Little Mengmeng almost tripped on the last step... the Spirit Fruit was too heavy, and with its front paws wrapped around it, its hind legs couldn't kick properly. It swayed twice and barely steadied itself.
Then it darted away.
The little golden figure raced toward the big tree a hundred meters away. Its tail traced a fluffy arc in the morning light.
After running about thirty meters, it stopped again.
It turned back.
And took one last look at Chen Hao.
From that angle... Little Mengmeng's golden figure crouched on the blue grass, morning light falling on it from the east, the Spirit Fruit glowing faintly gold in its arms. Birds called from the distant tree.
Then it ran.
And disappeared toward the big tree.
The balcony fell quiet for a while.
Chen Hao picked up his teacup and glanced down at the nuts on the table.
He didn't drink.
He picked up a nut and turned it over. Its shell was hard, and it wasn't big, but he could tell it had been carefully selected... the nuts were all about the same size, their shells free of wormholes or damage.
He put the nut back in the little pile.
Then picked up his teacup.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Chen Siyao shuffled onto the balcony, bleary-eyed and yawning, her hair still a mess.
"Morning, bro."
She walked over to the table and reached to pour some tea.
Her hand stopped.
"Huh?"
She had spotted the pile of nuts. A few small, brown nuts sat in the middle of the table beside the teapot and cups.
"Bro, where did these nuts come from? Did you pick them?"
Chen Hao held his tea.
"Little Mengmeng brought them."
Chen Siyao's hand hovered above the nuts.
For two seconds, she froze.
Then her