Chapter 24: Where Should I Go?

Xiaoshanzi watched as Bai Xi turned to leave. He glanced at the little cat twice, then followed her, thinking that this frail kitten wasn't even as pretty as the old cat at Sister Qingmei’s house in the village—who would want it anyway?

He had barely taken a few steps when a small creature darted past him, rushing toward Bai Xi. It would be more accurate to say it rolled, for the slope here was steep, and so the little tiger cub was tumbling down from above, chasing after Bai Xi.

Just as Bai Xi was about to climb onto the rock again, she felt something bump into her leg, causing her knee to buckle and nearly sending her face-first onto the stone. Annoyed, she spun around, ready to confront whichever reckless creature dared attack her, only to find the little spirit tiger holding a flower in its mouth, its head swaying slightly as if dizzy, before lifting its gaze to her with a fawning look, offering the flower with as much effort as it could muster.

“Didn’t I tell you to get lost?!” Bai Xi frowned, finding the little spirit tiger rather stupid. She had meant for it to leave, not to roll itself back to her feet. She had spared it out of kindness, and yet it foolishly lingered at her side. If it hadn’t been so small, her plump little face would have smashed right into the rock. Was it challenging her patience?

The little spirit tiger shook its head. It had followed the scent, for since its mother died, it had been constantly bullied. If it didn’t leave, it wouldn’t survive. It could sense a powerful aura emanating from this human child. The journey here hadn’t been easy—twice it lost its way, was chased by hungry wolves, even pursued by smelly wild boars, and had fallen deep into a mountain cave, clawing its way out with all its might. Now that it had finally found a formidable protector, how could it leave?

It had hidden nearby for quite a while, listening as Bai Xi directed the other children to chase butterflies and pick flowers. It was too young to catch a butterfly itself, so it bit off a flower to present to Bai Xi.

This act did not escape the attention of the others.

“Grand aunt, that kitten is trying to give you a flower!” Little Shitou exclaimed in surprise.

The others were equally astonished.

“That kitten really likes grand aunt.”

“Of course, who wouldn’t like grand aunt?”

“This wild cat seems smart.”

Xiaoshanzi squatted down in curiosity, wanting to pet the little spirit tiger’s head, but as soon as he reached out, the cub bared its teeth and let out a warning growl. Despite its small size, its snarling and growling appeared fierce enough.

“So ugly, and so fierce,” Xiaoshanzi said, startled as he withdrew his hand, then looked up at Bai Xi and remarked, “Grand aunt, this wild cat is too aggressive. We shouldn’t play with it.”

“Grr...grrr...grrr...” You’re the wild cat—your whole family are wild cats.

The little spirit tiger growled at Xiaoshanzi in fury, then raised the battered flower towards Bai Xi again, hoping she would accept it.

Looking at the chewed stem and the flower missing a couple of petals from its tumble, Bai Xi’s lips twitched. “Do you want to follow me?”

The little spirit tiger nodded eagerly, uttering soft, fawning sounds quite different from the warning growls it had given Xiaoshanzi. Anyone could sense its plea in both its voice and its eyes.

Its almost human gesture left the surrounding children wide-eyed.

“It can nod!” Little Shunzi exclaimed in wonder.

“Yes, yes, I saw it too!”

Bai Xi asked, “Where are your parents?”

The little spirit tiger’s eyes instantly dulled; it lowered its head and whimpered twice. They were gone.

Bai Xi fell silent. No wonder it had ended up here.

Thinking of how she had originally been fine in the Celestial Realm, only to end up here by a twist of fate, Bai Xi felt her frustration rise again.

Just then, Chen Rui finished gathering pigweed and approached, casting a curious glance at the little spirit tiger. “Grand aunt, wild cats can be dangerous, and this one isn’t pretty. If you want a cat, I can ask Aunt Zhang for a kitten when we get home. Her cat just had kittens—they’re adorable.”

Hearing itself disparaged, the little spirit tiger immediately snarled at Chen Rui, baring its teeth. You’re the wild cat—I am a tiger, a spirit tiger, do you understand? And I am not ugly!

If not for knowing these people were acquainted with Bai Xi, it would have bitten them for such slander.

Bai Xi listened to the tiger cub’s indignant protests and couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, thank you,” Bai Xi replied, shaking her head. “I don’t like them, and I can’t afford to keep one.”

It was hard enough for her to eat meat herself—why keep a cat?

The little spirit tiger hurriedly whimpered, I don’t eat much, really. I can eat even less, and when I grow up, I’ll catch lots of delicious food for you.

This promise made Bai Xi’s eyes light up, but she glanced at the tiger cub and remained silent.

It wasn’t that Bai Xi lacked resolve, but the body she now inhabited was that of a little milk baby, craving meat yet unable to get any, to the point she didn’t even want to admit she was a nine-tailed fox. Hearing the spirit tiger’s words, she was tempted, if only a bit.

“Finished gathering?”

Chen Rui nodded.

“Let’s head back then. No more playing.”

With Bai Xi’s decision, the others had no objections. They gathered their spoils—Bai Xi’s flowers, various odd branches, and of course, some wild vegetables. After all, picking wild greens to take home would earn praise from their parents—why not?

Seeing the clever little spirit tiger, Xiaoshanzi felt a pang of reluctance. “Grand aunt, what about this wild cat?”

Bai Xi replied, “I don’t want it. If any of you do, take it yourself.”

Little Shunzi teased, “Xiaoshanzi, you said it was ugly. Do you want it now? Will your parents let you keep it?”

Xiaoshanzi hesitated as he squatted down. His parents certainly wouldn’t allow it, and the wild cat was indeed ugly. Most importantly, whenever he reached out, it would snarl and bare its teeth—anyone could see it didn’t want to follow him.

It wasn’t just him; none of the others could pick it up. The little spirit tiger avoided them, heading straight for Bai Xi.

Its clever demeanor left Little Shunzi and the others a bit envious, but they could see the wild cat only wanted to follow grand aunt—it had nothing to do with them.

Little Shitou observed, “This cat wants to be with grand aunt. Maybe you should…”

Chen Rui quickly glared at Little Shitou. “Grand aunt, this wild cat is too ugly. You should choose a prettier one.”

“Mmm,” Bai Xi responded, glancing at the spirit tiger. “Go on your way.”

She then took the lead, and the others hurried after her.

The little spirit tiger watched Bai Xi’s retreating figure, not once looking back, and let out two mournful whimpers. Was she abandoning it too?

Lowering its head, it released the flower it had been holding. Seeing the blossom on the ground, it suddenly felt ashamed and annoyed, then turned and dashed away.

Chen Rui, worried the wild cat might follow, glanced over her shoulder halfway down the path and saw the spirit tiger running off, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

(Today’s update was delayed due to some matters—sorry! Starting from the first, I’ll update 4,000 words daily. Thank you for all your support, my dear readers.)