Li Long had been dealing with Harimu and the herders of his tribe for two years, spending at least a quarter of each year in the mountains.
But this was the first time he had actually made his way around the little tribe.
Only later did Li Long learn that another important reason old Sana had given him that rare piece of jade was that his arrival had led to a trip to the bear cave with Talihaal, easing her grandson's troubled heart.
As the old woman of the household, Sana could tell that Talihaal was visibly in much better spirits after going out with Li Long carrying a gun.
To her, her grandson's health and happiness mattered far more than that stone.
After finishing work and eating that afternoon, Li Long carried the jade, Jade Mountain River helped carry the little roe deer, and Harimu carried the spare iron spades as they headed back together.
At Jade Mountain River's home, Li Long put the little roe deer into a sack, tied it shut, and poked several airholes in it.
Unable to resist, the little fellow could only put up with it.
Li Long also took the tools out of the trunk and handed them to Jade Mountain River, asking him to distribute them when he had time, then drove the Jeep away with Harimu.
Harimu rode ahead on horseback to guide him, with Li Long following behind. The two could even chat now and then.
The trees in the mountains had turned green, and fresh grass had sprouted. Occasionally, they glimpsed a roe deer or wild mountain goat darting through a ravine.
When they reached Harimu's Winter Camp, he asked Li Long to get out and have some milk tea.
Li Long got out.
Harimu's mother had taken Nasen