Future Pet Shop

Shen Yibin’s jacket had a high collar, but there were still some gaps where the cold wind painfully slipped through. The Snow Fox wrapped its tail around his neck, perfectly covering those gaps and blocking the wind. The thick, soft fur on its tail was incredibly insulating, and Shen Yibin’s neck warmed up instantly.

He couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke the Snow Fox’s tail. It was silky smooth and felt incredibly comfortable against his skin. ’No wonder so many people like fox-fur scarves. So this is what it’s like. With this, I wouldn’t have to worry about my neck getting cold even deep in the mountain forests of the Northeast. Was this fox originally captured to be made into a scarf? You really dodged a bullet, little guy!’

Returning to the cave, he set down his backpack. He pointed to Maphario in his pocket and said to the Snow Fox, "You can’t eat this one, okay? You two have to be good friends from now on, understand?"

The Snow Fox didn’t respond, but Shen Yibin could tell from its eyes that the message had gotten through. Maphario bravely poked its head out, only to quickly dart back in. The Snow Fox, however, remained unfazed. It found a flat spot and quietly lay down to rest, showing no signs of aggression whatsoever.

"Hah’Er, you look after these two. I’m going to get some firewood to make fish soup." Seeing that they weren’t fighting, Shen Yibin relaxed a little. He took his utility knife and went outside, returning after a short while with a pile of dry branches. He lit a campfire in the same spot as the day before, built a simple frame out of a few logs, and hung the small pot over the flames. He then scooped some clean snow from outside into the pot. The fire gradually grew, its flames licking the dark bottom of the pot as the snow inside slowly melted.

While waiting for the snow to melt, Shen Yibin scaled and gutted the fish he had caught. The entrails didn’t go to waste; the Snow Fox snatched them up and ate them all. This actually saved Shen Yibin the trouble of disposal. If he hadn’t dealt with them properly, the guts might have attracted predators, and none of them would have gotten a good night’s sleep.

The fire grew stronger, and the water in the pot began to boil. Shen Yibin selected a few of the cleaned fish and dropped them in, adding only a pinch of salt. A wild-caught delicacy like this was best enjoyed in its natural state, without too many seasonings. He skewered the remaining fish on thin branches, rubbed them with a light layer of salt, and propped them up next to the fire to roast.

Before long, a layer of oil began to bead on the surface of the roasting fish, and the white meat turned a beautiful golden-brown. Shen Yibin turned the skewers to cook the other side. This was a roasting technique he had learned from a food show about the Western Regions, one that preserved the fish’s natural juices and flavor. Ideally, he should have used red willow branches for skewers to remove any fishiness and add a subtle fragrance, but unfortunately, you couldn’t find those in the forests of the Northeast. Shen Yibin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret.

"Mmm, this smells amazing! This fish is definitely more delicious than the ones from the Yunshui River." As soon as the fish was ready, Shen Yibin’s trace of regret vanished. Fish from this pure, unpolluted primeval forest were incredibly aromatic when roasted. To survive the harsh winter, they would gorge themselves during the food-rich summer to build up fat reserves. As a result, these fish were much plumper and oilier than those from the Yunshui River. As the rich fat melted over the fire, it released an intoxicating aroma that infused the meat, making it even more succulent. Shen Yibin took one bite and was hooked.

"Here, Hah’Er, you try some!" Shen Yibin handed a skewer to Hah’Er. He then glanced at the Snow Fox; it seemed to have already digested the raw fish from earlier. He offered it a skewer as well. "Careful, it’s hot. Maybe let it cool down a little before you eat?" ’This little one has probably never had cooked food before,’ he thought. ’I wonder if it will take to it.’

"Mmm! Mmm!" Hah’Er nodded in approval after just two bites. It even carefully flaked off a couple of tiny morsels of fish and brought them to Maphario’s mouth. The little creature ate them with great relish.

The Snow Fox stared at the roasted fish, unable to stop sniffing. The aroma immediately sparked its appetite. It extended its tongue for a lick, but the scorching oil on the fish’s skin scalded it. The fox let out a low whimper, as if blaming Shen Yibin.

"Here, just blow on it a few times like this!" Shen Yibin demonstrated, picking up another skewer and blowing on it before taking a bite. Foxes are known for being cunning, and this genetically-mutated Snow Fox was exceptionally bright. It immediately copied Shen Yibin. Pinning the skewer down with its front paws, it began to tear into the fish, devouring it skin, bones, and all. It was instantly captivated by this unprecedented deliciousness. The moment it finished the first skewer, it dashed back to Shen Yibin’s side and stared longingly at the other fish roasting by the fire.

"Here, this one’s just finished. It’s for you." Shen Yibin tossed the fish skewer onto a clean, flat rock. "But don’t get full yet! The fish soup is almost ready!"

After they had eaten two skewers of roasted fish each, the aroma of the soup began to fill the air. Shen Yibin pulled a few mess tins from his pack, rinsed them with clean snow, and ladled out two portions of soup, placing them in front of Hah’Er and the Snow Fox. This time, without any prompting, the Snow Fox started blowing on its soup to cool it down. ’This little fella really is smart,’ Shen Yibin thought.

Two bowls of soup sent a pleasant warmth spreading through their bodies. Shen Yibin leaned against the cave wall, rubbing his full belly and humming contentedly. Hah’Er was the same, its stomach now round and taut. The Snow Fox lay perfectly still on the ground. It had been many days since it had eaten its fill like this.

"Come over here. Let me see the wound on your paw!" It was only then that Shen Yibin remembered the Snow Fox was injured. He beckoned it over, planning to see if it needed a spray of Yunnan Baiyao.

The Snow Fox obediently came over, hopped onto Shen Yibin’s lap, and lay down with its eyes half-closed, presenting its front paw. Shen Yibin gently took the paw and brought it close for a careful look. ’Huh? The wounds seem to have already scabbed over. It looks a lot better than it did just a little while ago, doesn’t it?’

He tried applying a little more pressure around the wounds, but there was no unusual reaction, and the Snow Fox didn’t so much as whimper. It looked like the paw was completely healed. ’Could it have been that pill I gave it earlier?’

’In any case, as long as it’s healed, that’s all that matters!’ Shen Yibin finally set his mind at ease. He added a few more branches to the fire, blocked the cave entrance with the makeshift gate, and slid into his sleeping bag. With Hah’Er and the others beside him, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Let’s go! We’re leaving the mountains today! I’m taking you somewhere warmer!" Waking up early the next morning, Shen Yibin packed his things and set off on the path out of the mountains with his three companions. The Snow Fox darted ahead, taking the lead to guide them.