「Night fell.」

Bai Su had just managed to fall asleep when Li Chenlin suddenly snuck into her room.

The great white snake slithered silently across the floor, making almost no sound.

Bai Su was fast asleep and completely unguarded. Her petite body was snuggled deep into the blankets, and the small lump she made was exceptionally endearing.

Li Chenlin glided to the bedside. In the darkness, his pair of snake eyes glowed with a faint, golden light.

Against the enormous pillow, Bai Su’s small head looked exceptionally tiny. Her two floppy rabbit ears hung limply on either side.

Her little hands were unconsciously clenched into fists and rested on either side of her head. Lying on her back, she looked so adorable that one couldn’t help but want to reach out and poke her soft little cheeks.

Li Chenlin unconsciously curved his lips into a slight smile. ’She’s only tolerable when she’s asleep. Much more likable than when she’s awake.’

He raised a hand and mischievously pinched her nose, waiting quietly for her reaction.

Bai Su’s face slowly turned red from lack of air, and her brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

Just as Li Chenlin was wondering whether he should let go to avoid suffocating her, Bai Su obediently opened her little mouth and began taking small breaths.

"Tch..." Li Chenlin let out a soft laugh, his eyes filled with the mirth of a successful prank.

He released his mischievous fingers and took hold of the slender wrist next to her head, slowly leaning closer.

Her soft little hand was limp in his, as if boneless. It was small, soft, and warm.

’So this is what she’s like when she doesn’t have her thorns up.’

The color in Li Chenlin’s eyes deepened.

He leaned down, bringing his face close to her wrist, and smelled the faint scent of peach emanating from her skin.

It was a sweet yet refreshingly light fragrance, gently warmed by her skin and wafting up to create an enchanting aroma.

’What a sweet and delicious little female.’

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. He flicked out his snake tongue and licked the skin of her wrist. Taking advantage of his saliva numbing the surface of her skin, he bit down.

The instantly pierced skin had a tender texture, better than any Beastman he had ever tasted.

He suppressed his craving for her fresh blood and injected his venom into her bloodstream through his fangs.

"Ngh..." Bai Su frowned slightly, letting out an unconscious whimper.

Li Chenlin’s eyes darkened. He released his bite, flicked his tongue over the wound again, and the injury on her wrist instantly vanished, leaving the skin smooth and flawless as before.

He carefully placed her wrist back down and was about to leave the room.

But Bai Su unconsciously grabbed the corner of his clothes. "Lu Tingyan..."

The look in Li Chenlin’s eyes instantly turned grim. ’She’s even dreaming about him?’

He transformed into his snake form, slipped through a gap in the puffy blankets, then shifted back into his human form under the covers and forcefully pulled her into his embrace.

Feeling a strong grip holding her waist, Bai Su’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.

She even instinctively pressed closer to his body, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Her lips unconsciously brushed against the vein at his carotid artery, and she settled down.

It was the first time Li Chenlin had ever felt her so docilely throwing herself into his arms. His Adam’s apple rolled unconsciously.

Her small hand was still clutching the pajama top on his chest, a picture of complete trust.

"Lu Tingyan... I’m so cold... hold me..."

Bai Su mumbled plaintively. Her whimpering voice was thick and sweet with a slight rasp, soft enough to easily arouse a male until he was hard all over.

Li Chenlin was like a silent thief, his body tensed as he savored the hard-won contact.

Even knowing the little one in his arms mistook him for that stupid wolf Lu Tingyan, he still couldn’t refuse such an intoxicating embrace.

The thought that Lu Tingyan could have her so easily, enjoying her nightly affections and compliance, made him so jealous his heart felt like it would burst. He wished he could immediately summon a group of men and airlift bullets to blow up the entire Federation!

But he wasn’t a Wolf Beastman, after all. He didn’t have a warm body.

He could only wrap the blanket tighter around her and slowly envelop her with his heated spiritual power.

As Bai Su felt a warm current continuously flow into her, her furrowed brow slowly relaxed.

*

「The next day.」

Bai Su woke up early. Seeing the empty room, a trace of disappointment crossed her face.

She had been groggy last night and had vaguely thought she was back with Lu Tingyan.

She let out a soft sigh, stretched, and got up to wash.

But when her feet touched the floor, she stumbled and nearly fell.

’Huh? What’s going on?’ Bai Su was startled by how pliant her own limbs felt.

For a moment there, she felt as if her leg bones were as supple as a snake’s.

Just as she was about to fall, she managed to support herself with her feet and straighten back up.

She stared suspiciously at her legs, then stomped her feet but felt nothing unusual.

Bai Su shook her head and went into the bathroom to wash up.

After coming out, she opened the window and couldn’t help but squint her eyes in comfort, feeling an urge to go outside and bask in the sun.

It was strange. Normally, under such a scorching sun, she would just want to hide in her room with the air conditioning on and sleep. But today, it felt exceptionally warm, and she couldn’t resist the urge to sunbathe for a while.

The door opened, and an unfamiliar maid entered with breakfast.

Bai Su’s gaze fell on a glass of red liquid. "What’s that?"

The maid’s eyes flickered. "It’s tomato juice."

Besides the tomato juice, there was also a pan-fried steak.

She couldn’t help but swallow. ’What kind of person eats something as greasy as steak first thing in the morning...?’

But her mouth began to water uncontrollably, and her stomach rumbled with hunger.

’That’s strange. I’m sure I redeemed something to eat in the store last night, so why am I still so hungry?’

Especially when she saw the piece of meat, her mouth watered uncontrollably. Her appetite surged, and a strong, inexplicable craving welled up inside her.

She wanted to devour that steak.

The maid spoke again respectfully from the side, "President Li has given instructions. Starting today, your movements will not be restricted. You are allowed to walk around and sightsee, and you may also go to the deck to sunbathe."

Hearing the last sentence, Bai Su was clearly tempted.

She had an intense craving to sunbathe right now!

Bai Su nodded. "Got it."

’Since Li Chenlin has compromised, I suppose I can make a small concession as well.’

Bai Su sat down at the dining table. Smelling the aroma of the steak, she couldn’t stop her mouth from watering.

The quality of the steak was excellent. Although it was simply pan-fried with a little salt for seasoning, the natural flavor of the beef was enticing enough on its own. It was delicious without any complex spices.

After finishing, she couldn’t help but savor the aftertaste. She turned to the maid beside her and said, "Next time, cook the steak a little rarer. Not so well-done. It would be best if it’s still a bit bloody."

After saying that, she froze.

’I used to only eat well-done steak. When did I start liking it rare?’

Bai Su shook her head, then drank the tomato juice in one go. She licked her lips, thinking that today’s tomato juice was exceptionally sweet and tempting.

She asked again, "Did you add anything to the tomato juice?"

The maid quickly lowered her head. "N-No..."

Bai Su licked her lips. "Then why is it so sweet? It’s surprisingly good."

The maid’s eyes darted guiltily. "Maybe... they added a little sugar..."

Bai Su didn’t think much of it. She yawned, feeling a little drowsy again, and wanted to go to the deck to sunbathe and sleep.

She informed the maid and had someone take her to the deck, completely unaware that her gait had become exceptionally fluid. From a distance, she even looked a bit like a Snake Beastman.