Jun Yelan felt his changes and panicked for a moment. How could he have developed different feelings for Lan Yan, the very woman he was supposed to kill?
He pushed the groggy Lan Yan off him and placed her on the bed. He intended to leave but turned back, pulling the blanket up to Lan Yan's chest. Then, he sat on the divan, staring at his legs.
It must have been a moment of distraction that caused this change.
But then he heard Lan Yan murmuring in her sleep, and the ripples in his heart resurfaced, preventing his snake tail from returning. He clenched his fists, telling himself again and again not to believe what she had just said.
Lan Yan, lying on the bed, slept soundly and comfortably.
The next morning, she opened her eyes and found herself in bed, a little surprised. Then she turned her head and saw Jun Yelan sitting beside her, his tail gone, replaced by two legs.
She rubbed her eyes; she wasn't hallucinating. She asked curiously, "Where is your tail?"
Jun Yelan shot her a chilling glance, saying nothing. Damn it, he had sat there all night, and his snake tail still hadn't returned.
Seeing Lan Yan’s expression, she probably didn't know the rules of the snake tribe. This meant she wouldn't make him feel any more embarrassed.
Lan Yan was startled by his sudden glare. She had only asked out of kindness; there was no need for Jun Yelan to be so angry. However, with Jun Yelan now having human legs, his life here would be much more convenient.
She smiled and said, "I used to pick things out for you. Now you can go to the market yourself. I'm free today, so I'll accompany you. Let's go pick some things out."
Jun Yelan was still in a bad mood and didn't want to go out. But he did need to buy some things, like a weapon, and he also wanted to know the current situation of the snake tribe.
Seeing that he didn't refuse, Lan Yan smiled. She went out and stood in the corridor, feeling that the sunlight today was particularly good. She saw Chun Tao approaching with water and called out, "Chun Tao, hurry and prepare breakfast. We're going to the market later."
"Yes, Miss." Chun Tao was a little surprised. Miss had never seemed so happy when going to the market. It seemed something good had happened this morning!
After breakfast, Lan Yan propped her chin on her hand and looked at Jun Yelan, "Let's go."
Jun Yelan didn't understand why she was so happy. Was it because they were going out, or because they were going together? He shook his head, telling himself to stop thinking about it.
Lan Yan, completely unaware of Jun Yelan's internal turmoil, worried that he might have trouble walking. But seeing him walk as easily as she did, she felt relieved.
She led the way, walking towards the street with Jun Yelan.
As soon as they reached the marketplace, the gazes of the women there all turned towards them, their eyes fixed on Jun Yelan. "Where did this handsome young man come from? He's so beautiful."
"Indeed." Some women even boldly bought a flower and threw it at Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan dodged, stepping directly over the flowers on the ground. He detested humans, forever remembering how traffickers treated him like merchandise and beat him arbitrarily.
And those women, who would be amazed by his face, would turn to disgust upon seeing his snake tail. His palms involuntarily clenched, and a trace of hatred flashed in his eyes.
At that moment, a petite figure stepped in front of him and caught the flowers.
Lan Yan looked at the five or six flowers in her hand and said with a forced smile, "Everyone, if you want to throw flowers, please throw them into my hand. I'll collect them all and sell them later."
The women's eyes immediately flickered with disdain, and they angrily left.
Lan Yan's lips curved. Her skin was quite thick. She then turned to Jun Yelan and said with a smile, "Let's go, no one will bother us now."
A warmth flowed through Jun Yelan, a feeling he had never experienced before. He prepared to speak, but his peripheral vision caught sight of a group of people rushing towards them.
Lan Yan heard footsteps and moved forward. Speechless, it was Lin Sheng again. This guy was truly sick!
Lin Sheng looked at the man beside him carrying a sword and said with a proud smile, "Lan Yan, last time I brought ordinary servants. This time I've brought martial arts experts. Let's see what you do!"
When his gaze fell on Jun Yelan, his eyes burned with rage. This person was wearing the clothes he desired.
Looking at that face, he even put on a lewd expression, "If you hand over the one beside you to me, perhaps I can let you go."
Although it was a man, this person was as stunning as those snake tribe members. If he sold him at the slave market, he would surely make a lot of silver.
Lan Yan sneered, "You're dreaming!" She flicked her whip. Just as Lin Sheng thought she was about to attack, she ran to a nearby stall, dumped a pan of flour forward, and threw down some silver.
Then she grabbed Jun Yelan's hand and ran forward. She could handle a few servants, but fighting trained fighters was beyond her! Moreover, what if others took Jun Yelan away while she was fighting?
Therefore, the only way was to run.
Jun Yelan, his hand being held, looked at Lan Yan and withdrew the small stone he was clutching in his palm. For a moment, he had wondered what he would do if Lan Yan handed him over to that group to save herself.
But now, that thought was unnecessary.
Lin Sheng, with flour all over his face, roared, "Chase them! I must teach these two a lesson today and let them know that I, the owner of the slave market, am not to be trifled with!"
The servants behind him gave chase.
Lan Yan, not knowing the way, turned left and right, running into an unfamiliar area. She gasped for breath and looked behind her; Lin Sheng and his men were nowhere to be seen.
She then released Jun Yelan's hand, put her hands on her hips, and shouted, "Alright, we can rest now." Seeing that Jun Yelan remained silent but looked ahead with hatred, she turned to look.
The words "Slave Market" met her eyes. Damn it, how did she bring Jun Yelan here? She secretly glanced at Jun Yelan, wondering if he thought she had brought him here to sell him!
She was truly wronged!
Two people dressed in fine clothes suddenly appeared, naturally attracting the attention of the managers inside. He greeted them warmly and looked at Jun Yelan, saying with a smile, "Esteemed guest, you've come to buy slaves, haven't you!"
"I have all sorts of slaves here, especially those of the snake tribe. Apart from their ugly snake tails, they are beautiful and are excellent workers."
He pointed to the snake people in the cages nearby and continued his introduction.
Jun Yelan's face grew darker and darker, with killing intent in his eyes. He had heard these words once when he was sold. He said, "You missed one point: they can endure beatings and won't die easily."
"That's right." The manager, thinking Jun Yelan was a regular buyer, hastily replied. But then he noticed the coldness on Jun Yelan's face and felt something was not quite right.
Jun Yelan clenched his fists tighter, and blood dripped down. He looked around; there were too many people, not a good opportunity to kill. But he would never let this person go!
The manager shivered under his gaze. He felt that these two people didn't seem like slave buyers.
"Get lost! We don't need you here." Lan Yan had already found the manager annoying, and his words were extremely unpleasant. She looked at the snake people confined in the cages, and couldn't help but think of Jun Yelan's past, the same as these people.
She felt a deeper understanding for Jun Yelan. People who had lived in such an environment would have suffered immense physical and mental trauma. At this moment, she sincerely wanted to save Jun Yelan, to let him experience happiness at least once.