Are You Kidding Me? You Call This Frail Little Snake?

[Clear-Headed Heroine x Sickly, Brooding Snake Demon]

Li Zhaoyan discovered that she was the heroine of a storybook, the one who "fell deeply in love with the hero who saved the world, then exhausted herself to death for him."

The System urged her to hurry up and win over the male lead, changing her tragic ending:

[The male lead actually loves you very much. He just realized it too late. This time, you need to win his heart sooner, ]

Li Zhaoyan raised an eyebrow. His heart? What would I want that for?

She had always been spoiled and reckless. There was no way she would act out such a tacky script.

So, on the day she was supposed to choose a sparring partner, she publicly humiliated the "male lead," then pointed to the corner and picked the gentle, shy young demon instead.

The youth was named Lian Xing. He had a remarkably handsome face, gentle green eyes, and an obedient, well-behaved nature.

Best of all, his venom happened to be the antidote to hers.

By day, he kept his fangs retracted and did whatever she ordered.

But after nightfall, the youth was like a ghost, his hair loose and his feet bare, gliding silently through the dimly lit halls. His voice was thick and hoarse as he asked again and again:

"Your Highness, do you want some?"

Li Zhaoyan could not even be bothered to lift her eyelids. She simply offered her wrist.

If he took too long, she would impatiently pinch his cheek and force him to let go.

"I told you, just one bite."

The youth obediently drew back, his tongue lingering as it licked the corner of his lips.

Until one time, as he lowered his head and leaned close again, Li Zhaoyan was seized by a whim and hooked a finger beneath his chin.

"Look up."

The youth obeyed. The flush had not yet faded from his face, but his green eyes churned with almost viscous greed, without a trace of shyness or restraint.

Li Zhaoyan's heart gave a sudden leap.

This snake is probably sick in the head.

...But as long as he's useful.

After that, everything went on as usual.

She used him and ordered him around without a second thought.

Once he was of no use, Li Zhaoyan briskly threw him out of the palace.

Until one day, she found herself in dire straits and, with no other choice, remembered that little snake.

She stepped once more into his dark lair.

Every inch of the walls was covered with her portraits, the cups she had used, and even... dried fruit pits.

The candle flame went out with a pop.

A burning-hot body pressed against her back. A cold, slick snake tail climbed from her ankle to her waist and slowly tightened, leaving no room to escape.

She spun around in horror, only to meet a pair of crazed, dark-red eyes.

Out of habit, she extended her wrist in a soothing gesture. He seized it and twisted it behind her back.

His fangs pressed against the pulse at her neck, nuzzling it affectionately. A low chuckle rolled into her ear:

"Good girl, just one bite."

PS: This story contains a mountain of original headcanon.

Not a strong female lead. The heroine is not an unambiguously good person.

Theme: Those who strive for their dreams are the most captivating