Chapter 434 - 382
Chapter 434: Chapter 382
After leaving the log cabin, Gu Ning’s party traveled across the snowfield for nearly another hour before reaching the outpost for the Inner District.
The closer they got to the inner city, the denser the roadside buildings became, and their architectural styles grew more varied.
Perhaps because it was a cold region, the buildings in the 12th District were much shorter than those in Zone 15, consisting mostly of single-story houses. Their bright yellow, reddish-brown, and light orange rooftops blended together, forming a warm sea in the snow-white world, like cottages from a fairy tale.
However, these houses were all built to the scale of Beastmen, so to Gu Ning, they were all massive.
Gu Ning raised her camera and pressed the shutter again and again.
The sled was moving too fast, making it difficult for her to operate the camera with her thick gloves on. Barto wrapped his left arm around her and used his right hand to steady the arm she was holding the camera with.
Cook was still beside them, barking and yelping nonstop, occasionally nudging Gu Ning.
After they left the cabin, Cook’s spirits had suddenly flagged for some reason. Gu Ning figured the little dog was either homesick or missed his brother. They had finally made it back to his old home, only to leave again after a short stay.
Seeing him cheer up now, Gu Ning put down her camera to ruffle the little dog’s head and soothe his emotions.
"Ning, Ning... home..." Cook mumbled, nudging Gu Ning as he spoke.
Hearing the word "home," Gu Ning was even more certain that Cook was homesick. She leaned close to the little dog’s ear and whispered soothingly, "Be good, Cook. We’ll have a new home when we get to Zone 5."
Cook’s ears twitched. He gave a gentle nudge into her embrace, then looked back at the snowfield they were leaving behind and let out another low, hesitant cry.
Gu Ning hugged the little dog’s head, patting it gently as she continued to soothe him. "You miss your home with your brother, don’t you? We’ll go visit again on our way back."
Barto, who was holding her from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder. "What are you telling him?"
Gu Ning tilted her head to look at him and said, "For Cook. New home. Return trip, visit home again."
Barto understood the gist of it immediately. He pressed his cheek against hers and asked in a low voice, "Cook can understand you?"
Gu Ning nodded. "He can, but not much."
When she first started living with Cook, she mostly spoke to him in her native language. Later, to help her pretend to be a Beastman, Cook taught her the common tongue. He also warned her not to speak her own language to other Beastmen—in fact, it was best not to speak to them at all, or it could be very dangerous.
The series of events that followed proved Cook’s worries were justified.
In a chaotic and dangerous city like Zone 19, she was either mistaken for a Mimic Mixed Species or captured by Beastmen with ulterior motives.
"Speak it to me," Barto said, kissing Gu Ning’s cheek. "I’ll learn faster than he can."
Gu Ning glanced at him and said, "Barto."
Barto: "Hm? I’m listening."
Gu Ning said again, "Gu Li. Fox."
Barto’s expression faltered. Hearing the words spoken in her unique accent, he pieced it together. "Is that my name?" he asked, half-guessing, half-certain. "And what comes after? My species?"
’When he’d chosen a name for himself, he had combined Gu Ning’s surname with his own species. It wasn’t because it was simple or easy to remember, but because Gu Ning liked to call him ’little fox.’ His name, Gu Li, even incorporated the word for fox.’
Gu Ning’s eyes curved into crescents. ’My little fox is so clever.’
She was wearing a mask, so Barto couldn’t see her full expression, but he could see her eyes. Her gaze softened, and, clearly in a good mood, he said, "Continue."
Gu Ning pointed at Cook. "Cook. Doggy."
Then she pointed to her front left, where Alex was talking with the team leader. "Alex. Wolf."
As if he’d heard her say his name, Alex turned to look at them. Barto grabbed Cook’s head and yanked it in front of Gu Ning, blocking Alex’s view.
"How do you say ’eyes’?" Barto cupped Gu Ning’s chin, tilting her head up to look at him.
Gu Ning blinked and said the word for "eyes."
Barto’s fingers traced her face, and he was about to ask for another word when Cook suddenly started barking loudly. "WOOF WOOF WOOF!"
Both he and Gu Ning jumped in surprise, and the surrounding security team members glanced over.
"Stupid dog, what are you barking for?" Barto smacked the dog.
Gu Ning grabbed his hand. "Don’t hit Cook."
Cook licked Gu Ning’s face and wagged his tail, looking slightly agitated.
A nearby security guard noticed his agitation and spoke up. "We’re almost there. We don’t need to be inspected; we can go straight through."
Gu Ning felt the sled gradually slow down. The Ice and Snow City Wall was now within arm’s reach. She hugged the little dog’s head, stroking his fur. "Look, Cook! We’re about to enter the city."
Cook let out a small "awoo," shifting his attention back to Gu Ning and leaning quietly into her embrace.