Its front legs were short and stout, with claws wrapped in fur, while the hind legs were tucked within the fur around its hips.
The tail was roughly a third of its body length, covered in long fur and shaped like a squirrel's tail, allowing it to wrap around its hind legs and curl at its side.
Thanks to this appearance, even when it was angry, it didn't look as hideous as a house mouse, but rather quite adorable.
Gently stroking the little creature's fur through the wooden box, it felt like satin, thick and smooth.
"Hey, if this thing were made into a fur scarf, wouldn't it be comfortable to wear!"
"I wonder if this guy is male or female...
And with the water, let's see if we can catch another one."
Stowing away the wooden box, seeing there were a few cups of water left in the nearby bucket, Chen Zhou poured it all into the hole.
Leaning down, he placed his ear close to the hole wall, but all he could hear was the pure sound of water. The mice inside might have already dug open the sealed hole and escaped.
Not surprised by this outco, he sat on the ground, wiping the dust off the side of his head, Chen Zhou wasn't at all disheartened.
Today he just wanted to relax and didn't want to co across as too utilitarian.
He didn't even plan to kill or randomly feed things to this "poison test mouse," which he joked about skinning.
People always hope others value their inner worth but tend to judge by appearance.
If this were an ugly mountain rat or house mouse, in human hands, it might never see the light of day again.
But this little guy happens to have such a likable face.
Not only did Chen Zhou not want to kill it, but he also wanted to personally cut grass for it, bring it ho to raise, and perhaps even find it a mate soday.
Near the pile of rocks on the slope, Lai Fu was barking in front of a crevice in the rock.
Thinking it was still chasing the runaway "wild chinchilla," Chen Zhou stood up, about to call Lai Fu back, but noticed its posture was off.
These charming little creatures lacked climbing abilities; their comforting and protecting burrows were all dug downward, yet Lai Fu was barking upward, with its head raised.
"What did it find?"
Feeling curious, Chen Zhou placed the wooden box in the empty bucket and pressed a stone over the bucket's mouth to prevent the trophy from escaping, then slowly walked toward Lai Fu.
The slope, supposedly a pile of shattered rocks, was actually a short stone forest.
Various robust stone columns stretched over four to five hundred ters, with fissures everywhere atop the columns and weathered stones scattered at the base.
Most of the stones here were grayish-white, evenly thick, flat in shape, and distinctly angular, very suitable for wall-building or flooring.
Chen Zhou had considered moving these stones into the cave dwelling before.
But after calculating the amount of work, it seed overwhelming, so he had to give up.
Lai Fu was barking at a spot right below a rock fissure about as thick as two arms, too far to see what it was biting.
Upon getting closer, Chen Zhou discovered it was just a bird's nest, nearly three ters from the ground, beyond his reach even if he jumped with all his might.
"Alright, Lai Fu, I caught a mouse, let's go ho!"
Not wanting to waste effort since they still needed to fish in the afternoon, Chen Zhou petted Lai Fu's fluffy head to persuade the stubborn little dog.
"Woof!"
Lai Fu responded and turned around to follow, yet looked back at every step, showing extre reluctance.
Seeing its pouting mischief, Chen Zhou chuckled helplessly.
"Alright, alright, I'll get the nest down for you today.
I really want to see what's inside that has enchanted you so!"
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