“Zhi Zhi.”

Song Jing’an looked at Bai Zhizhi squatting on the ground with some distress, and called her name softly.

He had followed the village hunting team up the mountain and had seen Bai Zhizhi and the other person from afar. He hadn’t originally planned to approach, but watching Bai Zhizhi’s steps grow slower and slower behind Bai Junyu until she finally squatted down and refused to move, he grew too worried and came over.

He felt very dissatisfied with Bai Junyu. Since he had brought her out, why wasn’t he taking proper care of her?

As for where Bai Junyu was now?

After realizing Bai Zhizhi was missing, he had anxiously wanted to go back and look for her, but he was immediately surrounded by the village youngsters, bombarded with questions and unable to break free.

“Zhi Zhi, it’s me,” Song Jing’an squatted down and gently reassured her, “It’s alright, don’t be afraid.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Bai Zhizhi’s unease eased slightly, and she peeked out at Song Jing’an with her eyes.

Meeting those watery eyes, Song Jing’an’s heart trembled, and his voice softened even more, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of the villagers?”

He noticed that Bai Zhizhi was bold and lively around people she knew, even threatening him at times, but she became timid when facing strangers.

Since Bai Fumin was the village chief, people often came to the Bai household. Whenever that happened, Bai Zhizhi would become very tense, hiding inside the house and not coming out until the visitors had left, only then returning to normal.

Now it was even worse. He could feel her nerves were stretched taut, like a tightly drawn string that could snap at any moment.

Bai Zhizhi looked at Song Jing’an with pleading eyes, “I want to go back.”

“Okay, I’ll take you back.” Song Jing’an reached out to help her up but found that as soon as he extended his hand, Bai Zhizhi shrank back, so he had no choice but to let it drop helplessly.

“Can you get up?”

Bai Zhizhi nodded, stood up, and looked around, “Where’s Da Bai?”

Song Jing’an thought for a moment. When he had first arrived, Da Bai had been guarding Bai Zhizhi warily from the side, but it seemed that after he approached, Da Bai had run off.

“Maybe he went down the mountain?” Song Jing’an said uncertainly.

Bai Zhizhi gave an “oh”; her little companion was really too unreliable.

Thinking she was worried, Song Jing’an reassured her, “Don’t worry, he’ll find his way back on his own.”

Da Bai was very smart, knew the way home, and was fiercely strong. There was no need to worry about him being captured.

Just as he had reassured Bai Zhizhi and was about to lead her home along a small path, several abrupt gunshots rang out.

Song Jing’an jerked his head towards the mountain. What he had feared had still happened.

His trip up the mountain today wasn’t on a whim; he had important business. He still remembered in his previous life, the hunting team had also gone up the mountain around this time and suffered heavy casualties, with even some lives lost.

The village had a dedicated hunting team that also served as the militia responsible for the village’s safety. Every so often, the hunting team would organize trips up the mountain to hunt, firstly to prevent animals from coming down and damaging the crops, and secondly to improve their meals.

However, since the hunting team’s formation, they had never encountered large animals and had grown complacent. This time, they came across wild boars. The team members were caught off guard and completely unprepared, resulting in a tragic outcome.

He didn’t want to see such an ending but had no way to stop them from entering the mountain. So, he found a way to follow them up, subtly reminding them along the way to stay vigilant and not let their guard down.

Song Jing’an was somewhat worried, unsure if his reminders had been effective. The previous life had been truly tragic.

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a kick on his leg, snapping him back to attention. He met Bai Zhizhi’s gaze.

Thinking she was scared, Song Jing’an gently reassured her, “It’s fine, it’s just the hunting team. They probably bagged some game.”

The sounds had already stopped; it seemed the struggle was over.

In the previous life, the hunting team had suffered heavy casualties due to carelessness. This time, with his reminders, it should be better.

Bai Zhizhi looked at him with a baffled expression. She wasn’t afraid; she was an Immortal who had even survived heavenly tribulations—how could she be scared by a few noises?

“Go home,” she simply didn’t like seeing people.

Song Jing’an knew then that he had overthought it and responded, “Okay.”

Then, very quickly, he reached out and patted her head.

Bai Zhizhi’s eyes widened, and she glared at Song Jing’an discontentedly, lifting her foot to kick him.

“Bad guy!”

Song Jing’an dodged with a sidestep, rubbed his nose, and led her down the mountain along the small path.

They hadn’t gone far when they heard noisy sounds from not far away, mixed with several cries for help.

The two stopped, neither speaking. Song Jing’an slightly turned his head to look at Bai Zhizhi.

…

On the other side, when Bai Junyu realized his sister wasn’t following behind him, he was at a loss. He turned to go look for her but hadn’t run more than two steps before someone threw an arm around his neck.

“Xiao Yu, when did you get back? Why haven’t you come to hang out with us?”

It was one of his old playmates from the village. They used to be very close, but they had drifted apart after Bai Junyu left for school. Still, every time Bai Junyu came back on break, they would always get together.

“Are we still brothers or not? Or have you been in the city so long that you look down on us now?”

Bai Junyu’s face was pale. “Tiger, my sister is missing.”

“Huh?” Zhao Hu, who had his arm around Bai Junyu’s neck, froze.

“I came out with my sister, and now she’s gone.”

Zhao Hu let go. “You mean Sister Zhizhi?”

Bai Junyu nodded, extremely anxious. “Help me look for her.”

Zhao Hu knew how much Bai Junyu cared for his sister. The reason they had become so close was actually because of Bai Zhizhi. Back then, he had muttered a few remarks that Bai Junyu overheard, they got into a fight, and later, becoming friends through their scuffle, they ended up good friends.

So, Bai Junyu’s sister was also his, Zhao Hu’s, sister.

Thinking this, Zhao Hu waved his hand, calling the other youngsters who had come with him to join the search.

Fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boys were at the peak of their sense of responsibility. Suddenly entrusted with an important task, they were all fired up.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hu leaned in close to Bai Junyu and asked with a cheeky grin, “Xiao Yu, I heard our sister isn’t… simple-minded anymore, is that true?”

Bai Junyu’s fists clenched. “My sister was never simple-minded.”

“Yes, yes, I misspoke,” Zhao Hu immediately corrected himself. “So, is our sister better now?”

Bai Junyu was just about to nod when several “Bangs! Bangs!” interrupted him. The sound came from the mountain. He looked over. “What was that?”

“It’s my dad and the others,” Zhao Hu said excitedly. “They must have bagged some game!”

In contrast to Zhao Hu’s excitement, Bai Junyu was clearly anxious. The hunting team entering the mountain meant there was game up there. He was worried his sister might run into it and get scared. Shaking off Zhao Hu’s hand, he made to rush into the mountains.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Da Bai!”

He rushed over, wanting to hug Da Bai and get him to lead the way to Bai Zhizhi, but Da Bai wasn’t having it and started pecking at him.

Bai Junyu dodged frantically. “Da Bai, why are you pecking me? Where’s my sister?”

Da Bai: “Squawk!”

Stinky little brother, letting the little hedgehog run off on her own.

Zhao Hu laughed heartily, openly mocking him.

Everyone around found the scene amusing, and the atmosphere was light.

However, a scream shattered the pleasant mood.

“Help!”

A group of people hurried down from the mountain carrying someone. The person being carried was covered in blood and seemed seriously injured. The others also had minor injuries, but none as severe as his.

Bai Junyu grabbed Da Bai by the neck, holding him in his arms, and went over with Zhao Hu to see.

“Isn’t that Tiger’s dad?!” someone suddenly exclaimed.

Zhao Hu froze, pushed through the crowd to look, and sure enough, the person being carried was his father. He threw himself forward. “Dad!”

The smile was now completely gone from his face. His eyes were wide, tears welling up. “Weren’t you just going up for a look around? How did you get hurt?”

Zhao Hu’s father was a member of the hunting team. He had been into the mountains before, but only around the outskirts. On lucky days, they might bag a pheasant or a rabbit. No one ever imagined someone could get hurt like this.

Zhao Hu remembered his father smiling as he entered the mountain, saying he’d shoot a pheasant for him. Now he was lying here covered in blood. Overwhelmed by grief, Zhao Hu burst into loud sobs.

Seeing him like this, the people around couldn’t bear it and turned their faces away. The hunting team captain wiped his face and said grimly, “Everything was fine at first. Who knew we’d run into a big one right after entering the mountain? That boar went crazy. Ligang got hurt protecting us.”

Ligang was Zhao Hu’s father’s name. He was always the mainstay of the hunting team. This time, encountering the boar, he had stepped forward to block it, which was why he was so badly injured.

Hearing they had run into a wild boar, the crowd gasped. “Heavens, that’s terrible luck. How could they meet a wild boar? No wonder he’s hurt so badly.”

“This… he seems to have more breath going in than coming out. Can he still be treated?”

Zhao Hu was only sixteen, still a half-grown boy who hadn’t experienced much. Suddenly faced with this, he was panicked and could only cry.

Bai Junyu couldn’t bear it and stepped forward to comfort him. “It’ll be alright. Someone’s already gone for Uncle Lin. He’ll be here soon. With Uncle Lin here, Uncle Ligang will be fine.”

As soon as they saw the situation was bad, someone had run to fetch help.

“Really?” Zhao Hu asked.

Bai Junyu nodded firmly. “Really.”

The others also comforted him, “Yes, Tiger, Doctor Lin is highly skilled. Your dad will definitely be alright.”

For now, they could only wait for Doctor Lin to see if he could treat him. They didn’t dare move him an inch further.