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The other team members also felt sorry for Lou Yu, so Chen Lin cooked delicious food for him every day, trying his best to make up for the weight his captain had lost as soon as possible.

Tao Qiu knew a little about the crisis at the human base during the winter and spring, but he couldn't do much to help. He could only silently wish them safety, especially that man.

Soon after, seeing that humanity had pulled through again, Tao Qiu felt relieved but couldn't help but marvel at how resilient and indomitable humanity was.

Tao Qiu withdrew her gaze from the distance and continued to sow her supernatural abilities into the radish seeds in the soil.

After a long winter, their stored meat supplies were completely depleted. Although hunting in early spring would be more difficult, Tao Qiu's skills were enough to ensure that he and his cubs wouldn't go hungry.

There are still some crops left, but Tao Qiu will start planting them again after the snow melts.

He spent another month or so cultivating three pear trees, planting them around the pond so that their shade could provide relief from the scorching sun.

In that case, he and his kids can come here to bathe more often in the summer.

After the pear tree grew to about the same height as the previous two, Tao Qiu then went to plant other crops.

It's spring now, unlike last autumn when there was a rush, so Tao Qiu planted more wild berries that the kids like, and for that, he also cleared out a new vegetable patch.

After using her supernatural ability, Tao Qiu drank some water she had brought and felt a little hungry. Just as she was thinking about going back to the cave to fill her stomach before continuing to work, she heard several clear bird calls and the sound of flapping wings overhead.

Second Cub: "Chirp chirp!"

--Dad, we brought you some food! Coming!

Tao Qiu looked up and saw three baby birds flying down from the cave entrance, each clutching something in its claws.

The Eldest Cub's was a section of radish, the Second Cub's was a black pear, and the Third Cub's was a bamboo tube filled with chunks of meat.

Although Tao Qiu and his children often ate, drank, and played during the winter, the children still practiced flying seriously, especially after Tao Qiu took them to fly outside the valley to see the scenery.

Compared to Dad, the altitude and distance they flew were simply insignificant.

They also hope that one day they can spread their wings and soar freely between heaven and earth, just like their father.

Not long after the start of spring, the cubs' flight feathers grew more complete. Under Tao Qiu's guidance and their own efforts, they were able to fly from the cave entrance to the valley floor on their own, no longer needing their father to carry them every time.

However, there is still a certain chance of failure when flying back to the cave entrance from the valley floor, but I believe that chance will soon drop to zero.

Even while holding onto something, the baby birds flew steadily and landed safely in Tao Qiu's outstretched arms.

"Hmm..." Tao Qiu weighed the three baby birds in his hand and joked, "You've all grown so much. In a few days, I'm afraid Daddy won't be able to carry you anymore."

At first, the chicks were quite happy to hear Tao Qiu say that they had grown up, but when they learned that Tao Qiu might no longer reach out to catch them like she does now, their hearts sank to the bottom.

"Chirp, chirp," the Second Cub retorted.

--What's heavy? It's the stuff in our claws.

"Oh, then put the things down and let Dad try weighing them again."

The Eldest Cub immediately changed the subject, chirping, "Chirp, chirp."

--Dad, you've worked hard. Let's eat first.

Third Cub also joined in, trying to persuade her.

--We weren't even awake this morning, and Dad, you were already downstairs working. Look at all these radish sprouts! I know you must be really, really tired. Dad, I love you.

Tao Qiu could easily see through their little scheme. He chuckled and stopped teasing them, picking them up and sitting them on a rock to eat.

While eating, Tao Qiu asked, "Have you eaten?"

The Third Cub nodded. "Chirp chirp chirp."

--We ate all the breakfast you prepared, Dad.

"Good boy/girl." Tao Qiu patted their heads. "My darlings are so strong and healthy because you've both been eating and sleeping well. You deserve praise."

The Eldest Cub rubbed against Tao Qiu's palm and chirped.

--Thank you, Dad, but you deserve the most praise, Dad. With you here, we can sleep peacefully and eat our fill every meal.

"Chirp, chirp." The Second Cub jumped into Tao Qiu's arms.

I love my dad so much, I can't lose him.

The Third Cub also pleaded in a soft, coquettish voice, "Chirp, chirp."

--We can't live without Dad, just like we can't live without Rou Rou and Guo Guo.

"Oh my, my darlings! You all have such sweet words! Daddy loves you both so much, I can't live without you! If anyone tries to separate us, I wouldn't hesitate to destroy the entire Earth."

Tao Qiu used the most affected voice to utter the most childish language, but it truly reflected his real thoughts.

He regarded his children as his own life, and if they were ever threatened, he would risk his life to protect them.

The Third Cub exclaimed, "Chirp chirp!"

--Actually, Dad's words are the sweetest.

"Haha, because Dad just ate a sweet black pear." Tao Qiu smiled and said, pushing the pears towards them, "Would you like some more?"

The little ones shook their heads. "Chirp, chirp~"

--I'm already so full, I won't be able to fly if I eat any more!

"Alright then, Dad will enjoy the pear all to himself." Tao Qiu said, crunching away a few bites, and most of the black pear was gone.

Three days after the radishes were planted, the Green Python arrived, dragging its prey and Little Snake with it.

After a winter of rest, the Little Snake had grown longer and thicker, and the color of its scales was much better than before, gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

Was the Green Python here to exchange for fruit? She handed the prey to Tao Qiu and then pushed the Little Snake forward a little.

"Hiss... hiss..."

--Didn't you specifically ask me to bring you here? Why aren't you saying anything now that you're here?

Tao Qiu was quite surprised to see the usually arrogant Little Snake bowing its head obediently, as if it were somewhat embarrassed.

How come there's only one? Her personality has changed so much since we last saw her all winter?

Could it be that the Green Python actually has another child that looks quite similar to the Little Snake, but they just haven't told him?

Perhaps it was Tao Qiu's direct, intense gaze that finally made the Little Snake unable to hold back, and it looked up and glared at him fiercely.

The Little Snake was about to retort to Tao Qiu, but remembering her promise to the Xiao Xue snowbirds, she swallowed back the words that were already on the tip of her tongue.

"Hiss..."

The Little Snake lowered its gaze and asked something in a low voice.

Tao Qiu really didn't hear clearly, "Chirp chirp?"

--What did you say?

The Little Snake could only hold its breath and raise its voice to ask again, "Hiss... hiss..."

Are the Xiao Xue snowbirds home? I want to play with them.

Tao Qiu thought of going

Years younger

Seeing the scene before the snowfall where the two cubs almost broke off relations, and then looking at the Little Snake's current appearance, he couldn't help but smile at the Green Python.

"Chirp, chirp."

--It seems you've thought it through after going back.

The Green Python's eyes also held a smile as it told Tao Qiu what had happened after it returned that day.

The Little Snake had already regretted it, feeling she shouldn't have bullied Second Cub like that, but by the time she realized it, it had already started snowing, so she didn't come to apologize. Right after her hibernation ended this year, she asked me to accompany her to the forest to find plants, saying she wanted to give them to Second Cub as an apology gift. She said she'd heard me mention that you wanted to find new plants, and the Xiao Xue cared about you, so they would definitely accept any gift you liked.

The more Mom talked, the more embarrassed the Little Snake became, wishing it could just hide behind a rock.

Tao Qiu chuckled as she looked at the shy Little Snake and offered her opinion.

--Wow, the Little Snake is so clever! It even knows what my little one wants most. But compared to gifts, I think a sincere apology, coupled with heartfelt words, is the best way to resolve the conflict.

The Little Snake looked at him. "Hiss..."

--Really?

Tao Qiu nodded. "Chirp, chirp."

--Your mother and I only improved our relationship because we were honest with each other.

With such obvious examples right in front of them, it is indeed very convincing.

"Hiss..."

So what should I do now?

The Little Snake looks like a primary school student earnestly asking the teacher a question.

Tao Qiu made the suggestion.

--Take a gift to Second Cub, tell her you know you were wrong, feel sorry for her, and want to apologize. After saying sorry, give her the gift.

"Chirp." Tao Qiu added.

--However, remember you're here to apologize. Whether she forgives you or not is Second Cub's business. Don't force her, otherwise your apology will be meaningless.

The Little Snake hissed slightly, looking a little timid.

--Really? Is it okay?

Tao Qiu: "Chirp, chirp."

Trying doesn't guarantee it will work, but not trying guarantees it won't.

"Chirp." Tao Qiu let the Little Snake coil around his arm and said to her and the Green Python, "Chirp chirp, chirp chirp."

--Come on, kids? They're inside. I'll take you two to find them.

Meanwhile, the three baby birds playing by the pond were also a little uneasy. They knew the Green Python was coming, but the Little Snake was still too weak, and even the Third Cub could not sense her presence, so they could not confirm whether she had come or not.

The Third Cub comforted the Second Cub: "Chirp, chirp, chirp."

"Don't be afraid, sister. If she bullies us again, we'll ask Dad to kick her out!"

The Eldest Cub chirped, "Chirp, chirp, chirp."

Even if Daddy can't lay a hand on the cubs, the three of us are so strong, we can definitely beat her.

Now that their discord with the Little Snake is out in the open, they no longer need to worry about their parents' opinions.

As they were talking, they suddenly heard footsteps. Turning around, they saw Tao Qiu approaching with the Green Python and the Little Snake.