My idea was indeed effective. The sled landed on the snow with only a shallow impression, not sinking directly in. Pudding, as if on familiar ground, bounded forward happily onto the snowy surface.
From time to time, it let out a howl.
As happy as a fool.
I roughly estimated the direction and figured that in this blizzard, there might still be animals near the pond where I had killed Chen Hu earlier.
So I called out to Pudding, urging it to run in that direction.
However, before long, I realized I had oversimplified things.
The blizzard obscured the sky and everything was a vast expanse of white. Not long after setting off, I had already lost my bearings and could only rely on my instincts to guide Pudding forward.
The familiar forest of the past had completely changed its appearance. It felt as if I had entered a world made of ice and snow. Snow seeped into my collar and through the gaps in my animal skins, soon turning my skin red with cold.
I shivered so hard my teeth chattered. I had to pull the bearskin up to cover my face, leaving only my eyes exposed to observe.
As time wore on, my heart gradually began to doubt whether my decision had been the right one.
The blizzard intensified, countless snowflakes pelting down on me, gradually blurring my vision. I had to use my hands to shield myself and wipe away the melting snow.
In this silent, desolate world of ice and snow, I walked alone.
I never found the pond, and Pudding was also growing tired, stopping and panting heavily.
I got off the sled and struggled to reach Pudding, stroking its head. I muttered to myself, "Is heaven really leaving us no way to survive?"
The weather was terribly cold, and I couldn't help but hug Pudding's head, rubbing it vigorously.
Pudding seemed to understand me, nudging me comfortingly.
I looked around at the overwhelming white, feeling a profound sense of helplessness. How I wished to see other colors at this moment.
I walked back towards the sled with difficulty. Suddenly, my foot slipped, and I plunged into the snow, having seemingly stepped into a pit.
Fortunately, I was wearing thick clothing; otherwise, this would have injured me.
I struggled to pull my leg out, when I suddenly felt something moving beneath my feet.
Something, alive?!
I froze for a moment, then felt a surge of exhilaration.
Forgetting the cold, I firmly planted my foot on whatever was beneath me and dug down with both hands, clearing away the snow.
Indeed, I pulled up what I had grabbed from below, and it turned out to be a plump winter rabbit!
Truly, heaven never closes all doors. By sheer chance, I had stumbled upon a hibernating rabbit!
Rabbits, during the cold season, fatten themselves up in preparation.
Except in very rare circumstances, they generally do not venture out to forage.
This meant that this was likely a collective hibernation spot for rabbits!
The thought ignited a fire within me, completely overshadowing the cold that permeated my body. I impatiently jabbed at the snow around me with my alloy knife, probing for other rabbit holes.
And indeed, with my persistent efforts, I found two more rabbits in hibernation.
With these three rabbits, tonight's dinner would be a little more abundant.
I no longer dwelled on searching for the pond. I called out to Pudding, and the two of us traced our tracks back.
"Look what I brought back!"
As soon as I entered the cave, I eagerly shouted to everyone, hoping that this hard-won prey would alleviate their panic.
Guan Hai'er eagerly approached. Upon seeing the plump rabbit in my hands, her eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled, "Brother Ye, you're truly amazing! We can feast again today."
I handed the wild rabbit to Guan Hai'er for preparation and then took a piece of the bear meat I had previously dried and fed it to Pudding as a reward.
Pudding devoured the meat in a few bites and wagged its tail incessantly at me.
It begged me for more food.
I playfully chided, "Shoo, shoo. Just taking care of you is a handful every day."
Luo Yaqin then handed me a cup of hot water. I drank a large gulp without regard for the heat.
The hot water washed down, dispelling the cold from my body.
I felt alive again.
Seeing Shangguan Yao sitting by the fire without speaking, I couldn't resist teasing her, "Shangguan Yao, what do you say? Did your brother conquer the blizzard!"
Shangguan Yao hugged Pudding, scratching its chin, her expression dismissive and a little haughty. "You still relied on Pudding. Without Pudding, you wouldn't even have found this cave!"
Seeing Shangguan Yao so unconvinced, I grinned and said, "That's a bold statement, as if Pudding were your pet. Believe it or not, I just have to whistle, and it will come to me."
Saying that, I let out a whistle towards Pudding.
The next second, Pudding's ears perked up as if it had received a signal. It wagged its tail and pounced towards me, knocking me to the ground and licking my face incessantly.
Seeing how affectionate Pudding was with me, Shangguan Yao got angry, wrapped herself in the animal skin, and turned away, no longer looking at us.
Su Yunran gave Shangguan Yao a disdainful glance and said with a chuckle, "Lu Zi Ye, you're incredible! I don't think this blizzard is anything to worry about. It might stop in a few days, just like the heavy rain before."
The women heard this and felt it made sense; their spirits began to lift again. Only I sat by the fire, silent, with a nagging sense of unease in my heart.
Would this blizzard truly stop?