Xiaomei Qiu had been contemplating hiring a nanny lately. But with too many secrets buried in her past, adding another person into the household would be disastrous. Her husband, fearing she'd grow lonely at home, often suggested she return to work or open up shop as she once did. After closing down her previous business and following him here, Xiaomei had become a full-time housewife - though she longed for social interaction as much as any human woman would.

Grabbing the wriggling baby who'd been trying to crawl from couch toward table, she sighed. This little creature vanished whenever she looked away, slipping into places no child should reach. She pushed her dream of reopening a shop further into the future - until this little terror entered preschool at least.

Knocking sounds interrupted her thoughts.

"Stay put! Be a good boy for Mama..." she warned the baby as she flung open the door without asking who it was - any aggressive salesmen or burglars would find themselves on the receiving end of her magic. But when she saw Meng Shu's face in the doorway, her voice turned to venom.

"What do you want! I won't tell you anything. Our paths have long since diverged, don't come bothering a married woman!" She slammed the door shut.

But metal doors proved useless against a serpent demon like Meng Shu. A second later he squeezed through the gap and glared at her. "Last time I broke in uninvited - this time you opened the door yourself! Just tell me the truth, and I'll disappear forever."

Xiaomei smirked coldly. "Do you think your words still hold any weight? Do you really believe I'd fall for that again?"

Once bound by a century of marriage, their divorce had been inevitable after Meng Shu's infidelity. Though no third party was involved - it wasn't so much betrayal as the slow decay of long-term companionship. Xiaomei hadn't tried to salvage things at all; she'd simply stopped caring. But his sudden disappearance left her with lingering resentment. Now, years later, despite having a happy new family, how could she possibly show him kindness?

Meng Shu sat uninvited on the couch, surveying their home. The toddler stumbled awkwardly - just like its mother's temper, it rolled across floors when tripping instead of crawling properly. "Cute thing," Meng Shu remarked as he reached to touch the child's face. But Xiaomei snatched up her baby and glared at him.

"Don't you dare touch our son!"

"Just tell me about our daughter and I'll leave!" His demand remained unchanged through all these years.

Millennia had made Meng Shu increasingly indifferent, but for his children - even if he wasn't the best father - he couldn't simply ignore them. Did her 'daughter' truly exist? If so, where was she now? How did she live? These questions burned in him just as they would any normal parent.

"Get out! I won't tell you anything!" Xiaomei pointed furiously at the door.

Meng Shu had come several times already and always faced similar treatment. Any lesser demon or minor immortal who treated him this way would face dire consequences - but with his pride-laden ex-wife, he simply couldn't muster anger. When she grabbed a broom to drive him out, he sighed and rose.

"I've stooped lower than I ever have before... you know my temper better than anyone. Have I not been patient enough?"

"Patience isn't something I need from you! Just stay away from our home!"

"You already have your new husband and child - why can't you let go of the past?" He tried to reason, but she swatted him again.

"Forsakers forget their betrayal at once. But a wronged woman? How could I ever forget?"

Though Meng Shu's broom strokes were painless, they struck deep into his pride as an ancient demon. Even if guilt gnawed at him, now rage flared hotly.

"Fine! If you won't talk, I'll find another way. Your human husband doesn't know the woman he loves is a serpent - what will happen when he discovers your true nature..."

"What are you saying!" Xiaomei froze in shock.

"Just think about it..." Meng Shu disappeared with his cold parting words.

Xiaomei stood motionless for a long moment before her broom clattered to the floor.

Tian Youjun didn't know she was an immortal, much less that he'd married a snake demon.

A botched use of Meng Shu's stolen artifacts had once left her temporarily amnesic - forgetting both her demonic heritage and powers. When memory returned, she'd already married Tian as a human woman with their son.

This marriage formed under such strange circumstances always made Xiaomei uneasy. Was it genuine love for Tian? Or did the subconscious longing to find someone so different from Meng Shu - perhaps even another species entirely - drive her choice?

She had considered confessing, yet countless lies told during that amnesiac period stood in the way. Unraveling them would inevitably expose both past relationships she desperately wished to keep hidden.

Each time resolve built up to tell him the truth, hesitation crept back in. The longer it remained unspoken, the harder it became - a vicious cycle now reaching its breaking point.

Meng Shu wouldn't really stoop this low... right?

Xiaomei sighed, picking up her wailing son as she switched on the TV to drown out troubled thoughts.

"Fa Xian! Your sister loved you deeply, how could you betray her!"

"Humans and demons are destined enemies. These two snakes dared deceive mortals - they must be punished!"

"Fa Xian..."

"I don't want to see any of you again. Demons, DEMONS!"

...

Ugh, what rotten luck - this stupid channel had to play this particular show!

Xiaomei grumbled as she hurled her son's toy at the TV screen. The power button fell perfectly and silenced those irritating voices.

The toddler immediately mimicked her by flinging whatever came to hand, laughing gleefully at his own destructions.

"Okay okay, baby - Mama was wrong for setting a bad example," she hurriedly retrieved toys as he batted them away. But when he failed to claim the drum, his lower lip began to tremble dangerously.

"No no, don't cry - good boy doesn't cry..."

The toddler redoubled his efforts, kicking and screaming until Xiaomei's eyes brightened with inspiration.

"Baby, if you stop crying right now, I'll sneak you off to see Daddy?"

The tears vanished instantly. For such a young child, these mother-child games were endlessly amusing - flying through skies, riding park animals, sneaking up on clueless daddies who couldn't see them. "Daddy! Daddy!" he giggled joyfully.

Wiping his tears with a smile, Xiaomei vanished into the air with her son in arms.

Hospitals would always teem with people.

Though her husband was human doctor, Xiaomei instinctively despised such places. Even after decades among humans, she could never reconcile herself to mortality's cycles of birth and death. Marriage had made these unavoidable - any immortal who fell for a mortal must eventually face this truth.

She knew other demons coped in different ways: some extended their lovers' lives at great cost until both became half-human; others sacrificed themselves entirely for love; most simply watched silently as partners aged and died, then forgot to move on. But the saddest were those who parted ways over time - often because of very human reasons.

Xiaomei hadn't prepared for any of this when she married Tian Youjun, convinced at the time that she was truly human. Now forced to confront these inevitable questions, her thoughts turned chaotic and bitter.

This wasn't a choice made by her own will, yet she bore its consequences...

"Mommy... Daddy... where is he?" Her son's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. She shook herself free of dark musings as she coaxed the child forward.

Passing long hospital corridors, Xiaomei encountered Nan Yu. After playing briefly with their baby, the zombie doctor mentioned Tian Youjun had just headed to wards minutes ago.

"How could..." Xiaomei was startled by her failed magic trick - according to its effect, she should have appeared within meters of him. But now there was a delay between her arrival and his recent movements. A bad feeling settled in her chest as she rushed off without saying goodbye.

Navigating multiple turns, she sensed her husband nearby when suddenly a familiar yet unfamiliar figure darted past her - reaching wards before her by several steps.

Meng Shu? It took her precious minutes to recognize the fleeting shadow.

What was he doing here? Was it really true... her heart pounded faster with each step.

No wonder her magic had faltered! His presence alone could disrupt nearby spells, especially those taught by him personally. Though she'd dismissed Meng Shu's threats as empty boasts - knowing his pride would never allow such petty tactics - now evidence suggested otherwise. Had years truly changed him that much? Or herself?

Rushing forward, Xiaomei found two men facing wards entrance in hushed conversation.

She instantly recognized Tian Youjun and the other figure as Meng Shu. He had already noticed her approach but merely smiled at her while continuing his discussion with Tian. The latter remained focused on listening, nodding occasionally without turning around.

Chills ran through Xiaomei's limbs - this was no ordinary demon; even immortals gave him wide berth. And yet here he was using the most underhanded methods to reach her.

"Dad... Daddy..." Her son waved excitedly at his father's back. Normally she'd sneak up and scare Tian just for fun, but today she simply clutched him tightly as they vanished home.

The next second, wails filled the room - "Wahhhh! Daddy! I want Daddy! Mama is mean!"

Xiaomei didn't rush to comfort him like usual, instead hugging her child silently. After crying awhile, the toddler noticed tears in his mother's eyes and forgot his own misery altogether...

When Tian Youjun returned home from work, everything seemed normal - baby playing with toys on floor while wife cooked dinner in kitchen. The only difference was high indoor temperature without air conditioning.

Picking up remote to check, he called toward kitchen, "Honey, is the AC broken?"

"Yes," she replied, "Maintenance said it'll be fixed tomorrow."

Normally Xiaomei would use magic to keep them comfortable regardless of appliances - but today she simply let him suffer.

After dinner, Tian fanned their son to sleep as usual. But tonight his wife had set TV to show Bai She (White Snake). The plot reached the scene where Xu Xian embraced Master Fa Hai in desperation after discovering his white snake wife's true identity - ignoring her pleas to return home.

Xiaomei paused ironing to glance at her husband, "Men are all like that..."

"Not entirely," Tian countered.

"True..." she mumbled distractedly. "...If only Bai She had never married him! Everyone knows humans and demons can't have happy endings." Her thoughts drifted disturbingly - how similar their situation was to this mythical tale. Both were doctors... would this marriage share the same tragic fate?

A bitter smile crossed her lips as she imagined fleeing with baby in arms, leaving behind two potential exorcists - one who wouldn't interfere (wooden fish monk) and another who was himself a demon...

Tian continued thoughtfully, "This isn't about human-demon compatibility. Look at all the happy human-demon marriages from Strange Tales! This tragedy stems from personalities clashing."

"What? Are you saying fox spirits are nobler than snakes? That humans can accept them but not snakes?" Xiaomei snapped as she turned away.

"Not that! I mean Xu Xian's character and Bai She's behavior. He was weak-willed to begin with, while she indulged him endlessly until he became spoiled child - can you expect a spoiled child to be considerate? When trouble arises, his only reaction is to cry and hide behind adults. And Bai She should have been honest from the start instead of hiding her identity. Imagine if Xu Xian had known up front..."

Her hands trembled at this point as ironing board slipped from view.

Tian rushed over when he heard a thud, dropping his fan in alarm. But rather than burns or swelling, she revealed rows of tiny scales that quickly faded back to human skin beneath his trembling hand.

Xiaomei pulled away sharply, "Did you know?"

He nodded solemnly.

"What else did Meng Shu tell you?" Her tone remained icy despite realization - so the ancient serpent demon had finally resorted to underhanded tactics. Should she feel proud for being first to ever earn such treatment?

"Meng Shu? Who's that?" Tian looked genuinely puzzled.

"The man who spoke with you in wards this morning."

"No one told me anything..." Tian shook his head, completely confused.

"Approximately 11:40 AM... when were you at hospital?"

"Then I was discussing a patient's condition with their family. The elderly lady has terminal illness and no children nearby - quite sad really..."

Xiaomei barely heard the rest as realization struck her like lightning. Meng Shu had indeed played his old tricks! A simple illusion had duped her, leaving chaos in its wake.

"But if not him, when did you discover it? Could it have been just now..."

Tian sighed at last, "When our son was born. You were unconscious after childbirth and I... saw your lower body turn into snake."

Xiaomei Qiu collapsed onto the sofa, her limbs heavy with exhaustion. She sat there clutching a plush bear absently to her chest while Tian Youjun loomed across from her in his usual armchair. His normally mild features had sharpened into something almost severe as he muttered through clenched teeth: "Xiaomei, I'm not trying to nag you - I know perfectly well this must be hell for you carrying these burdens alone. But don't you think marriage is supposed to mean honesty? Over a year now and I've been waiting for you to tell me about yourself, your past life, the fascinating experiences that must have shaped you... Instead all we get are those White Snake shows with you sighing in my ear about how 'all men are pigs' like I'm suddenly being condemned as Xu Xian. It's maddening..."

She blinked at him blankly. "Are you afraid?"

"Of course I am!" He scrubbed a hand over his face, voice rising to near hysteria. "Try explaining the visual and psychological trauma of your wife transforming right in front of you! I finally understood why Xu Xian went nuts - but at least he only dealt with half a demon. For hours after it happened I was pacing that hospital room like some lunatic, guarding every visitor as if they'd call animal control on me. And when you woke up next morning all cheery and normal... then you started watching White Snake again? Asking me my thoughts on Xu Xian? If even that didn't clue me in, maybe I should've skipped the Classic of Ghost Stories altogether!"

"I'm sorry..." She stared at her hands for a long time before those three words finally emerged. For someone who'd spent her life with Shu Meng by claiming territory through stubborn silence and never backing down from any dispute, even this simple apology felt like pulling teeth.

Tian Youjun scratched his nose awkwardly. "I mean... I'm not really complaining... Just venting a little. If you don't want to talk about it, well..." He trailed off into the suddenly heavy silence between them.

She exhaled sharply through her nose. "You know I've been trying to tell you for so long. But I was terrified. You see, I'm over one thousand one hundred seventy years old. I've lived through centuries of cultivation, travel, war, love... And marriage too. There are parts even now that would make your hair stand on end."

"I don't care if it's uncomfortable," he said quickly, eyes going slightly unfocused at the staggering revelation before snapping back to focus on her face. "The old stories say demons need eight hundred years of sleep -" (Xiaomei: Wait, was that really a demon?) "but over a thousand years seems normal for an immortal. Still..." His jaw tightened as he added in a strained voice, "Who was he? How is... how is he now?"

The faint ghost of a smile touched her lips. "I thought today you met him again. He's..." She closed her eyes briefly to gather the right words. "Powerful yet mercurial. Single-minded but surprisingly gentle when it suits him. Arrogant and impulsive, yet capable of deep consideration... Though always from his own perspective."

Tian Youjun's face lengthened.

"But he was selfish," she added with sudden malice, watching the expression twist his features. "You said you wanted to hear about this part - well? Do you still want more?"

His eyebrows shot up. "Of course I do! I'm not jealous at all!"

"If anything else makes your hair stand on end..."

"We can just fight like normal couples do," he declared cheerfully. "That's what they say, isn't it? Fighting in the morning and making love by night."

Xiaomei nodded against his shoulder, fingers tangling in his shirt collar as she continued her story.

"My name is Qiu Xiaomei, though you might know me better as a certain famous serpent - the Ba Snake. To understand my story, we should start from my beginning."

She took a deep breath and began weaving her tale...

Meng Shu stepped through the door to find District Xiao Mei waiting for him with a serious expression. His eyes flicked toward Tian Youjun who was amusing themselves by playing with the baby, then back at their hostess inquiringly. District Xiao Mei shrugged her shoulders. Her husband had insisted that since he'd revealed everything about his past relationship with Meng Shu, he should have rights to observe these meetings. After confessing all to her husband, she discovered an even more terrifying truth - jealousy could be far worse from sincere men than from schemers. Though Tian Youjun didn't mind her past at all, he imposed one condition for future meetings with Meng Shu and Liu Di: his presence was mandatory.

"Mister Meng," District Xiao Mei gestured toward the seats, "please sit down. It's my first pleasure to thank you in person - you've helped my wife so much through many years..."

"..."

Tian Youjun's theatrical display of gratitude clearly echoed soap opera tropes about claiming territory: "This woman is mine now, stay away." District Xiao Mei exchanged a long-suffering smile with a shake of her head. Confessing to her husband had indeed brought complications - though not the kind she'd initially anticipated.

Tian Youjun poured tea and offered water bowls with excessive hospitality, yet those eyes beneath that smiling mask screamed "unwelcome" loud enough even blind men could feel it. Despite knowing Meng Shu's identity and history, he still maintained this performance, proving his marital determination as unshakable as bedrock.

"Meng Shu," District Xiao Mei sat opposite him while Tian Youjun feigned baby-play nearby but kept ears alert. "I think we need to have a serious conversation..."

Meng Shu smiled bitterly: "All I want is the truth about that child... There wasn't any child, right? You just lied to me?" These suspicions had lingered in his mind for years, yet without her confirmation it would remain an unhealed wound.

"The child..." District Xiao Mei hesitated before whispering, "She died..."

"What?" Meng Shu's eyes widened.

"Shortly after you left, I discovered I was pregnant. Being naive then, I chose to give birth at our old home - did you ever count your enemies? They couldn't touch you directly but had no trouble eliminating an orphan and her mother. After my daughter's birth they waited until they confirmed you wouldn't return before launching their attacks... When I fled with the baby in arms, I didn't know where to find you or if escape was even possible - eventually..." Her voice cracked as she continued, "She survived less than two years."

Silence hung thick in the room. Tian Youjun approached and wrapped his arm comfortingly around District Xiao Mei's shoulders.

Meng Shu sat motionless for a long moment before suddenly rising to his feet with eyes blazing like wildfire: "Who did this?" With his nature and abilities, should she name the enemy now, that family would face annihilation within days.

District Xiao Mei used the handkerchief Tian Youjun offered to wipe away tears as she countered: "Do you think I've spent these nine centuries idle? Would I allow my daughter's murderers still breathing in this world?" Her legendary resilience led her first to hide and train relentlessly after losing her child. Only five hundred years later did she emerge from seclusion, embarking on a campaign against each perpetrator regardless of distance or time - some had fled continents, others had long been dead. But for every soul still drawing breath who'd wronged her, District Xiao Mei would find them. Finally in Linxin City where the last survivor was eliminated, this very city where she met Liu Di...

Tian Youjun had already heard this story once before but wept anew as it unfolded again. Surprisingly, his wife now seemed completely at peace with these ancient grievances: "Meng Shu," she said to him evenly, "your daughter wasn't born when you were there, was hunted while you remained silent, died while you were unaware, and her vengeance was achieved without your help - for all that, this child might as well have never been yours. Isn't it better for you not know of her existence?"

Meng Shu fell into another long silence before standing with a sigh. His footsteps dragged toward the door where he paused to say, "Call if there's anything I can do... You won't see me disturbing your lives again," then vanished through the threshold.

Tian Youjun exhaled deeply and wiped his wife's tears: "Well now that this is settled, shall we take baby to park? We've already taken leave today!"

District Xiao Mei rolled her eyes: "Feeling secure now?"

"Ha ha ha..."

"You really are unparalleled in faking stupidity during critical moments."

"Mama mama... Park... Tiger... Ahm..."

"All right all right," he chuckled, lifting their son affectionately, "let's go to park with wife and baby."