Even if they had to be back in a few days for the Huan Hua banquet that they totally didn't forget about, they tried to make the most of their time together.
After running off pretty late, Shen Qingqiu quickly wrote a note with qi and sent it to Ming Fan, suddenly remembering that no one but him and Liu Qingge knew they were off. Zhangman-shixiong would know as soon as they left Cang Qiong Mountain territory, so they might receive a letter soon, but for the most part, they were just trying to have fun.
And they did.
Besides the absolutely embarrassing fact that the milk situation was settled for open feeding a good bit away from towns, they had fun running into the fauna of the areas they visited.
One such case was running into Black Toothed Fire Rabbits. They were nocturnal creatures, and relatively weak, but they haven't died out because a) They breed like crazy, and b) Even the stupidest beast knows that they provide light and warmth only alive, and that they are used as a guide to certain places if you can communicate with them.
When they were looking for a decent hiding spot to relieve Shen Qingqiu's tiddies, they ran into one. More accurately, it ran into them.
It jumped headfirst into Liu Qingge's shins, almost killing itself in the process. Remember, they're weak creatures. And plus, the War God of Cang Qiong happens to be an immovable wall of stone.
Solid, solid muscle.
When it finally regained its bearings, it immediately noticed Liu Qingge and proceeded to cry(?) out of fear, which attracted a certain White Toothed Fire Rabbit.
Who happens to be almost the complete opposite of a Black Toothed one.
They are quite strong, and very possessive of their mates.
Did he mention that both species can breed with each other to produce Grey Toothed Fire Rabbits? They're the equivalent of boxers really. Just stupidly fast. And with an incredible personality.
Back to the topic at hand.
When the Black Toothed one cried, it attracted its much larger White Toothed mate.
All in all, Liu Qingge had some great fun showing off his skills to impress his shixiong! And it worked because his shixiong was praising how efficient he was and that he got both of them to spare one the heartache of separation.
Then he went off on how useful their hides are for warmth if skinned correctly and how eating the White Toothed one gives you some boost in strength if your chosen person is in danger, then went off on how that worked. Then immediately backtracked to how eating the Blacked Toothed one sends you into a false sense of safety, which is great is you want to assassinate someone discreetly.
All and all, they had a great time!
Until the hit a town with no immediate forest...
Seriously, out of all the times to not have a convenient forest to hide in, it had to be when his tiddies were really sore!!!
They ended up purchasing an inn room and hiding away for a little bit, with Liu Qingge trying to gently reassure Shen Qingqiu that it was okay, and that nobody would see them. Even in the secure privacy of the room, Shen Qingqiu only felt comfortable enough feeding him behind a screen in the far corner, out of sight from the door and window.
Then they explored the town! Liu Qingge quickly realized it was one of the towns he had listed in his notebook and promptly pulled it out. He also remembered that this was the town the man had teased him in.
"What's that, shidi?"
"Mn. Notebook, for places to revisit."
"Ahh, so you've been here before? Perhaps shidi would care to lead this one around?"
Liu Qingge nodded in sincerity.
"Of course. For shixiong."
Shen Qingqiu will deny that that had made him feel warm on the inside for years.
And so, they explored the town, looking at everything from bookstores to merchants. They also dined at a few places, in which Shen Qingqiu briefly rated the restaurants at Liu Qingge's request.
(Yes, it was also jotted down.)
(Yes, Shen Qingqiu found Liu Qingge scribbling away very cute.)
They finally arrived at their last stop before heading back to the inn. A jewelry shop, filled from hair ornaments and crowns, to bangles and rings.
"Shidi, come look! It's a set!"
"Mn."
Shen Qingqiu quickly called over the merchant to request purchase of the crowns, before Liu Qingge grabbed some coins before he could even grab his wallet.
"Huh? Shidi, you don't have to pay?"
"I know. But think of it as repayment"
"For what?"
"Whatever you decide."
After Shen Qingqiu trying very hard to think of an instance that would cause Liu Qingge to try and repay him, they both left, returning to the inn for the night.