The daughter was happy, and the father was pleased. The boss helped me pick out some good, inexpensive equipment, filling a hiking backpack. He also found me a set of hiking clothes and boots, nine-tenths new. Other customers had worn them once and gotten injured, returning them. Although it felt a bit unlucky, I couldn't refuse free things.
The total for the equipment was around six thousand yuan, but he only charged me one thousand nine hundred.
I worried the boss would lose money, but he generously showed me the ledger. It was truly cost price.
A 200% profit margin, a lucrative business!
Zheng Bingbing had her own climbing gear and went downstairs wearing it.
I said goodbye to the boss and left the shop. Zheng Bingbing looked around and asked, "Where's your car?"
"I came from Jinling, I don't have a car..."
I was preparing to hail a taxi.
"Kid, catch!" the boss shouted from behind. I turned around, and he tossed me an "ancient" car key. It was a Mitsubishi, likely the highly modified Mitsubishi Pajero parked outside the shop – a pure off-road vehicle.
"Thanks, big brother!" I said.
Getting into the car, Zheng Bingbing quietly asked, "You call my dad big brother? How old are you?"
"I'm thirty by lunar calendar, twenty-eight by solar calendar," I replied. A young birthday.
"Oh, I'm twenty-two. You're eight years older than me. Since you call my dad brother, I'll call you uncle!"
"...Just call me brother," I said with a wry smile.
"No way, I like calling you uncle! Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!"
"Alright, alright, stop chattering. Fasten your seatbelt, let's go!" I drove their car, bringing their daughter along, and set off towards Wofenggou Town.
On the way, I kept trying to prepare Zheng Bingbing. Finally, I convinced her. She agreed that at Jiuxian Cave, she would only keep watch from above while I explored the cave myself. Once I confirmed there was no danger, she could come down. I lied; after I confirmed, I would just return, not letting her go in.
This time I was smarter. I didn't take the previous path but used the map navigation to approach from the other side of Mount Juhua. This area was an uninhabited forest, with no roads up the mountain. Zheng Bingbing and I parked the car at the foot of the mountain. She took a measurement with her instrument and found there was still at least three kilometers to the summit of Mount Juhua, much further than from Fanshen Village.
But there was no other way. To avoid being discovered, we had to do the opposite.
We began our climb. Zheng Bingbing was truly a professional; she could still move swiftly with over ten kilograms of gear on her back. I started to gasp for breath after only a hundred meters. Of course, my bag was heavier because I had temporarily stuffed something else into it earlier.
Seeing that I wasn't doing too well, Zheng Bingbing simply snatched my bag. She carried both. How could I let a little girl do that? I tried to get it back, but Zheng Bingbing ran further away, taunting me, "Uncle, chase me! If you catch me, I'll give your bag back!"
Even so, I couldn't catch up to her. However, with her encouragement and help, our climbing speed increased significantly. We successfully reached a spot dozens of meters from the summit of Mount Juhua at exactly eleven o'clock. But we couldn't go any further because there was a cliff. To reach the summit, we had to use tools.
We replenished our supplies. Zheng Bingbing also went into the woods to relieve herself. After eating, drinking, and relieving ourselves, Zheng Bingbing took out a grappling hook with a rope from her bag. After a few swings, she threw it upwards. It landed precisely on a crooked old tree on the summit.
Zheng Bingbing climbed up the rope cleanly and efficiently. She installed a pulley system. I transported the equipment up the mountain. Then, following Zheng Bingbing's instructions, I secured myself to the rope. She pulled the handle, reeling me up like fishing.
It was a bit embarrassing, but very efficient. Fortunately, I brought her along; I would have had a hard time climbing it myself.
The mountaintop was rugged and rocky, like a stone maze. I pointed to the Hanyin Temple below and quietly said to Zheng Bingbing, "See that temple? I came here once before, but the people in the temple wouldn't let me explore the cave, so we have to be careful not to be discovered by them."
The temple gate was open, and I could see a few pilgrims wandering in the courtyard, but I didn't see those two young monks. They were not a threat. My main concern was Shen Xingyue being here. For insurance, I sent her a WeChat message: Where are you, my little fiancée?
Shen Xingyue: What?
Me: It's almost noon, let me treat you to a meal.
Shen Xingyue: Heh, trying to trick me again?
Me: It's just a meal, at Milan Pâtisserie?
Shen Xingyue: Okay, let's see what tricks you can play. Twelve thirty, then.
Me: Alright, waiting for you.
After setting my phone to vibrate, I wiped the sweat from my brow and drank another energy drink, preparing to descend.
Just as I finished drinking, I suddenly saw a car drive out of Hanyin Temple and head down the mountain. It was Shen Xingyue's red Beetle!
Oh my, how close! Fortunately, I contacted her just now. I never expected her to be at the temple.
I was still one step ahead. My trick of luring the tiger away from its mountain stronghold worked, deceiving Shen Xingyue into going to the city.
By the time she gets to Milan Pâtisserie, I should be done exploring the cave!