Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Liu Xingmo quickly ran to the library.

When he pushed open the door, panting, Director Liu Linghou was just opening a small book in his palm, preparing to read.

The giant macaque pushed up its gold-rimmed glasses, focused intently on the book, and said without looking up, "Little Mo, you're here quite early today."

Liu Xingmo was quite pleased with himself for his quick thinking that morning. He said politely, "Of course! I've fallen so far behind on work, I need to catch up right away."

"Oh? I thought you were so playful that you'd spend at least ten days wandering around the mountain before rushing over here this afternoon." The big macaque turned its head, its eyes showing satisfaction.

"Haha, how could that be? You always treat me like a child, Curator." Liu Xingmo laughed calmly.

……

Next, I started working at the newspaper.

Three employees arrived one after another, each bringing their prepared documents.

The news was all about the large-scale hunt, and which household had caught what good catches. As soon as the news spread, it would be recorded in the newspaper so that the whole village would know.

No one caught a rare innate beast this time. That's perfectly normal; usually, it takes many years for someone to encounter such a rare event.

The best find was a rare beast acquired later in life, a gray wolf, with second-tier strength, who controlled the ice path and came from an intelligent and large-scale beast tribe.

Liu Zhili was filled with envy: "Amazing! The wolf is so big, a second-tier wolf is equivalent to a third-tier human expert. Having such a contracted beast is like a meteoric rise! The patrol team is really lucky."

"Hehe!" Liu Huimin scoffed. "Brother, don't you see? Their patrol team gathers experts and geniuses from all walks of life, roaming all over the mountains in search of rare beasts and seedlings. If you're interested, why don't you join them?"

Liu Zhili smiled wryly and remained silent.

"Alas! These are turbulent times..." Liu Xingmo shook his head and sighed. "After what has happened, I'm afraid Wolf Peak won't let this go unpunished. It's best not to leave the city this winter, lest we get carried away by wolves."

"What's wrong, President? Your personality has really taken a turn for the worse!" Liu Huimin rested her cheek on her hand, tilted her head, and looked at the desk next to her. "Didn't you used to love hanging out with your cronies, wandering around town, and dreaming about catching strange beasts..."

"Bang!" Liu Xingmo slammed his hand on the table. "What are you saying? We are like-minded partners. Our plans for leaving the city are meticulous. How could it be as bad as you make it out to be? Besides, the patrol team has high standards. Not just anyone can join."

"Hmph, bro, did you hear that! The patrol team doesn't want you. Stop being envious and jealous, just get back to work!" Liu Huimin unleashed her full fury on her brother.

She adopted a much more amiable attitude towards her boss: "President, what did you catch this time? After work, how about I help you find some reference books? I know these things very well!"

"No need, what I caught is very common, a scorpion. You can find the breeding manual on the bestseller shelf." Liu Xingmo stood up and clapped his hands vigorously. "Everyone! Stop chatting, let's get to work!"

"Ugh!" Liu Huimin gritted her teeth. "Right, President!"

"What's wrong now?"

"A movie! It's almost the end of the year, and all the caravans are coming home for the New Year. I heard a new roll of film has been delivered to the cinema. Let's go see it together... I mean, to discuss GG's matter!"

"Let's wait a few more weeks. Our newspaper sales dropped sharply last time, so we have to focus on quality this time and can't cut corners."

"Haa—!" Liu Huimin lowered her head, closed her eyes, sighed deeply, and then buried herself in her paperwork.

The newspaper sales were very good on the second day.

Everyone was paying close attention to the Great Hunt, especially those who remained in the city, who could only satisfy their adventurous cravings through written accounts.

In one day, 1023 copies of the newspaper were sold, setting a new record.

Liu Xingmo and his companions arrived at an old restaurant and ordered several steaming hot dishes to warm up their bodies after running around in the cold wind all day.

The lights in the lobby of the wooden house were not bright, and the flames inside the glass dome burned quietly. The firelight illuminated the faces of the diners, smiles that had weathered the storms of life.

After a satisfying meal, we set off for home.

As Liu Xingmo left the restaurant, he had only taken a few steps when he felt a cool sensation clinging to his slightly sweaty face.

Looking down, all I saw was a blanket of white snow—no, a blanket of pure white snow. Stepping on it, I heard a soft, crunching sound.

Looking back, the warmth emanating from the restaurant's doors and windows revealed shimmering snowflakes.

Snowing.

Winter is here.

Liu Xingmo bid farewell to his companions and walked down the street in the winter night.

The snow had been falling for an unknown period of time. At first, it was just a few scattered patches of white, but in an instant, it wove together into a hazy, silvery blanket covering the ground.

Rows of pointed treehouses stand in the wind and snow, like old men wearing white hats, waiting for their children to return home.

Walk onto the birch-lined avenue and board the Wild Rabbit Bus.

Snowflakes pattered against the roof of the carriage, their soft rustling echoing through the wooden cabin, accompanied by the flickering candlelight, lulling one into a dream.

Liu Xingmo fell asleep without realizing it, until the sound of the copper bell jingling woke him up.

I squinted, opened the window, and a cold wind rushed in, which refreshed my dull mind a little.

I glanced at the bus stop sign; I hadn't even reached my home yet.

I closed the window, shut my eyes, pulled my collar up to cover my neck and chin, and leaned against the car wall to continue sleeping.

On a winter's night, a gray-white wild rabbit pulls an old bus, braving the swirling snow, running among the giant tree branches and traversing the vast mountains and fields.

Liu Xingmo was awakened by the sound of the copper bell for what felt like the umpteenth time. He looked at the station again and finally realized he was home.

There were only a few people left in the carriage.

One stood before the oil lamp, warming his hands in its dim light. Three others huddled together, their heads resting on each other's shoulders.

The snow came suddenly, catching those who went out unprepared.

Liu Xingmo got out of the car.

The driver's face was red from the cold.

The elderly man with half-gray hair waved goodbye to the passengers getting off the train, then adjusted his coat and flicked the reins.

The hare took a step forward, and the wheels rolled over the thin layer of snow on the road, leaving two ruts of different depths, which were quickly covered by the newly fallen snow.

The hare followed its master for ten years and ran on the main road for nine. It simply ran steadily, leaving the wind, snow, and darkness behind little by little on the road leading to the lights.

Liu Xingmo still has a long way to go.

He wanted to find a warm place to rest for a while, but unfortunately all the shops along the road were closed.

He tucked his hands into his pockets and walked down the long spiral staircase step by step, compacting the snow with each step and leaving neat footprints.

Leave the last wooden staircase and step onto the solid ground.

A cool, clear voice rang out from the shadows: "Xingmo, let's go."

Liu Xingmo turned his head and saw the woman's face, which was as pale as snow.

Sumali was wearing a thick robe and holding another robe in her arms.

Liu Xingmo took the clothes from his wife, shook off the snowflakes, and covered himself with them.

"Mary, let's go. It's suddenly getting cold. I need to have a few sips of liquor before I go to sleep."