Live Cat Appraisal: Starting with a Beast That's Got a Long Prison Record

Chapter 123 The Gift of the Mad Thief

It rained all night long.

The rain gradually stopped in the early hours of the next day. Raindrops dripped from the edges of the tent, and some shallow pits even formed thin ice, which quickly melted under the golden light of the rising sun.

The whole world has been completely renewed!
The air was filled with the crisp scent of grass, trees, and earth, which was refreshing and invigorating.

People in the camp came out of their tents to breathe in the fresh, post-rain air.

Apart from Lin Sen, who is still lying dead inside the tent.

Click!

A crisp cracking sound broke the silence.

Chen Nian's hiking boots shattered a remnant of ice, sending ice shards flying everywhere.

He quickly approached the infinitesimal:
"Brother Liang, I'd like to apply for a few more infrared cameras!"

Wuqiong Xiaoliang, who was stretching, was taken aback and looked at Chen Nian, who was fully armed again, and asked in confusion, "Didn't Xiaolin say that you were planning to give up filming the snow leopard?"

"What's wrong? Want to go again?"

Wuxian Xiaoliang still supports Chen Nian's decision to give up looking for the snow leopard.

After all, nothing is more important than safety.

Lin Sen's downfall serves as a cautionary tale.

But seeing Chen Nian like this now, it's clear he wants to fight on the snow line again, which puzzles Wuqi Xiaoliang.

"That's right, Brother Liang."

Chen Nian recounted her findings from yesterday, including her own and Xia Qiyue's speculations.

"So I want to apply for two more cameras and try it out!"

"If it doesn't work this time, then forget it."

Upon hearing this, Infinite Quantity nodded thoughtfully.

"A herd of blue sheep?"

"It could very well attract snow leopards."

After considering it for a moment, he didn't dampen Chen Nian's enthusiasm, but instead smiled and gave her some advice.

"Perhaps you should ask Brother Gesang."

"If we can determine the route the argali herd will take, we can set up traps in advance, which will greatly increase the probability of finding the snow leopard."

The word "infinitesimal" made Chen Nian's eyes light up.

"Yup!"

"How could I not have thought of that! I'll go right now!"

He turned to leave, but stopped abruptly halfway, turning back in surprise to confirm: "Brother Liang, so you agree to let me continue?"

“I don’t see any reason to refuse.” Infinitesimal shrugged.

His smile was full of trust and support.

As the convener of the documentary, he knew that he was the team's strongest support.

The most important thing to do is to support his teammates.

Infinite Quantity stepped forward, his broad hand landing on Chen Nian's shoulder, his gaze serious yet gentle.

"Whether we're looking for snow leopards or other animals, I have only one ironclad rule—"

"Come back safely!"

"I don't want to see anyone being carried down the mountain again, understand?"

Chen Nian nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

"Go." The seriousness on Infinite Small's face finally melted away, and a smile returned to his eyes: "Good luck!"

After receiving permission, Chen Nian walked with even more brisk steps.

He quickly retrieved three infrared cameras from the logistics department and then located Gesang on the hillside.

He stood there, like a rock rooted in the plateau, gazing at the awakening mountains and fields.

"Brother Gesang, I have something I'd like to ask you."

After spending so many days together, Chen Nian realized that Gesang was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

His love for this land surpassed anything else.

When Chen Nian explained her purpose, Gesang didn't say anything more, his rough fingers directly pointing to a spot on the unfolded map:
"Here grows the food that argali sheep love to eat. They often eat everything they can before moving on to a new feeding spot."

"So you have 3-5 days."

"Five days?" Chen Nian murmured, as the return journey was drawing near. "Perfect! Enough time!"

"Thank you, Brother Gesang!"

Gesang's gaze followed that energetic figure, a subtle, gentle ripple spreading across his eyes.

This young man's pure love for the wild animals of the mountains made him feel as if he had seen some kind of precious inheritance.

Perhaps it is this sincerity that allows the story of the snow-capped mountains and their creatures to be treated with gentleness by more people.

"Good luck."

Back at the camp, Chen Nian went to Lin Sen's tent, glanced at Lin Sen who was huddled in his sleeping bag drinking cold medicine, and told him about her plan to continue searching for snow leopards.

"Really?! I want to go too!"

Lin Sen immediately struggled to get up.

As a result, my arm went limp and I almost spilled the medicine.

Chen Nian quickly helped him up and said seriously, "You lie still! Don't even think about going up to the snow line until you're fully recovered, or I'll tell Brother Liang."

"Why are you even going to tell the parents?" Lin Sen pouted.

He then nodded helplessly: "Don't worry, Lao Chen, I'm not that stupid. I was just joking. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Chen Nian took a closer look at Lin Sen's messy hair.

"Yeah, pretty silly."

"Get lost!" Lin Sen smiled weakly, drank the medicine in the cup in one gulp, then voluntarily shrank back into his sleeping bag and covered his mouth with his hand.

"Dr. Liu said I only have a mild cold, and that I'll be fine after taking two doses of medicine and sweating it out."

"Old Chen, wait for me!"

Lin Sen looked at Chen Nian and spoke softly. Noticing the disappointment and anxiety in his eyes, Chen Nian nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll scout ahead these next couple of days. If I find any strange or unusual plants, I'll make sure to take clear pictures and bring them back to you. I won't let you get away with this for free."

"Haha!" Lin Sen laughed again, then coughed twice: "Alright, alright, then I'll leave it to you."

"Take good care of yourself, we'll be waiting for you to return to the team!"

After patting Lin Sen on the shoulder, Chen Nian turned and left.

Outside the tent, Xia Qiyue stood quietly, carrying a large bag on her back.

How's Lao Lin?

"It's nothing, just a minor cold. It'll be fine in a couple of days."

"it is good."

Xia Qiyue smiled slightly: "Shall we set off?"

"set off!"

Chen Nian and Xia Qiyue team up again to conquer the snow line!
They first retrieved the infrared camera left behind yesterday. Fortunately, the camera was of high quality, and both devices were intact.

Then, the two of them stepped on the gravel slope and began to set up infrared cameras along the route given by Gesang.

Gesang also told Chen Nian.

Herds of blue sheep usually gather and descend the mountain to forage between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm, when the temperature is higher, the plants have a higher water content, and food is easier to obtain.

Therefore, he and Xia Qiyue were not in a hurry at all.

They have plenty of time to set up the cameras; now all they need to do is take each step carefully!
The scree slope is steep, and you could easily slip or even roll down it if you're not careful!

The two supported each other as they worked.

It wasn't until the sun reached its zenith and the temperature gradually rose that they were finally able to set up all the cameras at their designated locations.

What followed was a long wait and anticipation.

"drink water?"

Chen Nian handed the kettle to Xia Qiyue.

"Mmm." Xia Qiyue took it and drank a sip.

My heart is cold and my heart is flying!
At this moment, the two sat side by side at the top of the sunny hillside, temporarily removing their equipment.

Beneath my feet lies the scree slope from which I came, and as far as the eye can see, the snow line stretches endlessly, shimmering with a sacred light under the sun.

Further away, nestled in the mountains, lies a shimmering lake, like a sapphire nestled in the embrace of the mountains. Several elegant birds spread their broad wings and glide gracefully over the lake.

I wonder if it's the black-necked crane that Professor Lu has been longing to see.

"gorgeous."

Xia Qiyue murmured softly, the fur collar and hood of her down jacket covering most of her face, revealing only a pair of eyes gazing into the distance.

The clear eyes reflected the snow-capped mountains and lakes, as if filled with the tranquility of the entire plateau. Even the whistling wind became an indispensable rhythmic note in this magnificent picture.

"Yes, it's really beautiful." Chen Nian nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Xia Qiyue turned her head, and a few tiny ice crystals were stuck on her long eyelashes, shimmering slightly in the sunlight.

She raised her camera, tilted her head, and smiled brightly: "How about we take a group photo? We don't think we've ever had a proper group photo before."

"Picture?"

Chen Nian was slightly taken aback.

I turned my head and met her smiling eyes, which seemed to be filled with stars.

His lips naturally curled into a smile, and he readily agreed.

"Okay."

"Ok!"

Xia Qiyue responded and naturally moved closer to Chen Nian.

The thick down jacket made a slight rustling sound.

She adjusted the angle to ensure the camera could frame both of them and the magnificent background behind them, then raised the camera high and aimed it at herself and Chen Nian.

click-

The crisp click of the shutter captured the moment.

Behind them are vast snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky, and in the center of the picture are two young smiling faces, brushed by the cold wind, yet brimming with pure joy and tacit understanding.

Xia Qiyue eagerly looked down at the photo on the screen, then froze when she saw a corner of the image: "Huh? What's this?"

At the same time, Chen Nian keenly noticed a slightly dull thud as something heavy fell to the ground behind him.

patter
"Hmm?" He turned around and looked back, puzzled.

His gaze met a pair of round, golden eyes.

Finished!

They caught it on camera!!
His eyes were filled with bewilderment and blankness at being discovered, as if a pause button had been pressed.

(Please imagine yourself with a Pallas's cat face)
"A thief??"

This little guy actually followed me all the way here!

What surprised Chen Nian even more was that right next to the monkey thief's furry little paws lay a lifeless pika.

The thief was awakened by Chen Nian's voice.

After letting out a series of 'woof woof woof' barks, its bushy tail swept across the gravel, and it disappeared behind a boulder in a flash.

"Hey hey hey! Your rabbit!"