Chapter 2: Successful Escape

Lin Xiao's movements were practiced; in a few quick strokes, she unlocked the iron cage.

Fortunately, one look at this group of people showed they weren't professionals.

The iron lock on the cage was actually the most ordinary kind.

Her movements were swift and careful, opening the cage almost without making a sound.

The little snow leopard tilted its head, watching Lin Xiao's actions.

Seeing her hold that piece of iron and do something unknown, it heard a *click*. The two-legged beast revealed a smile, and immediately after, the iron cage holding him opened.

Seeing that the little snow leopard was still dazed, Lin Xiao couldn't help but bend down and pull her directly into her arms.

"We have to leave quickly. If we're discovered by these people, neither of us will make it out."

As she spoke, she walked to the windowsill, grabbed the decaying wooden frame, and gave it a forceful shake, prying it straight off.

Holding the little snow leopard carefully, she climbed onto the window and flipped over, terrified of hurting the little fellow in her arms.

The little snow leopard curled up in her arms, its ice-blue eyes looking up at the anxious face above.

Its fluffy little head nuzzled gently and affectionately against her chest.

*Mama...*

Lin Xiao did not notice the reaction of the little fellow in her arms.

At this moment, she had only one thought in her mind: she had to escape.

It wasn't until she jumped out of the room that Lin Xiao noticed her surroundings.

This seemed to be a breeding farm in the village.

That made sense.

With the breeding farm acting as a shield, even with various large trucks coming and going, it wouldn't arouse any suspicion from others.

She hid the little snow leopard in her arms and quickened her pace.

She had to find a place to hide quickly and find a way to call the police immediately.

But perhaps because it was a breeding farm, the surrounding area was filled with dilapidated houses where no one lived at all.

Lin Xiao grew increasingly anxious. She had to be even faster!

She absolutely could not give them a chance to escape.

Meanwhile, the two men left behind to guard were still standing by the door.

One of them suddenly sat up straight, turned to look at the tightly closed door, and frowned slightly.

"Something seems a bit off?"

Clearly, just a moment ago, the sound of the iron cage clashing could be heard from time to time.

How could the entire room be silent and motionless after just a short while?

It was as if there were no one in the room at all.

Seeing his vigilance, the other man gave a careless smirk and patted his shoulder.

"What's off? How come I don't feel anything?"

The man leaned against the wall with a lazy expression, still chattering incessantly.

"Why are you being so serious? When they're drinking and eating meat, they don't bother to call us, so all this hard work falls on our heads."

"Besides, there's nothing in there but a brat and a woman. What kind of commotion could they make?"

The other man ignored his nonsense and pushed the door open to walk straight in.

"Hey, I said you..."

The complaint in the entering man's mouth came to an abrupt halt.

He looked at the empty room, his face full of shock.

"Holy crap, where did they go? Don't scare me!"

Ignoring his companion, the man's face darkened as he rushed out.

"Boss, they ran!"

"What?!" The men gathered around the table stood up in shock.

No, they absolutely couldn't let them escape!

If they were caught, it would be fatal!

...

Lin Xiao crossed more than half the village without finding a single person to talk to.

As she saw the houses becoming increasingly sparse, her heart grew more anxious.

What should she do?

The people behind her could catch up at any moment.

The little snow leopard in her arms also sensed her anxiety; it lifted its head and nuzzled her neck quite uneasily.

Lin Xiao could only force herself to calm down.

She raised her hand to gently rub the restless little head in her arms, murmuring softly.

"It's okay, it's okay! We will definitely make it out safely!"

It was unclear whether she was soothing herself or the little snow leopard.

She didn't dare stop her pace, still forcing herself to keep moving forward!

Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

Just beside the road not far away, a middle-aged woman was coming out of a shop, pouring water from a basin onto the roadside.

After finishing pouring the dirty water, she looked up and saw a figure that looked like a fairy walking toward her.

"Can I borrow a phone?"

The woman studied her thoughtfully for a few moments, then tossed a mobile phone over with a look of disdain.

"Bring it back to me when you're done. You look decent enough, so don't go doing anything shameless. I have surveillance here!"

Lin Xiao nodded very modestly and quickly took the phone.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the little snow leopard in her arms struggled uneasily for a second.

Lin Xiao's movements stiffened, but she acted as if she hadn't noticed anything, quickly hiding the little snow leopard deeper under her scarf.

The woman also noticed the little fellow in her arms.

However, at a glance, she only saw a small tuft of white fur.

She didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a small pet carried by a city person, and couldn't help but click her tongue.

"Oh! You city folk really live delicately. Even having fallen to this point, you're still carrying pets."

Lin Xiao knew she had misunderstood, but she couldn't help but say

"He's not a pet, he's my little companion!"

The little snow leopard knew it had almost caused trouble and lay obediently in her arms.

However, upon hearing Lin Xiao's words, its round little head couldn't help but lift slightly.

*Companion?*

With its four little paws stepping on her soft sweater and feeling the exceptionally comfortable scent of the two-legged beast, the little fellow leaned comfortably against her.

Since this two-legged beast was so sincere, she would give her a chance to become a partner!

After Lin Xiao finished reporting to the police, she was just about to walk into the shop when she felt the little fellow in her arms nuzzle her affectionately.

Her eyebrows rose, and she lifted the scarf to take a secret peek, feeling somewhat caught between laughter and tears.

The little snow leopard was curled in the crook of her arm, sleeping sprawled out without any defenses.

Lin Xiao found it truly hilarious.

But thinking of something, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

With such a low sense of vigilance, what would happen when it was released back into the wild in the future?

She shook her head, covered the little snow leopard up again, and returned the phone.

The police began acting immediately upon receiving the call.

But distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

Just as Lin Xiao sat down on the stool the shopkeeper gave her, she saw a blue truck driving out of the village.

She stood up abruptly.

The shopkeeper looked over leisurely. Lin Xiao forced a stiff smile, terrified of showing any unnaturalness.

"Ma'am, my companion has fallen asleep. It's a bit noisy here, can I go inside for a while?"

As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the sleeping area behind the supermarket.

Her intention to stay inside for a while was obvious.

The shopkeeper looked at her lazily, neither saying she believed her nor that she didn't.

It wasn't until the sound of brakes echoed outside the door that Lin Xiao's breathing even seemed to stop.

But the shopkeeper in front of her still said nothing.

If it really didn't work, she would have to...

Just then, a disdainful chuckle suddenly sounded in her ear.

"Go on, go on!" The shopkeeper walked over slowly, pulled aside the railing to let them in, and muttered under her breath.

"You city folk are just too particular!"

(End of Chapter)