Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 441 The Xing'an Mountains on the Tiger's Back

During the winter vacation of 1993, the severe cold of the north, accompanied by wind and snow, swept across the land beyond the Great Wall.

Lin Yan led Chenchen, Xixi, and Xiaoqi northwards, all the way to a sparsely populated area at the foot of the mountains on the eastern slope of the Greater Khingan Mountains.

Here, the sky is high and the land is vast, the primeval forest stretches silently under the snow cover, the air is crisp and clear, and taking a breath feels like your lungs have been washed by an icy spring.

In a sheltered mountain valley, there stands a large courtyard built of logs and bluestone, solid and heavy, with long icicles hanging from the eaves.

This was one of the strongholds built by the "old brothers" in Northeast China in their early years to operate the black market, and now it has become a temporary paradise for the Lin family.

A crackling wood-burning stove burned in the courtyard, filling the air with warmth.

But the children's interest was soon drawn to the boundless forest beyond the courtyard wall.

"Daddy, can we go inside and take a look tomorrow?" Xixi clung to the window, her breath creating a small white mist on the glass, reflecting her expectant face.

Although Chenchen didn't speak, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Lin Yan.

"Of course," Lin Yan ruffled the two children's hair, "This is called 'mountain chasing,' I'll take you there tomorrow."

The next morning, the sky was a pale indigo.

The family was dressed neatly, in thick down jackets, cotton hats, gloves, and non-slip snow boots.

Lin Yan was carrying a canvas backpack containing water, some dry food, and a camera.

Lin Gang and Wang Yuling followed behind Chenchen and Xixi.

Xiaoqi shook off the snowflakes and ran happily ahead, leaving a trail of light plum blossom prints in the knee-deep snow.

Entering the mountains and forests, the world instantly changes.

The towering larch and pine trees were covered with thick snow, and occasionally a snowflake would slide off the branches with a "plop," stirring up a snow mist.

Sunlight filters through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows on the snow, where footprints of various small animals are scattered everywhere, like mysterious symbols.

Lin Yan taught them to identify the footprints of squirrels, roe deer, and hares, and told them which plants still showed signs of life under the snow.

Chenchen listened attentively, occasionally squatting down to examine them, while Xixi was more interested in the various shapes of tree frost hanging on the bare branches, calling them "jewels of winter."

They slowly ventured deeper into the path trodden by wild animals.

Lin Yan wasn't deliberately seeking any gain; he simply wanted his two children to experience the primitive tranquility far removed from the city.

Little Seven runs around, sometimes listening intently, sometimes sniffing lightly. It is not only a playmate, but also the most sensitive guardian.

Just as Xixi pointed at a strangely shaped old tree in the distance and exclaimed in surprise, the bushes to her side suddenly shook violently, and snow fell.

A figure in yellow and black, exuding a chilling aura of majesty and wildness, stepped out silently.

That was a fully grown Siberian tiger.

Its colorful fur was magnificent and dazzling against the backdrop of the snow, its robust body contained explosive power, and its amber eyes coldly locked onto the uninvited guest before it.

The invisible pressure from the apex predator made the air seem to freeze instantly.

Chenchen and Xixi froze instantly, their little faces turning pale, their breaths stopping, and immense fear gripped their small bodies.

The tiger emitted a deep, menacing growl from its throat, its muscles tensing slightly, just as it was about to make a move—

"Ugh—!"

A low growl that struck straight to the soul burst forth from Xiao Qi's small body.

A divine beast's majesty, originating from the primordial era and surpassing all other beasts, spread out as if it were a tangible entity.

That was a dismissive rebuke from an ancient supreme being.

The tiger, which was about to pounce, suddenly froze.

Its amber pupils contracted sharply, reflecting not a delicious prey, but a supreme being that made its very blood tremble—something it could neither comprehend nor resist.

Its robust body began to tremble uncontrollably, its proud head slowly lowered, and finally, its forelimbs went limp, and its massive body completely collapsed onto the snow, emitting a faint moan mixed with absolute obedience, even its tail was tightly tucked between its legs.

In the blink of an eye, the danger vanished without a trace.

Lin Yan watched this scene calmly, and gently patted the two still bewildered children.

"Don't be afraid," his voice carried a reassuring strength, "It's very 'well-behaved' now. Chenchen, Xixi, would you like to... try sitting on it?"

Sit on it? Ride a tiger?!

After the extreme fear comes incredible excitement and immense temptation.

The two children looked at the magnificent, colorful worm that looked imposing even when it was lying down, then at Xiao Qi, who was standing lazily in front of them, and then at their father who was encouraging them.

Xi Xi always comes back first when she's brave enough.

She swallowed hard, and the fear in her eyes was gradually replaced by eager excitement.

Chenchen took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

Encouraged by Lin Yan, the two children cautiously approached each other.

The tiger lay there docilely, motionless.

They first tentatively touched the thick, mottled fur, which felt rough, hard, and warm. Then, with Lin Yan's help, they cautiously climbed onto the tiger's broad back.

"Hold on tight," Xiao Qi transmitted a divine command to the tiger.

The next moment, the king of beasts stood up again, steadily carrying the two little figures on its back, and began to slow down and trot in this familiar territory.

The wind whistled past my ears, the trees flew by, and my vision rose and fell as the tiger ran steadily.

The initial unease was quickly overwhelmed by an unprecedented, soaring sense of freedom and ecstasy.

"Wow—!!!" Xi Xi finally screamed, her face flushed with extreme excitement as she gripped the thick fur behind the tiger's neck tightly.

Chenchen also pursed his lips tightly, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented light. His body rose and fell with the tiger's steps, trying to maintain his balance and feel the awe-inspiring experience brought by this powerful mount.

Lin Yan followed behind at a leisurely pace, watching the children go from fear to conquest and then to the joy of immersing themselves in nature, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.

He raised his camera, adjusted the angle, and captured the moment—a majestic tiger carrying two excited children against a backdrop of a vast, snow-covered forest, with golden sunlight filtering through the treetops and illuminating their rosy faces and fluttering hair.

After running a long enough lap, the tiger slowly stopped and once again obediently lowered its body.

The two children slid down the slide, still feeling a little weak in the knees, but their excitement lingered on their faces.

The fear in their eyes when they looked at the tiger had vanished, replaced by affection.

The tiger let out a low growl, glanced at Xiao Qi, and only after receiving tacit approval did it turn around and disappear nimbly into the depths of the dense forest, as if it had never been there.

On the way back, Xixi and Chenchen chattered non-stop, repeatedly describing the feeling of riding on the tiger's back.

"Daddy," Xixi suddenly asked during dinner around the fire, "Will we ever see that big cat again?"

"Maybe," Lin Yan said, placing a piece of stewed wild mushroom on her plate. "The mountains have their own destiny. You were very brave today."