The plants in the courtyard had become lush, and morning glory vines grew all over the ground. When they left, the flowers had yet to bloom, but now, they were blooming everywhere in the garden and on the walls, looking more like Boston ivy.
Things still looked the same in the stone castle as they did before they left. This wasnât like the modern era where the air was filled with dust. Even if no one were to clean up for half a month, the place was still relatively clean. There was only a faint layer of dust on top of the stone tables and stools, but there were more fallen leaves.
The moment Bai Qingqing went in, she took off the animal skin. It was dirty, anyway. So, she used it to clean the table in the living room and then placed Anâan on top of it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âGo on and hunt. Iâll clean up the place,â Bai Qingqing said.
Curtis pursed his lips and let out soft laughter from his throat. âSeems like youâre really badly starved. Alright, Iâll go right away. Donât do anything. Just go to the bedroom and get some rest.â
âItâs fine, go on, go on.â Bai Qingqing feigned impatience, waving her hand.
Curtis planted a kiss on her cheek before heading out.
Anâan sat up on the table by herself, causing the leopard cubs nearby to cry out excitedly.
Bai Qingqing was afraid that sheâd fall off and placed her on the floor. It was now the hottest season of the year, and it felt the most comfortable to be sitting on the icy cool stone floor. Anâan was seven months old, it should be fine.
âTake care of your younger sister. Mommy will go to the kitchen to look for some food.â
Bai Qingqing said to the cubs as she rubbed her stomach, moaning in agony, âIâm starving.â
The leopard cubs who were around their younger sister turned to look at their mother, howling non-stop. âHowl howl howl~â [Mommy, quickly go and eat.]
Bai Qingqing rubbed their heads and said âgood boysâ before dragging her weak and soft body toward the kitchen.
When girls squatted down and then got back up again, theyâd usually experience signs of giddiness. Bai Qingqing hadnât eaten anything for close to two days and still had to feed Anâan. Her blood sugar level was extremely low right now. She had only taken two steps when the back of her head felt heavy and she fell down.
Thankfully, the leopard cubs had quick reactions and cushioned under their mommyâs body in time, so she was unharmed.
Bai Qingqingâs vision blacked out for quite a while, and she was unable to move her body. She only slowly recovered after quite a number of breaths.
The leopard cubs were badly shocked. They squatted in front of her, opening their big eyes to look at her, not making a sound.
Only after seeing their mommyâs gaze gathering together did they carefully try to call out, âHowl howl?â
âMommyâs fine, Iâm just too hungry.â Bai Qingqing wanted to console the children, but her voice sounded weak, making her words lack persuasive power.
Eldest and Second licked their mommyâs face worriedly. They were young and their tongues were soft, so it felt quite comfortable. Therefore, Bai Qingqing didnât stop them.
Third threw a glance toward the kitchen and then ran out without a sound. Not long later, he brought back a piece of roasted jerky and placed it in front of Bai Qingqing.
âHowwwl~â The leopard cubâs weak cries sounded as if they were crying. Bai Qingqing quickly got up. After the giddiness passed, her body was fine now.
She picked up the jerky on the floor, blew at it, then started eating it.
âMommyâs really fine. Donât be afraid.â Bai Qingqing patted Thirdâs head gratefully, then patted Eldest and Second. She mustnât show favoritism.
Without anyone caring for her, Anâan crawled on the floor for a while and then fell asleep.
She had just woken up but had now fallen asleep so quickly. It must be because she was hungry as well.
Bai Qingqing knew this well, but there was nothing she could do. She could only wait for Curtis to make a big meal for her and then feed Anâan after she had enough milk.
The jerky was too tough, and Bai Qingqing wasnât able to eat much even after chewing for quite a while. When she got tired of it, she also leaned against the tableâs legs and fell asleep.