Encountering a Snake - Chapter 11

That night was extremely quiet, with even the candle flames barely flickering. In the small room, Shen Qingxuan’s voice was soft but clear. His expression was serious, even solemn.

He said with such gravity, “Is it acceptable if our paths converge despite being so different?”

Yi Mo was somewhat surprised.

How could he not be surprised?

Yi Mo was originally a snake spirit. Because of his cold and aloof nature, he was chosen to be enlightened. The person who enlightened him had already become an immortal in the heavens. After a thousand years of cultivation, after this tribulation and another one to come, he could transform and ascend to the celestial realm, but that would take another two or three hundred years. Now, however, a mere mortal like Shen Qingxuan was declaring so firmly, “Our paths converge despite being different.”

Converge where? Heaven or the human world?

Yi Mo could see that Shen Qingxuan did not have the foundation for cultivation, which was related to fate. Shen Qingxuan’s destiny was exceptionally prosperous, though it suited only the mortal world. Despite his current downfall, it was merely a period of misfortune.

When they first met, Yi Mo knew it was a chance encounter between him and Shen Qingxuan. If not for that chance, he would have remained hidden in the mountains. How else would he have happened to enter the Shen family’s villa that day and reveal his snake form, basking in the sun and getting drenched by Shen Qingxuan’s tea?

So, helping him was merely following the course of destiny. According to the human world’s terms, he was Shen Qingxuan’s benefactor, aiding him through adversity, and thus he would gain merit.

After overcoming his misfortune, Shen Qingxuan would naturally follow his fate and rise to great heights, which would no longer concern Yi Mo. The mortal gains and losses were trivial to Yi Mo, but Shen Qingxuan’s fate was fixed and could not be escaped.

Moreover, a mortal life lasts only a hundred years, which is a mere drop in the ocean for Yi Mo. When Shen Qingxuan dies and his remains have decayed, Yi Mo would still be the same, existing in the world. How could their paths truly converge?

Yi Mo walked over slowly, stood in front of Shen Qingxuan, lowered his head, and stared at him for a while before speaking, “I truly underestimated you.”

Shen Qingxuan realized that his previous words were quite bold, even presumptuous, but he didn’t understand how Yi Mo could respond with such a seemingly nonsensical comment. Yi Mo’s expression remained as cold as usual, making it difficult to gauge his thoughts, so Shen Qingxuan took it as a compliment. However, Yi Mo then added calmly, “Though you are weak and easily toppled, your desires are quite grand.”

Shen Qingxuan was initially taken aback by this assessment, unable to react immediately. As he processed the remark, his face flushed bright red, and he stammered, “Y-You’re talking nonsense!”

Yi Mo remained composed, his expression unchanged, and said, “I saved your life and promised you a full recovery. It is only right for you to repay me. But I haven’t harbored any desires; you are the one in a hurry, which surprises me.”

Yi Mo’s words were clear and logical, but they bombarded Shen Qingxuan’s thoughts, leaving him speechless.

Seeing Shen Qingxuan flustered and his face red, Yi Mo raised his hand, gently touching his heated face with his fingertips, almost as if inspecting or teasing him.

The warmth from Yi Mo’s fingertips spread through Shen Qingxuan’s face. Yi Mo then placed his whole cool palm over the warm spot, soothing it. The touch was warm.

After a while, Yi Mo’s hand slowly moved from Shen Qingxuan’s forehead to his cheekbones, then to his slim jaw. Despite the cold touch, Shen Qingxuan’s face only grew warmer.

Ignoring Shen Qingxuan’s stunned expression, Yi Mo continued to caress him, finally withdrawing his hand and remarking, “You’ve lost some weight, but your skin is still smooth.”

Shen Qingxuan gasped and instinctively shrank back, coming to his senses and hurriedly scolding, “Do you treat this like a transaction that needs inspection?”

Yi Mo looked at him steadily and said, “If you are to pledge yourself to me, shouldn’t I inspect the quality?”

Shen Qingxuan’s face was still red, but with his mind clearing, he responded, “According to your words, I would be repaying a debt. Have you ever seen a man pledge himself in return for a favor? Such things are not recorded in those books.”

While he was speaking, Yi Mo once again reached out and loosened the belt at Shen Qingxuan’s waist.

With his waist belt loosened, Shen Qingxuan bit his lip, swallowing back his words. He suddenly understood that Yi Mo wasn’t unable to understand but was deliberately pushing this notion of repayment. This made things easier to handle without too many complications.

Shen Qingxuan felt as though his heart was drenched in ice water, a chilling sensation spreading. Despite his experience, he remained calm, allowing Yi Mo to loosen his clothing.

The room fell silent again, with only the faint sound of loosening clothing.

Shen Qingxuan watched as Yi Mo’s slender, powerful fingers deftly worked on loosening his inner garment, removing one strap after another. Yi Mo’s cool fingers occasionally brushed his skin, making Shen Qingxuan feel cold, with goosebumps rising.

Noticing Shen Qingxuan’s reaction, Yi Mo stopped, asked, “Do you still wish to pledge yourself?”

Shen Qingxuan paused, then chuckled softly, removing his hairpin. His long hair cascaded down, partially covering his face.

“If it’s for repaying a debt, it must be sincere.” Shen Qingxuan smiled, setting the hairpin aside, and said with composure, “Don’t think that even if you are a snake, you can freeze me. Even if it were a thousand years of ice, I might endure it.”

Yi Mo remained silent, reaching out again, sliding his hand under the loosened clothing, and slowly caressing the slender curve at Shen Qingxuan’s waist.

Shen Qingxuan shivered at the touch, closing his eyes and focusing on the sensation. Yi Mo’s hand, moving lightly or firmly along his waist, at times gently rubbing and at times pressing harder, made Shen Qingxuan’s body respond, with his lower region gradually becoming erect.

Shen Qingxuan opened his eyes unevenly, meeting Yi Mo’s cold, tranquil gaze. His already erratic heartbeat faltered completely.

Not knowing where he found the courage, Shen Qingxuan grabbed Yi Mo’s collar, pulling him close until their foreheads touched, their noses met, and their lips brushed together. He said, “Put me on the bed.”

Hearing his own voice, slightly weak, Shen Qingxuan’s face turned red again, but he added:

“Given my physical condition and weakness, please be considerate.”