The snow was nearly as tall as a person. The duo shoveling it looked up and carved out a pathway, coming face to face with a small white tiger.

Qin Lifen hid behind Zhuo Hao and anxiously asked, "Is it hungry and thinking of eating us?"

Zhuo Hao was also apprehensive. While he never feared killing mutated beasts in the mountains, he was in a quandary about the tiger cub. If it attacked, would he fight back or not?

"It's okay; it doesn't look very fierce. Plus, it has an injured leg," Zhuo Hao reassured his companion.

The little white tiger emerged from the tunnel, shook off the snow, and pounced towards Miao Miao. The trio was stunned. How could it be so selective?

"Help!" A piercing scream rang out. Miao Miao somersaulted backward, evading the tiger's assault, then brandishing a shovel threateningly, "Stay back! Approach again, and I won't be so kind!"

She yelled at the two men upstairs, "Hey! Control it!"

Zhou You, enjoying the scene, nudged Shao Qi, "Aren't you going to help? She's one of yours."

Sneezing, Shao Qi turned back into the house, "It's too cold. I'll get another layer. Let Little White play with them."

The human and the cub played chase in the courtyard. With the snow so deep, Miao Miao tried to stick to the cleared paths, but Little White preferred shortcuts. Learning from its earlier misstep, it was more careful with its footfalls in the snow.

Several times it almost caught her but was narrowly avoided at the last second. Frustration mounting, the tiger scattered the snow everywhere, leaving a landscape dotted with pits and pawprints.

Miao Miao started playing hide and seek in the winding paths. Her teammates even stopped shoveling, instead digging a labyrinth in the snow for the two to enjoy.

Miao Miao used her hearing to track Little White, who not only had keen hearing but also a sharp sense of smell. It's unclear how acute mutated beasts' senses are, but some who have encountered mutated dogs claim they can sniff out humans buried several floors underground.

Suddenly, the white tiger lay flat in the snow, perfectly camouflaged. Miao Miao passed it several times unknowingly. After a few rounds, she curiously asked, "Is it still around?"

Just then, the tiger sprung from the snow, pinning Miao Miao with precise pounces on her limbs, rendering her immobile.

As a predator, it seemed to innately possess hunting skills. The chase was its forte.

With eyes covered, Qin Lifen and Zhuo Hao watched in awe, admiring the beast's patience. They were too late to warn her.

Though just a cub, Little White was already powerful. Knowing it wouldn't hurt her, Miao Miao refrained from resisting too much. But as the cub's head lowered, mouth agape targeting her head, she yelled in terror, "Get any closer, and I'll lose my temper!"

In a flash, Little White clamped onto her tiger-themed hat, released her, and played with the hat, tearing it apart within seconds.

Zhou You approached, helping Miao Miao up, asking without regret, "Are you okay?"

Miao Miao, rubbing her head and brushing off the snow from her back, snorted, "Such a powerful creature at this young age. Imagine when it's grown. You're playing with fire!"

Little White, disappointed by the hat's fragility, went over and tugged at Zhou You's trousers, hoping for another hat.

Zhou You removed his hat and placed it atop Little White's head, covering its regal mark. It looked even more like a big cat now, melting Miao Miao's earlier resentment. She playfully reached out to touch its tail.

The little white tiger lowered its head, flinging its hat to the ground and gnawing away at it. Another stylish hat was ruined. Unsatisfied, it ran around the courtyard, not only destroying the maze that Qin Lifen and the others had crafted but also toppling over the snowman Miaomiao had built. It was truly an agent of chaos.

Shao Qi descended with a briefcase, instructing Qin Lifen and the two others to stay and guard the place. He then departed with Zhou You.

"Guard the place? Since when did this become a home?" Miaomiao inquired, utterly puzzled.

Pointing at the beast leisurely strolling within the courtyard, Qin Lifen remarked, "Clearly, our sole charge is this creature. How do you suppose we'd stop it if it decided to escape?"

The three exchanged glances. They positioned themselves strategically, ensuring a 360-degree vigilance over the little creature. Should it try to make a break, they'd show no mercy.

They all knew the chaos a mutated tiger could cause if it wandered into the city. And if other factions found out their boss possessed such a cub, they might just bring the roof down on the central military district.

After leaving the Chongjian Villa, Zhou You and Shao Qi pondered their mode of transportation. The streets were filled with vehicles clearing the road, and fire trucks were aiding civilians with the accumulated snow blocking entrances.

"Should I... bring out the armored vehicle?"

"No need. Wait here," said Shao Qi. He went out and swiftly returned, driving a snowplow. Given his ease behind the wheel, this wasn’t his first time driving one.

As Zhou You climbed in, he curiously asked, "Is there any vehicle you can't operate?"

After a thoughtful pause, Shao Qi replied, "Aren't most vehicles similar? Planes aren't that tricky, and I've had some experience with aircraft carriers. I'd love to pilot a UFO if I get the chance."

Zhou You gave him a thumbs-up, commenting, "Ambitious dreams. I suspect nations will prioritize space exploration, especially if we can't fend off invasions from flora and fauna. Our only escape might be to space."