The Snake Lord Picks Up a Delicate Little Husband

. Du Ruo never imagined that after spending fifteen years as the young master of the prefectural governor's household, he would turn out to be a fake young master. Even less did he expect that, after being sent back to his birth parents, he would find two graves, half an acre of barren fields, and a dilapidated thatched hut so poor that even a mouse would have to leave behind two grains of rice.

Just when Du Ruo thought life couldn't get any worse, Heaven taught him another lesson: misfortunes never come singly.

It was harvest season, the time when Qingyun Village prepared its annual offering for the Snake Immortal in the mountains. The shaman said that this year, the Snake Immortal didn't want roast suckling pig. He wanted a bride, and the village had to offer up its most beautiful person.

Du Ruo touched his own face and burst into tears.

Was it his fault he was good-looking?

He had no say in the matter. Early the next morning, they dressed Du Ruo in wedding clothes and dumped him deep in the mountains. He made it through the night in the cave without incident, and by the small hours, he decided the Snake Immortal was just something the villagers had made up to take advantage of him. His guard gradually relaxed.

Du Ruo couldn't help nodding off. The moment he closed his eyes, a cold tail coiled around him...

*

Qing Lan was a black snake who had been single for a hundred years. He was overjoyed when he finally found himself a little human husband.

After bringing him back to his lair, Qing Lan slept with his little husband every day, fed him the finest, tenderest meat, and even gave him a precious snakeskin he'd been saving for a hundred years to wear... Qing Lan tried his best to treat his husband well, but his little husband didn't seem to appreciate it.

He was always crying, and always trying to leave.

The fourth time he caught his little husband trying to escape, Qing Lan didn't coil him up and carry him back to the nest. He simply followed behind him in silence, keeping him safe.

One man and one snake, one in front and one behind.

They walked from day into night.

Du Ruo was so tired he plopped down on the ground. He lowered his head and cupped his palm, scratched by leaves, blowing on it. Suddenly, tears began pattering down.

Qing Lan slithered over, concerned.