In the evening, Qiao Xuan prepared a hearty chicken stew, simmering tender chicken pieces with red dates, wolfberries, and Huaishan medicine. Alongside, she cooked an array of mushrooms, wild vegetables, and bamboo shoots, creating a delicious feast.
Anan, with a new baby tooth emerging, eagerly nibbled on some chicken, relishing the flavor. Qiao Xuan also made him a bowl of noodles with chicken soup, which he devoured with gusto, emptying more than half of the bowl.
Though the mountains seemed quiet, occasional cries of strange birds echoed from the distant valleys and forests, their rhythmic calls haunting yet oddly comforting in the stillness of the night.
In the safety and warmth of the villa, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan found solace and tranquility. Even Anan, unfazed by the eerie cries, widened her eyes and perked up her ears, giggling in delight at the unfamiliar sounds.
