The Gentle Man Next Door is a Rabbit - 69

 

TGMNDIAR - 69

Xu Mu was actually quite confused. 

Shedding skin? What shedding skin? 

—Oh, he’s a snake. 

"Before a snake sheds its skin, it usually becomes blind, its scales roughen, and its color fades..." Bai Nian also examined the green bamboo viper from head to tail. "Haven't you been less active recently? Does it feel especially dry in its environment?"

Xu Mu: Hiss! Now that you mention it, there do seem to be some signs.

"But, it should still be some time before that happens. Your eyes are still the original yellow, just a bit whiter..." Bai Nian tried to recall, then smiled. "Oh, I really am something. I forgot that you're the one with the most experience. You should be more confident about this situation than I am."

"I was too worried." He kissed the snake's head, "Once your eyes become fully covered, you should be able to shed your skin."

Xu Mu: "..." No, I’m not confident at all. This is my first time too.

Xu Mu wriggled his body, found the optical brain, and used his tail to tap it, causing the screen to light up.

[Yes, I'm confident. It's not time for the real shedding yet.]

"Alright." Bai Nian responded gently, "But, I'm a bit curious. Will your body size change?"

[Probably, I don't know, but the size of my species mainly depends on genes]

Bai Nian pondered, "Right, you still haven't told me if your species has any... mixed genes."

Xu Mu opened a certain file and showed it to him.

"Your birth report?" Bai Nian was surprised.

Xu Mu nodded. He had requested it from Nades.

"Let me see, genetic testing..." Bai Nian leaned against the bedhead, pulling the green bamboo viper over, lightly rubbing his cheek against its body while sliding through the report with his hand.

"74% white-lipped pit viper, 12% Malabar pit viper, 4% Gang's pit viper, 3% large-eyed pit viper, 2.5% large-scaled pit viper, 2% Blue Island pit viper..."

Xu Mu lazily coiled around Bai Nian's neck, his red tail swaying back and forth.

"You actually have Blue Island pit viper genes." Bai Nian was surprised, pinching Xu Mu's head and looking from side to side, muttering, "I don't see any blue though. I looked up its pictures, and it's quite distinctive."

Xu Mu's vertical pupils stared fixedly at Bai Nian, his forked tongue sliding over his Adam's apple and nose, as if expressing dissatisfaction.

Bai Nian felt ticklish, chuckling softly, and coaxed, "Alright, stop messing around. Blue is just so-so, you're the most beautiful."

The red tongue of the pit viper hissed, its body moving, tightening its coil around Bai Nian's neck even more.

Bai Nian sighed helplessly, "Trying to strangle me?"

Xu Mu fell silent.

Bai Nian continued reading the report, "1.7% unknown genes... are you mixed with other animal genes?"

He turned to another page and suddenly laughed, "How cute, your newborn form."

Xu Mu was puzzled. A photo in the birth report?

He focused and saw a tiny, palm-sized juvenile form.

"Can this photo be printed?" The more Bai Nian looked, the more he liked it. His ears curled into little balls of happiness, pushing Xu Mu's head repeatedly. "I want to put it by my bedside or on my desk."

Xu Mu: "..." It looks just like a worm, what's so great about it?

"Ah Mu?"

Xu Mu quickly shook his head, no, no, no, absolutely not.

Bai Nian raised an eyebrow, “It can’t be printed out?"

Xu Mu: Exactly!

Bai Nian didn't believe him, "I'll ask Nades. This file format should be extractable."

Xu Mu felt dejected and slowly closed his eyes—Why ask me if you already have an idea?

Bai Nian laughed, "What's wrong? Don't want to see your own photo in the room?"

Xu Mu nodded.

"Then I'll take it to my work desk." Bai Nian muttered to himself, affectionately rubbing the photo on the screen with his thumb, "So cute..."

Xu Mu: !!!

[Brother Nian, maybe it's better to keep it at home…]

The green pit viper slowly climbed up, coiling from Bai Nian’s neck to his chin, its scales glimmering with a strange green light. The cold snake body brushed against Bai Nian’s lips.

[Yes, Brother Nian, you agreed.]

Bai Nian couldn't open his mouth; the snake's body was supple, and as it wrapped around him, it gave a suffocating illusion.

"…Ah, Mu…" His lips barely moved, and the cold scales immediately pressed against his tongue.

Xu Mu nestled comfortably by Bai Nian’s ear, the soft fur there perfect for curling up against.

Bai Nian's eyelashes trembled, casting a shadow over his eyes.

He fumbled with the snake's body, his fingertips hooking under its cheek groove, then sliding down from its neck, pinching the spot seven inches from its back, near the heart.

"Stop messing around..." Bai Nian said helplessly, his voice breathy.

Xu Mu instinctively stiffened but quickly relaxed, becoming even more audacious.

He slid down from Bai Nian's ear, his head resting against the other's mouth.

Bai Nian's furry ears curled slightly. He bent his finger joints, lightly flicking Xu Mu's head, but still kissed him gently.

"Alright, I won't take it to work. I'll keep it at home."

Xu Mu was satisfied.

"But..." Bai Nian changed his tone.

Xu Mu had a bad feeling.

"Ah Mu, did you keep any of your shed skins from before?"

Xu Mu: “... “ Probably not.

[No, too many, all thrown away.]

Bai Nian sighed regretfully, "I see."

[... What do you want to do?]

"I'd like to collect a few." Bai Nian said softly, "A snake's life is almost entirely about shedding skin and growing. It's very commemorative."

Xu Mu didn't understand. What was so worth collecting about these ugly, long snake skins?

In his previous life, if he found something like that at home, he would have moved out overnight and never lived there again.

"…Ah Mu, what do you think?"

Xu Mu had been lost in thought and hadn't heard what Bai Nian said. Hesitantly, he nodded.

Bai Nian's eyes lit up, clearly very happy.

"Great, then it's settled. I'll watch you shed your skin next time... Let me think, what should I use to preserve your shed skin? Maybe frame it? Or put it in a glass container in order—"

Xu Mu: So, so weird.

"Or, like how you collect my fur, put it in a box?"

The former known as "Pervert Number One," Xu Mu was now silent.

[...Anything is fine, it's up to you.]

-

The pre-shedding blindness period was quite uncomfortable. Xu Mu not only felt his skin drying out, but he also felt sluggish all over, unable to pinpoint the discomfort.

He didn't want to move once he sat on the sofa.

He reduced his live-streaming time, logging off on schedule, and would return to his room to revert to his snake form, listlessly coiling up on a blanket.

"Are you okay?" Bai Nian gently touched his head, speaking softly, "Do you want some water?"

The green pit viper's eyes were misty, covered with a white film. The once bright green scales had turned dull and gray.

Xu Mu shook his head. He had actually drunk plenty of water, but the dryness he felt was physiological, only alleviable but not eliminable.

"Alright..." Bai Nian sighed.

He felt distressed watching this and increased the power of the humidifier.

The humid water vapor enveloped the area, giving Xu Mu the illusion of being on a cloud.

Bai Nian would check on him periodically, applying moisturizing cream to his scales.

"Do you have a physical assessment tomorrow?"

Xu Mu nodded.

"Do you want to take a leave?"

Xu Mu hesitated but eventually shook his head. He didn't want to have a teacher accompany him during a rescheduled assessment, which would be awkward.

[If I postpone, I'll still have to go later. It's just dryness, I’ll just drink more water and it will be fine.]

"Alright." Seeing that Xu Mu had made his decision, Bai Nian didn't push further. "Should I go with you?"

[No need, I can manage on my own.]

Bai Nian kissed his cheek groove. "Alright, take care."

...

Xu Mu lay drowsily on the heated blanket, with the continuous mist wafting over him. Whenever he felt a dry spot, he would shift his position to expose his scales to the mist.

Various fragmented images flickered through his mind, like colorful layers of light leaving behind afterimages.

...So sleepy... What was he thinking about just now... He seemed to have forgotten something important... What was it...

Buzz, buzz, buzz—the optical brain suddenly vibrated.

Xu Mu was pulled back to reality.

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Are you there?]

Xu Mu flicked his tail and slowly tapped on the screen.

[Xu: .]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Did you forget something?]

Xu Mu was puzzled.

[Xu: ?]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Money!!!!!!]

Xu Mu suddenly remembered, oh, he had indeed forgotten—

He was supposed to get money last Friday and had delayed it until now.

[Xu: Right, when are you coming to get it?]

On the other side, the black ball squinted and snorted softly.

This snake really did forget.

He typed rapidly with a smug smile on his face.

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: No need, I don't need money right now.]

[Xu: You're not paying rent anymore?]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: I found a new place! No rent required!]

[Xu: The protagonist gong’s place?]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Not exactly, but close enough. He’s paying for me to rent it.]

[Xu: ...Alright, how is he doing lately?]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: He’s currently being reformed by my love.]

[Xu: ?]

[Xu: Speak human words.]

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Fine, I'm working hard to make sure he doesn't obsess over the main character anymore and stays far away, just like you wanted. Understand?]

Xu Mu pondered. Though that was indeed what he hoped for, he had doubts about Little Black Ball's reliability.

Forget it, it’s better not to discourage him.

[Xu: Alright, keep up the effort. Let me know if there are any changes, especially anything involving Brother Nian.]

Little Black Ball lounged with his legs crossed, a pink strawberry battery in his mouth.

[Today’s Ever Handsome Lord Karl: Hmph, don't worry. Do you know who I am? I am the almighty Lord Karl.]

[Xu: ...]

[Xu: Okay, almighty Lord Karl.]

Little Black Ball laughed heartily, the battery in his mouth crunching.

Little human, he is already admiring his brilliance, right? He was previously indifferent, but now—

Click, a soft sound echoed.

Little Black Ball's hand trembled, he quickly turned off the screen, legs still, desperately swallowing the battery.

Almost choked to death.

Qi Xin stepped out from the entrance, his black coat carrying the cold air from outside, his eyes dark and deep.

"What are you eating?"

Little Black Ball patted his chest frantically, "N-nothing, just a small cake, cough cough!!"

Qi Xin gave him a faint glance, then poured him a glass of water.

Little Black Ball gulped it down, finally catching his breath.

"I have something to attend to. I need to leave the Weide Planet tomorrow."

Little Black Ball blinked, "Oh, oh, and then?"

Qi Xin took off his coat and gloves, tossing them on the armrest. "There's no 'and then.'"

After a pause, he added, "I am  going to Brother Bai's workplace to talk to him before I leave."

Little Black Ball jumped up, "Talk? Talk about what?"

"Don't act so jealous."

Little Black Ball internally rolled his eyes but remembered his role. He muttered softly, "I didn't mean it that way."

Qi Xin glanced at him but said nothing.

He sat down, "A regular college student, he is young and immature, with a loan from the Federal Conservation Center. Instead of studying hard, he spends his days live-streaming. His personality is unreliable, and he acts childishly—"

"He's unlikely to bring Brother Bai happiness."

Little Black Ball was speechless.

"He seems alright. He should be making a lot of money from his streams."

Qi Xin replied, "This kind of quick money from streaming isn't sustainable. It will run out eventually."

Little Black Ball's mouth twitched. He had a say in everything, didn't he?

No, the protagonist gong is only a few years old, but he talks like he's in his forties or fifties... what a strange human.

Little Black Ball decided to play the emotional card, "But Mr. Bai likes him. Love has no reason."

Qi Xin's face darkened.

"Xin, shouldn't loving someone mean wanting them to be happy? Like how I silently stay by your side, not wanting to see you sad, willing to give up everything for you, even my life... I want more than anyone for you to be happy and to be with the one you love, even if it means I get hurt, suffer deeply, and live a lonely life..."

He spoke passionately with tears streaming down his face, but he still held his head high, stubbornly looking at Qi Xin—

His pupils weren't actually focused; he was secretly reading from a cheat sheet.

Little Black Ball shouted excitedly, "…Xin, love isn't about possession, it's about letting go! It's about transforming small love into the invisible, and great love into selflessness. Do you understand?"

Qi Xin stiffened slightly, looking at Karl's tears, his expression growing colder.

After a while, he turned his head away. "Don't try to impose your ridiculous ideas on me."

Qi Xin clenched his fists and turned to leave.

"Wipe your own tears. You look ugly."

As he walked away, Little Black Ball collapsed back onto the sofa, exhausted.

So tired, shouting like that almost made his stomach churn.

Whoo—

Little Black Ball's vision blurred, and suddenly, he saw a black box in the coat pocket...

He looked around and heard the sound of water trickling from the bathroom.

Hey, that guy's taking a shower.

Little Black Ball tiptoed over, stealthily took out the box, and opened it.

It was a watch.

It looked familiar… Little Black Ball rubbed his chin. Wait, isn't this—

He hurriedly sent a message to Xu Mu.

[The always handsome Lord Karl: Are you there? I need to tell you something.]

[The always handsome Lord Karl: The protagonist gong is leaving tomorrow, probably because his mom is calling him back, but before he leaves, he's going to wait for the protagonist shou at his company.]

[The always handsome Lord Karl: It looks like he's going to aggressively talk nonsense to the protagonist shou and give him the watch from the original plot—you know, the 'if you accept this, I won't bother you' thing, but it's actually a tracker. Think about how to avoid it, or I can pull him away when the time comes.]

Xu Mu frowned. Talking nonsense? Giving a watch?

[Xu: What do you mean?]

[The always handsome Lord Karl: Oh, he's just going to badmouth you, say you’re not good enough, and maybe confess or something.]

[The always handsome Lord Karl: Didn't you say you didn't want the protagonist gong to get too entangled with Bai Nian? This watch is a key plot point. Once he takes over the Qi family and has the ability, it will be crucial for finding people, escaping kidnappings, selling it in desperate times… It's essential throughout the story.]

Little Black Ball was worried. Why hasn't Qi Xin given up on the idea of imprisonment?

All the time he spent gathering information and trying to change his mind seems wasted.

[Xu: Alright, I understand.]

[Xu: Is he definitely leaving tomorrow? If we stop him, he won't come back?]

[The always handsome Lord Karl: He definitely wants to come back, but the plot is stuck there. This time he's going back because their family is having internal strife over power. It's very complicated and won't be resolved in a few years. Plus, his mom is very controlling and won't let him run around.]

[Xu: Okay.]

Xu Mu put down the optical brain. The best way to avoid the protagonist gong—

He wanted to call someone but realized he was in his mimicry form, so he immediately shifted to human form.

"Brother Nian!" Xu Mu called out as he got up and headed out.

Bai Nian arrived quickly; Xu Mu hadn't even left the room when he got there.

"What... is it?" Bai Nian paused, looking at Xu Mu strangely.

Xu Mu grabbed his wrist and pulled him into an embrace. "I thought about it and realized having you with me for the physical test would be better. I was embarrassed earlier, but now I regret it... So, can you?"

Bai Nian was caught off guard, his face pressed against Xu Mu's solid bare chest.

"Ah, sure, I’ll just need to take a day off."

Xu Mu's smile broadened as he loosened his arms slightly. "Great, thank you, Brother Nian."

"Mm..." Bai Nian stepped back, his gaze wandering.

He picked up the robe from the sofa and tossed it to Xu Mu. "Well, if you're cold, wear more layers. The temperature is low, and the heating isn't very high..."

Bai Nian coughed lightly, his cheeks slightly red. "I'll go check on the soup in the pot. Dinner will be ready soon."

Xu Mu stood there, stunned.

Realizing belatedly, he looked down and his expression darkened.

Damn!

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