Seeing that Lady didn't react, Old John gave her a wink, signaling Ella to quietly approach.
Old John made room for Ella so she could get closer to the window.
Ella stroked the baby bird in her arms with some reluctance, then resolutely stretched out her hands.
Ella tossed her hands lightly and immediately withdrew them, but she did not immediately leave the car window.
Her gaze followed the baby bird as it turned.
That toss seemed to be unexpected for the fledgling bird as it turned its head to look at Ella, its little eyes filled with confusion.
Moreover, instead of immediately taking flight, it free-falled, plummeting straight down.
Ella was somewhat panicked upon seeing this. Could it be that this fledgling bird couldn't fly yet?!
Just as Ella reached out to catch the fledgling, it seemed to sense something was wrong and suddenly spread its wings.
Then, under Ella's watchful eye, the fledgling flapped its wings and took flight.
Thank goodness she didn't fall!
Ella couldn't help but smile as she watched the baby birds flying outside the car and boat.
The fledglings did not leave, chirping softly like tiny thunderclaps.
At the same time, a deafening thunderclap came from afar, a sound that was completely different from what it used to be.
Fortunately, the distant thunder prevented Lady from noticing that there was actually a Thunderbird chick near the carriage.
Seeing that the baby bird was alright, Ella waved goodbye to it.
Then, Ella quietly closed the car window.
Although releasing the baby birds was a good thing, Ella still felt down.
For so many years, Ella has not dared to keep any pets, for fear that she would become attached to them, and that this attachment would hinder her determination to find her daughter.
When people have attachments, they no longer want to face setbacks.
Ella, she didn't want this.
Finding her daughter is her ultimate goal!
However, I didn't expect to encounter such a small creature on the way.
After only a few hours of contact, Ella's heart softened.
Perhaps it was because the baby bird's pitiful look when it looked at her was just like the expression on her daughter's face when she was a child begging for food!
With a slyness mixed with a touch of feigned pitifulness, it's easy to see through but also hard not to chuckle.
Old John took in Ella's expression without saying a word. He simply sat down beside her, put his arm around her, and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.
Old John understood her feelings.
Fortunately, Ella quickly composed herself.
She smiled at old John to indicate that she was alright.
Old John carefully observed her expression and, seeing that Ella showed no sign of reluctance, felt relieved.
The atmosphere inside the carriage began to warm up.
It has to be said that Lady may seem a bit unserious, but once she gets into work mode, she becomes very serious and reliable.
Old John and Ella encountered no danger until the carriage came to a stop.
When the carriage came to a stop, the sun was already setting in the west.
When old John and Ella emerged from the carriage, a warm yellow light bathed the earth, giving Thunder Valley a gentle glow.
Dinner for the four of them was very simple, consisting of some bread that could be stored for a long time.
Because they don't spoil for a long time, these breads are hard and dry, and swallowing them feels like straining your throat.
Fortunately, this torment didn't last too long.
Karl scouted ahead today and estimated that he would be able to leave Thunder Valley tomorrow, and then reach Hope City in another three or four days.
Listening to Carl's words, Old John did a quick calculation in his mind and realized that it had taken several days faster than previously expected!
Then they can go to the barren land sooner!
Thinking about it this way, old John couldn't help but get excited, and it was clearly reflected on his face.
Ella's excitement mirrored Old John's, indicating that hope was growing ever closer!
Next, the two ate the dry, hard bread, their expressions showing great pleasure.
Soon, the four of them finished their dinner and prepared to rest.
At this moment, the sky darkened and became gray.
With no entertainment to offer, Old John and Ella, as always, returned to their carriage to rest.
Carl and Lady, on the other hand, stayed where they were and took turns resting because they needed to be careful at night.
Because of the news Carl brought, old John and Ella had obvious smiles on their faces when they boarded the carriage hand in hand.
However, their good mood came to an abrupt end when they opened the car door.
Old John and Ella's expressions immediately changed when they saw the baby bird appear at the door of the inner room.
Dim light shone in, and you could vaguely see a dark, lumpy mass nestled by the car door.
Fortunately, Carl and Lady weren't looking in their direction at that moment. Old John suddenly grabbed Ella's arm and forced her to calm down.
Afterwards, without a trace of eagerness, old John slowly closed the door to the inner room.
As he closed the door, he kept a close eye on Carl and Lady's expressions out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing that the two men remained calm and composed, clearly unaware of the unusual situation, Old John closed the door and exhaled a breath of stale air.
That's why old John didn't see that after the door closed, Karl inadvertently glanced at the carriage.
Old John turned his head and looked at the baby bird back in Ella's arms, feeling a headache coming on.
When exactly did it sneak in?!
He and Ella had checked before they left, and there was no possibility that the doors or windows were open. How could the baby bird be inside?!
However, that's not the point right now.
The key question is, how can we release this fledgling without being discovered by the two explorers?
That's simply impossible!
Old John rubbed his temples, unable to think of any good solutions.
Ella was helpless, holding the baby bird.
"Perhaps we should leave it like this for today and try to let it go tomorrow?"
Ella leaned close to old John's ear and whispered a suggestion.
There's no other way now.
Their actions at night were too obvious and would undoubtedly attract the attention of Karl and his companion.
Old John glanced helplessly at the black fledgling in Ella's arms and could only silently agree to Ella's suggestion.
Old John did not sleep well that night.
In his dreams, the Thunderbird is discovered by Carl and Lady, who, in order to obtain the Thunderbird and to keep the secret, ruthlessly kill him and Ella.
Old John in his dream completely forgot that the bounty he had posted for the mission was two East Pearls, which were worth far more than the Thunderbird.
And so, the night, filled with nightmares, ended only when the morning sunlight pierced old John's senses.
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