jdhmnovel Chapter 154 The Tiger Sends Its Cubs
Chapter 154 The Tiger Sends Its Cubs
Seeing their leader subdued, the last shred of resistance in the hearts of the other bandits vanished completely.
They all laid down their weapons, knelt down and begged for mercy, their only thought being to save their lives.
"If I had known, I wouldn't have taken this job. Now look what's happened, I'm almost dead..." a bandit said dejectedly, his face full of regret.
"Yeah, who would have thought these two kids would be connected to tigers? They're really unlucky," another bandit sighed.
Xiao Jingchuan looked at them coldly, his eyes filled with disgust and anger: "Tie up all these bandits and deal with them when we return to the capital!" The guards acted quickly and tied up the bandits one by one.
Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi emerged from behind their mother. Xiao Nanyi ran to Xiao Jingchuan's side and said excitedly, "Father, it was the tiger cubs' parents who saved us! They are so amazing!" Xiao Jingchuan picked up Xiao Nanyao and smiled with relief, "Thanks to them, otherwise today would have been quite troublesome."
Xiao Nanyao walked to the tiger cub's mother and stroked its head again, her eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you. If you hadn't come in time, we don't know what would have happened."
The tiger cub's mother gently licked Xiao Nanyao's hand, as if in response to her gratitude.
Just then, the tiger cub ran in from outside the cave. It happily ran to its parents and circled around them. Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi were very happy to see that the tiger cub was safe and sound. Xiao Nanyao smiled and said, "Little tiger, look, your daddy and mommy have come to take you home!"
Watching this heartwarming scene, Xiao Jingchuan was filled with emotion. He walked over to Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi and said, "Yaoyao, Yiyi, if you hadn't rescued that tiger cub back then, they wouldn't have come to our aid today. Everything in this world has its cause and effect; your kindness has been rewarded."
Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi nodded as if they understood, and Xiao Nanyi said, "Father, I will continue to do good deeds and help more small animals in the future."
Xiao Nanyao firmly replied, "Me too, so we can have more friends."
Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli looked at the children, their hearts filled with joy.
They knew that the children had grown a lot after this harrowing experience.
Afterwards, Xiao Jingchuan ordered his men to escort the bandits away, preparing to continue their journey to Xijing Kingdom.
Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi looked at the tiger cub family with reluctance. The tiger cub seemed reluctant to leave them either, following behind them until Xiao Jingchuan said to it, "Go back, little tiger, live well with your father and mother." Only then did the tiger cub stop and look in the direction they left, unwilling to leave for a long time.
Little Nan Yao in the carriage was heartbroken, simply because she loved tigers very much, especially sleeping with one every night, it was so warm and cozy. Gu Liuli patted her head and said gently, "Baby, the little tiger has found its mother, you should be happy for them."
Little Nan Yao pouted, looking aggrieved: "But I like the little tiger too, I don't want to leave it!"
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, her eyes lit up: "Mother, shall we bring the whole tiger family to live in the palace?"
Looking at Xiao Nanyao's expectant eyes, Gu Liuli felt both amused and helpless. She sighed softly and said gently, "Baby, tigers belong to the mountains and forests. Although the palace is large and safe, it is not their true home. In the mountains and forests, they can run, play, and hunt freely. This is the life they love."
Hearing her mother's words, Xiao Nanyao's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, but she was still somewhat unwilling. She tilted her head and asked, "But we can build them a very, very big garden in the palace, just like a forest, so they can live there. That way, I can see them every day, and they can be happy too."
Gu Liuli shook her head and patiently explained, "Yaoyao, even if we build a garden that looks just like a mountain forest, it's not a real mountain forest. Tigers have their friends, their familiar environment, and their familiar scents in the mountains."
Moreover, tigers are naturally free-spirited; keeping them confined in an enclosure might make them unhappy or even sick.
Xiao Nanyao nodded as if she understood, but a hint of reluctance still showed in her eyes.
At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan, who had been sitting quietly listening to their conversation, also spoke up: "Yaoyao, think about it, the little tiger and its mother are reunited. They must be very happy now. You like the little tiger so much, you must want it to be happy too, right?"
Xiao Nanyao raised her head, looked at her father, and said earnestly, "But I will also be unhappy. I really can't bear to part with the little tiger."
Xiao Jingchuan gently held Xiao Nanyao in his arms and said tenderly, "Baby, although the little tiger has returned to its family, it will never forget the time it spent with you. Besides, we can come back to the mountains to see them again in the future. Maybe when the little tiger grows up, it will still remember you and come to play with you."
Hearing her father's words, Xiao Nanyao's eyes lit up again: "Really? We can come see the little tiger again in the future?"
Xiao Jingchuan smiled and nodded: "Of course it's true. When we have the chance in the future, our family will come back to these mountains to see how the little tiger is doing."
Xiao Nanyao finally smiled. She leaned against her father's chest and said, "Alright then, I'll listen to Father. But I'm going to prepare lots and lots of gifts for the little tiger and give them to it next time I come to see it."
Seeing Xiao Nanyao's happy expression, Gu Liuli smiled and said, "Great! Our Yaoyao is the most thoughtful. Let's think together what gift to prepare for the little tiger!"
Xiao Nanyao tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "I want to pick lots and lots of pretty flowers for the little tiger, make it a fragrant flower wreath to wear around its neck, and also bring it some delicious food so it can eat its fill."
Suddenly a whooshing sound came from not far away.
Xiao Nanyao was so shocked by this sudden sight that her eyes widened and her heart tightened.
She instinctively grabbed Gu Liuli's arm and cried out in a trembling voice, "Mother, look! It's a tiger, and tiger cubs!"
Gu Liuli was also startled by the scene before her. Following the direction Xiao Nanyao pointed, she saw two enormous tigers charging menacingly towards the carriage, each carrying a cub in its mouth, looking exceptionally ferocious. Hearing the commotion, Xiao Jingchuan immediately became alert. He quickly lifted the carriage curtain and sharply observed the situation outside.
"Protect Yao Yao and Yi Yi!" Xiao Jingchuan commanded loudly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.
Upon hearing the order, the guards immediately sprang into action, drawing their weapons and surrounding the carriage, ready for battle.
Xiao Nanyao was filled with doubt and worry. She didn't understand why the tiger would suddenly appear, and why it was with tiger cubs.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, worrying that the tiger cub might be harmed. "Could the tiger cub be in danger? Where are they taking it?" Xiao Nanyao muttered to herself, her eyes revealing anxiety.
As the tiger drew closer, Xiao Nanyao finally saw what it looked like. She noticed that the tiger couple had stopped not far from the carriage. They put the cub on the ground and then let out a few low roars at the carriage. Xiao Nanyao mustered her courage, lifted the curtain, leaned out halfway, and waved to the tiger couple.
"Is it you? What brings you here?" Xiao Nanyao asked loudly.
The tiger couple seemed to understand Xiao Nanyao's words; their eyes softened and they were no longer as fierce as before.
One of the tigers nodded slightly to Xiao Nanyao, then rubbed its nose against the little tiger, seemingly gesturing for them to come over.
Seeing this, Xiao Nanyao's worries immediately dissipated.
She turned to look at Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Father, Mother, they don't seem to mean any harm. Can I go down and check on the little tiger?" Xiao Nanyao asked.
Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli exchanged a glance; they could tell that the tiger couple didn't seem hostile. Xiao Jingchuan nodded and said, "Alright, but be careful, and come back immediately if anything happens."
Xiao Nanyao excitedly jumped out of the car and ran towards the little tiger. When the little tiger saw Xiao Nanyao, it roared happily a few times and then pounced on her.
Xiao Nanyao hugged the little tiger tightly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Little tiger, I missed you so much! Why did you suddenly come?" Xiao Nanyao asked softly.
The majestic tiger couple stood a short distance away, their figures graceful and agile, their gazes gentle yet firm as they watched Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi.
The tiger father raised his head and let out several low, long roars, the sound echoing through the mountains and forests, as if he were announcing something to the heavens and earth.
The mother tiger walked slowly forward, followed by two furry cubs.
The two tiger cubs had soft, fluffy fur and bright, black eyes that looked like black gemstones, filled with innocence and curiosity.
They stumbled along behind their mother, stopping every now and then to sniff the ground or wag their fluffy little tails.
The tiger mother walked up to Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi, lowered her head slightly, and affectionately rubbed against Xiao Nanyao's arm, making a soft purring sound in her throat.
Xiao Nanyao was startled and instinctively backed away, but she quickly remembered that this was the tiger family they had rescued before, so she mustered up her courage and reached out to gently stroke the tiger mother's head.
At this moment, the mother tiger turned to the side and gently nudged one of the cubs' rump with her head, pushing it towards Xiao Nanyao.
The tiger cub let out a howl, took a few reluctant steps forward, then stopped at Xiao Nanyao's feet, looked up at her with its wet eyes.
Xiao Nanyao's heart melted instantly. She squatted down and carefully held the tiger cub in her arms, her face beaming with a bright smile: "You're so cute! I'll take good care of you from now on."
On the other side, the tiger father did the same thing, nudging another cub with his nose and pushing it toward Xiao Nanyi.
Xiao Nanyi jumped up excitedly, his face full of surprise: "Haha, I have a little tiger too!" He squatted down, stretched out his finger and gently poked the cub's nose. The cub playfully licked his finger, making Xiao Nanyi laugh out loud.
Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli stood aside, both surprised and moved.
Xiao Jingchuan frowned slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief, and said in a low voice, "This tiger is so intelligent, entrusting its cubs to our children." Gu Liuli's eyes reddened, and she nodded gently, "Yes, this is their trust in Yao Yao and Yi Yi. We must treat these two tiger cubs well."
The tiger couple watched as Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi interacted affectionately with their cubs, letting out a few satisfied purrs, as if expressing their approval and reassurance.
They then lingered for a moment, gazing affectionately at their young, before turning and slowly walking into the forest.
Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi held the tiger cub, gazing in the direction the tiger couple had left, their eyes filled with reluctance.
But soon, the gentle wriggling of the tiger cub in their arms brought their attention back to the little life in their arms, and the two looked at each other and smiled.