Chapter 174 - 172: Others in the Mountains

Chapter 174: Chapter 172: Others in the Mountains

Lin Zhiyin’s hand gently touched the little white weasel’s fur. It was so soft you could tell it felt wonderful even through her mittens. The little white weasel stiffened in fright but didn’t run away. It just blinked slowly, its bright black eyes staring intently at Lin Zhiyin.

"Oh my, this little thing is so well-behaved, and so pitiful. It’s so small and cute, let’s just let it go!"

Lin Zhiyin’s voice was full of pity. Zhao Wenjun and the others exchanged a glance but said nothing. The creature was too small to make even a couple of mouthfuls of meat, and its pelt was worth very little. Letting it go was no big deal.

"Exactly!"

Jin Xiuying sighed as well. "It’s the dead of winter, and the mountains are covered in snow. It must be so hard to find anything to eat. The poor thing was probably starving to have run into this area, only to accidentally run into the hunting dogs and the fox. Let’s not hurt it. It’s just so pitiful."

The two women went back and forth, clearly captivated by the little white weasel’s pitiful yet adorable appearance. They seemed to have completely forgotten they were hunters. Squatting in the snow, they surrounded the little weasel, taking turns petting it. They even took off their mittens to start stroking its fur, their eyes filled with a mixture of delight and compassion.

Lin Zhiyin took a small piece of leftover cornbread from her pocket, carefully crumbled it into bits, and placed it in front of the little white weasel. Jin Xiuying quickly brushed away the snow beside it, clearing a clean spot for it.

The little white weasel hesitated for a moment, looking at the cornbread crumbs before it and then at the gentle women beside it. Finally, it mustered its courage, extended its tiny tongue, and gently licked the crumbs. It then looked up and let out a faintly cheerful squeak at the women.

It ate cautiously, licking up the crumbs in tiny bites, its small body still trembling slightly from time to time. The earlier panic was gone. Sensing the two women’s kindness, it grew a little bolder. Watching it eat, Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying felt their hearts ache with affection, both remarking again on how well-behaved and pitiful the little creature was.

"Once you’re done eating, you should hurry and go. Find a warm place to hide and don’t run around anymore, or another wild animal might eat you!"

Lin Zhiyin said softly, unable to resist gently stroking the little white weasel’s head again. Her movements were incredibly gentle. The little weasel seemed to understand her words. After finishing the last of the cornbread crumbs, it slowly raised its head and squeaked a few more times at the two women. Then, it slowly rose onto its hind legs, cautiously glanced at the nearby hunting dogs and the white fox, and seeing they had no intention of stopping it, it gave a light push with its hind paws, lowered its body, and zipped away, skimming across the surface of the snow.

It slid a few meters away, then stopped, unable to resist looking back at Lin Zhiyin and the others squatting in the snow. It was as if it were saying goodbye, or perhaps hesitating about something.

’They’re like mothers.’

Zhao Wendong had ambled over and was watching the scene for entertainment when he heard the little white weasel’s inner thoughts. He nearly face-planted in the snow. ’This little thing thinks Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying are its mothers. If it has a knack for finding new moms everywhere, this weasel’s got a bright future ahead of it.’

’Oh no, it’s coming for my spot.’

Xiaobai also sensed that something was off. Its eyes narrowed, and a hint of hostility appeared in its gaze as it watched the little white weasel. It was living a cushy life by being cute and had no intention of letting a competitor in the same lane fight for affection.

"AWOOOO!"

The black-bellied little fox let out a fierce howl. The little white weasel shuddered in fear again, which was the last straw for Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying.

"Xiaobai, why are you scaring it!"

"Yeah, Xiaobai, be quiet."

Seeing the fox that had been mean to it get instantly disciplined by the two women, the little white weasel’s eyes suddenly sparkled. As if it had made some sort of decision, it turned around and slid back toward them.

Once it got close, it pressed its tiny body against Lin Zhiyin’s cotton-padded shoes and gently nuzzled them with the tip of its nose. Its movements were soft and cautious. The black fur at the tip of its tail was no longer drooping; instead, it was curled slightly upward, swaying slowly from side to side. It wasn’t as joyful as a cat or dog, but it had a hint of glee.

After nuzzling her, it looked up, its small, bright black eyes narrowing into thin slits. The corners of its mouth were slightly pursed, as if it were smiling faintly. A soft, trembling warble came from its throat, like it was trying to be endearing, or perhaps pleading. The faint, delicate sound burrowed into the women’s ears and hearts.

But that wasn’t all. It tentatively reached out a tiny, pinkish paw and gently pawed at Lin Zhiyin’s pant leg, pulling it back immediately before repeating the motion over and over. Finally, it tilted its body to the side, exposing a small patch of its snow-white belly. It didn’t roll over completely, just leaned enough for Lin Zhiyin to be able to touch its soft fur.

Seeing the little white weasel’s performance, Zhao Wendong thought to himself, ’Well, that settles it. Looks like we’re getting another pet.’ Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying had clearly also realized the weasel’s intentions, and they exchanged a surprised and delighted glance.

"Xiuying, look! Do you think this little thing wants to come with us?"

"Mhm, mhm! It looks like it sees us as family and wants to come home with us!"

Lin Zhiyin’s heart had already been melted by the tiny creature’s cuteness. She quickly crouched down, carefully extended her hands, and slowly picked up the little white weasel. It didn’t struggle. Instead, it obediently curled up in her palm, rolling its body into a tiny furball. It gently nuzzled her fingertips with its head and let out a soft whimper.

"Yip yip yip!"

Xiaobai, off to the side, was not having it and started acting outrageously cute. Although Jin Xiuying thought the little white weasel was perhaps a bit more adorable, she wasn’t the type to favor the new and neglect the old. She had no choice but to pick up Xiaobai and hold him in her arms too. It was just that compared to the little white weasel, Xiaobai’s size was a bit too large, and he was completely crushed in the cuteness department.