"Hiss hiss~"

Accompanied by a faint animal sound, a creature resembling a weasel with an entirely black body suddenly appeared before Mu Shuangshuang’s eyes.

Upon closer inspection, Mu Shuangshuang unexpectedly called out to the little creature: "Little Black..."

After calling out, Mu Shuangshuang immediately regretted it. Although the little creature was a mink and looked like Little Black, it was much thinner compared to Little Black’s round and plump body after being well-fed.

The little fellow stared at Mu Shuangshuang, its eyes full of curiosity and scrutiny.

Mu Shuangshuang also stared back. She had to admit, this little fellow really resembled last year’s Little Black, except, Little Black later on just ate and slept, and slept and ate.

Its body lost shape and turned into a little meatball.

Squatting down, Mu Shuangshuang whispered: "Little guy, why are you here? Are your family around?"

After all, it wasn’t Little Black, and the little fellow didn’t seem to understand what Mu Shuangshuang was saying.

It gazed at Mu Shuangshuang in confusion, the hissing sound in its mouth continuing.

Minks usually make three kinds of sounds; "giggle" and "buzz" indicate they are happy, while "hiss" suggests they are unhappy or vigilant.

Little Black was an exception. Ever since it got used to being kept, it only made one sound, which was the "hiss", but this didn’t mean it wasn’t happy.

On the contrary, it was happy every day!

"Alright, you can’t understand what I’m saying, and I can’t understand you. How about this: I’ll go down the mountain and head home, and you go back to your home as well!"

There’s already a black mink at home, and Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want to keep another one.

Having said that, Mu Shuangshuang carried her bamboo basket and continued down the mountain.

After a few steps, Mu Shuangshuang was surprised to find that the Little Black Mink was following behind her.

She turned around, and the Little Black Mink stopped, still looking at her warily.

Mu Shuangshuang squatted down again, this time extending her hand toward the Little Black Mink.

"Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you, I swear!"

It didn’t matter if the little creature understood or not, Mu Shuangshuang slowed her speech.

She tried to make herself look harmless.

Perhaps it was because she appeared completely non-threatening, the little creature slowly approached the direction of Mu Shuangshuang’s hand.

Though it was still nervous, Mu Shuangshuang felt something driving her to move forward.

The Little Black Mink got closer and closer to her hand, and just as Mu Shuangshuang was about to grab the little fellow, it nudged Mu Shuangshuang’s hand.

Its little nose sniffed back and forth over Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, as if something on her hand got its attention.

Mu Shuangshuang was momentarily stunned and then suddenly realized something.

"Are you... Little Black’s family?"

Since Mu Shuangshuang had held Little Black that morning, her body likely retained Little Black’s scent. Was that why this little creature followed her?

"Giggle..."

The little creature sniffing Mu Shuangshuang’s hand suddenly made a "giggle" sound, further convincing her that this little fellow was indeed Little Black’s family.

She was thrilled and even reached out to gently pat the little creature’s head.

Compared to her first encounter with Little Black, Mu Shuangshuang felt more affection and tenderness toward this little fellow.

"I’ll take you to find Little Black. I know where your family is!"

The little creature was entirely absorbed in the scent on Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, oblivious to her words.

Mu Shuangshuang scooped up the little creature and headed down the mountain.

As they left the depths of the mountains and reached the shallow areas, Mu Shuangshuang called out loudly, "Little Black, Little Black Dog..."

The dogs had sharp hearing, and Mu Shuangshuang waited in place after calling out.

But after waiting for a long time, there was no sign of the two little creatures.

Mu Shuangshuang reluctantly descended the mountain.

The Little Black Mink was cradled in Mu Shuangshuang’s hands as they retraced their path down the mountain.

The scenery outside the mountains was a marvel to the little creature.

Its eyes darted around constantly, yet its little hands held firmly onto Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, showing no intention of letting go.

Mu Shuangshuang doted on the little creature and was willing to forgive whatever it did.

Along the way, Mu Shuangshuang protected the Little Black Mink, and once they reached her yard, she finally relaxed after seeing Little Black and Little Black Dog playing inside.

Mu Shuangshuang opened the yard gate, then squatted down and pointed in Little Black’s direction, saying to the Little Black Mink, "Is that your family?"

As soon as it saw Little Black, the Little Black Mink’s eyes lit up, and it darted out from under Mu Shuangshuang’s watchful eyes.

In an instant, Little Black was pounced on by the Little Black Mink.

Immediately, Little Black Dog barked at the Little Black Mink in warning, "Woof woof woof~"

"Lai Mi, come here." Mu Shuangshuang called out, and Little Black Dog immediately went to her side.

Little Black remained in a state of shock, letting the Little Black Mink roll around on its plump body.

The scene made Little Black Dog at Mu Shuangshuang’s feet quite jealous.

It stared intently at the Little Black Mink, as Mu Shuangshuang squatted down and gently said, "This is Little Black’s family, not our enemy. You need to get along well with them!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Little Black Dog went closer.

Mu Shuangshuang checked the time, realizing it wasn’t too early. She was about to inform the little ones in the yard that she was going to cook when...

Little Black suddenly raised a paw and, with a strong slap, hit the Little Black Mink on the face.

Mu Shuangshuang was stunned, as was Lai Mi.

Apparently realizing what was happening, Little Black continued pushing the Little Black Mink with its paws.

In a few moves, the Little Black Mink was sent tumbling on the ground.

It was the first time Mu Shuangshuang saw Little Black treat its own so roughly, and she couldn’t help but speak up, "Little Black, what are you doing?"

Little Black turned its head and bared its teeth at Mu Shuangshuang as if warning her not to interfere.

Mu Shuangshuang was angry. She threw down her bamboo basket, took a few quick steps, and grabbed Little Black’s ear, shaking it back and forth.

"Oh, you’re bold now. I kindly brought this little one back home for you, and not only are you not welcoming, but you’re also shooing them away. And now you’re even trying to challenge me? Have you forgotten who takes care of your meals and cleaning every day?"

Mu Shuangshuang lectured while continuing to tug on Little Black’s ear.

Little Black made a "hiss hiss" sound, and its hands were clasped together in front, continuously bowing to Mu Shuangshuang.

It was Little Black’s usual gesture for begging for mercy, and typically, this was when Mu Shuangshuang would let it go.

This time, she decided to teach Little Black a longer lesson.

On the ground, the Little Black Mink watched Mu Shuangshuang chastise Little Black, anxiously circling around, but it refrained from any disrespectful actions toward Mu Shuangshuang.

Softening at heart, Mu Shuangshuang released Little Black but didn’t forget to warn, "No more fighting, or I’ll send you back to the mountain!"

Little Black looked pitifully at Mu Shuangshuang, then dejectedly went into her house.