I've finally got some capital!
Now I've got the goods to show off!
Now I can go flirt with handsome guys!
These thoughts kept popping into her head as soon as she saw that breathtaking face in the mirror.
Oh my god, flawless skin, lips like candy, brows on point, eyes clear enough to see your future, and a dimple that could launch a thousand ships—I mean, how do you even begin to describe a face this pretty?
“Such a mesmerizing face wasted on that idiot! From today on, I’m going to get prettier and chase after hot guys, I want to…”
‘We’re snakes, we’re snakes…’ That awful reality crashed into her brain and her just-blooming grin instantly wilted like a houseplant left out in the sun.
Yeah, she’s a snake now. No matter how pretty or charming she is, she’ll only attract those python guys!
If those python guys really fell for her looks and insisted on getting all snuggly in the bridal chamber... Ugh, snake mating, rolling around together, popping out a whole clutch of snake eggs—just imagining it gave her full-body heebie-jeebies.
"That's it, decision made!" Ivy Shen jumped up, fist clenched dramatically. "I am staying pure—no way am I popping out snake eggs!" The safest move was to stick with her tried-and-true over-the-top makeup routine!
After figuring things out, she put on her usual thick makeup. It wasn’t quite as terrifying as before, but honestly, with that much makeup, ‘pretty’ wasn’t really the word.
"Miss, time to eat," came May’s grumpy voice from outside the door.
Hearing this, Ivy Shen took a deep breath, gave herself a pep talk, patted her skirt, and opened the door.
“Oh, finally decided to come out?” She was just about to reach for the food in May’s hands when, out of nowhere, a flash of green and a teasing voice swept in.
“Good day, Second Master!” May practically had hearts in her eyes as she shouted, totally starstruck.
Seeing this, Ivy couldn’t help but remember that night—and instinctively took a step back.
Lucian Vane caught her reaction and his lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. Instantly, it was like every flower in the room got jealous and started wilting—he was so pretty, even the local flora couldn’t compete.
May, standing to the side, was so blown away by his looks she was basically drooling and mentally composing wedding vows.
"What do you want?" Ivy asked coldly. Sure, she liked handsome guys, and he was flawless, but so what? He was still a snake—a beast, period!
"Oh? My dear wife’s not feeling well, so her husband can’t come check on her?" With that, he plucked a budding flower and, to her surprise, tucked it into her hair.
"You... what are you trying to do?" Faced with the suddenly-close pretty boy, Ivy instinctively frowned and stepped back again.
Seeing this, Lucian Vane reached out with pale fingers, lifted her chin, and murmured, "What’s wrong? Has my wife already gotten tired of me so soon? Back then, you put in so much effort to chase me for years." He looked genuinely hurt, like a wronged little spouse.
"Heh heh, is that so?" Ivy tried to turn her head, but his grip was so firm she couldn’t move at all.
"Or is it because you suddenly got three more husbands and don’t need me anymore? Or... am I just not as good as them?" His perfect face leaned in closer, and the pressure was unreal.
Uh... I just haven’t been feeling well lately," Ivy blurted, shoving his hand away. She forced a laugh. "You’re so outrageously good-looking—like, if you walked by, fish would forget how to swim and birds would crash into trees! Seriously, you’re so perfect, I’m scared I’m not even in your league!
Hearing this, Lucian Vane gave her a deep, unreadable smile. "So in my wife’s eyes, I’m that perfect? I thought maybe you saw me as a snake demon and didn’t dare come near."
"Huh? Snake demon? No way—if you’re a snake demon, then I’m basically a snake demon too! Last time I was just feverish and totally out of it, I swear. Oh... why does my head suddenly feel all woozy again?" Ivy clutched her forehead like a drama queen. "May, please show Second Master out, I need to go lie down and contemplate my tragic fate." Before they could say a word, she zipped back inside and slammed the door with a theatrical bang.