The patter of rain drifted in through the window, carried slowly to the ears by the cold wind.
"Remember? Traps are dangerous. Be careful when you check them!"
He Yin's worried instructions also drifted in from outside with the cold wind and rain.
"Got it!"
A chorus of clear children's voices answered her.
"Remember not to get rained on. Make sure the umbrella covers everyone, understand, Xiao Zhen?"
Hearing the children's voices, He Yin still seemed uneasy and gave them another special reminder.
"I know, Sister He Yin."
Another child's voice answered her. Compared to Ming Tai and the others, however, this voice carried a clear sense of steadiness. Of course, it was only steadiness among children. This Xiao Zhen was probably one of the most trusted and sensible among them all.
"Saki, Chun and Hotaru are in your care. Xiao Zhen is responsible for the boys, and you're responsible for the girls. You two are the oldest, so you must protect them."
Apparently, a general reminder still was not enough to reassure He Yin, so she called out another child by name.
"Mm..."
Her instructions quickly received a response. This time, it was clearly a girl's voice, faint and soft, carrying no particularly discernible emotion.
"Then remember, come back immediately after checking the traps. Don't linger, understand?"
Seemingly a little more at ease, He Yin's voice came again.
"We know. Then goodbye, Sister He Yin, Brother Zong Mi, Brother Yu Ze."
After that, the children's farewells rang out.
Then came the pattering, squelching sounds of little feet stepping through mud, gradually fading as they moved farther away.
"All right, He Yin. It's time for us to start our training too. We should head back!"
Once the footsteps had receded and disappeared, Yu Ze's voice rang out.
"Mm..."
He Yin