Chapter 9
After finishing the call with Mons, Bai Nuosi held the little black snake and sat on the sofa. The caregivers’ dormitories were small apartments with one bedroom and one living room.
He sat on the living room sofa, left the front door open, and while soothing the little black snake, he waited for the caregiver Mons had arranged to come over.
Bai Nuosi tried to get used to the snake’s touch. People say snakes are cold-blooded animals, but actually, they are ectothermic; their body temperature changes with the environment.
The room was warm, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight degrees Celsius. The black snake nestled in Bai Nuosi’s arms felt cool to the touch, not as frightening as he’d imagined.
As he gently stroked the snake’s back, Bai Nuosi asked softly, “Sweetheart, are you thirsty? Would you like some water?”
Without waiting for the little black snake to respond, Bai Nuosi got up and went to the open kitchen to pour some water.
When cubs play, they often forget everything, let alone drinking water.
He didn’t know where the little black snake had come from. Although it was clean and not covered in mud like the black panther cub, Bai Nuosi wasn’t sure if it had eaten or drunk anything.
So, it was best to let it drink some water first.
Adjusting the water dispenser to 45 degrees Celsius, Bai Nuosi poured a small bowl of water, held it out, and coaxed the little black snake, “Be a good boy and have some warm water; it’s very tasty.”
The little black snake: “……”
It glanced at the water Bai Nuosi offered, and without hesitation, lowered its head to drink. After a few sips, it turned its head away.
Bai Nuosi had to place the remaining water aside, and then sat back on the sofa with the snake.
He mused, “Why doesn’t this little one have a caregiver? That shouldn’t be.”
The black panther cub didn’t have a caregiver because he was afraid of human contact. Mons had assigned several caregivers, but none could keep up with him.
That’s why Bai Nuosi was now taking care of him.
But this black snake—was he also afraid of people?
As Bai Nuosi stroked the snake’s head, it naturally rested its head on his shoulder, eyes half-closed, looking quite content.
Bai Nuosi thought it was about to sleep. After all, it was already midnight, and cubs usually slept around eight or nine o’clock. Staying up this late, the little black snake must be exhausted.
He carried the snake and wandered around the living room. The room was lit by a dim night light. The fragrance of flowers from the garden wafted in through the open door with the night breeze. A silver crescent moon hung on the treetop outside the window.
As he gazed at the moonlit garden outside the door, Bai Nuosi softly recited nursery rhymes:
“Moonlight shines, illuminating the ground,
Baby, hurry to bed.
Tomorrow, the teacher will teach,
Baby, obediently go to school…”
“The moon walks, I walk too,
I become friends with the moon.
The crescent moon like a silver boat,
Under the moon, the little river flows quietly…”
Bai Nuosi gently recited moon-themed verses for quite a while. Usually, when he held and soothed little ones like this, they would have fallen asleep long ago.
However, when Bai Nuosi lowered his head, he met the golden eyes of the little black snake.
Its eyes were bright, staring intently at him, showing no sign of sleepiness.
Bai Nuosi: “……”
Silently, he sat back down on the sofa.
After reciting so many rhymes, he almost lulled himself to sleep!
He couldn’t help but yawn, tears welling up as he glanced at the time—it was half past twelve. He usually slept between ten and eleven o’clock; he had long passed his bedtime.
He was very sleepy, and he had to get up early tomorrow.
It was his first official day at work; he didn’t want to be late or appear listless during the meeting. That would leave a bad impression on his superiors!
As a caregiver, if he was sluggish, who would trust him with their cubs?
Holding the little black snake, Bai Nuosi used his smart wristband to play some children’s lullabies, selecting one for the snake. Man and snake sat on the sofa, listening to the soothing music.
However, the little black snake remained awake, energetically watching Bai Nuosi, occasionally wanting to cuddle closer.
Bai Nuosi’s eyelids grew heavy; several times, he was awakened by the little black snake’s movements.
Bai Nuosi: “……”
He sighed, “You really are full of energy, sweetheart. If you’re like this every day, Teacher Xiao Bai won’t be able to keep up.”
Fortunately, the black panther cub was well-behaved and fell asleep easily—a true angel.
Standing at the doorway, Huo Ranchuan happened to hear this remark, his expression turning a bit odd.
He stood at the open door, watching Bai Nuosi sitting on the sofa, listening to lullabies and constantly yawning. Instantly, he felt even more displeased with the black snake.
That oblivious creature! Teacher Xiao Bai was so tired, and it didn’t even pretend to sleep for a while.
If it wore out Teacher Xiao Bai, was it going to take over caring for the black panther cub?
Huo Ranchuan stood at the door and coughed, knocking twice.
Startled, Bai Nuosi instantly became alert.
He turned sharply toward the door and saw the tall officer who had come with Mons earlier that evening standing there again.
Bai Nuosi: “……”
This man with the white buzz cut really gave off a sense of oppression, and for some reason, his sharp gaze always made Bai Nuosi feel nervous.
Being an Omega, Bai Nuosi was naturally wary of such strong, Alpha-like men.
He glanced behind Huo Ranchuan but didn’t see Mons or anyone else. So, at this moment, only Huo Ranchuan stood at his door.
Holding the little black snake tighter, Bai Nuosi cautiously took two steps toward the black panther cub’s room, his hand pressing on his smart wristband. He stared at Huo Ranchuan, “Wh-what do you want?”
Seeing Bai Nuosi’s cautious movements, Huo Ranchuan couldn’t help but reflect. Did he really look that untrustworthy?
Was Bai Nuosi worried he would break in and snatch the cub?
Every time he saw him, Bai Nuosi wore such a wary expression.
Huo Ranchuan looked at his own spiritual entity, the Teng Snake, being gently held by Bai Nuosi, his feelings complicated.
He gazed at Bai Nuosi, softened his tone, and tried to make himself seem less intimidating, at least not like a bad guy. “Mons asked me to come pick it up.”
Bai Nuosi was extremely surprised. He looked at Huo Ranchuan, then at the little black snake in his arms, suspicion in his eyes. “You came to pick up the little black snake? But you don’t look like a caregiver.”
Huo Ranchuan’s face stiffened; his attempt at a gentle expression was cracking. “It has a bad temper, is irritable, and bites people. No caregiver is willing to look after it, so I have to.”
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves. The little black snake in Bai Nuosi’s arms, though reluctant, sensed its main body’s anger in the spiritual sea and reluctantly began to slither down from Bai Nuosi’s embrace.
Bai Nuosi: “……”
He looked at the little black snake, then at Huo Ranchuan. “But it’s clearly very well-behaved and quiet. It doesn’t seem like the type to be aggressive.”
Huo Ranchuan raised an eyebrow, looking at the innocent and harmless Teacher Xiao Bai, deliberately trying to scare him. “It’s just pretending to be good to trick you. Once you fall asleep, it’ll gobble you up in one bite.”
Bai Nuosi: “…..”
The little black snake: “……”
Huo Ranchuan realized his dark humor was a bit awkward. He rubbed his nose. “What? You don’t believe me, Teacher Xiao Bai? Do you want to help take care of it tonight?
Bai Nuosi: “……”
The little black snake lay on the ground, raising its head high to look at Bai Nuosi, its golden eyes filled with anticipation.
Please, please, it really didn’t want to go back with that lousy owner!
He even said it would bite people—it’s not a dog!
Besides, if it ever did bite someone, it would be because its owner had gone mad!
Bai Nuosi looked at the little snake on the ground, feeling a bit conflicted.
He hesitated and then questioned Huo Ranchuan, “Aren’t you going to assign a caregiver for it now? You’re part of the patrol team, right? Do you know how to take care of little ones? Is the snake baby currently under your care?”
Huo Ranchuan crossed his arms, looking at Bai Nuosi’s concerned expression, finding it quite endearing.
Such a teacher, wholeheartedly thinking of the cubs, pure and lovely—how could he be suspicious?
Huo Ranchuan felt that Teacher Xiao Bai could be removed from the list of suspects.
He replied, “We won’t assign one for now. I’m part of the patrol team, so it’s under my charge.”
Bai Nuosi: “……”
He looked at Huo Ranchuan with some disdain, thinking that even if Huo Ranchuan could care for cubs, he shouldn’t be the one. With his rough demeanor, he might even hit the child…
Fortunately, Huo Ranchuan didn’t know what Bai Nuosi was thinking; otherwise, he would have felt wronged—after all, he didn’t hit children.
Huo Ranchuan whistled at the little black snake on the ground, “What are you dawdling for? Come on, time to go back.”
Bai Nuosi: “!!!”
He widened his eyes at Huo Ranchuan. This guy actually whistled at a cub!
He absolutely couldn’t let the cub go with him!
Pressing his lips together, Bai Nuosi’s brows knitted in distress.
The little black snake seemed accustomed to Huo Ranchuan’s tone. Though reluctant to part with Teacher Xiao Bai, it obediently turned around and slithered to Huo Ranchuan’s side.
In his mind, Huo Ranchuan said to the Teng Snake: I thought you didn’t want to come back?
The Teng Snake: “……”
It glanced pitifully at Huo Ranchuan. Clearly, its owner liked Teacher Xiao Bai…
When the Teng Snake reached Huo Ranchuan, he thought this embarrassing episode of pretending to be a cub was finally over. He bent down and habitually grabbed the little black snake, turning to leave.
The little black snake was only as thick as Bai Nuosi’s arm. When Huo Ranchuan casually lifted it from the ground, it appeared extremely weak, pitiful, and helpless!
Huo Ranchuan and the Teng Snake were used to this mode of interaction; neither felt anything was amiss. However, Bai Nuosi was stunned.
This tall man, supposedly a member of the patrol team assigned to care for cubs, was being so rough with the snake cub!
Though Bai Nuosi had always been afraid of Huo Ranchuan, seeing how the little black snake was treated, he couldn’t hold back any longer!
Summoning his courage, he chased to the doorway and shouted, “Wait, wait a minute!”
Surprised, Huo Ranchuan turned around, still holding the little black snake, looking a bit puzzled.
The little black snake’s head was pinched between Huo Ranchuan’s fingers. Its long body dangled and swayed with his movements, eyes fixed hopefully on Teacher Xiao Bai.
Seeing this, Bai Nuosi’s heart clenched.
How could he know that the little black snake in Huo Ranchuan’s hand was actually a mighty Teng Snake, dozens of meters long, thicker than a human body, with double horns on its head and wings on its back?
Its combat ability was fiercer than that of mechas; being held like this by Huo Ranchuan didn’t cause it any discomfort.
Bai Nuosi felt immense pity, pointing at Huo Ranchuan, mustering his courage to say, “How can you be so rough with the cub? Put him down right now!”
Huo Ranchuan: “……”
Seeing that Bai Nuosi was genuinely angry, with eyes full of reproach and disdain, Huo Ranchuan felt a bit slow to react.
He glanced at the black snake in his hand, then at Bai Nuosi, who was glaring at him with those obsidian-like eyes. After two seconds of silence, he silently lifted the little black snake, placed it on his shoulder, and awkwardly patted its back. Looking at Bai Nuosi, he asked, “Is this better, Teacher Xiao Bai?”
His voice was lowered, almost cautious.
Seeing him like this, Bai Nuosi didn’t know what else to say. But in his mind, this officer was unreliable when it came to caring for cubs!
He looked at the little black snake obediently lying on Huo Ranchuan’s shoulder and said, “I’m an intermediate caregiver here, qualified in early childhood education, trained in infant nutrition and psychological counseling. Although the rules here are one-on-one, I am confident I can take care of both babies. Please leave the little black snake with me; I’ll explain the situation to Supervisor Mons.”
Looking at Huo Ranchuan, Bai Nuosi continued, “After all, you’re not suitable for caring for cubs, right? You’re a guard, skilled in other areas, and you have duties and training… You can’t possibly take the cub to the training grounds where there’s fighting and killing, can you?”
Saying this, Bai Nuosi seemed to envision Huo Ranchuan holding the snake baby in one hand and battling opponents with a laser gun in the other, his face filled with horror and unease.
Huo Ranchuan: “……”
He was speechless.
He was truly at a loss with Bai Nuosi; the key was, he couldn’t refute him!
Matters concerning spiritual entities were confidential—laws he had personally established.
Now he was in a predicament, unable to explain, and his first impression on Bai Nuosi was probably terrible.
Cautiously, Bai Nuosi walked over. In the moonlight, his skin was fair and translucent, his lips rosy, and soft black hair resting on his forehead, making him look even younger.
He only reached Huo Ranchuan’s shoulder—no help for it; Omegas were always at a height disadvantage.
As Bai Nuosi approached, Huo Ranchuan caught a whiff of his light fragrance and saw him carefully tilt his head up to ask, “So, can you leave the little black snake with me? I promise to take good care of him.”
It was better than having the snake pinched and swung around by Huo Ranchuan.
Huo Ranchuan exchanged a glance with the black snake in his hand. Under Bai Nuosi’s gaze, he subconsciously extended his hand, handing over his spiritual entity, the Teng Snake.
Bai Nuosi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, quickly took the black snake, gently cradled it in his arms, turned, and ran back into his room, swiftly closing the door.
He was so flustered he forgot to say thank you.
Huo Ranchuan: “…….”
He looked at his now empty hand, then at the tightly closed door, standing alone in the dew-laden garden, not reacting for a long while.
What on earth had he just done?
Why did he make this trip tonight?
PFFF poor him lol
Lol