The five little ones led the way, while Su Tang followed behind, using a stick to clear away the thorny plants.
Cat Nine followed behind, also carrying a stick, glancing back every now and then.
They were afraid something might catch up with them.
After walking for a short while, Su Tang saw familiar feathers on the ground.
They were on the right track; they had returned to where they came from.
Further ahead, there were traces of Lion Sky and his group's footsteps. The massive, obstructing vegetation around them had been pushed aside, making the path much easier to traverse.
The forest was chilly, and even by noon, the sun had barely shone in.
Su Tang and Mao Jiu were covered in sweat after walking around.
The two walked for a whole morning, and it took them more than an hour to walk before they arrived.
At noon, we found a water source, a shallow stream only about a meter wide.
The two of them and their babies were so thirsty that their throats were parched, so they squatted down by the stream and gulped down the water.
The stream flows down from the mountaintop and is crystal clear.
It probably comes from a mountain spring; it's sweet and delicious, and very thirst-quenching.
After finishing his drink, Mao Jiu plopped down on the floor, wanting to catch his breath and rest.
"Don't rest here, let's fill up with some water and keep going." Su Tang carried the bamboo tube she had made on the way here, filled it with water, and called to Zai Zai to continue on their journey.
In the forest, the closer you are to a water source, the more dangerous it is. Without males around, resting near a water source is practically inviting wild animals to eat you.
Mao Jiu wanted to collapse on the ground, but upon hearing Su Tang's words, she gritted her teeth and followed.
I don't even ask why anymore, saving my energy so I can take one more step.
She knew that if she didn't keep going, she would become wild animal excrement in a day.
After walking for about another hour, Su Tang finally stopped to rest.
"Gurgle..."
I don't know whose stomach started growling.
Cat Nine touched its belly and remained silent.
I at least ate some meat last night, but after fleeing all the way, it's all been digested, and I'm even hungrier than when I had no food before.
However, she dared not say that she was hungry.
At this point, it would be good enough if they weren't eaten by wild animals, let alone expect to eat anything.
Su Tang looked at the five little ones who couldn't help but lick their lips, reached into her bag to cover herself, and took out a bunch of mangosteens from the farm space.
"These are wild fruits I just saw on the road. Let's have some to tide us over."
She tossed a few to Cat Nine, then peeled mangosteens for the kittens.
Si Bao walked slowly on the road, often at the very back, while Su Tang followed behind, pretending to pick some wild fruits and put them into her bag.
The fruit was too big to fit in my bag, but the mangosteen was the right size and the color wasn't too bright.
"Th-thank you." Cat Nine was flattered and stammered his thanks without any suspicion.
Watching Su Tang peel the mangosteen, knowing she was going to eat the white flesh inside, she bit it open with her teeth and couldn't wait to eat it.
The sweet juice went down his throat, and Mao Jiu immediately felt much more refreshed from his tired body.
Even the feeling of hunger wasn't as intense anymore.
The babies were starving, but knowing their situation, they didn't ask for food.
Su Tang peels open the mangosteen to reveal the flesh.
Da Bao licked his lips and nudged Su Tang's hand with his paw.
"Meow." Mother ate first.
The other four cubs also watched longingly, without moving.
Su Tang looked at her well-behaved little boy and felt a lump in her throat.
The cubs at this age are the most greedy; every time they are fed, all five cubs fight over the food.
“There’s food for your mother too, you should eat quickly.”
After Su Tang finished speaking, seeing that the children still didn't move, she ate one herself first, and then the children gathered around to eat.
The crops in the farm space are very filling. After eating a bunch of mangosteens, Su Tang and the kids didn't feel so hungry anymore.
After resting for a while, the two of them continued their journey with their baby.
They wanted to walk as much as possible before dark.
There are many snakes, insects, and rodents in the forest, and you can see one or two palm-sized spiders hanging overhead from time to time.
There are also many that are completely invisible, almost blending into the forest.
Su Tang could feel as if countless eyes were staring at her from the forest, but when she turned her head, she couldn't find anything.
Surprisingly, they were not attacked by snakes or insects along the way.
As the cubs passed by, the almost invisible snakes and insects all withdrew their restless gazes.
Even the spider on top of my head climbed up two inches.
Soon, it was sunset again.
After walking all day, the two were exhausted.
Su Tang was wearing shoes made by Lin Xia, and several blisters had formed on the soles of her feet.
Cat Nine's straw sandals were already worn out, and he was barefoot, grimacing with every step he took.
The five little ones were too tired to walk anymore. Si Bao had to lie down and catch his breath after taking a few steps.
"It's getting dark, let's find a place to rest for today." Su Tang glanced at the sky and patted Si Bao's head reassuringly.
Cat Nine was already familiar with the process and was about to check the surroundings with Su Tang for any dangers.
Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from the grass ahead.
The two of them froze instantly, staring intently in the direction from which the sound came.
The five cubs were even more tense, their paws gripping the ground, as if they might bristle at any moment.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Su Tang held her breath, ready to run away at any moment, when she saw a yellow head emerge from the bushes.
The moment those tired beast eyes saw Su Tang, they instantly lit up with a look of surprise.
"Candy!"
Su Shiwei transformed into human form and jumped out of the bushes.
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