She waited the whole day!
There were golden pheasants, wild rabbits, hedgehogs, porcupines, and even a creature resembling a wild goat.
The bait was changed several tis, but Xiaomi still had no catch.
The only ti she hit a target was that goat-like creature.
Unfortunately, she hit the horn, which made a crisp sound, and then it ran away...
Xiaomi felt frustrated...
On the way back, her spirits were low, like a little bunny who’d been scolded, terribly wronged.
Wei Ziang ca back from school and, knowing that Xiaomi had gone up the mountain in the morning and hadn’t returned yet, was waiting at the door the whole ti.
Others were worried too. Even Jiang Hu went up the mountain at noon to search, but no matter how much he called, there was no response from Xiaomi.
This was the first ti Xiaomi had stayed on the mountain for so long.
Although they knew Xiaomi was sensible and wouldn’t do anything dangerous, she was not even eight years old.
In the end, not only was Xiaomi not found, but even Xiao Hei didn’t return, so they had no idea where Xiaomi was. They could only hope that since Xiao Hei hadn’t co back for help, it ant Xiaomi was safe.
This anxious feeling lingered until Wei Ziang finally saw a small figure appearing on the hillside.
Even though he hadn’t got a clear look, Wei Ziang instinctively knew who it was.
"Second Sister, Xiaomi is back!" Wei Ziang barely had ti to shout into the yard before he jogged over to Xiaomi.
Since they weren’t sure from which direction Xiaomi would co out, they could only wait at the foot of the mountain.
Xiaomi was quietly feeling low, walking without energy, a stark contrast to her vibrant self when she left in the morning.
Not even Xiao Hei, running around her feet, could capture her attention.
Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and soone jumped in front of her, "Xiaomi, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you speaking?"
It was Wei Ziang, with a slightly worried expression.
He had called Xiaomi’s na before even getting close, but Xiaomi kept her head down, not reacting.
Xiaomi blinked, "Big brother? Why are you here?"
Wei Ziang quickly looked Xiaomi over, ensuring she wasn’t hurt, and secretly sighed with relief.
"You hadn’t co back, and Uncle and Aunt were worried. When I saw you coming down the hill, I ca over. I was calling your na, but you didn’t respond."
"Oh," Xiaomi replied, "I was just lost in thought and didn’t notice you calling ."
Perhaps seeing her family, the little bit of grievance in her heart burst forth. Pouting, she began to complain, "Big brother, I waited the whole day, and didn’t catch any prey."
"Those little animals are too cunning, they run away at the slightest noise. The only ti I encountered prey, I only hit the horn of a wild goat without causing any harm."
It was utterly exhausting, going up the mountain full of enthusiasm, only to return empty-handed. Poor her, trying to avoid being discovered and disturbed, even ran so far.
Wei Ziang held her hand, leading her ho while attentively listening to her speak.
Once she finished, he smiled and comforted her, "It’s okay, if it doesn’t work today, you can always try again tomorrow. Besides, hunting is not easy, or else why are there so few hunters?"
Hunting is nothing like shooting at stationary targets, the prey can run and jump, and they slip away at the slightest noise.
Xiaomi continued to pout, "But I’ve been practicing for so long."
She initially thought that even if she couldn’t have a big haul, bringing back one or two small animals should have been no problem.
Unexpectedly, even that turned out to be a luxury!
Wei Ziang thought for a mont and said, "This isn’t long at all; you know, so scholars study for decades, yet by old age, might not even pass the exam for a Scholar degree."
"Even though hunting looks simple, there aren’t many hunters in the world, showing it’s not that easy. Look at our whole Fu’an Village, so many people, but not a single person who can hunt."
"Plus, you’re self-taught and don’t even have a master, yet you still dare to go up the mountain alone to try hunting at such a young age; you’re already better than many others."
Xiaomi admitted, indeed, she felt comforted.
Hearing Wei Ziang’s words, her sense of defeat disappeared, replaced by great ambition.
"Big brother, you’re right. I haven’t been at it long. Second sister learned embroidery for many years; I should keep practicing to learn hunting soon!"
She was almost ready to pound her chest in determination.
Wei Ziang hesitated for a mont, "Xiaomi, don’t stay on the mountain so long in the future; Uncle and Aunt will worry. Co back earlier next ti."
Xiaomi thought it made sense; she couldn’t always stay on the mountain eating snacks, full of additives and not tasty.
"Alright, I’ll co back at noon each day, rest a bit after lunch, then go again."
It’s lazy to run so far; practicing nearby is the sa, just be careful not to let anyone discover the secret of the space.
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