Chapter Summaries

Tao Qiu traded with Green Python, who brought prey and explained that his red fruit had helped save Little Snake. Green Python left on friendly terms, while Tao Qiu kept his questions about the fruit’s effects to himself.

• Tao Qiu welcomed Green Python at the valley entrance and learned she would bring prey in stages while the weather was still mild.
• Green Python told Tao Qiu that Little Snake’s condition had stabilized after eating his red fruit, and admitted she had once sent snakes to steal it.
• Green Python explained that Little Snake was her only surviving child and asked whether Tao Qiu would keep growing the plants; Tao Qiu agreed and offered to trade more fruit.
• Green Python tried to greet Tao Qiu’s three cubs, but they were frightened and darted back inside.
• Tao Qiu suggested Green Python bring Little Snake to meet the cubs, and Green Python agreed before leaving and deciding she would protect Tao Qiu.

Tao Qiu and his three cubs spent the day harvesting pears, tomatoes, and wild berries, with the cubs picking fruit while Tao Qiu caught and carried it. After lunch and a nap, they planned for Tao Qiu to pull the radishes on his own.

• Second Cub woke Tao Qiu early, and Eldest Cub and Third Cub helped prepare for the harvest.
• Tao Qiu placed the cubs in the pear tree, where they picked pears and tossed them down for him to catch.
• Tao Qiu and the cubs filled two large baskets with pears, then stored them in the cave.
• The cubs picked wild berries while Tao Qiu harvested tomatoes, and the family returned to the cave for lunch.
• Tao Qiu let the cubs eat their fill, rubbed their bellies, and napped with them before the afternoon radish harvest.

Tao Qiu and the bird cubs finished harvesting the giant radishes, then celebrated their bounty with food and family time. After the cubs worried that they had not snored like Tao Qiu, he reassured them that they were still the very best together.

• Tao Qiu and the bird cubs carried nearly the entire radish harvest into the cave, where the cubs cheered that their dad was mighty.
• Tao Qiu bathed the cubs before the chilly night, then played with them and told them a bedtime story.
• The family slept late, and Tao Qiu moved the cubs into a warm nest before preparing meat, fruit, and vegetables.
• Third Cub woke frightened away from Tao Qiu, then settled down when he picked her up and praised her dream of flying.
• Eldest Cub asked whether the cubs had snored, and Tao Qiu told them they had slept quietly but had shared other experiences with him.
• Tao Qiu and the cubs feasted together, and he reassured them that small differences did not keep them from being the very best in the world together.

Tao Qiu encountered Lou Yu and his teammates during a patrol, then accepted a backpack of human items that Lou Yu had brought as a gift. Lou Yu and the Snow Bird showed their familiar affection in front of the stunned team, leaving them worried about how closely their captain had bonded with a mutated monster.

• Tao Qiu spotted Lou Yu and his four teammates at the edge of his territory and greeted him before preparing to leave.
• Lou Yu called Tao Qiu back, then hurried to his car to find something to give him.
• Tao Qiu’s gaze unsettled Lou Yu’s teammates, who feared the Snow Bird might attack them.
• Lou Yu gave Tao Qiu a backpack of human items and explained that he would prepare a proper return gift later.
• Tao Qiu picked up the backpack by its straps and leaned toward Lou Yu, who gently stroked his head as the teammates watched in shock.

Lou Yu reassured his team about intelligent mutated monsters while concealing Snow Bird’s true nature and replacing the supplies Snow Bird had taken. Meanwhile, Tao Qiu returned to the cave with a backpack and introduced it to the cubs, warning them to be cautious around humans.

• Lou Yu said Snow Bird was only slightly more intelligent than other mutated monsters and had no ill will toward humans, keeping his ability to speak and take human form secret.
• Lou Yu’s teammates noticed missing supplies, and he agreed to replace them while denying that he had given Snow Bird a gun.
• Chen Lin asked about the plant sap and the Awakening Reagent, and Lou Yu said the research outcome was uncertain because earlier discoveries had depended on chance and powerful families had hoarded the technology.
• Tao Qiu returned to the cave with a backpack, and the cubs recognized it as the schoolbag from the rhyme he had taught them.
• Tao Qiu explained the backpack’s human scent and told the cubs to avoid humans when he was not there, comparing humans to the big snake.

Tao Qiu’s taste of jerky brought back painful memories of his parents’ abuse and his death in his previous life, but the cubs comforted him with their love. After sharing a moment of warmth with them, he resumed checking the food in the backpack.

• Tao Qiu opened the backpack’s medicine box, explained its contents to the cubs, and then fed them jerky from a cloth bag.
• The jerky reminded Tao Qiu of his previous life, and he began crying until Third Cub flew to him and asked why.
• Tao Qiu told the cubs that bad people had bullied him, and they angrily cursed those who had hurt him.
• Tao Qiu remembered how his parents rejected him and accidentally pushed him to his death, then reflected on the love he had received from his grandparents and the cubs.
• The cubs hugged Tao Qiu, and he told them they had made him feel warm and loved before returning to the backpack and finding rock sugar.

Tao Qiu shared candy and salt from the human’s bag with the cubs, then found a book that reminded him of his past life. He left the cubs eager to hear its stories, poems, and prose read aloud.

• Tao Qiu gave the cubs rock candy, and Eldest Cub found it too sweet while Second Cub and Third Cub happily claimed his share in exchange for fruit.
• Tao Qiu explained salt was a seasoning, but the cubs insisted on tasting it and immediately drank water to soothe their mouths.
• Tao Qiu comforted the cubs with kisses and pear, then continued searching the backpack.
• Tao Qiu found a book titled New Leaf Anthology and reflected on how its simplified Chinese text resembled the language from his previous life.
• Eldest Cub recognized the book’s printed characters, and Tao Qiu explained that it contained mostly prose and poetry, with a few short stories he could read to them.

Tao Qiu unpacked the clothes the man had given him, realized they carried the man’s scent, and privately wondered about his intentions. After showing the clothes to the cubs and trying them on, Tao Qiu considered trading with humans and reassured the cubs that the man was trustworthy.

• Tao Qiu recognized the clothes as the man’s and blushed while imagining the man had chosen them with intimate thoughts in mind.
• Tao Qiu explained clothes to the cubs, and Second Cub asked to dye her feathers white.
• Tao Qiu put on the clothes, and the cubs praised how handsome he looked.
• Tao Qiu agreed with Third Cub that they could trade with humans for clothes and other supplies.
• Eldest Cub worried that humans might rob them, but Tao Qiu said he would trade only with the man because he trusted him.

Tao Qiu found a lighter among the gifts and taught the bird cubs about fire and how to use it safely, then flew off to gather ingredients for cooking. Meanwhile, Lou Yu returned to base and filed a mission report, while his teammates noticed the supplies he had given Snow Bird and speculated about his reasons.

• Tao Qiu decided to keep observing the man before telling him or the cubs about their connection, and Eldest Cub trusted his judgment.
• Tao Qiu found a lighter in the backpack and demonstrated how fire could provide warmth and cook food, but could also be dangerous.
• Tao Qiu showed the cubs how water put out fire and promised to teach them ways to cook with their available supplies.
• Tao Qiu flew to the nearest forest to gather ingredients while the cubs waited for him at the cave entrance.
• Lou Yu returned to base with his team, submitted their samples to the research institute, and wrote a report about their mission while omitting their visit to Snow Bird.
• Huo Lan, Chen Lin, Liu Qi'an, and John noticed supplies missing from their inventory and agreed to keep Lou Yu's secret as they speculated about why he had given them to Snow Bird.

Lou Yu reflected on his growing attachment to Snow Bird and his secret hope that the clothes he gave him would draw them closer. Meanwhile, Tao Qiu cooked a hearty meal for the cubs, washed them afterward, and told them a bedtime story as they warmed themselves by the fire.

• Lou Yu admitted to himself that he could not bear to lose Snow Bird and had given him clothes to create a lasting connection, even though his feelings were possessive and obsessive.
• Tao Qiu cooked fried, grilled, and braised meat along with a radish, tomato, and meat stew, and he and the three cubs enjoyed their first substantial cooked meal.
• After the meal, Tao Qiu used water mixed with plant ash to clean grease from the cubs, then washed the cooking tools and himself.
• Tao Qiu dried the cubs' feathers with medical gauze and sat with them by the fire, where they began falling asleep during his bedtime story.

Tao Qiu prepared the cave for winter and read the cubs an unfinished story about a man who killed his friend, prompting questions about human jealousy and hatred of mutated monsters. The chapter ended with Eldest Cub asking why some humans traded with Tao Qiu despite seeing mutated monsters as enemies.

• Tao Qiu gathered firewood and built a bamboo gate to protect the cubs from winter snow and cold.
• Tao Qiu read the cubs the unfinished story "Ghost Friend," about a protagonist who killed his friend A-Yang out of envy.
• Tao Qiu promised to seek the later issues of the publication when he next traded with a human.
• Tao Qiu explained that the protagonist had a twisted, ungrateful mindset and warned the cubs to avoid people like him.
• Tao Qiu told the cubs that humans hated mutated monsters because they preyed on people and obstructed human development.
• Tao Qiu said some humans treated him as an exception because he had never eaten a human and had saved people, and Eldest Cub asked another question.

Tao Qiu reassured the cubs about humans, then comforted them after Second Cub mistook his cold hand for a ghost. Later, he met the green python and her reluctant little snake, who had come to visit the cubs and trade prey for fruit.

• Tao Qiu told the cubs that humans and mutant monsters judged right and wrong from their own perspectives, and promised that their family would not eat humans.
• Before dawn, Second Cub woke frightened after Tao Qiu's cold hand touched her, and he apologized and soothed her and the other cubs with a game of calling their souls home.
• Tao Qiu took the cubs to practice flying among the pear trees, then brought them food and rest after two hours.
• The green python arrived carrying enough prey to repay the tomatoes, with the little snake curled inside the basket.
• The green python explained that the little snake was shy, but Tao Qiu realized she disliked him and invited them to meet the cubs.
• The green python followed Tao Qiu into the valley, excited to see the fruit that might help save the little snake.

Tao Qiu brought the green python’s little snake to meet his three cubs, hoping they would become friends while their parents watched. The cubs and snake secretly argued over their parents, then agreed not to insult each other’s families and pretended to get along.

• Tao Qiu introduced the little snake to Eldest Cub, Second Cub, and Third Cub, then left them together with food while he spoke to the green python.
• Tao Qiu and the green python watched as Second Cub offered the little snake fruit, believing the children were getting along.
• After Tao Qiu left, Eldest Cub confronted the little snake and admitted the cubs disliked her rudeness toward their father.
• Second Cub and the little snake argued over their parents’ past conflict, while Third Cub reminded them that both parents had acted to protect their young.
• Third Cub proposed that they could argue among themselves but must not insult each other’s parents, and the little snake agreed.
• The cubs and the little snake ate together to reassure their parents, and the green python agreed with Tao Qiu that they seemed to be getting along.

Tao Qiu evaded the green python’s questions about his mate while discussing the fruit and plants he had found. Meanwhile, the chicks and Little Snake traded insults and considered settling their rivalry with a fight, but Tao Qiu had forbidden them from fighting.

• The green python asked how many eggs Tao Qiu and his mate had laid, then pressed him about where his mate was and how strong she was; Tao Qiu claimed his mate had left after laying the eggs.
• The green python asked whether Tao Qiu had found the two black trees in the black rabbit’s territory, and he confirmed that he had brought them back with the stinky ground fruit.
• The green python invited Tao Qiu to search her larger territory for useful plants, and he agreed.
• The chicks shared food and fruit with Little Snake, who criticized their food and mocked their flying ability; Second Cub answered by teasing her small size.
• Little Snake boasted about her poison and hunting, prompting Eldest Cub to suggest they fight to compare abilities, but Second Cub reminded him that Tao Qiu had forbidden them to fight.

The bird chicks and the little snake raced, then parted on friendlier terms after the youngest chick narrowly won. Meanwhile, Liu Qi'an, Huo Lan, and Chen Lin struggled to endure a noisy little boy, and Liu Qi'an asked John when his friend would return.

• The youngest chick raced the little snake and won by less than half a beak, after which both parents comforted the disappointed little snake.
• The youngest chick reassured the little snake that she might lose once the snake had fully recovered, and the two promised to race again.
• The green python and the big snake prepared to leave, and Tao Qiu gave them a radish; the little snake and the bird chicks exchanged teasing farewells.
• The little boy ran noisily around the living room, prompting Huo Lan to suggest gagging and tying him up while Chen Lin warned her about the law protecting children.
• Liu Qi'an asked John when his friend would return, saying the boy's noise might kill them before they could spend the money they had been promised.

John struggled to look after his colleague’s unruly son, Xiao Cong, until Lou Yu returned and uncovered why the child had been acting out. Xiao Cong broke down crying in Lou Yu’s arms, longing to see his sick mother and the father who had gone to care for her.

• John complained that Xiao Cong had wreaked havoc while the squad members tried unsuccessfully to calm him down.
• Xiao Cong ran from John, collided with Lou Yu, and immediately became quiet and fearful around him.
• The squad realized Xiao Cong was afraid of Lou Yu because of his reputation as a ruthless instructor.
• Lou Yu noticed the trashed living room and gently asked Xiao Cong why he had made such a mess.
• Lou Yu guessed Xiao Cong had misbehaved to be sent back to his parents, and Xiao Cong cried that he wanted his mommy.
• Lou Yu held Xiao Cong as the child sobbed, while the squad understood that he had only wanted to see his parents.

Lou Yu comforted Xiao Cong after the boy caused trouble because he feared for his mother, then remembered how his own mother had comforted and loved him. Later, while falling asleep, he dreamed of children calling him Daddy before waking in his bed.

• Lou Yu helped Xiao Cong understand why he should stay behind, arranged a call with his father, and guided him as he apologized and cleaned the living room.
• Lou Yu entertained Xiao Cong with stories until his father arrived to take him home.
• Lou Yu’s teammates teased him about being good with children, and he recalled his mother’s comfort, forgiveness, and faith in him.
• Tao Qiu drifted off while telling a story in the cave, then turned the bedtime tale into a lively discussion with the chicks about grilling meat.
• Lou Yu dreamed that several children called him Daddy and went to find someone to comfort him, then woke in his bed.

Tao Qiu dyed the second chick’s chest and head green, delighting her, while the third chick decided to wait before dyeing her own feathers. Before winter hibernation, the little snake provoked the second chick over her new feathers, and their argument ended with the green python apologizing as Tao Qiu tried to respond.

• Lou Yu dreamed of having several children and wondered whether they would look like him.
• Tao Qiu made green dye from carrot tops and dyed the second chick’s chest and a tuft on her head.
• The second chick admired her new feathers at the pond and happily showed them off, while the third chick declined to dye hers for now.
• Before the first snowfall, the green python said she would take the little snake into hibernation and stop bringing prey.
• The little snake accused the second chick of dyeing herself green out of jealousy, and the second chick and eldest chick traded angry insults with her.
• The green python apologized after the third chick explained the quarrel, while Tao Qiu began to reply.

After Second Cub’s dye-related quarrel left her gloomy, Tao Qiu cheered her up when the first snow arrived and spent the stormy days caring for and playing with the cubs. Once the snow stopped, he promised to take them outside the valley for a real adventure.

• Tao Qiu made the little snake apologize to Second Cub, then the green python and the little snake left; Second Cub insisted that Tao Qiu wash the dye from her feathers.
• Tao Qiu woke the cubs to see the first snowfall, and the snow helped Second Cub recover her cheerful mood.
• After the wind died down, Tao Qiu took the cubs to the cave entrance, where they tried stepping in the snow and watched him build a lumpy snowbird.
• Tao Qiu and the cubs stayed sheltered through three days and nights of heavy snow, keeping the fire going and clearing snow when the wind eased.
• When the snow stopped, Tao Qiu told the cubs he would take them outside the valley, and they excitedly agreed.

Tao Qiu took his three cubs on a high flight to show them their territory and the powerful mutant monsters living beyond it. He then brought them near the human base, where the fascinated cubs saw human buildings for the first time.

• Tao Qiu carried the cubs above the surrounding mountains and showed them their valley, woods, and bamboo forest.
• Tao Qiu pointed out the black rabbit's territory and the green python and little snake's woods, while Second Cub objected to hearing about the little snake.
• Tao Qiu described the fox clan, a dangerous monster fish in a distant lake, and a powerful ancient tree, warning the cubs to avoid needless risks.
• Tao Qiu asked if the cubs wanted to see where humans lived, and they eagerly agreed.
• Tao Qiu flew with the cubs to the vicinity of the human base and explained how humans built structures, leaving the cubs enthralled by the buildings.