The early morning sunlight slipped through the thin fabric of the camping tent, painting soft golden stripes across the inside. Outside, the faint sound of birds singing filled the fresh mountain air, mixing with the quiet rustle of leaves swaying in the breeze.
Inside the tent, Anji stirred awake, stretching her arms lazily. A faint hum escaped her lips, half-yawn, half-song. Years of disciplined living had blessed her with one rare gift—she could fall asleep easily, sink into deep slumber without struggle, and awaken refreshed after just six or seven hours. While many struggled with insomnia, Anji had developed the opposite trait: steady rest, a clear mind, and boundless energy in the morning.
When she opened her eyes fully, she was greeted by a pair of wide, glimmering eyes staring right back at her.
It was little Sally. She had already woken up, snuggled under her blanket, her soft hair slightly messy but her expression bright with morning innocence.
"You're awake too," Anji said with a smile, reaching over to pinch the girl's chubby cheek. "Did you sleep well yesterday?"
Sally puffed her cheeks but nodded, her voice muffled as her face was still squished. "Mm-hmm… I slept well."
Anji glanced at their pets nearby—two small, fuzzy companions curled together on the ground, still dozing. Her heart filled with warmth.
What could possibly be happier than this? Waking up after a perfect night's sleep, greeted by the sight of a sweet little girl and two adorable animals? Her happiness index shot through the roof.
Sally squeaked as Anji continued to pinch her cheek. "Mmm… stop… I'll turn into a pancake if you keep doing that!"
Her voice, muffled and playful, was completely different from the fierce little warrior who had fought like a storm the night before. This morning she was nothing more than a sweet, quiet princess.
Too cute.
Anji couldn't resist pinching her once more before finally letting go with a laugh. "Alright, alright, let's wash up. After breakfast, we'll start today's treasure hunt."
---
The morning routine began as always. Dressed in their simple camping clothes, the two squatted by a small pit dug near the tent. They squeezed out toothpaste, scrubbed their teeth, gargled, and spat foam into the dirt. Sally especially loved this part of the morning. She swished her mouth dramatically, gurgling louder than necessary, making Anji laugh.
The scene looked natural, almost as if the two were true sisters—synchronized, unhurried, quietly sharing the start of their day. Around them, other families were doing the same, washing faces, brushing teeth, stretching.
Camping was never just about survival. It was about learning teamwork, independence, and creating memories. That morning, the entire camp looked like a picture of harmony: parents bustling about, children giggling, pets wagging tails.
Soon, the air filled with the delicious aroma of breakfast. Each family prepared something different. On the simple tables and stools, dishes began to appear: avocado toast sprinkled with salt and pepper, bowls of creamy yogurt topped with fruit puree, peanut butter and banana smoothies, quinoa fruit salads, egg muffins, and warm cereal. The children gathered around eagerly, their chatter as lively as sparrows.
Anji and Sally ate happily, energized for the day's main event.
---
After breakfast, the treasure hunt officially began.
The school had carefully arranged this activity. Each child carried a card with a clue, and together with their parents, they would enter the mountain paths to find the so-called "buried treasures." The parents knew the truth—everything had been planted by the teachers beforehand. But the children believed wholeheartedly that this was a real adventure, a quest to uncover hidden riches.
Their excitement was contagious.
Guided by their parents, groups of children ran ahead with squeals of joy, some waving sticks like swords, others pretending to be great explorers. Without adult supervision, it would have quickly turned into chaos—like huskies running wild.
The hunt stretched over hours, with many breaks in between to allow the kids to rest. At each stage, the parents had to analyze clues, solve riddles written on the cards, and lead their children to the next checkpoint. It was cleverly designed—giving the adults a sense of participation while keeping the children engaged.
Every successful riddle led to a new card, sometimes with small prizes, sometimes with supplies like snacks or water. At certain points, shaded resting areas had been set up for the families to pause, chat, and recharge.
By late morning, after several hours of walking, the group reached a wide platform halfway up the mountain. The sun was gentle here, the breeze cool. It was the perfect spot to rest.
The parents gathered and quickly agreed: they would have lunch here. Children sprawled across mats, too tired to speak, leaning against their mothers and fathers. The adults relaxed, chatting casually.
---
"Did you hear anything last night?" one father asked suddenly.
He was a tall man with a thick beard and broad shoulders, clearly the type who enjoyed working out. His deep voice drew attention.
A few laughed. "I didn't. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow."
"Of course you did, James," another teased. "With a body like yours, no wonder you sleep like a rock."
Laughter rolled through the group.
But someone else frowned. "Actually, I thought I felt something. Like… a tremor. Almost like an earthquake."
Another parent added, "When I went to the toilet in the middle of the night, I swear I saw a red glow in the distance. Just for a second. I thought I imagined it."
The conversation turned thoughtful. Some parents shrugged it off as mountain lights or restless imagination, but those who had woken in the night couldn't shake the memory of a faint vibration.
Meanwhile, Sally, cuddling the large blue cat in her arms, simply smiled secretly and rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what it was about. But that was her little secret.
---
After lunch and a short nap, the expedition continued. The clues grew more exciting, the challenges a little trickier, but the children never lost their enthusiasm. Each discovery brought cheers and clapping, even if the treasures turned out to be simple trinkets—plastic jewels, toy swords, dolls, or imitation relics said to belong to legendary figures of the mountain.
The point wasn't the reward—it was the adventure.
By the end of the day, every child's face glowed with satisfaction. Even Anji, tired as she was, felt the joy of the journey settle warmly in her chest.
Sally, of course, knew the treasures weren't real. But she didn't mind at all. For her, every solved riddle, every card found, every little prize unearthed was a victory. The process itself filled her with delight.
And seeing Sally's happiness, Anji's heart brimmed with satisfaction too.
---
That evening, however, the exhaustion caught up with them.
Anji was in good shape compared to most. Her enchanted necklace carried a faint protective barrier, infused with a touch of Bella's magic. Over time, it had been strengthening her body subtly. She wasn't an athlete on the level of professional players, but she was far above the average person.
Even so, a full day of climbing, riddles, and chasing children around left her drained.
Their pets had their own ways of coping. Nina, the plump blue cat, spent most of the afternoon sprawled comfortably on the back of the golden retriever, letting others carry her weight. At times, she was passed around between giggling children and even doting parents who couldn't resist her fluffiness.
She barely walked at all.
Anji had scolded her earlier, insisting that she should exercise too, but Nina only blinked with that blank, innocent expression that said, I don't understand what you mean, and I don't care.
Completely hopeless.
Still, despite the exhaustion, the day ended with laughter and satisfaction. The campfire glowed warmly as families settled in for the night. The children clutched their "treasures" like priceless jewels, their dreams sure to be filled with adventures.
And for Anji, as she watched Sally smile in her sleep, it felt like the truest treasure she could ever hope to find.
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