instead always show him great kindness.

Hearing this, I felt a slight wave of embarrassment. Actually, I am not that good...

You are very good, Ye Ming insisted. That night, I truly believed I was going to die, and it was you who saved me. I really enjoy being here with you; it gives me the genuine feeling of having a real home.

I am willing to bear children with you, Little Yu.

I spat out the mouthful of porridge I had just been eating, falling into a violent fit of coughing.

Please do not take the things I said that night seriously, I... at that moment, I...

I did not know what else to say. My face flushed bright red as I hurried back into the kitchen to scoop him a second bowl of porridge, intending to use the chore as an excuse to dodge the subject entirely. Just as Fan Han stepped out of the bedroom, I was walking back from the kitchen carrying the second bowl of porridge. Fan Han and Ye Ming locked eyes for a few tense seconds, the air crackling as if visible sparks were flying between them.

Jiang Yu, Fan Han leaned against the doorframe, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes playing on his lips. You really are something else, picking up any stray piece of trash and dragging it into the house.

Ye Ming set his bowl down with a sharp clatter and sprang to his feet, his emerald eyes fixing a cold, piercing glare upon him.

Do not start fighting, I rushed forward, putting myself directly between the two of them. Ye Ming is not trash.

Fan Han let out a cynical sneer. Are you defending him already? Well, I suppose a human's standards only go so far. An ugly creature like you would naturally—

Enough!

This was the first time I had ever raised my voice at Fan Han. Even he seemed completely taken aback, freezing in stunned silence.