Chapter 70

“Very well, it seems that no one objects.” Mo Laoda nodded his head in satisfaction, then deliberately coughed twice.

The crowd of Mo snakes quickly responded and, almost as though they had previously rehearsed it, all chorused together, “Yes, Clan Head!”

Mo Laoda once again coughed twice.

Immediately, the Mo snakes who were faster on the uptake yelled simultaneously, “Good day, Mrs. Clan Head!

The rest of the Mo snakes finally understood and, soon after the first had finished shouting, the shouts began again: “Good day, Mrs. Clan Head!”

This time, Mo Laoda was definitely satisfied. Naturally this wasn’t because the Mo snakes had twice yelled “Mrs. Clan Head”, but because they had removed the “future” from “future Mrs. Clan Head”.

“…Why am I being called Missus?” From the start, Yin Xiaoxiao didn’t pick out the “future” from the wording. What Yin Xiaoxiao cared about was why they were calling him Missus! He wasn’t a woman…female!

“Then what should your title be?” Mo Laoda tilted his head in thought. The Little Idiot was right. In the past, the partners of the clan head had all been female so being called Missus was very normal. However, the Little Idiot was male! Although he didn’t care if other snakes called the Little Idiot “Missus”, it seemed that the Little Idiot minded a lot!

“…How about calling me Clan Husband?” The clan head’s husband. Yes, yes, not bad!

“Clan Husband ¹ ? Is that shorthand for Mrs. Clan Head ² ? It doesn’t feel very different.” Mo Laoda was puzzled. He only removed two characters. Was it to save on saliva?

“…” Yin Xiaoxiao’s face filled with dark lines. Angrily, he said, “Forget about it. Call me Mrs. Clan Head, then! It doesn’t matter to me!”

Mo Laoda felt wronged. What was going on with the Little Idiot? Had he misspoken? But acting as a doting Mo snake partner, Mo Laoda decided not to argue with Yin Xiaoxiao and loudly said, “Did everyone hear this clearly?”

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In response to Mo Laoda, the Mo snakes chorused, “Yes, Clan Husband!”

Yin Xiaoxiao: “….”

Mo Laoda: “That’s all for today’s clan head selection. I will not stay in the Mo snake lands. Should anything happen, look for Mo Dayi. If anything should happen and it absolutely needs me, then inform Mo Dayi who will go and inform me.”

The crowd of Mo snakes: “…”

After saying this, Mo Laoda hooked Yin Xiaoxiao by the tail and left.

As Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao were leaving, they completely forgot one thing. Father Mo, Mother Mo, Mo Laoer and Mo Laosan were still there! Looking at the expressions that those four Mo snakes were wearing, it seemed that they still would not give up, especially not after Mo Laoda had become clan head. If he and Mo Daer became a couple, their progeny were sure to be even more outstanding etc, etc., and then wouldn’t the position of clan head forever remain in their family? It can be assumed that Mo snakes such as Father Mo and Mother Mo would not easily relinquish an opportunity like this.

It seemed that whether in a society of humans or a society of intelligent vipers, power was irresistible.

Waiting until they were far enough from the assembled Mo snakes, Yin Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but voice the question, “Isn’t this a problem? As Clan Head, isn’t it bad to leave all these matters to other snakes ³ ?”

“What’s not good?” Mo Laoda replied, indifferently. “Which matters are these? They’re nothing but “someone stole my partner, I have to consult with the clan head” or “why did I only have one egg instead of two? I have to go and consult the clan head” or else “my children aren’t getting along and I don’t know what to do, I should go and consult with the clan head”. I definitely don’t want to deal with these annoying things everyday!”

Yin Xiaoxiao: “”…” Hey, were partners and children the only things occupying the minds of you Mo snakes ⁴ ? Why were these three embarrassing snake scenarios chosen? Had viper society really degenerated to this extent?!

“Next…” After thinking for a bit, Mo Laoda said, “Little Idiot, shouldn’t we return to your family’s home?”

Yin Xiaoxiao lowered his head and counted the days. “Oh, it’s nearly time. We’ll have to rush a little if we go back now.”

“Don’t worry, I’m here.” Mo Laoda kissed Yin Xiaoxiao’s forehead. “Relying on my speed, we’ll soon arrive at your family’s home.”

Yin Xiaoxiao let out an “Ah”. He didn’t feel relieved because this wasn’t the issue, okay?! The issue ⁵ was entirely because Dad, Pop and his elder brother were having a hard time accepting him, okay?!

“Laoda, Laoda!”

Just as Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao had begun to leave, the shouts of a very anxious-sounding ⁶ voice stopped them.

Turning around, Yin Xiaoxiao and Mo Laoda saw that it was actually Mo Dayi hurrying after them.

‘Hey,’ Yin Xiaoxiao thought, ‘now calling Mo Laoda ‘Laoda ⁷ ’ seems to have really become reality.’

“Laoda, you’re leaving now?”

Mo Laoda said, “Yes.”

“But, if a Mo snake really wants to find you, where should I tell them to go in order to find you?!” Mo Dayi hastily asked.

Yin Xiaoxiao slanted a glance at Mo Laoda. It turned out that, most of the time, Mo Laoda hadn’t told Mo Dayi where he was staying. This clan head really did his job so well!

“Go to the forbidden area to find me.” Mo Laoda added another sentence, “Near the cave where I live, there’s Yan Snake Grass and Huiyan grass, you can find it yourself. “

Mo Dayi nodded his head to show that he understood.

Mo Laoda glanced at Yin Xiaoxiao. Immediately, Yin Xiaoxiao understood Mo Laoda’s intention and he obediently slithered onto Mo Laoda’s back. Waiting until Yin Xiaoxiao was settled, Mo Laoda began to slither away before he suddenly remembered something. He slithered back around to yell to Mo Dayi, “Oh, that’s right. I’m frequently not home.”

Mo Dayi: “…”

Rather than return home, Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao instead set out directly for Yin Xiaoxiao’s family’s home.

When Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao arrived at Yin Xiaoxiao’s family’s home, the sky had already darkened. Distantly, Yin Xiaoxiao could make out the light of flames coming from the vacant land in front of the cave.

“I don’t know who has already returned,” mumbled Yin Xiaoxiao. Actually, getting together once a year was very nice. Wasn’t there a saying that “distance causes beautyp ⁸ ”? The longer the time spent together, the easier it was for disharmony to arise. Now it proved to be right.

When Yin Xiaoxiao had reached his family’s vacant land, contrary to Yin Xiaoxiao’s expectations, Dad, Pop and his five older brothers were all present. Hearing the sound of a snake slithering, the Yin snakes around the fire turned their heads with a “swish”.

“E-everyone, hello!” Yin Xiaoxiao smiled a little awkwardly. Why did he feel like his Dad, Pop and five older brothers were waiting specifically for him?!

Turning their heads, the Yin snakes collectively ignored Yin Xiaoxiao. One after another, they looked behind Yin Xiaoxiao and “Really, it’s like this?” expressions formed on their faces.

Unable to fathom what was going on, Yin Xiaoxiao turned and looked behind him. Sure enough, only Heitan was behind him! Why did they have such expressions on their faces?

“Come here,” Yin Dabai said, seriously.

Yin Dabai didn’t say that Mo Laoda couldn’t come over, so Mo Laoda definitely did not have any qualms about following after Yin Xiaoxiao. Even though Yin Xiaoxiao poked him with his tail, it was of no use.

“You…are called Mo Laoda, right.” Yin Dabai glanced at Mo Laoda. “We all know about it.”

“That being the case, then I think you all should feel reassured.”

Yin Xiaoxiao: “…”

“Still absolutely not.” Hua Xiaohua interrupted Mo Laoda and Yin Dabai’s conversation. “Even if Xiaoxiao is our favorite child who we think is quite outstanding, Yin Dabai and I have no choice but to admit that Xiaoxiao isn’t a good enough match for you. We ask that you look for another snake to be your partner.”

Yin Xiaoxiao: “…??”

Taking advantage of the conversation between Yin Dabai, Hua Xiaohua and Mo Laoda, Hua Xiaowu, without being noticed, walked slowly over to Yin Xiaoxiao. With an expression that didn’t match the atmosphere ⁹ , he said, “Xiaoxiao weren’t you very impressive then?”

“…???” Yin Xiaoxiao was angry. He didn’t dare provoke Dad and Pop. Was it too much to ask that Hua Xiaowu not bully him? “What impressive? What are you all talking about?”

Hua Xiaowu stared blankly. “About the Selection for Clan Head! I heard that there were a lot of Mo snakes who called you ‘Clan Husband’. Didn’t that make you feel especially mighty and cool?”

This time it was Yin Xiaoxiao’s turn to look blank. “Why do you know about the Selection for Clan Head?”

“Naturally I know!” Hua Xiaowu’s face bore an expression, to Yin Xiaoxiao, said, ‘How could I not know about such a big thing?’ “At that time, each clan sent a representative to attend the  Selection for Clan Head. They returned, so we know!”

“Representatives?” Yin Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled. “But I only saw Mo snakes there. I didn’t see snakes from any of the other clans!”

“They were hiding, duh!” Hua Xiaowu’s face screamed that this should have been obvious. “Once there was a Mo snake that bit the snakes from the other clans at the Selection. So for safety, ever since then, when there’s a  Selection for Clan Head, they hide themselves.”

Yin Xiaoxiao: “…”

So really it could be said that the so-called clan representatives watched the Selection for Clan Head because there was a strong burning desire for gossip lit in their hearts. But, since they feared being injured by a Mo snake, if they wanted to watch the Selection then they needed to hide. After, they returned as quickly as they could and, with faces filled with pride, told all sorts of interesting stories and the outcome of the Selection for Clan Head!

To one side, Yin Xiaoxiao and Hua Xiaowu spoke cheerfully and lightheartedly while, over there, Yin Dabai, Hua Xiaohua and Mo Laoda’s discussion also gradually began to finish.

The entire time, Yin Dabai remained very calm or perhaps he only spoke calmly. Hua Xiaohua’s attitude was much more agitated and he still didn’t agree with Yin Xiaoxiao and Mo Laoda being together. Still, compared to the first meeting, this time was an improvement – at the very least, Mo Laoda’s bearing was still very good/proper; Yin Dabai’s manner was still very mild; and Hua Xiaohua didn’t violently storm out.

“Then Yin Xiaoxiao and I will go find somewhere else to stay. I will return with Xiaoxiao tomorrow.” With the conversation concluded without an agreement, Mo Laoda decided to keep Yin Xiaoxiao with him.

“Absolutely not!” This suggestion was rejected by Hua Xiaohua. Hua Xiaohua’s face looked ugly. Trying to kidnap his son right in front of him?! No way!

Yin Dabai suddenly opened his mouth. “There’s no need to look for another place. Just stay in the cave.”

Hua Xiaohua looked incredulously at Yin Dabai. Just as he went to speak, Yin Dabai stopped him with a glance.

Mo Laoda naturally eagerly accepted the invitation ¹⁰ , hooked his tail around Yin Xiaoxiao and happily entered the cave to look for the most cozy place to spend the night.

“….Really, how rude!” The corners of Hua Xiaohua’s mouth twitched.

Yin Xiaoxiao’s five older brothers looked at each other and, tails waving, entered the cave in succession.

Outside the cave, only Yin Dabai and Hua Xiaohua remained. Yin Dabai unhurriedly opened his mouth to speak. “Xiaohua, Xiaoxiao still has 18 years until he’s fully grown. After entering adulthood, the Companion Ceremony will be held. If, after 18 years, Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao have separated, then of course that’s for the best. But if 18 years pass and the two are still together….” Yin Dabai paused. “That’s enough to show us that Mo Laoda is sincere about Yin Xiaoxiao, and we’re in no position to be opposed.”

For a while, Hua Xiaohua sunk into thought.

Night deepened. Inside the cave, all the snakes had sunk into slumber.

Yin Xiaoxiao had been sleeping when he, half-conscious, suddenly awoke. Two eyes stared straight ahead into the darkness. Seeming to sense something, Mo Laoda also woke from sleep. “What happened?”

Yin Xiaoxiao, eyes still staring blankly ahead, muttered, “A’Lu’s baby snake should be born.” Then his head fell back and he once again fell asleep.

Mo Laoda: “…”

T/N:

Footnotes

<ol>夫人: the title YXX is suggesting is pronounced ‘ zú fū 族长夫人: the original title is pronounced zú zhǎng fū ren, so YXX’s suggestion does sound like an abbreviated form of the original title sentence restructured for better clarity added for clarity added for clarity sentence restructured for clarity boss 距离产生美 : aesthetic beauty is produced by looking at ordinary or common scenes from a different viewpoint 一脸猥琐: literally a vulgar face; an expression that can be used to describe a situation when someone’s facial expression doesn’t match the mood, like smiling when receiving bad news added for clarity</ol>