Live Cat Appraisal: Starting with a Beast That's Got a Long Prison Record

Chapter 95 Selfless Pursuit and the Final Reunion
In the picture, the lush ferns sway gently, and a fluffy little head cautiously peeks out.

Its face, covered in ornate leopard print, had a pair of round, amber eyes that shone brightly in the night, like two translucent gems. It turned its little head warily from side to side, its nose twitching slightly.

Finally, their gaze settled firmly on the conspicuous little black box in the bushes.

His eyes held a mixture of wariness and curiosity.

It seemed to be wondering why there was an extra lump of iron here.

Everyone held their breath, silently gazing into those eyes filled with a wild, untamed light through the cold screen.

Time flows silently in the moonlight.

After a long while, once it was certain that the iron lump posed no threat, it gracefully arched its smooth back, like a shadow blending into the moonlight, and silently slid to the stream.

Lowering its head, its pink tongue quickly scooped up the cool stream water, and moonlight flowed onto its smooth, satin-like fur, refracting a mesmerizing luster.

Those alert ears remained ever vigilant.

Like the most sensitive radar, it keeps turning and trembling in response to every subtle sound deep in the jungle.

After quenching its thirst, it showed no lingering attachment. With a gentle push off the damp rocks with its hind legs, it leaped nimbly like a golden lightning bolt onto a higher rock.

Its fluffy tail swayed gracefully in the moonlight before disappearing into the deep night.

Only a few pairs of eyes remained on the screen, still wanting more.

"It really is a leopard cat!"

Chen Nian's voice was very low, and a bright light shone in her eyes.

He subconsciously ran his fingers along the edge of the screen, as if he could touch the moonlight-drenched sprite.

Ever since he caught a glimpse of a leopard cat a couple of days ago, the thought of 'finding a real leopard cat' has been entwining his mind like a vine.

To this end, he tirelessly traversed the mountains and forests, covering almost every inch of the area around the camp where there might be signs of cats, and also marked the locations of several rare plants for the team.

At this moment, the image clearly captured by the infrared camera is not only a delightful surprise, but also the sweetest affirmation of all his persistent search.

A sense of unspoken satisfaction resonated in Chen Nian's heart!
"Great!"

Infinitely small, leaning closer to the screen, his face beaming with undisguised admiration: "This luck is incredible! Such clear footage can be used directly! Old Chen, you're amazing!"

Looking at Chen Nian's profile, which was almost glued to the screen, he knew how much enthusiasm this young man had put in these past two days.

This focus has now yielded the most perfect reward!
For the rest of the time, Chen Nian was completely immersed in the scene, repeatedly watching that brief encounter.

He carefully examined every detail of the leopard cat.

It was eventually confirmed that the leopard cat was about nine months old, a female kitten, and had two small wounds on its body that had already healed.

Overall, the little guy is very healthy!

This not only indicates that the surrounding area is suitable for leopard cats to roam, but also suggests that there is a high probability of encountering other leopard cats!

After realizing this, Chen Nian immediately shared her discovery with Infinitesimal.

He then volunteered, "Brother Liang, I want to go back to the place where it was found and take a closer look! Maybe we can find more traces, and if we can trace its route, perhaps we can capture even more precious footage!"

The infinitesimal looked at the familiar light in Chen Nian's eyes, the pure flame that belonged to the discoverer.

He smiled and nodded, then beckoned the rest of the team over.

Soon, a consensus was reached in the small camp: to stay an extra half day for this charming little leopard cat!
The stream babbles, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of damp earth and vegetation.

Chen Nian, Gu Ying, Xia Qiyue, and plant guide Lin Sen followed the winding path uphill, venturing deep into the vicinity of the water source where the leopard cat had appeared.

Here, animal tracks intertwine, resembling a mysterious map.

Chen Nian bent over, her gaze sweeping across the damp mud and soft fallen leaves like a searchlight.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He squatted down and gently brushed aside a half-rotten leaf with his fingertips, revealing a series of clear, tiny claw prints.

Its size and shape perfectly match the little leopard cat in the video!

"This way!"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement as he urged his companions to follow.

Following this clear trail of footprints, they crossed towering bushes and circled gnarled tree roots, unknowingly traversing a great distance through the forest.

The footprints appeared and disappeared, yet they always pointed the way.

Chen Nian's focus was like a pebble thrown into water, creating ripples that grew larger and larger.

He almost forgot the passage of time, each step filled with immense anticipation.

"Almost there. I feel like I'm almost there," he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the bushes ahead intently.

Just then, a warm hand gently rested on his shoulder.

"Ok?"

Chen Nian turned around somewhat blankly and met Lin Sen's gentle smile.

Lin Sen didn't speak, but simply pointed to the top of his head.

Chen Nian looked in that direction and saw the dense canopy of trees casting dappled sunlight from the west. Before she knew it, half a day had already passed.

Teacher Chen, Gu Ying, stood to the side holding her camera, shaking her head with a helpless smile.

"You're really engrossed in looking for the cat. Brother Liang has already called twice on the walkie-talkie."

As if to confirm her words, the walkie-talkie at her waist crackled to life at just the right moment.

A clear, faint voice came from inside: "Chen Nian? Please respond if you hear me." "You've been searching non-stop for almost four hours! Hurry up and come back to eat and replenish your energy. Don't forget we still have to set off as planned this afternoon. Leopard cats have quite a range; we need to move on."

His tone was concerned and suggestive.

Chen Nian suddenly realized what was happening and quickly pressed the call button: "Received, Brother Liang! I'll be right back!"

There was a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

There was a pause on the other end of the walkie-talkie, then the gentle voice of Infinite Quantity came through again, with a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, Lao Chen, you didn't make a wasted trip. Lin Sen just told me that the direction you're heading is exactly the area we're going to next. Maybe that little guy is waiting for us up ahead!"

Chen Nian understood that Infinite Small Quantity was afraid he would feel disappointed, and her heart warmed.

"I understand, Brother Liang."

But in reality, what filled Chen Nian's heart at this moment was more the pure joy of unraveling the mystery and getting closer step by step during the tracking process, like playing an immersive wilderness tracking game!
Happiness far outweighs disappointment!
Putting down the walkie-talkie, Chen Nian looked at Lin Sen, Gu Ying, and Xia Qiyue beside her, her face full of apology.

"I'm so sorry everyone, I'm the kind of person who gets really absorbed in things."

"Hey, no need to apologize!" Lin Sen patted his shoulder heartily, his eyes filled with the understanding of someone who's been there. "I know what I'm talking about! Back when I was an intern, I spent so much time chasing after a rare orchid that I wandered around the mountains until dark. Your little bit of time is nothing!"

Gu Ying smiled and waved her hand, her tone relaxed.

“This is nothing. When I was staking out brown bears in XZ, I stayed in the no-man's-land for a whole month. Your half-day isn’t even a warm-up.”

Xia Qiyue held Chen Nian's shoulder and looked at him sincerely.

"Teacher Chen, there's really no need to apologize."

“Only those who truly love something would be so fully committed, and we’re all willing to be there for you. But…” she blinked, “sometimes a beautiful encounter not only requires effort to find, but also a little bit of perfect timing, right?”

There was not a trace of resentment in the three pairs of smiling eyes.

Only sincere understanding and silent support.

This warmth, like the gentle afternoon sun in the forest, slowly seeped into Chen Nian's heart, soothing all her disappointment.

He looked in the direction where the leopard cat's tracks had disappeared, the mountain breeze brushing against his cheeks, and his heart suddenly felt at ease.

Yes!

As long as the passion continues and the journey never stops, the spirits of the mountains and forests will always meet him again at some unexpected turn of the corner.

He took a deep breath of the mountain air, nodded vigorously to his companions, and smiled brightly: "Let's go! Let's go back for dinner!"

Back at camp, Chen Nian was greeted not with questions, but with knowing smiles from her teammates and hot food offered to her.

Chen Nian's almost childlike focus has already won everyone's respect and affection.

"Eat quickly, we'll set off after you finish." Wuqiong Xiaoliang walked over, shoved the water bottle into Chen Nian's hand, and said with a mischievous smile in his eyes, "Maybe that little leopard cat with whom you have a special connection is really waiting to play hide-and-seek with you on the road ahead."

"Mmm!" Chen Nian nodded emphatically, her movements as she ate her rice became much lighter.

The team set off again, heading in the same direction that Chen Nian had been tracking that morning.

The terrain is constantly rising.

The wind in the woods carried a hint of coolness.

After the team climbed a new hillside, panting heavily, the view suddenly opened up, the terrain finally began to flatten out, and the nearest mountains were far away.

Lin Sen plopped down on the ground: "Phew! Finally, I don't have to climb the hill anymore!"

"Rest where you are!" InfiniteQuantity said over the walkie-talkie.

Everyone immediately stopped, as if relieved.

Traveling at this altitude is indeed not an easy task, but fortunately, with countless precautions in place, the team was well prepared.

Where is Chen Nian?

Lin Sen, carrying the water bottle, wanted to give Chen Nian a sip, but after looking around, he couldn't find him.

"Teacher Chen went over there," Gu Ying said, pointing to the highest point of the hillside.

At this moment, Chen Nian did not rest. Instead, he habitually walked alone to a rock at the highest point of the slope, raised his binoculars, and used his eyes, like the most precise scanner, to carefully scan the dense bushes and exposed rock face below.

The sunlight slanted down on him, casting a long shadow.

This is the eighth time he has looked around today.

A cold wind brushed past her ears, ruffling Chen Nian's hair.

I originally thought this would be another fruitless attempt.

Unexpectedly, as the camera slowly moved, passing over the edge of a dense thicket that appeared warm golden-brown in the setting sun,

In that very instant!

An incredibly agile figure, like molten gold, flashed past at the boundary between the shadows of the bushes and the golden light of the setting sun. The magnificent and eye-catching leopard print left a breathtaking silhouette full of wild beauty in the afterglow of the setting sun!

Although it was only for a moment.

But Chen Nian's heart was firmly struck by that agile figure.

He slowly lowered the binoculars, an uncontrollable smile playing on his lips, his eyes reflecting the glow of the sunset, and murmured:
Hello, little one!

　Thank you to cat friend keith for the 1500 Qidian coins!

　　Thanks to our cat friend Lazy Cow Sleepy for the monthly pass!
　　Mwah!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)