Chapter 13: Are You All Really This Open?
Amid the eager anticipation of the unmarried youths of the snake clan, the clan leader finally emerged, holding his scepter.
Looking around, he saw that compared to last year, there were even more young people present, and he couldn’t help but show a satisfied expression—especially when he noticed Fengxing obediently sitting to the side, which reassured him even more.
“Today is our snake clan’s annual matchmaking gathering. Everyone knows what this gathering is for, so I won’t say much about that. Instead, I’ll explain the process for today.”
The clan leader’s voice rang out loud and clear.
The snake youths all perked up their ears.
“As in previous years, the first event is the hunting activity, where you’ll be ranked according to the amount of prey you catch.”
The female snakes nodded. No matter how the matchmaking process changed, they still needed to find a mate who could provide for them.
Of course, some female snakes were strong enough to support themselves, so they didn’t care much about a male’s hunting ability and instead relied on their sense of personal connection.
“This year, that activity will continue as usual. But before that, we’ll be holding a small event.”
At this point, the clan leader cast a meaningful glance at Fengxing.
Fengxing looked blank, not understanding why his father was staring at him like that while speaking.
Under his son’s innocent gaze, the clan leader smiled slightly—and sold him out completely.
“Everyone knows my son usually has no interest whatsoever in matters of romance. Yet today he has actually come to the matchmaking gathering. Aren’t you all curious about this?”
The moment he finished speaking, both male and female snakes shouted in unison:
“We are!”
“Clan Leader, what do you know?”
“Was it you who forced Fengxing to participate?”
The moment Fengxing heard his father mention his name, he had a bad feeling. Now, seeing how things were playing out, how could he not realize the old man was up to no good?
He might be simple, but he wasn’t stupid.
He also had the ability of perception—of course he knew just how heaven-defying this power was. As long as the old man wanted to know something, there was nothing that could escape him.
Thinking of this, Fengxing immediately lunged at his father, trying to cover his mouth.
“Father…”
But his speed was nowhere near enough to match his father’s.
The old man easily dodged his son’s sneak attack, then continued:
“I only found out today myself—my son changed his attitude and developed the desire to start a family because of a book he read.”
The clan leader’s words made everyone’s eyes widen.
No one had expected that answer.
In fact, everyone in the snake clan knew that Fengxing liked to read, but they had seen those romance books before too—nothing special.
Fengxing had been reading them for years, and yet he never showed up at past matchmaking gatherings.
“This particular book is newly published. Fengxing only read it recently. Its title is My Demon Hunter Arch-Nemesis.”
While dodging Fengxing’s attempts to attack him, the old man went on:
“So, the very first activity of our matchmaking gathering will be to read this book and hold a reading and discussion session.”
With the clan leader’s words, the matter was completely settled.
Chasing after his father was useless now. Fengxing could only stand there awkwardly, his whole face burning red with humiliation and anger.
Yumo glanced at his good brother with quiet sympathy. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do.
It was fortunate that Song Wenlan wasn’t here. If she were, and heard an old man publicly announce the title of her book and then demand the entire clan read it, she might have felt even more embarrassed than Fengxing. She could probably dig a castle into the ground with her toes.
As soon as the clan leader said the book’s title, one of the quick-acting female snakes had already searched it up.
“I’ve found it—huh? This book just updated?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but the word updated was far too sensitive. Both Fengxing and Yumo immediately caught it.
Fengxing and Yumo: !!!
The author who had been missing for so many days had actually updated?!
Fengxing leapt up at once and turned to run toward his room.
“I need to read the new update!”
But his dear father casually waved a hand and clamped down on his neck.
When Fengxing turned his head, he saw his usually stern father wearing a kindly—no, sinisterly kindly—smile.
“Read it right here. Perfect—you can share your thoughts with everyone after.”
Fengxing thought back to where the author had left off: the rabbit disguise, the brutal interrogation…
He couldn’t stop himself from covering his face.
Father, do you really not want your son to survive in the Baimiao Star System?
Thankfully, Song Wenlan hadn’t written too much this time.
She had only briefly described Bai Ye, bound tightly with ropes, unable to move no matter how he struggled. In his helplessness, he could only agree to Hu Sanli’s request—that she spend the New Year with him, going back home together.
But this kind of half-veiled, teasing description, in Fengxing’s eyes, was even worse than if she had just written it all out in detail!
For the first time, Fengxing realized that leaving things vague could actually be even more exciting than spelling them out.
Just imagining it was enough to know how delicious Bai Ye must taste… No! He couldn’t even let himself think about it!
Fengxing instantly forced his brain to shut down and quietly glanced around at the clansmen nearby.
He saw them all absorbed in the book, their faces showing expressions of either worry or surprise. Some of the faster readers were even imitating the poses described in the story as they discussed them with others.
Gradually, more and more people joined in the exchange.
Fengxing: shocked.jpg!
Wait—are my clansmen really this open?
“Face reality. In our clan, someone like you who hasn’t had any nightlife is actually very rare.”
Yumo quietly came over to Fengxing’s side, reading his expression and offering “comfort.”
“You mean you’ve had it before?”
Fengxing’s question shut Yumo right up. He hadn’t either.
“I just haven’t found the right one yet, it’s not that I don’t want to,” Yumo muttered. Then he changed the subject: “Anyway, before, the author always updated one full chapter after another. But now she only released two thousand words before stopping. I think she’s about to sign a contract.”
“Sign a contract?” Fengxing’s eyes lit up. “Then there won’t be a lack of updates anymore?”
“There won’t,” Yumo confirmed, “but don’t get your hopes too high. On the days when she updates ten thousand words, do you really think that feels like a lot?”
Fengxing understood what Yumo meant. He was right. With the way the author wrote, unless she updated straight through to the ending, they would always feel it wasn’t enough.
Waiting for updates was sheer torment!
Fengxing let out a long sigh as he looked at his clansmen, his eyes full of envy.
They were so lucky—just opening the app and the author had updated!
But from now on, they would have to suffer through the agonizing wait for new chapters together with him!
Thinking of this, Fengxing actually felt a sense of balance in his heart.
Just as Yumo had guessed, after Song Wenlan updated those two thousand words and reached the signing threshold, she planned to contact Meng Xingchong to sign a contract.
But before leaving, she glanced at her book and noticed that her bookmarks had suddenly increased by nearly a hundred, and comments were also starting to rise. Judging from the content, it seemed they were from some kind of beast clan.
