Everything stabilized, and Bai Qingqing finally felt cold. She dug out flints from the grass pile.
“Little snake, help me start up the fire. I’m a little cold.” Bai Qingqing shrank her body, and her voice had a slight shiver.
The little snake grabbed the rocks and knocked them together with brute force, smashing them into two. He then picked up and wanted to continue.
Bai Qingqing’s lips twitched. She saw the little snake’s actions, but it was already too late to stop him.
If this were to continue, the flint would be wasted.
However, at the sound of the next knocking, a series of sparks came out from the rocks. They landed in the grass pile, and a wisp of smoke rose.
Bai Qingqing opened her mouth wide. “This is the first time you’re starting a fire, right? You learn really fast.”
The little snake smiled at her shyly, lowering his head to protect that wisp of smoke.
“It’s in my legacy,” the little snake replied.
Bai Qingqing said, “I knew it! Your species is cheating!”
The little snake lay on the ground and kept on blowing the grass, a flush appearing on his clean face. It was unknown if it was from blowing air or some other reason.
The smoke got increasingly bigger and thicker. Suddenly, a series of flames darted out close to the little snake’s face.
“Ssss—” The little snake was very surprised and quickly scrambled back.
The leopard cubs didn’t especially pay attention to starting fires and were also scared by the little snake’s reaction.
Roar!
The leopard cubs bounced up and backed off a few steps, their hair erupting up as they arched their backs, looking just like porcupines.
Bai Qingqing threw a glance at them and then looked at the little snake worriedly. “Are you alright?”
The little snake was still shaken. He looked toward the spark with fear in his eyes.
Bai Qingqing took a careful look at him. The little snake’s face was still clean, but he only seemed to be shocked. She felt relieved.
“Did you get burned?” Bai Qingqing walked over to the little snake, helped him up, then touched his face.
Her hand’s temperature was still higher than the little snake’s skin.
The little snake rubbed against Bai Qingqing’s face and wheedled. “I got burned.”
The young man’s voice was soft, his eyes red looking innocent and pitiful like a rabbit.
Bai Qingqing’s heart instantly ached, pulling him and walking to the cave’s entrance. She caught some rainwater with her good hand, then put it against the little snake’s face. She said gently, “Does it feel better?”
“It still hurts,” said the little snake.
He couldn’t have been burned badly, could he?
Bai Qingqing let go of her hand and looked at the little snake’s face, realizing that his lashes were all fine. However, snake beastmen didn’t have any hair on their bodies, and she couldn’t see the extent of his skin injury.
It looked quite normal to her.
Bai Qingqing caught more rainwater and continued to ice his face.
“Howl!”
The leopard cubs’ cries rang out from the cave. Bai Qingqing turned to take a look. Third was picking up firewood with his mouth and adding it to the fire… The fire was about to be extinguished soon.
Eldest reported it and then joined Second to protect the fire.
“Your hands are cooler, ice it yourself. Mommy will go take care of the fire.”
The little snake didn’t reply, seeming a little unwilling.
Bai Qingqing let go. She left after picking up the little snake’s hand and wet it outside, not feeling at ease. She then put his hand to her face.
When she turned to head back, the little snake also went back with her.
Third, who was adding firewood, was choked by the smoke and teared up. Even his fur near his mouth was wet. Bai Qingqing tapped his nose, looking amused. “Thank you, Third.”
Bai Qingqing pushed him to the side as she said this, swiftly adding firewood.
The three leopard cubs’ fur was all wet and they were tearing. They shivered as they stood by the fire, getting some warmth.
Only the little snake stayed far away, as if the fire was the Devil, not daring to get close at all.
