Beichen leaned against the utility pole smoking, "Who knows what's going on."

"Even you don't know," Xiao Li sighed, her complexion suddenly changing.

Intermittent crying could be heard not far away.

In the pitch-black of the night, there was an addition of a funeral procession, cloaked in sackcloth and filial piety bands.

Beichen frowned, "A funeral in the middle of the night?"

"It's Zhou Ping's wife's funeral," Xiao Li said with a hint of fear, hiding behind Beichen, "As per the customs of Spring Wind Town, those who die in unfortunate ways must be buried at midnight to dispel bad luck!"

"Why are there two coffins, one big and one small?" Beichen's expression became even more somber.

Xiao Li shuddered, "Oh no, don't tell me Zhou Ping's son is dead too?"

The funeral procession neared, the sounds of gongs and drums growing louder with each step.

It soon became clear that the pallbearers were carrying two coffins, and Zhou Ping was lying on top of one, crying inconsolably.

I quickly stood up because the whole procession was now upon us.

Following the tail of the funeral, a group of black snakes slithered.

Their eyes glinting with a sinister and ferocious light in the moonlight.

As they passed by us.

Zhou Ping's gaze swept over me, his eyes nothing like that of a living person.

The pupils were very narrow, with a chilling gleam.

It sent shivers down my spine.

"Hey, what are you still doing outside? Come in quickly," Chen Shufen hurriedly pulled me and Xiao Li inside, "You didn't look into Zhou Ping's eyes, did you?"

"I accidentally made eye contact with him just now, what's wrong?" I asked suspiciously.

Chen Shufen was extremely worried, "Oh no, oh no, everyone is saying that Zhou Ping is possessed by a snake; if you look into his eyes, the snake will slither into your bed."

"This morning, Chen Lan, the one who died, they say many snakes crawled out of her bed," Xiao Li said, "Uncle Hei, who died in the bathroom yesterday, was covered in snakes."

Chen Lan and Uncle Hei were regulars at the eatery; Xiao Li and I both knew them.

The thought that these people, who were alive until recently, were now all bitten to death by snakes was enough to chill anyone to the bone.

My face turned pale, "Chen Lan, Uncle Hei, they made eye contact with Zhou Ping?"

Xiao Li nodded vigorously, her voice loaded with worry, "Though I didn't see it myself, that's what everyone is saying. Yuanyuan, you just got over the snake venom, I hope it doesn't come after you again."

"It won't come to that, don't worry. The eatery has talismans posted, snakes won't get in," I consoled Xiao Li, but I felt uneasy myself.

Zhou Ping's gaze did indeed suggest that he might be possessed.

That night I went to bed early.

But my mind was filled with Zhou Ping's gaze.

After I fell asleep, I dreamt of Zhou Ping.

Zhou Ping stood at the dark end of the road, looking at me with those eerie eyes, the corners of his lips turning upwards.

"No... don't come here," I woke from the nightmare of Zhou Ping coming towards me to find it was daylight.

My mom had already gone to work at the supermarket, leaving only the empty bed beside me.

I quickly sent her a message to check on her.

Knowing she was safe from her reply, I was a bit less worried.

After finishing the morning's work, Yu Longting came downstairs to see me.

He led me to a room upstairs and handed me a jar of hand cream, applying it on my hands, "Your job requires you to work with water often; you need to take care of your hands."

"Yeah, thank you." My hands caressed by his creamy fingertips, my heart was racing, "Um, could you ask Yu Rongling what the situation is? These past few days... the snake disaster hasn't ended, it seems to have intensified."

"I'll take you to the Zhou Family later to sort this out," Yu Longting replied nonchalantly.

I looked at him puzzled, "What... do you mean?"

"Silly woman, your IQ really can't be helped, my brother was so clear, and you still don't get it," Yu Rongling's derisive voice came with a tinge of disdain, then he addressed Yu Longting, "Brother, I'm just a Scattered Immortal turned into a Transformed Snake Dragon; you could squash me with one finger. But do you know who is inside the Zhou household? She's much more formidable than I am!! I advise you better not meddle in others' affairs..."

"Apologize to your sister-in-law," Yu Longting said without lifting his head, switching to the other hand to apply the hand cream.