The path was narrow, allowing only single-file passage, so they formed a long line and walked back.
Zheng Zhilan and Qinghe walked at the front, but not at the very front. Big Yellow was mostly worried that Brother Nan, the bad guy, might harm its master. After they left and hadn't returned for some time, it grew frantic. Finally, it called upon the strongest Rottweiler for aid, abandoning its sheep-herding task.
Now they were leading the way.
Then came Brother Nan, Lord Dumpling, Zhou Li, and Huai Xu.
Lord Dumpling moved in bursts—quickly, slowly, left, right—and often stopped right in front of Zhou Li to look up and ask questions, always making Zhou Li worry about stepping on her.
"Lord Dumpling, be careful."
"Lord Dumpling is careful."
"Then don't run around like that."
"Lord Dumpling knows."
"..."
