The adult Sandshrew's gaze lingered on Gardevoir's figure for a moment before sweeping over Xinhai. An instinctive wariness made her body shrink back slightly.
She did not dare approach, yet could not bear to leave her child behind. She could only pace anxiously in place, letting out a string of low whimpers while her little claws continuously dug at the ground.
Hearing her mother's cries, the young Sandshrew raised her head, still holding half a Pokéblock in her mouth.
She looked at her mother, then at the unfinished food before her. After hesitating for a moment, she gathered the remaining Pokémon food into a pile with her tiny front paws, hugged it tightly against her chest, and ran swiftly toward her mother.
Only when she reached her mother's side did she stop. Tilting her head up, she let out a series of tiny cries, as though showing off the good thing she had found.
The adult Sandshrew lowered her head to look at the food in her child's arms, then raised it to glance in Xinhai's direction. The wariness and hostility in her eyes finally faded somewhat, becoming something complex yet gentle.
She extended her tongue and gently licked the young Sandshrew's head, then turned and led her toward the rock crevice.
The young Sandshrew followed behind her mother. After taking two steps, she turned back and waved a little paw toward Xinhai before continuing after her mother.
The mother and child disappeared deep into the rock crevice. A fine rustling sound came from within, then gradually fell silent.
Watching the departing Sandshrew mother and child, Xinhai's lips curved up slightly as he quickened his pace of eating.
After lunch, Xinhai packed up the tableware and remaining food, put the trash into a dedicated sealed bag, checked his belongings, and