Chapter 18

“Pop, it’s nothing to worry about. The last time when we were playing with Lan Yiyi, Xiaoxiao did this, too.”  No matter what, if there was something entertaining going on, Hua Xiaowu would be there.

After everything that had happened, Hua Xiaohua’s complexion darkened at Hua Xiaowu’s interruption. So, this wasn’t the first time that Yin Xiaoxiao had immersed himself in the river! And the last time, there hadn’t even been any adult snakes around! What could Yin Xiaoxiao have been thinking?

Yin Xiaosi knew what troubling thoughts were plaguing Hua Xiaohua, and he slithered over to explain, “Don’t worry, Pop. I was nearby watching Xiaoxiao.”

Hua Xiaohua still knew their family’s Xiaosi. Even if he was a little weird (…), he was still reliable. Besides, after all was said and done, what had happened had happened. Xiaoxiao was fine, and complaining after the fact was like making a mountain out of a molehill. At this thought, Hua Xiaohua calmed down. “Yin Xiaoxiao, if you ever dare do something dangerous in the future, be warned: I will place you under house arrest in the cave, and you will not be able to leave!”

…Yin Xiaoxiao’s mind was a mess. This snake actually knew what the words ‘house arrest’ meant?!

“Yin Xiaoxiao, did you hear that?!” Seeing Yin Xiaoxiao’s mind wandering, Hua Xiaohua rushed over and hit him over the head with his tail.

That hurt, okay?! But, he saw that Hua Xiaohua was still angry. It was better if he didn’t resist. “…Okay,” Yin Xiaoxiao answered, feeling wronged.

Under Hua Xiaohua’s watchful eye, Yin Xiaoxiao returned to the river and half-submerged himself. He turned a pleading look towards Hua Xiaohua.

Uneasily, Hua Xiaohua watched him for a while before finally concluding that Yin Xiaoxiao really was quite safe. Then, he shouted for Yin Xiaosi, “Xiaosi, watch Xiaoxiao vigilantly.”

“…” Xiaosi was depressed. ‘Why me?’

Then, Hua Xiaohua left to look for food, Yin Dabai fawningly trailing after Hua Xiaohua.

“Xiaohua, what do you want to eat now?” Yin Dabai asked, beaming, a step behind Hua Xiaohua.

Hua Xiaohua didn’t speak.

“Xiaohua, can I help you hunt?”

Hua Xiaohua still continued slithering forward.

“Xiaohua, don’t be angry, okay?”

…

“Xiaohua, Xiaohua, I…”

“Can’t you be quiet?!” Hua Xiaohua suddenly stopped, turned around and lookedfiercely  at Yin Dabai. “Don’t you realize how noisy you’re being? Huh?”

“…Xiaohua.” Yin Dabai miserably approached Hua Xiaohua and, with a hiss, licked the corner of Hua Xiaohua’s mouth. “I was wrong. Won’t you forgive me?”

Hua Xiaohua’s face promptly turned red. Teeth gnashing in anger, he bellowed, “Yin Dabai, you horndog, can’t you read the atmosphere?!”

Yin Dabai stared at Hua Xiaohua with big innocent eyes.

…In the end, Hua Xiaohua lost the battle. “Yin Dabai, you listen to me: there won’t be a next time. If there is a next time, I’ll ignore you!”

Yin Dabai listened to his lover speak, his tough-sounding words masking that he was, in fact, shy, and smiled happily. Xiaohua had forgiven him. He couldn’t help but move closer and kiss the corner of Hua Xiaohua’s mouth.

“Yin Dabai, that’s enough!” Hua Xiaohua continued to shout, “Just go and get me food!”

Yin Dabai obeyed this command and, in a good mood, went to hunt prey.

…Ah, yes, that’s right. Ever since Hua Xiaohua and Yin Dabai got together, Yin Dabai caught most of Hua Xiaohua’s food. This was also a display of love — according to Hua Xiaohua.

Taking advantage of the time Yin Dabai spent hunting, Hua Xiaohua looked for a place nearby to sunbathe. Ahhhh, this was a treat. Hua Xiaohua moaned in pleasure (…is this a pig?). A snake’s life is bliss. A snake with a partner is a happy snake. ‘Only,’ Hua Xiaohua stared up at the sky, ‘Ah, I definitely can’t let the children discover that all my food was caught by Yin Dabai. That would definitely ruin my image!’ Hua Xiaohua was determined to save face and keep the young snakes from knowing the depths of his laziness.

Hua Xiaohua dowsily basked in the sun until Yin Dabai returned. Of course, Hua Xiaohua had been absolutely unable to sleep on an empty stomach. After bolting down ¹ the food the Yin Dabai had brought back, Hua Xiaohua returned to the spot he’d found and lay back down to sleep in the sun.

Yin Dabai also ate, then seized the opportunity to move to Hua Xiaohua’s side and press his mouth to Hua Xiaohua’s in a snake-kiss. Drowsily, Hua Xiaohua did not react to the small liberty that Yin Dabai took.

Yin Dabai was very happy. Surely, this was proof that Xiaohua had completely forgiven him, right?!

Yin Dabai’s head pressed against Hua Xiaohua’s head, and his tail wound several times around Hua Xiaohua’s tail. Contented and at ease, he followed Hua Xiaohua to sleep.

Two flowers bloomed on one branch ² . While Yin Dabai and Hua Xiaohua were off being happy and lovey-dovey, off the side several young snakes slept in the sunshine. At first glance this scene looked very beautiful, but one young snake in the middle ruined it. Look carefully, there was actually a young snake tossing and turning over there, unaware of his actions.

Yin Xiaoxiao lay in the middle of a river that could be called pleasantly cool. All was quiet, and Yin Xiaoxiao was unable to stifle a yawn. Yin Xiaoxiao plodded towards the riverbank and, swaddled in the small shadow of a large rock, drifted off thinking about taking a nap.

Only half-asleep, Yin Xiaoxiao was awoken by the sound of activity beside him. His eyes hadn’t even focused before a soft, slightly warm body touched his.

Yin Xiaoxiao jumped. He stared in the direction of the touch…and found Hua Xiaowu.

“…You’re not sleeping?”

“Xiaoxiao, I can’t sleep.” Looking at Hua Xiaowu’s plaintive expression made the top of Yin Xiaoxiao’s feel a sensation similar to pins and needles.

But, it also made Yin Xiaoxiao recall the reason Hua Xiaowu couldn’t sleep. Ultimately, it was because his circadian rhythm ³ was clearly irregular.

But, this also put Yin Xiaoxiao in an awkward position. Afterall, if Hua Xiaowu couldn’t sleep, there was nothing he could do about it. “Then…what do you want?”

Hearing Yin Xiaoxiao ask this, Hua Xiaowu immediately asked excitedly, “Xiaoxiao, we go exploring?”

Yin Xiaoxiao stared suspiciously at the excited Hua Xiaowu. This guy couldn’t have planned this, right?

“We’d better not. Before Pop left, didn’t he say that we shouldn’t leave?” Yin Xiaoxiao continued, “Besides, you know I can’t endure heat, and the sunshine is strong right now. I’m not going with you.”

Hua Xiaowu frowned, obviously dissatisfied.

Yin Xiaoxiao inwardly rolled his eyes. Hmph hmph, so you’re unhappy. Even if you’re unhappy I still won’t go exploring with you!

“Hua Xiaowu, go back to sleep.”

At the sudden voice, Hua Xiaowu and Yin Xiaoxiao both jumped, frightened.

Together, the two snakes turned to look and saw Yin Xiaosi.

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“…Si-ge, why are you here?” Hua Xiaowu asked guiltily.

Yin Xiaosi snorted contemptuously. “I heard what you just said to Yin Xiaoxiao. If you don’t want me to tell Pop about this, then go back to sleep like a good child.”

And so, Hua Xiaowu, feeling wronged, followed behind Yin Xiaosi.

…Ultimately, Yin Xiaosi was a snake who could rat someone out another snake!

T/N:

Footnotes

<ol>三口两口: saying used to describe eating quickly 花开两朵各表一枝: a type of narrative technique in ancient chinese storytelling where two events or situations are explained as happening simultaneously to further the plo t 作息: lit. work and rest</ol>