In the dead of night, the heated kang made the room warm and cozy. Before bed, Niu Er even added some wood chips and pine needles to the stove, letting the fire burn slowly.
Old Ears and Niu Er lay side by side on the kang, sound asleep, while Chen Ji opened his eyes and got up to go outside.
He walked quietly on the packed snow, not even disturbing the dogs in the village.
Halfway up the mountain, Chen Ji shouted loudly, "Wu Yun!"
A black shadow darted out from the woods, lunging into Chen Ji's arms. Chen Ji stroked its head, "Have you eaten?"
Wu Yun meowed, "Jingzhe hunted a sheep; it was quite tasty."
Chen Ji asked again, "How is it when I'm not around?"
Wu Yun replied, "No problem, it's quite well-behaved."
Chen Ji nodded, holding Wu Yun, he found a large rock to sit on.
Jingzhe slowly emerged from the woods, glanced at Wu Yun for a signal, and, seeing Wu Yun wasn't hissing, lay down by Chen Ji's feet.
