Beauty and the Beasts

The glow from the setting sun cast a red hue on the murky lake water, and dark currents seethed in the water. However, it was dead silent.

Bai Qingqing saw the snake figure on the shore in the distance from the door. She mumbled, “Curtis!”

Curtis immediately looked toward the small island and immediately saw Bai Qingqing in the small house hidden within the forest. His pupils contracted abruptly, and his body tensed up into a bow. He dashed into the lake at lightning speed.

Bai Qingqing’s heart wrenched as she cheered for him in her heart, almost forgetting to breathe.

If it was just thorns, then Curtis would have the chance to dash out as long as he was fast enough since he had his scales on.

However, the merfolk were hidden amongst the thorns from a long time ago, and all of them swam toward him.

A battle immediately ensued. It was impossible to see the situation in the water, but a large area of ripples with blood mixed in would splatter up from the surface every now and then. This showed how intense the battle was.

“This can’t do. Curtis has too big of a disadvantage in the water.” As Bai Qingqing said this, she looked toward the little snake, saying anxiously, “Leave quickly. I’ll be summoning Curtis here. He’ll kill you.”

The little snake said stubbornly, “Between us, only one can survive! You make the choice.”

Pa! Bai Qingqing slapped the little snake angrily.

A trace of blood appeared on the little snake’s lips. Bai Qingqing instantly regretted her action after seeing that. However, when she met the little snake’s eyes, the words of apology were suddenly stuck in her throat.

“Since you’re not choosing him, then let’s become mates,” the little snake said with his childish voice. His crimson eyes were shrouded with a strange gaze that wasn’t suitable for his age as he moved closer toward Bai Qingqing.

Bai Qingqing quickly backed off and was forced up to the walls.

Left with nowhere to back off to, Bai Qingqing clenched her fists tightly. She blinked, and two big drops of tears fell down.

“Don’t force me.”

One of them was her mate, the other was her son. She was unable to accept losing either of them.

It was her own doing that things had reached this step.

At this moment, Bai Qingqing completely regretted it. If she was given one more chance, she’d definitely listen to Curtis and not associate with the little snake. It’d be more beneficial to his growth.

To the little snake, her existence would only be a burden for him to break free from Curtis and become a new and separate entity.

Drops of tears landed on Bai Qingqing’s snakeskin clothing, falling down like raindrops that landed on lotus flowers.

As her tears kept on falling, the little snake’s gaze became a little clearer, moving from her chest to her face.

Ssss—

The little snake flicked out his tongue, desire and rationality fighting each other crazily in the depths of his eyes. He reached out to hug Bai Qingqing tightly, his young voice showing a hint of suppression.

“Don’t cry, I won’t force you. We’ll become mates after he dies.”

Bai Qingqing heaved a sigh of relief. She carried An’an up and ran out of the wooden house.

The surface of the water returned to calmness as if there was nothing there.

A leopard howled on the other side of the lake. Bai Qingqing could tell that it was Parker and couldn’t help but smile.

Howl howl howl howl howl howl! [Are you done? Can I go into the water now?]

The numbness on his body had disappeared. He crawled up a tree and howled toward the water.

Jean and King were outside as well. Jean threw a sideward glance at Bai Qingqing, then asked King next to her, “Why is there no movement? Has Curtis died?”

King looked toward the water surface with a calm gaze, not replying to her.

Jean said angrily, “Say something!”

King embraced her with one arm, gently patting her with his gaze fixed on the water.

Jean still didn’t appear satisfied and said in a soft voice, “The ape beastman is better. He’d never treat me coldly. You might as well go down and help. You’re the strongest amongst them. With you there, we’ll definitely be able to defeat Curtis.”