Bo Yi turned his head very slowly toward the source of the noise.
On the wall, covered in black patches of mold from the damp, a vividly patterned snake was silently winding its way down the doorframe. Its slender, supple body fit neatly into a crack in the frame, barely visible in the dim corridor light. The fine scales on its belly brushed lightly against the wooden frame, producing a faint, continuous scraping sound.
At some point, its slightly raised head had already reached his ear. Its flickering tongue almost touched him as it hissed.
Why was there a snake here?!
Bo Yi was startled, but his expression remained unchanged as he began backing away slowly, trying to put some distance between himself and the snake. Despite his careful movements, its head still began to rise, higher and higher, its neck swelling-
It was about to attack.
Too late!
Bo Yi's heart jolted. He immediately turned and ran. The instant he turned, the snake's raised body thrust its head forward, shooting out like an arrow loosed from a bow. Its slender body traced a colorful arc through the air, its neck muscles contracting sharply as its tooth-filled mouth aimed straight at the back of Bo Yi's neck.
With a swish, its powerful jaws snapped down hard, its sharp teeth sinking straight into-
A chopstick that had suddenly appeared.
With a plop, the snake fell to the floor, its attack abruptly interrupted. With its teeth still lodged in the chopstick, it writhed and struggled on the ground, twisting into a colorful, almost dizzying wave.
A hand grabbed the snake just behind its head and lifted it off the floor. "Tsk, tsk..." He examined the snake in his hand. "So skinny. Doesn't look like there's enough to eat..."
"What are you doing