NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: "Don't Float! Come Down and Walk!"
Chapter 8: “Don’t Float! Come Down and Walk!”
Su Liyan’s expression transformed into one of absolute confusion.
This? Why would her husband want to see something like that? What could possibly be appealing about something so… frightening?
She studied her man’s face, perplexed by his expectant gaze. Gradually, a realization dawned on her, bringing unexpected shyness. Before, she had merely thought he didn’t mind her ancestral form… but now it seemed he didn’t merely tolerate it—he actively desired it.
Could anyone truly be drawn to something so unnerving?
After a brief hesitation, Su Liyan decided to follow her husband’s wishes. Once married, wasn’t it natural to accommodate one’s husband in all things?
With bashful reluctance, she removed her lower garments, concerned that her transformation might damage her new clothing. As she revealed her long, immaculate legs, a brilliant white light flashed before Lu Yuan could properly admire the sight. When the glow subsided, a magnificent serpent’s tail had replaced everything below her slender waist.
Just as Lu Yuan had imagined—like scenes from countless Earth films, television dramas, animations, and games—her lower body had become that of a snake, gleaming with luminous white scales that caught the crimson candlelight like polished jade. The tail tip swayed restlessly against the floor, betraying Su Liyan’s nervousness.
The transformation wasn’t limited to her lower half. Her ears had grown slightly pointed, while her once-round eyes had elongated dramatically. Her eyelashes had thickened and extended, creating an effect like perfectly applied cosmetics. Her entire demeanor shifted—the previously demure and somewhat endearing young woman now embodied regal authority. Those elongated eyes with their vertical pupils regarded Lu Yuan with cool assessment, though the blush across her ethereal features revealed lingering embarrassment.
A strategic queen? The combination was irresistible.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Lu Yuan released a guttural sound and lunged toward Su Liyan with unbridled passion.
That night, like a spring breeze suddenly awakening, a thousand pear trees blossomed…
The next morning, well before dawn, Su Liyan stirred first in Lu Yuan’s embrace.
Gazing up at her still-sleeping husband, love radiated from her eyes so intensely it seemed almost tangible. Unable to resist, she leaned forward to place a gentle kiss upon his cheek before slipping quietly from bed, her face aglow with happiness.
After dressing, she set about her morning routine—preparing kindling, boiling water, readying everything for her husband’s morning ablutions. She had expected mere acceptance of her true form, never imagining he would actually cherish it. The memory of how he had embraced her serpentine body with such adoration left her feeling simultaneously mortified and delighted.
Returning from the courtyard with freshly heated water, Su Liyan found Lu Yuan stretching lazily on their bed. Despite retiring early the previous evening—around seven or eight—his passionate enthusiasm had kept them awake until nearly midnight. Early to bed meant early to rise, even after such exertions.
Upon seeing him awake, she immediately set aside her tasks and hurried to help him dress. Lu Yuan, charmed by her attentiveness, affectionately pinched her lovely cheek.
“Brother, what would you like for breakfast?” she asked sweetly, accepting his playful gesture.
Lu Yuan waved dismissively. “I won’t eat at home this morning. I’m heading into the city today and will purchase food along the way. I’ll leave early to ensure I return by evening.”
Su Liyan blinked curiously, wondering about this sudden excursion.
“I’m going to see if there are shops available for purchase,” Lu Yuan explained with a grin. “I plan to buy two.”
The system had granted him 100,000 taels of silver, and after careful consideration, Lu Yuan had determined that investing in commercial property for rental income represented the safest approach. As the saying went: when wisdom fails to match wealth, prosperity soon flows away through other channels.
Before his transmigration, Lu Yuan had been merely ordinary. Despite his current resources, attempting to establish a business would likely invite disaster. Like wealthy heirs who frequented exclusive clubs with beautiful companions—they might indulge for a lifetime without bankruptcy, but the moment they attempted serious business ventures, calamity followed.
With the system promising future abundance, Lu Yuan felt little pressure to generate income. His primary concern was establishing a respectable identity. When asked about his occupation, “shop owner with city properties” sounded far more impressive than “struggling scholar.”
Su Liyan nodded earnestly as he outlined his plans.
“You should stay home today,” Lu Yuan suggested with a smile. “Clean the house and prepare something nutritious for yourself at midday. You need to gain some strength.”
His concern filled Su Liyan with happiness, and she nodded sweetly in agreement.
After completing his morning preparations, Lu Yuan departed toward the rising sun, deliberately avoiding the stone bridge. While purchasing shops was indeed his intention, he had withheld his true priority from Su Liyan: exploring employment opportunities in the city.
In this world, wealth alone offered insufficient protection. No matter how rich, a civilian remained vulnerable to military conscription during wartime. Official employment, however, conferred the empire’s blessing. Even humble positions like blacksmithing provided spiritual protection—what malevolent entity would dare trouble someone connected to imperial authority?
Given Lu Yuan’s fear of supernatural encounters, securing such protection seemed prudent.
Su Liyan watched from their doorway until her husband disappeared from view before turning back to the courtyard. Surveying the space, she couldn’t suppress a smile as she rolled up her sleeves, ready to begin cleaning.
Just as she prepared to enter the house, a young girl—perhaps five or six years old—with pigtails suddenly peered around the doorframe. The child resembled a porcelain doll in her delicacy, her expression mischievous as she leaned against the frame.
“My uncle really likes my sister,” the little girl announced in a sing-song voice.
Su Liyan startled momentarily before recognition dawned. “Oh! How did you… Did Mother send you?”
The child nodded enthusiastically, then emerged fully from behind the door—or rather, she floated out.
Su Liyan’s initial surprise instantly transformed into stern disapproval. Her brows furrowed as she whispered sharply:
“Don’t float! Come down and walk!”