Cherish the Simple Days!

Things seemed to have taken a turn for the worse...

Though danger was bearing down on her, the little girl remained remarkably calm. She watched the charging porcupine, drew her bowstring taut, and fired!

Thwack!

The arrow struck the porcupine square in the face!

"Awooo!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The porcupine unleashed its killing move: countless sharp quills shot from its body!

The little girl dropped, raised her shield, and curled her small body completely behind the round shield!

Clang, clang, clang! Quills hammered against the shield before her like a storm. Gritting her teeth, she held it tight, not daring to relax for an instant!

One step, two steps, three...

At last, the porcupine stopped barely a meter or two in front of her!

"Phew."

She breathed a sigh of relief and sprang up. After a pained glance at the little round shield, now pitted with dents, she drew the knife she carried and prepared to finish the porcupine off!

Clap, clap, clap!

Applause rang out, followed by a voice the little girl had longed to hear day and night!

"Not bad, not bad. You've improved a lot!"

"Brother? Nannan!" She whipped around. Sure enough, it was...

The little girl threw herself at him. Breathing in that familiar scent, she could not stop the tears from flowing! She was beside herself with joy!

"Eeya!"

"This is..."

That evening, in the clearing before the cave.

A huge bonfire crackled and burned. Er Dongsheng stood beside it, busy at work, with Sibya helping him. Off to one side, the little girl and the Little Sea Demon were locked in a wide-eyed staring contest.

"Eeya!"

"Nannan!"

"Ee-ee, ya-ya!"

"Mm-hmm, Nannan!"

What on earth were they even saying to each other?

Er Dongsheng turned the enormous porcupine over the fire, occasionally scoring