Chapter 4 — Little Fish and the White Serpent

I looked straight at him and said with utmost seriousness: You were rescued and brought home by me as well. I may not be beautiful, but my eyes are certainly not blind. If you wish to look down on me, do so as you please, but do not vent your petty frustrations upon others. Pham Ham fixed his pale blue eyes upon me. He had never once deigned to lower his gaze, leaving me with no choice but to always tilt my head upward just to meet his eyes. You are quite something, Jiang Du! You had better not live to regret this! With that, Pham Ham lashed his tail, slithered back toward his room, and slammed the door shut with a resounding crash. I let out a long, weary sigh. Da Minh had materialized beside me without a sound, gently taking the bowl of porridge from my hands. His serpentine tail coiled smoothly around my wrist. Raising my gaze to his piercing emerald eyes, I only then realized that he had gathered his long tail beneath him, crouching down so our eyes could meet on the exact same level.

He is not worthy of you, Da Minh murmured softly. You deserve someone far better.

Da Minh’s exquisite face was positioned so close to mine that I scarcely dared to breathe, my focus helplessly captured by the soft, healthy pink hue that had returned to his lips. My mind felt thick and sluggish, like a pool of stagnant syrup, completely failing to process the words he had just spoken.

Are you alright?

Noticing my prolonged silence, he called out to me again in a gentle murmur. I snapped back to my senses and said to Da Minh: I am fine. Please pay him no mind; that is simply how his temper is. Da Minh lowered his gaze, asking: Was he also rescued by you?

Well... It would probably be more accurate to say I exchanged him using my government relief coupons.

Oh... His voice dropped to a low register. That sounds rather more expensive than me, then.

Da Minh paused for a moment before asking another question: Do you treat him very well?

Reasonably well, I suppose.

Da Minh fell silent for a short while, then suddenly asked: Do you fancy him? I was thoroughly thrown off by the question. Fancy Pham Ham? That impeccably handsome face, those unfathomable deep blue eyes, that glowing white serpentine tail shimmering under the moonlight...

I honestly do not know, I replied with complete honesty. He was the very first beastman I ever raised, and I simply thought... if only I treated him well enough, he would eventually come to care for me.

You are entirely mistaken, Da Minh said. There are certain individuals upon whom no amount of kindness will ever make the slightest difference.

He lifted his head, his sincere emerald eyes locking onto mine:

He has no desire to treat you well, but I most certainly do. Cease looking at him, and look at me instead, would you? The very day you saved my life, I gave you my word that I would grant you anything you desired.

How could I possibly withstand being stared at by a face like that?

There is no need for that, really there is not. Just focus on recovering your strength and put aside all thoughts of repaying this debt. I would never dream of exploiting your vulnerable state as a wounded beast to coerce you into anything.

Da Minh brushed his cheek affectionately against the side of my neck. He whispered: But I genuinely wish to bear children with you, and I am entirely willing. You saved me, you treated me with such kindness, and you cooked for me. I... truly care for you, and this is not forced in the slightest. Unaccustomed to such physical intimacy, I shifted uncomfortably and murmured: Have you forgotten to look at the blemish upon my face?

I see it clearly, Da Minh replied with absolute earnestness, his long hair brushing lightly against my earlobe, sending a pleasant shiver through me. But what of it?

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently tracing the dark red mark upon my cheek:

This is simply a part of who you are. When I care for someone, I embrace every single aspect of that person entirely.

My heart skipped a beat, though I quickly forced the sudden flutter down into the depths of my chest. Care for me? How could such a thing be possible? A woman like me could never be the object of anyone’s genuine affection.

I chose not to take Da Minh’s words from that day to heart. Above all else, a person must remain realistic about their station in life. He merely possessed a certain innocent naivety, likely uttering such foolish things simply out of gratitude for saving him and an attachment to my cooking. It only served to prick my conscience further, making me feel as though I were somehow taking advantage of an innocent young man. The deadline for my mandatory reproduction quota was rapidly approaching, and the Bureau of Population had finally dispatched an inspector directly to my home to issue a formal reminder. The female inspector stood just outside my doorway, holding a sleek digital tablet in her hand.

Hello, Jiang Du. I am an official inspector from the Bureau of Population.

My heart gave a violent lurch: Hello, please come inside. She stepped into the apartment, her gaze sweeping around the room before finally coming to rest on Da Minh, who was currently lingering in a semi-transformed state, his lower body coiled neatly while his upper half wore the new clothes I had purchased for him. Unfortunately, I had misjudged the size slightly, causing the fabric to stretch tightly over his well-defined muscular physique.

And this is...? The beastman partner you registered was supposed to be a white serpent, wasn't he? the inspector inquired with a raised eyebrow.

He was also raised by me, I hastened to explain.

The inspector nodded, evidently assuming Da Minh was merely a sterile beastman I had acquired simply to serve as a domestic companion. The Bureau of Population had no jurisdiction over such domestic arrangements.

According to regulations, human women are required to fulfill their reproductive quotas within five years of reaching adulthood. As of now, you have yet to submit any reproductive applications. Taking your particular circumstances into consideration... She cast a fleeting glance at my blemished face. You may simply register here with the Bureau, and the system will automatically match you with a voluntary beastman partner. While it may not secure you the most elite genetic pairing, it will at least allow you to fulfill the mandatory quota.

Before I could manage a response, Da Minh suddenly shifted. He glided smoothly forward, his serpentine tail wrapping gently yet firmly around my waist to draw me closer to his side.

No matching is necessary, he stated, his features taut, his voice carrying a distinct chill. I shall bear children with her.

The inspector froze in sheer astonishment. She looked from Da Minh to me, and then back to the thick serpent tail still securely banded around my waist, her expression shifting through a comical array of disbelief.

Isn't this just a companion beastman you bought? Is he even capable of reproduction?

Er... Being squeezed somewhat snugly by his grip, I found it slightly difficult to breathe. He...

I am entirely capable, Da Minh answered smoothly on my behalf, his tone calm and unyielding, though his tail tightened its hold just a fraction more. If she wishes to have a child, I am all she requires. No one else is necessary.

After sending the inspector off, I shut the front door and turned back to face Da Minh. He remained standing right where he was, his emerald eyes fixed unwaveringly upon me, much like an oversized hound eagerly awaiting praise. Or perhaps, more accurately, an oversized serpent. It was enough to soften even the hardest of hearts.

Do you even comprehend why I must have a child?

I do, Da Minh replied softly. If you fail to find a partner on your own, the Bureau of Population will forcibly pair you with some degenerate beastman from the lower tiers. I once... possessed a wonderful family of my own. Now, only I remain. The deepest wish of my family, as well as my own, has always been to live a quiet, peaceful life alongside those we cherish.

Jiang Du. He leaned in close, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. I am not offering pity, nor am I merely trying to repay a debt of gratitude. I genuinely... find you to be a good person, a truly wonderful person. I wish to remain by your side, and to build a genuine home together with you.

Jiang Du. He took my hand in his. Let me stay, and let me help you raise our children. I promise you will never have cause to regret this.