Night arrived as promised.
Little Girl added a few more pieces of firewood to the fire, making it burn a little brighter.
The mountain breeze brushed gently past.
More people had gathered on the mountaintop, yet as for the Flying Boat bound for Demon-Suppressing Pass...
There was only one, and it made a round trip only once every several hours.
Little Girl's small face glowed in the firelight.
She keenly noticed the intermittent glances from the people around them, who were also discussing them in low voices.
So Little Girl sat perfectly straight, her expression serious.
She carefully held the roasted potato in her hands and gently peeled it.
She pursed her lips, then began eating it in tiny bites.
She ate very elegantly, very daintily.
"...That little girl is quite cute. She's a cat who gained sentience."
"For Mr. Li to keep her by his side, her aptitude must be extraordinary."
"How come I can't see anything extraordinary about her?"
"..."
Voices drifted faintly into her ears.
Little Girl blinked and ate even more carefully.
"Smack, smack~"
"Mm, true. She looks rather dopey, not particularly bright."
Huh!?
Little Girl immediately raised her head, her expression changing abruptly.
"Watch your words, watch your words!"
Little Girl took a deep breath, put down the roasted potato, and took a book out of her saddlebag.
She even made an exaggerated show of it, using very large movements and holding her back ramrod straight.
Her amber eyes stared unblinkingly at the book's contents.
"I told you to keep your voice down. I think she heard you..."
"This little girl really is cute, just a little dim. What's she reading?"
"Postpartum Care for Cows? What sort of strange thing is that?"
"Isn't the divine ox male?"
"Could the divine ox have gotten some little