Encountering a Snake [Nonhuman]

[Next up: "Serpent Gu [Nonhuman]". The blurb is at the bottom, and you can find it in my series list.] When Xu Qing'ao hit a rough patch at work, she quit and returned to her hometown to recover. While in the mountains, she met a strange man. He wore a blue robe and often liked to lounge in the shade beneath the trees. Beneath his agile frame was a pair of beautiful black eyes so captivating they drew you in. The villagers were very guarded about his existence. Xu Qing'ao assumed he was either the mountain's guardian or a homeless man. Feeling that they shared the same plight, she treated him kindly, and he was especially good to her in return. The two grew closer and closer. Until one day, she left without a word and headed back to the city. On a hot, restless night, she sleepily pushed open the window of her rental room, only to see a long, beautiful green snake coiled around a branch reaching into the room. In the darkness, the snake's eyes looked just like the man's: uncanny and dangerous. A cold sensation wound around her leg. The next moment, the green snake looked at her and spoke in a human voice: "Why did you leave me behind?" "My wife." Reading Guide: 1. A sweet story about healing each other, both leads have only ever been with each other 2. The actual setting is science fiction 3. The heroine is complicated and flawed, and grows over time Blurb for "Serpent Gu [Nonhuman]": On a tour guide's recommendation, Xu Qingyao traveled to the She people's territory, nestled among the mountains and rivers. The people there wore silver garments embroidered with snake totems and were incredibly warm and hospitable. There was just one thing Xu Qingyao couldn't understand. The She people were said to be skilled at making gu and driving snakes away, but despite searching the mountains from end to end, she hadn't seen a single snake. Until the bonfire celebration during the ritual. The young priest climbed onto the high platform, and the hissing of venomous snakes filled the area. As Xu Qingyao fled in a panic, she ran into a cold chest. When she looked up, she fell in love at first sight with the young priest, whose eyes were dark green. It seemed as if fate had arranged it. The two quickly fell in love. During a sweet moment, she asked him about the rumors. The young man only kissed her fingertips and smiled innocently. "A Yao, I don't know how to make gu." "And I only happen to know how to drive snakes away." She believed him, until she caught sight of the young man's eyes, surrounded by snakes, blazing with blood-red light like a demon from hell. He really wasn't human. Xu Qingyao wanted to escape, but it seemed she had discovered the truth too late. A cold sensation crept over her waist and abdomen. The young man appeared suddenly and held her tightly in his arms, his voice cold and hoarse. "I lied to you, A Yao. I do know how to make gu." "Live as long as I do. Anyone who betrays me will die." Xu Qingyao looked down as a scorching pain suddenly spread across her arm. A strange snake totem appeared on it. This was the Serpent Gu. Theme: Rediscover the beauty in life.