The cold came and summer went.

Xiao Mo had spent another three years in his second "life experience" within the Book of a Hundred Lives.

During these three years, Xiao Mo spent every day herding cattle, picking medicinal herbs, and going to the village grass hall to listen to the old village chief's lessons.

However, Xiao Mo could only listen to the classes from outside the private school.

This was actually quite good, as he could still tend to the cattle at the same time.

Although Xiao Mo was a child, the soul within his body was truly that of an adult.

Moreover, since this world used Chinese characters, Xiao Mo saved a lot of time learning to recognize words and learned very quickly.

The village chief was startled and delighted to discover such a promising student.

In the village chief's view, if Xiao Mo studied diligently and became literate, he might actually be able to pass the imperial examinations.

When that time came, Stone Bridge Village would truly have something to be proud of.

However, the village chief did not praise Xiao Mo to his face, lest he become arrogant and complacent but the village chief would occasionally lend Xiao Mo a few books from his personal collection in private, and indicated that if Xiao Mo had any questions, he could come to the courtyard to ask him at any time.

Xiao Mo was not ungrateful either. Every day, he would share some of the medicinal herbs and mountain fruits he gathered with the village chief.

Thus, when Xiao Mo went up the mountain to gather medicine and rested, he would open a book to read. When herding cattle, he would sit on the cow's back and open a book to read.

In the evenings when there was nothing to do, if the weather was good, Xiao Mo would read under the moonlight.

As for that little white snake.

In these three years, Xiao Mo had not seen her again, and he did not know where the little white snake had gone.

When spring came, all things revived.

Early this morning, Xiao Mo got up early and led Uncle Liu's cow from the village up the mountain.

As usual, Xiao Mo herded the cattle while reading.

"Hey! That guy riding the cow!"

Just as Xiao Mo was riding the cow and reading, a clear and pleasant female voice came from not far away.

Xiao Mo looked up and saw a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old standing not far away with her hands on her hips, looking quite spirited.

The girl wore a white dress that covered her feet, and her black hair just reached her slender waist.

The girl's skin was very fair, even glowing faintly under the spring sun. Under her long eyelashes, the corners of her peach blossom eyes curved slightly upward like a cat's tail, as if outlining the entire spring scenery.

Below her delicate nose, her pale pink cherry lips carried a pure and gentle smile.

To suddenly encounter such a beautiful girl on the mountain, and with her white dress spotlessly clean.

Anyone would find this strange, and Xiao Mo was no exception.

However, Xiao Mo had roughly guessed who she was.

Because from beneath her skirt hem, a white tail was visible.

How unexpected.

In just three short years, she had learned to transform.

According to Xiao Mo's knowledge, it took at least twenty years for a demon to transform into human form.

No wonder the Book of a Hundred Lives said she had exceptional talent.

Perhaps that drop of true dragon essence blood she had accidentally obtained was also contributing significantly.

Xiao Mo dismounted the cow, walked forward and bowed respectfully, pretending he knew nothing, "May I ask who this young lady is?"

"I, I am..."

The girl thought to herself that this was bad, her bright eyes rolling around.

She had just learned to transform today, and upon seeing him riding the cow, she had come over without thinking, but forgot to prepare what to say.

"I came up the mountain to enjoy the spring scenery. Who are you?" the girl asked in return.

"I am a villager from Stone Bridge Village, called Xiao Mo. May I ask the young lady's name?"

"Me?" The girl pointed at herself with her fair index finger, her eyes curving into crescents, "I'm called Bai Ruxue."

"Bai Ruxue." Xiao Mo repeated the name.

"What's wrong?" The girl bent down with her hands behind her back, looking up at Xiao Mo from below, "Is my name not nice?"

"It's nice." Xiao Mo nodded, "It just reminds me of a little white snake I saved before. I gave her a name that's the same as yours, young lady."

"That, that's just a coincidence! I, I'm not a snake! I'm a person! That's right! A person!" Bai Ruxue's eyes darted left and right, then she firmed her gaze.

Xiao Mo smiled, "I never said you were a snake, young lady."

Bai Ruxue: "..."

"Young lady, spring has begun, and there are many wild beasts on the mountain. Snakes and insects have also increased. It would be best for you to descend the mountain quickly." Xiao Mo proactively changed the topic, helping her resolve the awkwardness.

After three years, this little white snake still seemed not too clever.

"No rush, I'm very familiar with this mountain," Bai Ruxue waved her hand proudly. "Speaking of which, your cow looks very interesting. Can you take me for a cow ride? As payment, I can give you this."

Bai Ruxue took out a piece of broken silver.

This was something she had found on the mountain.

Xiao Mo shook his head, "That's not necessary. If you want to ride the cow, young lady, just come up."

"Thank you, you're quite nice."

Bai Ruxue walked to the cow's side with a swaying gait.

Xiao Mo patted the big black cow's head, and the big black cow snorted and crouched down.

Just as Bai Ruxue was lifting her skirt to mount the cow.

A pale snake tail was revealed.

Bai Ruxue's cheeks reddened, and she quickly lowered her skirt, "You saw wrong just now. I'm not a snake! I'm a person. Look, these are human feet."

Bai Ruxue slightly lifted her skirt again, revealing small feet wearing white cloud-patterned embroidered shoes, with snow-white ankles showing faint veins.

"It seems I've been reading too much lately and my eyes are a bit blurry." Xiao Mo played along with the girl, "Please hurry up and mount, young lady."

"Oh, oh, oh..." Bai Ruxue climbed onto the big black cow, sitting sideways on its back.

Xiao Mo also mounted the cow, sitting astride in front of Bai Ruxue.

The big black cow stood up, startling Bai Ruxue, who quickly grabbed onto Xiao Mo's clothes.

Under the spring sun, the big black cow wandered up the mountain at will, taking a bite here and there.

Xiao Mo rode on the cow's back, flipping through the book in his hands.

"Are you reading?" the girl behind him asked curiously after secretly tucking the silver into Xiao Mo's pocket.

"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded.

"Is reading fun?"

"Not really fun."

"Then why do you read?"

"Well, because I need to pass the imperial examinations."

"Why do you need to pass the imperial examinations?"

"Only by passing the imperial examinations can one become an official in the court."

"What does becoming an official in the court mean?"

On the cow's back, the girl was like a hundred thousand whys.

Xiao Mo couldn't read anymore, so he simply closed his book and answered the girl's "hundred thousand whys."

It wasn't until evening that Xiao Mo said, "Young lady, I need to go down the mountain."

"Oh, alright then." A flash of disappointment crossed the girl's eyes as she jumped down from the cow's back, "Then I'll go home too."

"Where do you live, young lady? I can escort you."

"No need to escort me, no need. I can get back by myself. Goodbye." The girl quickly waved her hands and ran toward the forest.

However, as the girl ran, beneath her skirt hem, those small feet wearing embroidered shoes turned back into a white snake tail.

Xiao Mo smiled.

She doesn't say.

So he doesn't ask either.