Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Escape from the Tigerâs Mouth Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Escape from the Tigerâs Mouth The Chiang family members had all run off, and the yard had returned to its quiet state.
Chiang Songhai, however, felt very depressed. He walked into the main room and sat down in a chair; his complexion somewhat ashen, as though he had lost his essence, qi, and spirit.
Chiang Xiao poured some Ganoderma water and handed it to him.
âGrandfather, drink some water,â she said.
Today, Chiang Songhaiâs behavior had already made Chiang Xiao very satisfied. This was progress.
In the past, because he always held back and didnât bring the conflicts and contradictions to the forefront, Chiang Songhai simply didnât experience such deep feelings.
When the conflict intensified, the words Chiang Songhai and Ho Laidi said would be more hurtful.
Only then could Chiang Songhai truly see what they were thinking and stop holding out hope for them.
After drinking a few sips of water, Chiang Songhai felt the warm fluid enter his stomach, lightening his mood slightly.
He looked at Chiang Xiao squatting in front of him, his eyes turning red. He couldnât help but reach out to touch her hair and said, âLittle, what you said is right. From now on, your grandparents can only count on you. We canât count on anyone else.â
âGrandfather, itâs good that you know this. In the future, donât even think about counting on Old Nianâs family. You have me,â she reassured him.
Ge Liutao also sat down beside him, extending a hand to pat Chiang Songhaiâs hand in comfort.
âGrandfather, what exactly happened when Old Nian saved your life?â Chiang Xiao asked.
Chiang Songhai let out a long sigh.
âAt that time, we were only thirteen or fourteen years old. Our family was poor and there was little to eat, so we snuck off to Bai Gu Mountain without telling the adults.â
âAh? Old Nian used to dare to climb Bai Gu Mountain?â
âHe dared to before that incident, though he was very afraid all the way. I donât remember now how far we went, but we saw a small tiger cub, somehow separated from its mother,â Chiang Songhai ventured into his memories. âThe little tiger cub was very small, and we thought it was a cat. Your Uncle Songtao made a lasso out of rope, planning to catch it and take it home for food. I thought even if it were a cat, it must be a wild mountain cat, with fierce claws and likely sour-tasting meat, certainly not good to eat. And the little tiger cub was in a valley cave, unreachable and too dangerous. So, I kept urging him to give up and head back home.â
But at that time, Chiang Songtao wouldnât listen, insistent on capturing the little tiger cub.
When the cub was cornered, it let out a cry. Instantly, he recognized the soundâit was a tiger, not a cat at all!
Chiang Songtao immediately dropped the rope and ran.
But he had inadvertently thrown the lasso around Chiang Songhaiâs feet. As Chiang Songhai attempted to flee, he tripped over the rope and called out to Chiang Songtao.
Chiang Songtao came running back, grabbed the rope, and just at that moment, a terrifying tiger roar sounded not far away, the trees and bushes shaking. They knew the adult tiger had emerged, and their hearts nearly leaped out of their chests in fright.
Chiang Songtao, still clutching the rope and not having the presence of mind to let go, ran back the way they had come at breakneck speed.
He literally sprinted for his life!
He didnât even realize that he was dragging Chiang Songhai, whose foot was caught in the noose, with him.
Chiang Songhai was pulled along, his clothes torn to shreds on the ground, his body covered in wounds.
âI kept shouting at him to let go, to untie me, but perhaps Uncle Songtao was too panicked to hear me. It wasnât until he had run a good distance and was tired that he finally dropped the rope and rushed down the mountain on his own,â Chiang Songhai explained.
Chiang Xiao listened, dumbfounded.
âHe left you behind? Then how could that be considered saving your life?â
Chiang Songhai gave a bitter laugh and said, âIt must have been my luck. That big tiger was probably more concerned with its cub and didnât chase after us. I got up, untied the noose, and then made my way slowly down the mountain.â