Bu Yao

Biodata

Background and History

Bu Yao grew up in the wealthy Bu Family, encouraged and indulged by her mother, Ji Wenyan. Before meeting Xing Yue in person, she followed Xing Yue’s work as an online singer. Xing Yue’s private recordings and encouragement helped her through exam preparation, though Xing Yue knew her only as a young fan 18 24. Bu Yao later saw Xing Yue while shedding her skin and fell in love at first sight 29.

They married when Bu Yao was eighteen. During the marriage, Bu Yao expected Xing Yue to attend to her even in public, including putting on her shoes. A condition that impaired Bu Yao’s recognition of others’ feelings led her to interpret Xing Yue’s objections as affection rather than resistance. Their marriage ended in divorce; Bu Yao threatened Xing Yue during their final confrontation 1 4 13.

Bu Yao cried daily for the first year after the divorce. Hoping to become someone Xing Yue would return to, she left her university course, entered law school and became a lawyer. When the former spouses met again ten years later, Bu Yao was more restrained, but both still carried the hurt of their marriage 1 4.

Appearance

Bu Yao is shorter than Xing Yue, with a slender build, pale skin and almond-shaped eyes. Xing Yue initially fails to recognize her from behind when they meet on a subway, but notices her poised appearance 2 5.

• Snake form: A large red snake; one appearance measures nearly three metres long 25 58.
• Tail: Full and supple, with warm, matte red scales and a delicate tip 11 24.
• Eyes: Described as ruby-red in snake form 58.

Personality

Bu Yao is proud, quick-tempered and accustomed to being accommodated. Her effort to change is genuine but uneven: she asks Xing Yue to teach her household skills and tries cooking and washing dishes, while still sometimes issuing orders or reacting harshly to jealousy 13 33 42 60.

She is also openly devoted to Xing Yue and sensitive to perceived rejection. She asks to pursue her after their later separation and seeks explicit reassurance about their relationship and marriage. Over time, her care becomes more practical: she works in the family business, tends to Xing Yue during hibernation and manages their home while pregnant 57 93 95 102 108.

Abilities and Traits

Snake Transformation

• Bu Yao can take human and snake forms, or display her tail while otherwise human 24 25.
• She has difficulty controlling the change between legs and tail, particularly around Xing Yue. An involuntary transformation complicates a hospital examination 6.
• Her tail sometimes seeks contact with Xing Yue independently of Bu Yao’s stated feelings or intentions 6 58.

Fire Snake Physiology

• Her body and matte scales are warmer than those of most snakes. Unlike other snakes, Fire Snakes have tear glands 4 11.
• Her snake tongue can help clean wounds and ease pain, according to Dr. Tan Xiang’e 33.
• She has documented reactions to latex and detergent 4 60.

Relationships

• Xing Yue — Former wife and later wife again. Their reconciliation requires both women to confront the harm of their first marriage, family interference and their different needs during conflict 1 61 93 106.
• Ji Wenyan — Mother. Ji dotes on Bu Yao but repeatedly belittles Xing Yue; Bu Yao eventually confronts her over those remarks 18 61.
• Bu Changqin — Father. He worries that Ji’s indulgence has left Bu Yao unprepared to manage her own future 42.
• Bo Wuxue — Xing Yue’s best friend. She is protective of Xing Yue and frequently teases or challenges Bu Yao, but later helps Bu Yao with household supplies 17 76 108.
• Guan Shuxian — Colleague whose past connection to Xing Yue makes Bu Yao careful to keep their contact outside work limited 101 108.

Major Arcs

• Reconciliation: Bu Yao tries to replace the demands of their first marriage with consideration, learning practical skills and asking Xing Yue for another chance 4 15 33.
• Conflict with her family: After Xing Yue describes Ji Wenyan’s repeated humiliations, Bu Yao tears scales from her own tail to confront her mother. The injuries later require surgery 61 63 66.
• Commitment and parenthood: Bu Yao presses for a clear commitment, builds a winter enclosure for the ailing Xing Yue, and arranges their remarriage registration. During Xing Yue’s hibernation, she manages pregnancy and household preparations; after the eggs are laid, she becomes fiercely protective of them 93 105 106 108 113.