Luo Ren’s group ultimately decided to depart the next morning.

There were two reasons: first, the journey was too long, and setting out now would mean traveling in darkness before long. If anything happened on the road, in the vast wilderness, they wouldn’t be able to find backup. Second, another group of Mountain Ghosts would be withdrawing the next morning, so they could all leave together—more people meant easier assistance.

So everyone rested where they were. The team doctor came to check on them once more. In the end, three were bedridden: Luo Ren, Mu Dai, and Yi Wan San. Despite Cao Yanhua’s half-dead appearance, he had endurance—sickly and weak, but never collapsing. Yan Hongsha showed the mildest symptoms. After taking some oxygen, though dizzy and nauseous, she could at least walk along the wall for support.

She dragged a canvas chair outside and sat next to Cao Yanhua, listening to him breathe heavily through the oxygen mask.

Not far away, the two chickens maintained a distance of about three meters, one elegantly poised, the other continuing its proud stance.

…

This was the scene Jiang Lian encountered when he returned from the bathhouse.

His reason for bathing was simple: to present his best self for tonight’s meeting. Qu Qiao had once said that most people around Qianzi wouldn’t welcome him, so this meeting certainly wouldn’t be easy.

While showering, he had imagined many scenarios: Gao Jinghong threatening him with words, trying to make him retreat in the face of difficulty, while he responded with dignity and forceful rebuttals; Gao Jinghong tossing him a check (rich people always liked to do that), while he smiled slightly and tossed it back with incredible flair.

He was so impressed with himself that he began to look forward to the meeting. For some unclear reason, he seemed convinced that Gao Jinghong wouldn’t be friendly to him, and he didn’t care about leaving a bad impression on this Big Auntie.

On his way back to his room, he was polishing his lines for the Nth time, ensuring each word was a pearl and had rhythm. Lost in thought, he suddenly heard Cao Yanhua shouting: “Hey, hey, that guy with the small prefix, Little Brother Huo Dong.”

“The guy with the small prefix” might refer to him, but who was “Little Brother Huo Dong”? Jiang Lian looked around but saw no one else.

Cao Yanhua waved at him: “Hey, little brother, yes, you.”

After saying this, he ran out of breath again and pressed against the oxygen mask for a fierce inhale.

Jiang Lian finally realized that “Huo Dong” was breaking apart the character in his name, “Lian.”

He didn’t quite approve of this nickname, feeling like he was being called an inexperienced youngster, but Cao Yanhua was seven or eight years older than him, so calling him that wasn’t exactly taking advantage.

He turned and walked over.

Cao Yanhua looked him over: “My Brother Gun said that finding the beast bones this time was thanks to you and that Meng…”

Yan Hongsha couldn’t stand his gasping-for-breath appearance: “Miss Meng.”

Yes, Miss Meng. Cao Yanhua had half his face pressed against the oxygen mask, nodding weakly.

Jiang Lian found it amusing: “You have no strength now, don’t waste energy talking.”

Cao Yanhua refused to admit defeat: “Brother Gun’s friends are also my friends. Your Father Cao… is usually vigorous and energetic. Now… my Little Brother Luo and the others are usually not… like this either. Sorry for the embarrassment.”

He caught his breath again: “I heard you’re all going to Xining. When we get there, I’ll treat you to drinks, drinking… all night, peanuts, pig… head meat.”

Probably mistaking him for a mountain dweller, Jiang Lian smiled: “Sounds good.”

Cao Yanhua suddenly remembered something and first pointed to Yan Hongsha: “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself. This… is Er Huo. Her ancestors were all… treasure hunters.”

Then he reached into his pocket: “This is my… business card.”

Damn, a business card! He had a business card.

Jiang Lian took it and looked. In the center of the front were three lines of eye-catching titles, their momentum truly striking.

Father Cao from the Liberation Monument

Vice General Manager of Lijiang Gather-Scatter Leisure Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Chairman and Union President of Lijiang Phoenix Tower Catering Group

Cao Yanhua smiled modestly: “Just casually invested a bit, running a little… business.”

Before Jiang Lian could express his admiration, Yan Hongsha was already making retching gestures: “Fat Cao, pace yourself when speaking. Your background—once revealed, there’s nothing left.”

She looked up at Jiang Lian with a smile: “Thank you. When the time comes, I’ll also treat you to a meal. I’ll host, not freeloading off Fat Cao’s gathering. Don’t worry, I’m not as stingy as he, only offering peanuts.”

Cao Yanhua became anxious but couldn’t catch his breath, unable to outmatch Yan Hongsha: “This… this is stingy? My Master Uncle Zheng always… always treats like this…”

Yan Hongsha sneered: “When Master Uncle Zheng treats like this, it’s called level and style. When you do it, it’s just pretentious, you little miser.”

These people were so interesting. Jiang Lian didn’t want to disturb their rest, so he pocketed the business card and politely took his leave with a smile.

As he left, he saw Jiang Qiaoqiao and Cao Jiefang—well, they were already foraging in the same patch of ground.

…

A few minutes later, the Yan-Cao pair were also studying this chicken duo.

Yan Hongsha: “These two chickens are playing together now.”

Cao Yanhua: “Heh, chickens are straightforward, not like dating. If they like what they see, they just dive into… the bushes…”

Yan Hongsha: “These chicken breeds are different, right?”

Cao Yanhua: “Love… love doesn’t distinguish between… species. Back then, the female wild woman was still conquered by my Third Brother’s talent…”

Yan Hongsha responded irritably: “Jiefang has raised how many girls at Fengzi Ridge? As soon as he comes out, he’s flirting around—that rotten chicken!”

Gao Jinghong hadn’t specified a particular time, so Jiang Lian could only wait.

He couldn’t go find Qianzi—going to her now would show poor judgment. He couldn’t go find Shen Gun either—old friends reuniting deserved companionship, and it would be insensitive to insert himself. Besides, doing so would make him appear too idle—he was busy too, with his matters to attend to, even if just pretending.

After dinner, he decided to find Tao Tian: she would likely be leaving tomorrow morning, and after this parting, they probably wouldn’t have another chance to meet. Having become acquainted, he should go say goodbye.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Meng Qianzi accompanying Gao Jinghong into Luo Ren’s felt house—probably going to reminisce about the generation of Duan Wenxi and Mei Hua Jiu Niang. It seemed that his meeting wouldn’t begin anytime soon.

He walked around the felt house, and after a few steps, looking up, he glimpsed Qu Qiao not far away.

Not just Qu Qiao, but also Xin Ci. Qu Qiao was quietly instructing Xin Ci about something, while Xin Ci reacted with stares and nods.

Jiang Lian didn’t want to disturb their private conversation and was about to take another detour when Qu Qiao seemed to sense something. She turned her head and saw him, then smiled kindly at him.

This smile suddenly gave Jiang Lian an idea.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward: “Sixth Auntie, could I have a word with you?”

Qu Qiao was somewhat surprised, then nodded: “Of course.”

She dismissed Xin Ci and followed Jiang Lian to a secluded spot behind the slope.

Jiang Lian hesitated for a long time, then decided to be straightforward: “Sixth Auntie, earlier, Seventh Auntie found me and said that Big Auntie wanted to meet with me tonight.”

Qu Qiao made an “oh” sound, her face showing deliberate surprise: “Is that so?”

Jiang Lian smiled: This Sixth Auntie must have known already.

“Are you trying to ask me about Big Sister’s temperament?” Qu Qiao looked at him teasingly. “Don’t worry, just be natural. Don’t try too hard to perform. Someone like Big Sister has deep insight—she can tell at a glance whether you’re pretending or genuine. Just be yourself.”

Jiang Lian interrupted her: “That’s not it.”

“I remember earlier, I asked you about Qianzi’s situation, but at that time, you avoided the topic. Can you still not talk about it now?”

Qu Qiao looked uncomfortable. After a pause, she softly said, “I’m sorry, Jiang Lian. On this matter, I’ve sworn an oath to Big Sister to keep it to myself and never tell outsiders. We Mountain Ghosts take oaths very seriously—if Big Sister wants to tell you, that’s her business, but I truly cannot speak out of turn.”

With “oath” being invoked, Jiang Lian couldn’t force the issue and just smiled: “So the matter of Qianzi not marrying is such a secret?”

Qu Qiao blurted out: “Oh, you’re asking about that.”

Jiang Lian felt a stirring in his heart: Were the two of them talking about different things?

Qu Qiao realized she had misspoken and stammered a bit: “Back then, Qianzi was young, with a strong temper. She experienced some emotional setbacks and went to extremes. When she gets impulsive, others can’t hold her back.”

Jiang Lian tentatively asked: “Did Qianzi previously have a… boyfriend?”

Qu Qiao sighed, which was as good as confirmation.

Jiang Lian felt a twinge of jealousy: “Then, was it broken up by Big Auntie and the others? Deliberately creating… complications?”

Such plots were common in novels and dramas.

Qu Qiao smiled: “If that were the case, and you knew about it, what would you do? Continue to keep it secret, or help them resolve their past grievances?”

Jiang Lian was stunned.

After a while, he softly said, “I probably wouldn’t keep it secret. If I could only keep her by hiding the truth, that would mean she was never truly mine.”

Qu Qiao smiled: “Then rest assured, it’s not what you think. Qianzi liked that man very much, but that man didn’t like her.”

Though it was somewhat inappropriate, hearing Qu Qiao say this, Jiang Lian felt considerably relieved.

He made conversation: “Qianzi doesn’t seem like someone who would obsess over things. I think if someone didn’t like her, she would let go gracefully.”

Qu Qiao said, “Yes, but if that person pretended to like her, she would find it hard to see through.”

Jiang Lian was startled: “Why would someone pretend to like her?”

Qu Qiao didn’t respond, only taking out a cigarette box from her pocket. She smoked ladies’ cigarettes, with a case prettier than a makeup box. The cigarettes were also beautiful, slender, and delicate, like works of art.

She lit one but didn’t inhale, just holding it between her fingers, letting it burn itself, like burning exquisite incense.

After a while, she said, “Initially, it was for money. His girlfriend was seriously ill and needed funds. Our Qianzi looked very wealthy, didn’t she?”

Understood—a man, for the sake of his love, used despicable means to deceive another woman for money. This behavior was truly difficult to evaluate in just a sentence or two.

Jiang Lian suddenly thought of something: “Then, with the aunties’ attention to Qianzi’s emotions, they would quickly investigate this man’s background, right?”

Qu Qiao lowered her face and nodded.

“Is that how they broke it up?”

“They didn’t break it up.”

Jiang Lian didn’t understand: “What do you mean they didn’t break it up?”

Qu Qiao didn’t dare look at him: “Just that—they didn’t break it up. Jiang Lian, after they investigated his background, met with that man and reached an agreement. They facilitated things for him, indirectly promoting this relationship. They watched as things got better and better, waiting for Qianzi to like him more and more, until she happily came to announce she was getting married.”

Jiang Lian felt his voice was very distant: “Why?”

Qu Qiao’s eyes gradually reddened: “No reason. A balloon that’s inflated can still be a balloon after the air is released, but if it bursts, there’s no balloon left. A person must climb to the highest point to fall the hardest—hard enough to never want to climb high again… I’m sorry, Jiang Lian. I opposed it at the time, but I didn’t do anything about it. I slammed doors and didn’t speak to Big Sister for years, but what good did that do? What was meant to happen still happened. Qianzi’s pain at that time included a knife I had plunged in…”

Her voice choked, and she said no more, turning to walk away quickly.

Meng Qianzi had originally been staying with the Fourth and Seventh Aunties. With some people leaving in the past two days, the felt houses were reassigned, and the aunties all moved to the large tent, leaving her alone in peace.

In the evening, after washing up, while wiping on lotion in front of the mirror, the door curtain suddenly lifted, and Xin Ci poked his head in.

Meng Qianzi saw him in the mirror and erupted with anger: “Where have you been running off to?”

Xin Ci was startled and stuttered a bit: “I’ve been… busy.”

“Busy?” Meng Qianzi sneered. “I think you’ve been too idle in the camp these past few days, eating too well, dressing too warmly.”

This was so pointed it almost explicitly accused him of having lustful thoughts due to comfort and plenty…

As Xin Ci was about to defend himself, Meng Qianzi’s eyes brightened: “Tao Tian?”

Among the mountain dwellers who came along, though there were few women, they numbered about ten, with Tao Tian being the most eye-catching. Although Meng Qianzi had only met her a few times, she remembered her.

Xin Ci thought for a good while about who Tao Tian was: “Oh, her? She’s pretty, yes, but don’t you know me? Physical appearance means nothing to me; I only appreciate beautiful temperaments.”

Meng Qianzi made a clicking sound: “I understand, Bai Shuixiao, right?”

Xin Ci was momentarily at a loss for words. Meng Qianzi continued with her own business. After a while, she glanced back through the mirror: Xin Ci was still standing there, seeming to have more to say.

She found it a bit strange: “Is something the matter?”

Xin Ci quickly came closer: “Qianzi, I’m telling you something, but you absolutely mustn’t say I told you. Just pretend you don’t know, but keep it in mind.”

Meng Qianzi detested such secretive behavior, but she wanted to know what it was about, so she controlled her impatience: “What is it?”

Xin Ci spoke mysteriously: “I heard that Big Auntie has arranged to meet with Jiang Lian tonight to discuss something, and she said not to let you know.”

Meng Qianzi was startled: “When?”

“Probably quite late. I suppose they’d wait until everyone’s asleep.”

Meng Qianzi fell silent, leaving Xin Ci to unfold his wings of imagination: “Big Auntie probably doesn’t like him being with you, so she has to wait until the dead of night to make her move. Wonder if she’ll offer him money, intimidate him, or appeal to his emotions…”

He’d watched too many soap operas. Meng Qianzi couldn’t be bothered with him, but after a pause, she asked: “Meeting him alone? Or will the other aunties also be present?”

Xin Ci answered vaguely: “They should… all be there, probably. Sixth Auntie might not go, as she’s generally not on good terms with people.”

Meng Qianzi fell silent again, then suddenly grabbed Xin Ci’s wrist: “Xin Ci, you must help me. I need to know what they’re saying.”

Xin Ci turned pale and quickly tried to withdraw his hand: “Qianzi, please don’t sabotage your makeup artist, okay? Last time you made me go undercover, I had nightmares for nights. Now you want me to eavesdrop…”

Meng Qianzi held on tightly: “It’s not difficult. Tao Tian is in charge of logistics equipment. There’s a kind of listening butterfly, very small, that can be used as a listening device. We clip them on branches and leaves when entering the mountains, then hide and listen to bird songs. The range is limited, less than twenty meters. I can find a place outside the felt house to listen. Everyone’s wearing many layers now—you could clip one on an auntie’s snow hat or the edge of their clothes…”

Xin Ci had initially thought these listening butterflies sounded interesting, but now he panicked: “If I clip something on an auntie, they all have martial skills. If one notices and strikes back, I could die…”

Meng Qianzi laughed helplessly: “That won’t happen. That’s just deception from martial arts novels. You can pretend to accidentally bump into them…”

Xin Ci shook his head like a rattling drum: “No, no, no, ask Old Meng…”

“Jinsong would never do it. I’ll raise your salary, add money!”

“It’s not that—this task is too much for me. I’m not cut out for this…”

“So it’s a no?” Meng Qianzi’s eyes narrowed, her tone becoming sinister. “No room for negotiation?”

Xin Ci became angry: “Qianzi! I want to give you some advice!”

Meng Qianzi wondered: Was it because she first tried to tempt him and then threaten him, hurting Xin Ci’s self-esteem?

Xin Ci fumed: “When you say you’ll raise someone’s salary or add money, could you be more specific? Down to the numbers? Clear figures are more motivating, okay? Just casually saying ‘add money’—how much? Even one yuan adds money!”

“Three times!”

Xin Ci turned to leave, but at the door, he turned back to emphasize: “I’m not doing this for the money, Qianzi. I’ve always stood by your side, whether it was stealing guns last time or espionage this time. I’m a person whose stance never wavers!”

With that, he lifted the door curtain and walked out proudly.

It was close to midnight when Jiang Lian finally met Gao Jinghong.

Except for Qu Qiao, all the aunties were present. Gao Jinghong sat at the edge of the kang table. On the table, coffee emitted a rich aroma. The cups and saucers were exquisite, even the coffee spoons had hanging beads—her possessions, showing extreme attention to detail.

Ni Qiuhui sat nearby, eyes lowered, as if she had nothing to do with the gathering. Xian Qionghua concernedly asked Jing Rusi: “Fourth Sister, Xin Ci didn’t bump into you and cause any issues, did he? I’ll have Qianzi talk to him later. Going to the bathroom, he was charging around recklessly.”

Jing Rusi snorted: “With his meager frame, could he bump into me?”

The atmosphere was quite relaxed. Jiang Lian sat down on a canvas chair nearby, his expression very calm.

Jing Rusi found it strange and whispered to Xian Qionghua: “What’s up with Little Jiang today? I usually find him quite enthusiastic.”

Xian Qionghua was also puzzled, looked at Jiang Lian, but said nothing.

The show had to begin. Gao Jinghong stirred her coffee with the spoon, watching the floating white foam swirl like a vortex, then spoke kindly: “Jiang Lian, right? I hear you and our Zibao’er are…”

She thought for a moment and used a very formal term: “…dating?”

Jiang Lian nodded: “Very seriously dating, not on a whim. I’ve thought it through completely and don’t need to reconsider or reevaluate anything.”

Gao Jinghong was taken aback, detecting the immediate sharpness in his words.

Jing Rusi exchanged a glance with Xian Qionghua, as if to say, “I told you so.” Ni Qiuhui slightly raised her eyelids, then lowered them again, a faint, somewhat helpless smile passing across her lips.

The felt house grew quiet, with only the light sound of spoon against saucer.

After a while, Gao Jinghong spoke again: “It’s like this—you know that Zibao’er holds the Mountain Ghost Queen’s Seat. I hope she can focus on Mountain Ghost affairs…”

Jiang Lian said, “First, I’ve heard from Qianzi about her daily routine. Mountain Ghost affairs aren’t numerous; at least, the matters requiring her attention aren’t many. She’s not so busy that she can’t focus. Second, I’ll remember these words and often remind her to stay focused in the future.”

Gao Jinghong’s hand holding the spoon paused slightly: “Jiang Lian, do you have some prejudice or misunderstanding about me?”

Jiang Lian smiled: “No.”

No way that’s true, thought Jing Rusi, wanting to wipe her forehead. Xian Qionghua lowered her eyelids and suddenly noticed a small listening butterfly clipped under the edge of Jing Rusi’s clothes.

She instinctively reached out to grab it, but as her hand extended, she stopped and instead reached up, unnaturally fixing her hair.

Gao Jinghong smiled: “That’s good. There’s something you may not know. We Mountain Ghosts take oaths very seriously. Zibao’er has an oath binding her, so she probably can’t marry you. I want to make this clear to you.”

Jiang Lian made an affirmative sound: “Then she won’t marry. Whether she marries me or not doesn’t affect our relationship or our feelings for each other.”

Gao Jinghong didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, she nodded, a kind smile reappearing on her face: “Alright then. I just wanted to chat with you, nothing else. It’s late now, and I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time. Go back and rest early.”

She didn’t say anything more, which surprised Jiang Lian. He rose to leave, but as he neared the door, he couldn’t hold back. Steeling himself, he strode back and asked her: “Are you uncomfortable with confrontation, with speaking directly to people? There’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever thoughts you have, you can express openly. There’s no need to merely hint and expect me to infer.”

Xian Qionghua thought Jiang Lian was acting unusually and wanted to stop him: “Jiang Lian!”

Jiang Lian seemed not to hear and just stared at Gao Jinghong: “I have a friend with whom I grew up, named Kuang Meiying.”

“Meiying’s mother and grandmother both suffered from a strange illness, leading to unhappy marriages. My godfather, when Meiying was very young, had the heart to find a companion for her. Like a precision instrument, he listed countless standards to judge a person’s character, physique, credit, loyalty, fearing any oversight. He chose me, but later, discovering that Meiying and I didn’t like each other, he didn’t force it. He only left a will asking me to care for Meiying’s affairs.”

“I used to think all parents and elders were like this, but now I know that’s not necessarily true.”

He smiled: “When a person yearns for love and meets someone unworthy, it’s probably as disgusting as eating excrement. But the person who feeds that excrement is even more disgusting, right?”

Xian Qionghua shouted sternly: “Jiang Lian.”

Having said his piece, Jiang Lian turned and left. He didn’t care what impression he’d leave on them anymore—whatever.

Gao Jinghong couldn’t speak for a long time. Ni Qiuhui remained seated, still with that faint smile on her lips. Xian Qionghua measured Gao Jinghong’s expression: “Big Sister, don’t be angry. He doesn’t know the situation…”

Gao Jinghong shook her head, indicating she needn’t continue: “Is Shen Gun arranged?”

“Yes.”

“Please ask him to come over.”

Jing Rusi and Xian Qionghua left the felt house one after the other.

After walking just a few steps, Xian Qionghua suddenly saw Jing Rusi’s hand sweep across the back of her clothes, taking the listening butterfly and throwing it far into the darkness down the slope.

She cried out in surprise: “Fourth Sister, you… knew?”

Jing Rusi said, “No matter how low I’ve fallen, would I let that little rascal Xin Ci play tricks on me?”