[Forget it! Besides Old Man Yu, who else would care about us? Humans are all bad! Why are you begging her?]
Many voices agreed with this.
[Yeah! Did you forget how humans abused us before? Do you want to get beaten again?]
[Stop dreaming! Let’s just stay here with Old Man Yu and wait for death together—that’s our fate!]
[In the next life, we should just be born as humans!]
Hearing these voices made Ruan Xingyao feel even more sorrowful.
She took a deep breath and said to the small animals, “I can’t promise you anything right now, but if you need something, you can tell me, I…”
She wanted to say she would come visit them often, but the words stuck in her throat.
Even such a simple promise, she couldn’t make.
[See? Humans are all the same! Who would care about us old, weak, sick, and disabled ones?]
[But I really want to eat meat… I haven’t eaten meat in half a year.]
[Meat, meat—you only ever think about meat! Is Old Man Yu starving you? You think someone’s just going to bring you meat?]
[But I just really want to eat meat…]
Ruan Xingyao’s nose stung again.
[Human! Just tell us why you came here.]
All the little animals went quiet, staring straight at Ruan Xingyao.
“I’m looking for a little black snake,” she said.
[A little black snake? Why does it have to be a little black snake?]
[Can’t we do instead?]
[Dream on! How could a human ever take a liking to us?]
[But I feel like she’s pretty nice… her scent is really comforting.]
[Alright, alright! A little black snake, huh? I remember there used to be some on the mountain behind here, but I’m not sure about now.]
Hearing this useful bit of information, Ruan Xingyao felt a huge weight lifted from her heart.
Just then, her phone rang.
She took it out and saw it was Xie Lin.
“Hello? What’s wrong?”
“You called me earlier and then hung up. I was worried about you.”
Although there didn’t seem to be any danger from the brief call, he was still concerned.
As soon as he finished his investigation, he called her right away.
Ruan Xingyao’s heart softened, her eyes growing misty.
This was the most direct show of care she had experienced since arriving in this world.
She was truly happy.
When she was at the Beast-Taming Sect, she was the most beloved little junior sister in the whole sect.
Everyone around her — people and all the little animals — adored her.
She had been pampered and cherished.
So, after arriving in this unfamiliar world, she actually felt very lonely.
Sniffling, Ruan Xingyao said, “I’m fine, it’s just a bit remote here, so I’m being a little cautious.”
Xie Lin said, “That’s good. What’s the situation now? Are you going to the next place?”
Ruan Xingyao replied, “They said there are little black snakes in the mountain, so I want to go take a look.”
Xie Lin said, “Then wait for me. I’ll come over and go with you.”
Her heart softened again, and she responded, “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
After thinking for a moment, Ruan Xingyao added, “Then could you do me a favor? Buy some tasty food and bring it over. I’ll give you the money later.”
Xie Lin didn’t ask much.
He only asked for the specific items and quantities, then agreed.
After hanging up, Ruan Xingyao continued chatting with the small animals.
“Can I ask you about this Old Man Yu you mentioned?”
The mynah bird replied.
【He used to be our animal trainer. Later, when the circus closed down, the boss took the money and ran. Some of our friends were sold, some were killed, and everyone else left. He couldn’t bear to abandon us, so he stayed to take care of us.】
After hearing this, Ruan Xingyao immediately felt deeply guilty.
She had judged him too much by appearances earlier.
“So he’s been living here all this time? No one else comes by? How does he make a living?”
【Old Man Yu grows vegetables, and we eat them together.】
Ruan Xingyao didn’t see where they meant by “land,” but judging from the situation, the plot probably wasn’t small.
After roughly estimating the yield, she had a general idea.
Still, another question popped into her mind.
“Hasn’t anyone tried to take this land away?”
Although the place was remote, it was still a decent size.
How could Old Man Yu have been allowed to keep it and the animals here for so long?
“Because this is my family’s land.”
The voice belonged to Old Man Yu.
Ruan Xingyao turned her head toward the sound.
She didn’t know when he had arrived, nor how much of her conversation with the animals he had overheard.
However, judging by his expression, he didn’t seem at all surprised that she could communicate with the animals.
Ruan Xingyao felt a little embarrassed — she had been far too nosy.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It’s fine,” Old Man Yu said.
Anyone who came here would be curious.
He had already answered this question many times before.
Old Man Yu said, “There was a big fire here before. In the end, it was just me and them left. Once I’ve sent them all away, I’ll hand this place over to the state.”
In the past, quite a few people had set their sights on this place, seeing that only he and these old, weak, sick, or injured animals remained.
Ruan Xingyao understood Old Man Yu’s meaning — he was worried she might also have designs on this place.
She wanted to ask him something else, but when the words reached her lips, she didn’t say them.
She no longer wanted to dig into exactly what had happened here.
“A friend of mine will be coming by later to bring them some food,” Ruan Xingyao said.
Old Man Yu opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refuse, but in the end, he said nothing.
Before long, Xie Lin arrived.
Ruan Xingyao went to the entrance to meet him.
Xie Lin had bought three boxes in total — fruits, vegetables, meat, along with some dog food, cat food, and other pet supplies.
Ruan Xingyao said sincerely, “Thank you, Xie Lin.”
After moving the boxes in one by one, Ruan Xingyao and Xie Lin left the circus.
Once they got into the car, Xie Lin handed her a lunch box. “It’s almost noon, have something to eat first.”
Ruan Xingyao happened to be hungry, and praised him from the heart. “Xie Lin, I didn’t expect you to be such a considerate person.”
Xie Lin let out a soft chuckle.
After lunch, the two of them headed up the mountain together to look for the little black snake.
Before starting the climb, Ruan Xingyao asked, “Once we go up, we might not come down for a while. Are you sure you want to stick with me?”
Xie Lin replied, “I’ve already taken the rest of the day off to be with you.”
Ruan Xingyao made a small sound of acknowledgment. “Oh. In that case, let’s pick up the pace.”
This was a barren mountain, and the path wasn’t easy to walk.
But they were lucky.
Barely three hours into the climb, Ruan Xingyao heard a “hiss hiss” sound.
【Hungry! Time to go out for a stroll!】
Her ears perked up immediately, and she tugged on Xie Lin’s arm. “I hear something — over there.”
She slowed her steps and moved toward the source of the sound, and sure enough, she saw a little black snake poking its head out.
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
