Chapter 40: Roar

When Shen Xiuzhu said he wanted to go home, Song Jingyao naturally had no objections.

Not having to work was the happiness of a salted fish.

But after waiting for a while, Shen Xiuzhu was still in snake form.

He lay lazily in Song Jingyao’s arms, curled into a ball and clinging to him as though he might fall asleep at any moment.

“You’re not changing back?” Song Jingyao asked.

Shen Xiuzhu half-closed his eyes and slowly rubbed against Song Jingyao’s waist.

Song Jingyao looked down at him.

Damn it.

He had actually been charmed by a snake.

Was the male lead this soft and clingy after turning into a snake?

He could even act cute.

Song Jingyao’s face-obsessed instincts flared up.

All he could think was: fine, fine, fine.

If the big boss wanted to sleep and would not drive, Song Jingyao would drive instead.

He liked driving anyway.

So he scooped up the curled snake from his lap, intending to place him on the seat before getting out and moving to the driver’s seat.

But when he tried to put the snake down, it would not work.

Shen Xiuzhu clung to his palm as though he had been glued there.

No matter what Song Jingyao did, he refused to let go.

When Song Jingyao shook him twice, Shen Xiuzhu only became more determined.

He wrapped himself around Song Jingyao’s wrist like a distinctive bracelet.

This disobedient little durian.

After turning into a snake, Shen Xiuzhu’s domineering aura had disappeared.

All that remained was the harmless appearance of a pet.

Song Jingyao had already known about his secret, and after the initial shock, he adapted quickly.

His temper returned, and he began muttering complaints in a spoiled tone.

Shen Xiuzhu was covered in spikes.

When curled up, he really did resemble a durian.

Thinking of that made Song Jingyao crave durian.

He unconsciously swallowed.

Song Jingyao suddenly felt that Shen Xiuzhu was like a disobedient child.

A particularly clingy kind who was difficult to coax.

If Song Jingyao crawled directly into the driver’s seat, it would be difficult for his long legs.

But if he got out with a snake wrapped around his hand, he might frighten people.

After thinking about it, Song Jingyao said, “Little durian, let go.”

“I’ll hide you inside my clothes.”

Shen Xiuzhu lazily lifted his eyelids.

This time, he actually listened.

He loosened his grip and slid beneath Song Jingyao’s jacket, curling into the pocket of his shirt.

Fortunately, Song Jingyao’s shirt was oversized, and the pocket was large enough.

Otherwise, Shen Xiuzhu’s curled-up body might not have fit.

Song Jingyao lowered his head and lightly patted his jacket.

It hung loosely enough to conceal the snake.

At a glance, no one would notice that anything was hidden inside.

But then—

“Hiss!”

Song Jingyao sharply inhaled.

Those scales were no joke.

They poked painfully against his chest, and the location was rather awkward.

He immediately began regretting hiding Shen Xiuzhu there.

But Shen Xiuzhu was acting like a difficult master.

If Song Jingyao tried to pull him out by force, his shirt might get torn apart.

So Song Jingyao endured the embarrassment, bent slightly, got out of the car, and quickly climbed into the driver’s seat.

Then he poked the pocket and whispered, “Hey. Come out now.”

Shen Xiuzhu rolled over inside the pocket and ignored him completely.

Song Jingyao could only make quiet, miserable noises.

Damn it.

It hurt.

Song Jingyao pulled at his shirt, trying to keep it from pressing against his skin.

With his other hand, he reached into the pocket to drag the little durian monster out.

But Shen Xiuzhu was skilled.

No matter where Song Jingyao reached, he dodged perfectly.

He was impossible to catch, like a liquid cat.

“Hey!”

Song Jingyao did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Could anyone really be afraid of him when he was like this?

He was just a disobedient brat.

Song Jingyao had no solution for the powerful figure.

He could only drive with Shen Xiuzhu still in his pocket.

But he warned him seriously, “Do not move around. Understand?”

For some reason, Song Jingyao looked at the snake in his clothes and thought of the fable The Farmer and the Snake.

The situation was somewhat similar, but the story was completely different.

First, Song Jingyao was not Shen Xiuzhu’s saviour.

He was Shen Xiuzhu’s childhood friend, who had grown up with him.

And Shen Xiuzhu was certainly not the kind of venomous snake who would repay kindness by biting him.

But that was only Song Jingyao’s own assumption.

Shen Xiuzhu thought the opposite.

Song Jingyao had stayed by his side since childhood, protected him without conditions, and given him warmth.

Shen Xiuzhu had long regarded Song Jingyao as the light in his life.

An irreplaceable part of him.

He wanted to be with Song Jingyao.

He could not bear the thought of Song Jingyao leaving him or becoming intimate with anyone else.

He wanted to hug him, kiss him, touch him, and do many other things.

He could not suppress the desire in his heart.

In Shen Xiuzhu’s view, using every possible method to make Song Jingyao fall for him and become the closest person in his life was repaying kindness with betrayal.

He was the hateful snake from the farmer’s story.

But Shen Xiuzhu had no idea that if Song Jingyao knew his true thoughts, he would not feel disgusted at all.

He would probably put his hands on his hips, laugh loudly, lie down, and wait expectantly.

Come on.

Do not pity this delicate flower.

Song Jingyao would be more than willing.

With no other choice, Song Jingyao allowed Shen Xiuzhu to remain stubbornly in his pocket and drove toward the villa where Shen Xiuzhu usually lived.

Fortunately, Shen Xiuzhu behaved obediently during the drive.

He stayed quiet and low-profile.

He did not interfere with Song Jingyao’s driving.

Although, calling a snake covered in scales “low-profile” was not entirely accurate.

It had a very strong presence.

It simply did not cause trouble.

When they arrived at the villa, Song Jingyao parked the car and poked the little durian.

“We’re home.”

Shen Xiuzhu lifted his head to look at him.

Then, in the next second, Song Jingyao felt something brush across him.

He froze.

Only after a moment did he realize that he had been licked.

When he came back to his senses, the little pet in his pocket had disappeared.

A soft thump came from the back seat.

Song Jingyao instinctively turned around.

There was Shen Xiuzhu.

And he was completely naked.

Song Jingyao: “…!!!”

f*ck.

His mind went blank.

He stared at Shen Xiuzhu without even remembering to turn away.

That body was absurdly beautiful.

Shen Xiuzhu naturally noticed Song Jingyao’s burning gaze.

He did not mind.

In fact, he enjoyed seeing Song Jingyao’s eyes focused entirely on him.

Shen Xiuzhu curved his lips into a satisfied smile.

His voice was low and seductive.

“Can you pass me my clothes?”

Song Jingyao blinked twice.

He could see Shen Xiuzhu’s beautiful lips moving, but he could not process a single word.

After a long pause, he finally reacted and answered stiffly.

“…O-okay.”

He grabbed the clothes Shen Xiuzhu had placed on the passenger seat when changing seats and quickly handed them backward.

He did not dare look behind him.

He was afraid his improper thoughts would become too obvious.

The moment he felt a hand take the clothes, he secretly relaxed.

But the next second, that deep voice came again.

It sounded very close.

Warm, damp breath brushed against Song Jingyao’s ear, making him shiver.

“You missed one piece.”

Song Jingyao was tense and confused.

He looked down at the passenger seat and saw a piece of black fabric.

It was triangular in shape.

Anyone could tell what it was.

Song Jingyao’s face instantly burned.

He was so embarrassed that he nearly stopped breathing.

Damn it.

This was far too stimulating.

And that size…

As expected of the male lead.

The hardware was first-class.

Song Jingyao’s throat went dry.

His voice sounded strange when he spoke.

“Can’t you take it yourself?”

Shen Xiuzhu gave a low response.

Then one hand pressed against the seatback beside Song Jingyao’s neck.

At the same time, Shen Xiuzhu leaned forward.

His muscular upper body came closer, his arms long and strong, his entire presence carrying overwhelming heat and hormones.

Song Jingyao could not keep looking.

If Shen Xiuzhu came any closer, he would practically be holding him in his arms.

Song Jingyao quickly grabbed the black fabric, shoved it into Shen Xiuzhu’s hand, and said rapidly, “Put it on already!”

After a moment, Shen Xiuzhu slowly agreed.

There was a faint smile hidden in his voice.

Song Jingyao’s face was completely red.

His whole body felt hot, and he could barely think.

He did not notice the unusual amusement in Shen Xiuzhu’s tone.

The quiet sound of fabric moving from the back seat created an inexplicably intimate atmosphere.

Song Jingyao felt uncomfortable all over.

This was truly testing his self-control.

He sat properly in the driver’s seat, his hands placed obediently on his knees like a well-behaved child.

But internally, he desperately wanted to turn around and admire Shen Xiuzhu’s incredible body.

As Shen Xiuzhu dressed, he said, “This is my most important secret.”

“You discovered it.”

Song Jingyao’s lustful thoughts died instantly.

His heart nearly stopped.

He had tried so hard to pretend that he knew nothing.

Shen Xiuzhu had been the one who insisted on speaking.

It was not Song Jingyao’s fault.

Shen Xiuzhu had exposed himself.

Song Jingyao nearly shook his head off in panic.

He wanted to raise both hands in surrender.

Before he could defend himself, Shen Xiuzhu spoke again.

“You do not have anything you want to ask?”

“A normal human suddenly turning into a snake?”

Song Jingyao shook his head in horror.

No, no, no.

He did not want to know anything.

The more secrets someone knew, the faster they died.

Television dramas always worked that way.

Seeing Song Jingyao’s adorable expression, Shen Xiuzhu could not help laughing.

By then, Shen Xiuzhu had mostly finished dressing.

Only a few buttons on his shirt remained undone.

Unlike his usual perfectly neat and distant appearance, his collarbone and chest were exposed.

He looked more wild and seductive.

Shen Xiuzhu reached out and held Song Jingyao’s wrist.

With a faint smile, he said, “You do not want to know?”

“Then I want to tell you everything even more.”

Song Jingyao: “…!!!”

Damn it.

How vicious.

Was this not the classic scene before a cannon-fodder character received a death flag?

Since you are going to die anyway, I might as well tell you all my secrets.

I have kept them hidden for years and I am tired of it.

Was that not exactly how it went?

Song Jingyao covered his ears, declaring that he would not listen.

That only made Shen Xiuzhu laugh harder.

His shoulders shook.

Song Jingyao did not want to hear it, but Shen Xiuzhu told him anyway.

He held Song Jingyao’s wrist and pulled his hands away from his ears.

There was no way for Song Jingyao to avoid hearing.

Shen Xiuzhu explained in only a few sentences.

“The reason I turn into that form is because of my mother.”

“She died when I was young.”

“It is a bloodline she passed down to me.”

“When my emotions are unstable or my body is weak, my original form appears.”

“I am not a normal human.”

“My grandfather warned me never to let anyone know.”

“People would see me as a monster.”

“They would fear me and reject me.”

“I have kept this secret all my life.”

“Until today.”

“Until you discovered it.”

He spoke slowly, with an unfamiliar seriousness in his voice.

His eyes never left Song Jingyao’s face.

He cared deeply about Song Jingyao’s reaction.

“Will you think I’m a monster?”

“Will you be afraid of me?”

Song Jingyao was usually carefree.

But Shen Xiuzhu’s solemn tone made him flustered.

Shen Xiuzhu was not only the male lead.

He was also Song Jingyao’s childhood friend.

He was someone special.

If possible, Song Jingyao did not want to see sadness on his face.

Song Jingyao awkwardly touched his own cheek and looked away.

“To be honest… it’s alright.”

“That snake was quite pretty.”

“It was not ugly.”

“When it curled up, it looked like a durian.”

“It even looked rather tasty.”

What was he saying?

The more Song Jingyao spoke, the less he understood his own words.

What did he mean, it looked tasty?

Was that supposed to be praise?

Song Jingyao wanted to hit himself on the forehead and force his brain to wake up.

But Shen Xiuzhu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

For a brief moment, his vertical pupils appeared again, deep and vivid, like an endless universe hidden inside them.

They were strikingly beautiful.

Almost at the same time, several raised scales appeared near his face.

They gleamed softly in the sunlight, making him look inhumanly enchanting.

Song Jingyao stared, dazed.

Then Shen Xiuzhu leaned forward and pulled him into an embrace.

His deep voice sounded slowly beside Song Jingyao’s ear.

“Thank you.”

Song Jingyao froze, confused.

His hands hung awkwardly in the air with nowhere to go.

He could only instinctively wrap them around Shen Xiuzhu’s waist.

Why was the male lead hugging him?

Was this…

Shen Xiuzhu acknowledging him as a younger brother and preparing to take him along to show off and conquer the world?

📚 Also on NHV Novels

A Tangy New Life After Breaking Up with My Girlfriend

HaremRomanceSlice of Life

Read Now →
Not interested