"Baa?"
The llama in front of the scenic area gate was spat on by the little fox, its face covered in saliva. The llama was utterly confused, never having imagined being spat on by a fox.
This... isn't spitting supposed to be its own defensive tactic?
"What are you looking at? Never seen a fox before?" Watching the resentful expression on the llama's face, Ansheng, perched on Ah Qing's shoulder, shifted his position and stuck out his little fox leg, attempting to kick it.
Llamas look fine in videos.
But in reality, they're quite nasty—spitting whenever they feel threatened.
What they spit isn't just saliva but a mix of stomach acid, saliva, and half-digested grass.
That phlegm stinks horribly, and the stench lingers for a long time.
Ansheng had been tricked by these llamas during a spring field trip in his past life.
At the time, classmates joked, "Did you eat old pickled cabbage and soil your pants last night?"
Seeing the llama's neck start to move, Ansheng immediately recalled his past encounter and spat first at the cheeky llama trying to approach him.
"Wow, wow, wow..."
Seeing the little fox and the llama about to engage in a spitting match, Ah Qing quickly pulled the little fox away.
The llama is quite large; if it kicked the little fox, the fox's jaw would be dislocated.
"Why are they fighting?"
Momo, full of question marks, looked at the little fox trying to take on the llama while being held back by Ah Qing.
"That llama seemed to sense Xiaolan was in danger, so it approached to test..."
Ah Qing explained to Momo.
"What danger could the little fox be?" Momo smiled mischievously, reaching out to tickle the little fox's belly, watching the constantly yipping little fox with a teasing expression.
"By the way, what was the little fox saying just now?"
"He said, let's go to the pasture and have a duel—a lone fox against the llama's entire family, and he'll burn their wiggling butts with cigarette butts," Ah Qing replied exasperatedly.
"... I told you, don't let him listen to rock music," Momo commented, dumbfounded.
As she spoke, Tang You and Lingren returned to the scenic area entrance after parking.
"Let's go! Let's have a meal first, rest a bit, and then head to the pasture," Tang You called out and walked to the ticket counter to buy tickets.
Normally, Spring Mountain Grassland Area allows free entry without purchasing a ticket.
But what's sold here aren't tickets but packages, including horse riding, traditional wrestling, evening mutton feast, and a bonfire fireworks party at night.
The bonfire party may be free, but there isn't a single store within kilometers where you can buy fireworks.
After buying the tickets, Tang You led everyone to the restaurant behind the ticket office.
"Prepare a Mongolian Tent." Seeing the waiter coming to greet them, Tang You requested.
"Oh... okay." The waiter was momentarily stunned before inviting everyone inside to prepare.
Tang You explained to her sisters, "Generally, you can choose indoor or outdoor dining in the scenic area restaurants. Though I don't recommend dining in a Mongolian Tent..."
"But as the saying goes: 'Regret going for a day, and you'll nag me for a lifetime if you don't go.'"
As she said this, a peculiar smile appeared on Tang You's face, as if she expected something.
But instead of explaining, she intentionally acted mysterious and signaled for everyone to follow and see for themselves.
"What's the downside?"
Ah Qing curiously glanced at Tang You and followed the waiter into the Mongolian Tent.
Inside the Mongolian Tent, a long table was placed in the center of the tent, with carpets laid on the ground and several low chairs around the table. From inside the tent, you could see the wooden fence walls and some regional decorations looking outwards.
The top of the Mongolian Tent had a skylight where, with a gentle tilt of the head, you could see the blue sky, like a starlit sky lamp—an exquisite scene unfolding before them.
But as they sat down, Tang You said nothing, instead picking authentic salty milk tea, boiled mutton, mutton shumai, two portions of hand-grasped meat, and a spicy salad from the menu with a smile.
"Have a look and see if there's anything else you want to order. Oh, and please set the air conditioner to 16 degrees, thanks."
Tang You handed the menu to Ah Qing and reminded the waiter.
"Alright!" The waiter had no doubts and nodded as if it was perfectly natural, lowering the air conditioning.
"So secretive..."
Even though Momo's curiosity was piqued, wanting to know where the pitfall was, she knew from Tang You's expression she wouldn't reveal it until it appeared.
"Hmm?"
Sitting across from Momo, Lingren sipped tea but suddenly felt an itch on her ankle, as if a woman had taken off her shoes, teasing with her toes. Lingren glanced down in surprise, eager to see who dared to be so bold.
Momo was fine, Ah Qing was acceptable, Sister Youyou was unremarkable, and the little fox was also okay.
But.
As Lingren looked down, the joy on her face vanished instantly, paling visibly.
A desert-colored lizard covered in black spots peeked its head from the carpet, resting its front paw on Lingren's ankle, lifting its head to gaze around, with an expression that seemed to say:
[Huh? Why's it getting cold, what's going on?]
"Ah... Ah Qing..."
Lingren tensed up, her voice trembling, turning to Ah Qing and Tang You, "Can you... can you help me take a look and see what kind of lizard is on my foot? Does it have sharp teeth?"
Lingren had farmed in fields before, digging up not just lizards but even hibernating venomous snakes.
But back then, she had a shovel and pickaxe to push those strange creatures away.
"Hmm?"
With Lingren's trembling question, the three instinctively leaned over to look under the table, even the little fox on the table looked curiously off the edge beneath.
A brilliantly spotted desert lizard sat on Lingren's foot, peeking around at the shoes of the surrounding ladies.
"Oh, it's alright, just a common desert lizard," Tang You calmly remarked.
"Yikes!"
After confirming it was non-venomous, toothless, and wouldn't spread strange diseases, Lingren jerked her foot back, leaping up and screaming in fright, "There's a snake!"
"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
Lingren's shriek seemed to flip some odd switch—startling a bat resting behind the wooden fence, which began fluttering its wings, flying around the Mongolian Tent.
As if expecting it, Tang You crouched down, using a plate from the table to shield her head.
"This the surprise you mentioned?"
With lines of frustration, Momo mimicked Tang You, squatting with her hands over her head, questioning.
"Not exactly, but it was somewhat expected," Tang You replied casually, "Mongolian Tents are situated on the grassland, meaning when no one's around, the critters throw a party."
"The insect-eaters like bats and lizards rush over to deliver aid."
"Sometimes, moths might flutter around in the tent while a couple of snakes pair up on the floor."
Tang You explained why she advised against tourists dining on big meals in Mongolian Tents.
Some Mongolian Tents with air conditioning installed to drive out the critters fare better, but bugs are unavoidable unless you don't set up the tent on the prairie.
But a Mongolian Tent not on the prairie would just be a big tent, wouldn't it?
"Xiaolan, get it!"
Amidst Momo's complaints, she noticed the little fox, like liquid, slinking off the table and under it. Momo chuckled at this, giving it a push on the rear to encourage it.
"Hey! Momo, don't push Xiaolan out!" Seeing Momo egging Xiaolan on insect patrol, Ah Qing was startled and quickly spoke up against it.
"Hmm?"
Momo was confused until she suddenly felt little paws on her behind, giving her a push. Instinctively, to keep her balance, Momo stood up abruptly.
It was just then that Ah Qing's voice came:
"Xiaolan's actually afraid of bugs too..."
"Last time, I told him to smack the cockroach in our dorm, but who knows how...
"It ended with Xiaolan circling behind me, shoving me through the door... oh, it was terrifying..."