Sima Han's target was naturally not these small animals, so he didn't care at all.
Zheng Wei also understood his temper. Given Sima Han's disposition, although he was willing to stay, he would absolutely not be willing to live there for free. Now, he was definitely thinking of finding some game.
As the two delved deeper, the mountain fell silent, and the sounds of small animals rustling through dry grass disappeared.
"There might be something big here, be careful." Sima Han, walking ahead, turned back and said to Zheng Wei. He himself bent down slightly, warily scanning their surroundings.
"Roar!"
A tiger's roar echoed. Sima Han recognized the sound of a spotted tiger. Instead of being afraid, he became even more excited.
Seeing him like this, Zheng Wei immediately said, "A'Han, we can't fight this tiger."
Sima Han turned back in surprise, asking in confusion, "Why is that?"
Zheng Wei smiled gently. "The spotted tigers in this mountain are familiar with us."
Sima Han was astonished, then said, "When has anyone ever been familiar with spotted tigers? You're not just saying this to prevent me from getting hurt, are you?"
Seeing him like this, Zheng Wei knew he wouldn't believe him. He didn't say any more, just stared ahead, waiting for Hua Diandian to arrive.
When he heard the tiger's roar just now, Zheng Wei knew it was Hua Diandian, who had sensed his arrival on the mountain and deliberately come running.
Although he never knew how Hua Diandian knew he was on the mountain, he was still very touched by Hua Diandian's enthusiasm.
As expected, in a short while, the two saw a spotted tiger running towards them from afar, roaring as it ran. Even the birds perched on the treetops in the forest were startled and flew away flapping their wings.
The moment Sima Han saw the spotted tiger, he drew his sword and lunged at the approaching Hua Diandian.
Seeing this, Zheng Wei quickly ran a few steps forward, intercepting Sima Han and embracing the charging Hua Diandian.
Held in Zheng Wei's arms, Hua Diandian nuzzled Zheng Wei's body with its head. It still bared its teeth at Sima Han, who had drawn his sword.
When Sima Han saw Zheng Wei hugging Hua Diandian, his heart leaped into his throat, fearing that the spotted tiger would bite Zheng Wei the next second.
However, the scene that unfolded truly astonished him.
This spotted tiger not only acted like a dog, acting spoiled towards Zheng Wei, but it also knew to bare its teeth at him, presumably because he had drawn his sword.
When did this spotted tiger become so intelligent?
"What? You didn't believe me earlier, but now you do?" Zheng Wei rubbed Hua Diandian's head, let it go, and turned to look at Sima Han.
"I was mistaken. The world is indeed full of wonders," Sima Han nodded and said.
Hua Diandian seemed to understand Sima Han's words. It gave him a big roll of its eyes, then nodded at Zheng Wei and headed directly in the direction it had come from.
"It's leaving?" Sima Han was confused. Hadn't it just arrived? Was it here just to take a look?
"It's asking us to follow it," Zheng Wei explained.
With that, Zheng Wei followed Hua Diandian. Sima Han was stunned in place for a few seconds before finally catching up.
Meanwhile, after Yue Qingxin finished washing clothes, Shen Xiaoyan accompanied her for a walk around the courtyard, explaining the purpose of each area.
Finally, she led her to the old courtyard and showed her the newly purchased flower seedlings and fruit tree saplings.
"So many? Where will they be planted?" Yue Qingxin was very surprised.
"The fruit trees will be planted in the area behind the courtyard. The flowers will be planted in the courtyard," Shen Xiaoyan explained.
"When will they be planted? A'Han and I can help."
"Of course. With so many trees, it would take A'Wei and me a very long time to plant them all," Shen Xiaoyan said, and the two of them laughed together.
Shen Xiaoyan then pointed out the raspberry patch and the milk fruit to Yue Qingxin, and mentioned that they would also plant striped watermelons in the courtyard later.
Yue Qingxin found it all very novel and looked forward to it, saying that Shen Xiaoyan should always include her in any planting plans.
Hand in hand, they walked towards the cross courtyard. Yue Qingxin suddenly said, "Xiaoyan, with such a large courtyard, and only the three of you living here, aren't you afraid?"
Shen Xiaoyan thought to herself that she was naturally not afraid. If anyone dared to cause trouble, she would definitely make sure they never returned.
However, she still said, "We have two guard dogs and two cats."
"Guard dogs? Where are they?" Yue Qingxin was surprised. They had just toured all the areas, so why hadn't they seen them?
"They went up the mountain to play. They should be back with A'Wei and the others soon," Shen Xiaoyan explained.
Just as Shen Xiaoyan predicted, half an hour later, Zheng Wei and Sima Han returned, bringing with them four adorable creatures and a spotted tiger.
"A'Han, why is there a spotted tiger?" Yue Qingxin, holding Sima Han's arm, hid behind him. Her face was pale, and her body trembled slightly, but she did not scream.
Even this much made Shen Xiaoyan look at her with new admiration. One had to know that for most people, especially women, seeing a large, fierce spotted tiger standing in front of them would cause them to turn pale and scream.
"It's okay, it's okay, Xin Xin, don't be afraid. This is Hua Diandian, it often comes to visit," Sima Han gently comforted Yue Qingxin, patting her hand.
Yue Qingxin looked questioningly at Shen Xiaoyan. Shen Xiaoyan quickly nodded and said, "Sister, don't be afraid. This spotted tiger is called Hua Diandian, and it doesn't harm people."
When Hua Diandian saw Shen Xiaoyan, it had wanted to pounce, but remembering Zheng Wei's instructions not to pounce on Shen Xiaoyan, it forcefully restrained itself.
It quickly walked up to Shen Xiaoyan, tilted its head, and stared intently at Shen Xiaoyan with its round eyes.
Shen Xiaoyan had always been defenseless against cute creatures. She immediately crouched down and dotingly rubbed Hua Diandian's face.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan's actions, Yue Qingxin was so scared that she bit her lip tightly. However, seeing that Hua Diandian, being handled and fiddled with by Shen Xiaoyan in all sorts of ways, showed no sign of displeasure, her heart gradually relaxed.
"Sister, would you like to pet it?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Yue Qingxin.
Yue Qingxin quickly recoiled and shook her head, saying softly, "No, thank you."
Shen Xiaoyan didn't force her. It was indeed asking too much of the girl to play with a spotted tiger.
"By the way, what did you hunt today?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, looking at Zheng Wei.
"The game is in the cross courtyard. There's a wild boar, a roe deer, and a few pheasants and rabbits," Zheng Wei replied.
"We'll have a feast tonight," Shen Xiaoyan said happily.
"Meow!" Luoluo, who had been sitting aside, waiting for Shen Xiaoyan to pick her up for a long time, walked forward discontentedly and meowed at Shen Xiaoyan.
"Luoluo is back? Let me see if you've gotten fatter," Shen Xiaoyan said as she picked up Luoluo.
Yue Qingxin poked her head out, and upon seeing Luoluo in Shen Xiaoyan's arms, her eyes lit up immediately. She wanted to reach out and pet it, but she hesitated, still mindful of Hua Diandian who hadn't left.
"Sister, would you like to hold her?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, walking over to Yue Qingxin with Luoluo in her arms.
A big smile spread across Yue Qingxin's face. She reached out and took Luoluo, holding her carefully in her arms. First, she nuzzled her face against Luoluo, then gently scratched Luoluo.
Luoluo was initially reluctant to be held by Yue Qingxin, but soon began to close its eyes and enjoy it, even purring.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Yue Qingxin and Sima Han, then at Zheng Wei, and said, "Shall I help you move your necessities into your room?"
She started to go, but Sima Han stopped her after only a few steps. "Sister-in-law, there's no rush."
Shen Xiaoyan stopped and turned to look at Sima Han with confusion.
Sister-in-law? Was he calling her that?
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan's perplexed expression, Zheng Wei smiled and explained, "Ming Ge is older than both of us, so it's only right for him to call you sister-in-law."