She Doesn't Say, He Doesn't Ask

Winter gave way to summer.

In Xiao Mo's second "life experience" in the Book of a Hundred Lives, another three years passed.

Over those three years, Xiao Mo herded cattle every day, gathered medicinal herbs, and went to the village herb hall to listen to the old Village Chief's lessons.

It was just that Xiao Mo could only listen from outside the private school.

That was actually quite good too, since he could tend the cattle at the same time.

Though Xiao Mo was a little child, the soul within him was truly that of an adult.

Moreover, Chinese characters were commonly used in this world, so Xiao Mo saved a great deal of time learning to read and picked things up quickly.

Even the Village Chief was startled, delighted that he had discovered a promising student.

In the Village Chief's eyes, if Xiao Mo diligently learned his characters and studied, he might truly pass the provincial examination.

When that time came, Shiqiao Village would truly be basking in glory.

However, the Village Chief did not praise Xiao Mo to his face, lest he grow proud and complacent.

But from time to time, the Village Chief privately lent Xiao Mo several books from his own collection, telling him that if there was anything he did not understand, he could come to the courtyard and ask at any time.

Xiao Mo was not ungrateful either. Every day, he set aside a share of the herbs and wild fruits he gathered for the Village Chief.

Thus, whenever Xiao Mo rested while gathering herbs in the mountains, he would open a book and read. When tending the cattle, he would sit on the ox's back and read as well.

At night, when there was nothing to do and the weather was fair, Xiao Mo read beneath the moonlight.

As for that Little White Snake.

Over the past three years, Xiao Mo had not seen her again. He did not know where she had gone.

Spring arrived, and all things stirred back to life.

That Early Morning, Xiao Mo rose early and led Uncle Liu's ox up the mountain.

As usual, Xiao Mo read while tending the ox.

"Hey! You, riding that ox!"

Just as Xiao Mo was reading atop the ox, a crisp and pleasant female voice rang out from nearby.

Xiao Mo raised his head and looked over. A young girl of about fourteen stood not far away, hands on her hips, looking bright and lovely.

The young girl wore a white dress that covered her feet. Her long black hair fell just to her slender waist.

Her skin was very fair, even carrying a faint sheen beneath the spring sunlight. Beneath her long lashes, the corners of her peach-blossom Eyes tilted slightly upward like a cat's tail, as though they had sketched out all the colors of spring.

Below her pert Jade nose, her pale pink cherry lips held an innocent, gentle smile.

For such a beautiful young girl to suddenly appear on the mountain, her white dress spotless and free of dust—it was strange to anyone, and Xiao Mo was no exception.

However, Xiao Mo had roughly guessed who she was.

Because a white tail poked out from beneath her skirt.

He had not expected it.

In merely three years, she had already learned to take human form.

As far as Xiao Mo knew, a member of the Demon Race needed at least twenty years to transform.

No wonder the Book of a Hundred Lives said she possessed extraordinary talent.

Perhaps the drop of True Dragon Essence Blood she had obtained by chance had also contributed greatly.

Xiao Mo dismounted and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting as though he knew nothing. "May I ask who you are, miss?"

"I-I am..."

The young girl inwardly cried out in alarm, her bright, watery eyes rolling around.

She had only learned to transform today, and when she happened to see him riding an ox, she had come over without a second thought, forgetting to prepare an excuse.

"I came up the mountain to enjoy the spring. Who are you?" the young girl asked instead.

"I am a villager from Shiqiao Village, named Xiao Mo. May I ask your name, miss?"

"Me?" The young girl pointed at herself with a fair, tender finger, her Eyes curving into crescents. "My name is Bai Ruxue."

"Bai Ruxue." Xiao Mo repeated the name.

"What is it?" The young girl clasped her hands behind her back and bent forward, looking up at Xiao Mo from below. "Does my name not sound nice?"

"It sounds nice." Xiao Mo nodded. "It just reminded me of a Little White Snake I saved before. I gave her a name that was the same as yours."

"Th-that was merely a coincidence! I-I'm not a snake. I'm a person! That's right! A person!" Bai Ruxue's Eyes darted from side to side before she forced a resolute look into them.

Xiao Mo smiled. "I never said you were a snake."

Bai Ruxue: "..."

"Miss, spring has arrived. There are many wild beasts in the mountains, and snakes and insects have become more numerous as well. It would be best for you to head down the mountain soon." Xiao Mo proactively changed the subject and spared her the embarrassment.

After three years, this Little White Snake still seemed a little lacking in wits.

"No rush. I know this mountain like the back of my hand." Bai Ruxue waved her hand proudly. "By the way, your ox looks quite interesting. Can you let me ride it? As payment, I can give you this."

Bai Ruxue took out a piece of Silver fragments.

She had picked it up in the mountains.

Xiao Mo shook his head. "There's no need for that. If you want to ride the ox, just climb on."

"Thanks! You're quite a nice person."

Bai Ruxue swayed as she walked over to the ox.

Xiao Mo patted Big Black Ox on the head. Big Black Ox snorted and crouched down.

Just as Bai Ruxue lifted her skirt and prepared to climb onto the ox.

A fair snake tail was revealed.

Bai Ruxue's cheeks reddened. She hurriedly lowered her skirt. "You saw wrong just now. I'm not a snake! I'm a person. Look, these are a person's feet."

Bai Ruxue slightly lifted her skirt again, revealing a pair of small feet in white cloud-patterned Embroidered shoes. Faint veins could be seen beneath her snow-white ankles.

"Looks like I've been reading too much lately. My eyes are getting a little blurry." Xiao Mo played along with the young girl. "Miss, hurry and get on."

"O-oh..." Bai Ruxue climbed onto Big Black Ox and sat sideways on his back.

Xiao Mo climbed up as well, straddling the ox in front of Bai Ruxue.

Big Black Ox stood up, startling Bai Ruxue. She hurriedly grabbed the corner of Xiao Mo's clothes.

Beneath the spring sun, Big Black Ox wandered leisurely up the mountain, taking a bite here and a bite there.

Xiao Mo sat on the ox's back, flipping through the tome in his hands.

"Are you reading?" After secretly stuffing the silver into Xiao Mo's pocket, the young girl behind him asked curiously.

"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded.

"Is reading fun?"

"Not really."

"Then why do you read?"

"Well... because I need to earn scholarly honors."

"Why do you need to earn scholarly honors?"

"Only by earning scholarly honors can one enter the court and become an official."

"What does entering the court and becoming an official mean?"

On the ox's back, the young girl was like a hundred thousand whys.

Xiao Mo could no longer focus on reading, so he simply closed his book and answered the young girl's endless questions.

It was not until evening that Xiao Mo finally said, "Miss, I'm heading down the mountain."

"Oh... all right." A trace of disappointment flashed through the young girl's Eyes as she hopped down from the ox's back. "Then I'll head home too."

"Where do you live, miss? I can see you off."

"No need, no need. I can get back by myself. Goodbye." The young girl hurriedly waved her hands and jogged toward the forest.

But as she ran, the little feet in Embroidered shoes beneath her skirt turned back into a white snake tail.

Xiao Mo smiled.

She did not say.

So he did not ask.