Facts prove that Siberian tigers are truly rare. They met a Northeast leopard on the first day, which was really luck.
For three full days, Lu Zheng and the other wandered the border between the two countries but found not a single one.
Of course, this did not mean their days were boring. After all, they were not task-bound researchers but tourists.
They boated on the Suifen River, fished in Lake Khanka, played leapfrog on red pines and firs dozens of metres tall in the primeval forest.
Besides that, the deep mountains and old woods were truly a wild zoo. Roe deer, sika deer, sable, snow hares, hazel grouse. Lin Wan took many photos. The two had great fun.
On the third day, they found a blind bear. Lin Wan excitedly went up for a bout, flipped it several times in a row, until the black bear obediently showed its belly.
In the evenings, the two pitched tents in the wild.
Lu Zheng’s storage gourd had everything. They ate hotpot, sang songs. Though phones had no signal, the radio caught broadcasts.
As for the second half of the night under clear moon and sparse stars, all silent, what happened in the warm tent went without saying.
Until the fourth day, when the two had wandered deep into the old woods of Russia’s Primorsky Krai, they finally spotted a big cat’s figure while seeing a wild pheasant.
With one charge and one pounce, the pheasant just flapped its wings when bitten on the neck.
Then, in just three or two bites, nothing left on site except some feathers and blood. Even the head gone, all crushed and swallowed by the over three hundred jin Siberian tiger. Eaten clean.
Terrifying as this.
“Woo hoo. Brain axe.”
The Siberian tiger turned its head, eyes sharp, form agile, alert and vigilant, aura surging.
“Awoo.”
One pounce. One flip. One clip.
Moments later.
What more to say? Could not beat it, so only enjoy. Must say, this two-footed beast served quite comfortably.
…
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan followed this Siberian tiger for three days, hunted together, played together, and finally helped it kill a red deer before reluctantly parting, waving goodbye.
…
Home, rest.
Lu Zheng ordered a printer online, the kind that prints photos, then bought several crystal albums to hold their worldwide animal selfies.
Now, future trips had a goal.
“Husband~” Lin Wan cooed close.
“What~” Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up, eager to move.
“Past week. Should we not set off?” Lin Wan’s gaze flickered.
Lu Zheng, “…”
Fine. The weekend fun they once mentioned. This was the first week.
…
No mention of a certain sixty-something Japanese old man suddenly stroking out, facing a miserable old age, nor his two extreme right-wing sons suddenly with kidney failure. Lu Zheng and Lin Wan had flown back to Haicheng, strolled the inland river bank, then leisurely returned home.
The next day, as the two cuddled, they got news that the Saint Miguel special treasure auction ended smoothly.
“Huh? Ended?”
“Turnover thirteen point five billion US dollars.”
“Tsk tsk. Up a bit.”
“How much do you get?”
“No idea. Still auction cuts and taxes. Wait and see.”
Lin Wan giggled. “Maybe they cut half for you.”
Lu Zheng smacked his lips. “Then I go to the lighthouse country, have a good talk with them. Can only hope they are sensible.”
…
Early morning, Tonglin County, Lu residence.
Now autumn entered, weather gradually cooled. Lu Zheng practised fists and feet in the back yard, then came to the front.
“Brother-in-law brother-in-law. So many days, where did you go?”
Spotting Lu Zheng, Ao Qian from next door dashed out the study, climbed the wall. Then, Liu Qingquan’s little head appeared beside her.
“Went out for closed-door cultivation.” Lu Zheng said seriously. “City cultivation still noisy. I often go out for a while, quiet the mind.”
“Oh oh?” Ao Qian nodded half-understanding, added. “Then brother-in-law your mental cultivation not enough yet. Not long closure, just normal practice. Cannot quiet in county town?”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Squeezed a smile. “This way efficiency higher a bit. Then can play more comfortably usual.”
Mention play, Ao Qian perked up.
“Right right. Brother-in-law, you missed this ten-day event. Real pity. We visited Wuxiu Village, fished riverbank then barbecued. So fun.”
Lu Zheng blinked. “You find fishing fun?”
Ao Qian righteous. “Before they came themselves. This time I specially restrained aura.”
Liu Qingquan nodded repeatedly. “I witness. Shallow baby not one fish caught. Last jumped in to grab fish.”
Ao Qian: (▼ヘ▼#)
“Qingquan. Shallow baby. Morning lessons done?” Mrs Liu’s voice from the yard.
“Oh no.”
“One essay left. We copy now.”
The two little girls panicked, scrambled down the wall, vanished.
Lu Zheng could not help chuckle. Mrs Liu usually gentle soft. Unexpectedly good at handling these two girls.
“Lu lang. Dinner at home tonight?”
“Yes. Then trouble auntie.”
“No trouble. No trouble.”
Mrs Liu laughed heartily back, then footsteps passed next yard. Probably to prepare.
Just from next door, knew these days all fine.
Lu Zheng took fan from gourd, fanned twice, cool breeze. Then pocketed fan, twirled two walnuts in hand, greeted Uncle Li and Auntie Liu, sauntered out.
As usual, first circled Sweet Food Shop and Sugar Mill, then to Benevolent Heart Hall, met Old Man Liu and Liu Qingyan.
Seeing hall empty of patients, Lu Zheng pulled Liu Qingyan away, planned lunch out, then afternoon to Jade Ling Garden for tunes.
Bright Moon Tower, second floor, by window.
Though dishes here far worse than Lu Zheng’s, now couple time, just needed atmosphere.
Ordered few light small dishes, one meat dish chicken chunks. The two whispered and laughed, enjoyed lunch.
“Afternoon Jade Ling Garden what play. Not Red Ling Legend again. Tired of it.”
“Heard capital’s great talent wrote new story. Jade Ling Garden made opera. Now main finale.”
“Really?” Lu Zheng nodded. “Then can go hear.”
“Waiter. Two meat dishes any. Three bowls rice.”
Just then, a sword-brow star-eyed, upright white-clothed youth came up. Just sat, spotted Liu Qingyan diagonal opposite, eyes lit up.
