The fire kept burning, so the shack wasn't too cold. Everyone slept there, clutching their guns and leaning against each other.

The night was very quiet in the deep mountains and forests, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

Looking out through the hole in the roof of the shack, a few stars twinkled in the deep night sky.

With so many people staying in the mountains, how could Sheng Xiping dare to sleep soundly? He could only close his eyes and doze off.

In a daze, I don't know how much time had passed, when suddenly I heard a whimpering sound.

Sheng Xiping woke up with a start, listened intently, and heard what sounded like a large bird flying by, the flapping of its wings.

It must be some kind of large nocturnal bird, such as a eagle owl or a common owl, hunting.

The bird chirped a few more times, then flew away. Sheng Xiping closed his eyes and continued sleeping.

No sooner had I closed my eyes than I heard "Wah-wah-wah" coming from outside again.

The sound sounds a bit like a dog barking at first glance, but unlike a dog barking, it pauses after each bark, unlike a dog barking which is continuous.

Sheng Xiping sat up straight, held the gun in his hand, and listened intently.

Then I heard a rustling sound outside, like an animal walking through the grass and rubbing against it.

"What's that noise?" Wang Jianshe and Chen Weiguo hadn't slept soundly either. Hearing the noise outside, they both woke up and asked softly.

"That must be the call of a roe deer. Don't worry, I'll go check it out."

Sheng Xiping picked up the gun, slowly got up, and went out of the shack.