"What's wrong?"
Xiao Xiao asked.
"Snake!"
The child shouted.
His eyes were fixed on Xiao Xiao's wrist without blinking.
Xiao Xiao looked at his own wrist.
The white snake opened its eyes.
Its crimson pupils gleamed like rubies in the dim light.
"Wow!"
The child exclaimed.
"Your eyes are so pretty~"
Xiao Xiao crouched down.
This child...
He watched the child, whose entire attention was focused on A Bai. The amazement and delight in the child's big, dark eyes nearly spilled over.
He was a little surprised.
The child really liked A Bai.
It wasn't that A Bai wasn't lovely.
A Bai was lovely.
It was just that most people had an instinctive aversion to cold-blooded animals.
Especially women and children.
It was hard for them to take a liking to snakes.
They were more likely to feel wary, afraid, or even dislike and detest them.
He'd once thought that A Bai's beautiful appearance could overcome this prejudice...
Later, he realized how naïve he'd been.
Especially when A Jiu and A Bai were together.
The vast majority of people preferred the fluffy little fox.
They wouldn't even notice the white snake on his wrist.
They'd all mistake A Bai for a white jade bangle.
And...
When they thought A Bai was a white jade bangle, they showed their fondness and admiration.
But once they learned A Bai wasn't a jade bangle, but a living creature—a snake—their attitude changed.
Their fondness and admiration vanished.
Their expressions turned awkward.
Their words and actions grew somewhat unnatural.
Xiao Xiao's expression grew a little gentler as he watched the child.
This child had somewhat unusual tastes.
"Do you like snakes?"
"Mm-hm."
At Xiao Xiao's question, the child finally spared him a little attention.
The child's big