Chapter Seventy-Four: Tiger Mountain [Part Three]

Fortunately, Zhang Ye had read reports about this matter in his previous life and knew that Old Chen had managed to hide for three months, an incredible feat of perseverance. Yet, the patience of the people at Yulong Forestry Station was equally remarkable; as soon as they learned he had returned, they immediately mobilized and cornered him, breaking one of his legs.

At this moment, it was clear Old Chen was in the midst of his hiding. Zhang Ye was grateful to the tireless and fearless journalists who, guided by Old Chen himself, were brought to the cave where he hid out of fear. If Zhang Ye remembered correctly, Old Chen lived for three months in a cave halfway up a range of three closely clustered mountains in the distance.

There were quite a few mountains around the Chen Family Camp. Zhang Ye had seen those three contiguous peaks in the news, but without knowing the angle, he couldn’t pinpoint their exact location. Left with no choice, Zhang Ye traversed every corner of the Chen Family Camp, making inquiries, until he finally found the most likely spot at the eastern edge.

“That’s Tiger Mountain. They say tigers once appeared there.” Zhang Ye doubted this; in Lihua County and its surroundings, there hadn't been any wild tigers for at least a hundred years. Yet, the elders’ earnest warnings called for respect, and his face naturally showed a more serious expression.

With sturdy steps, he climbed the rugged mountain path, walking through grass wet with morning dew, swarmed by mosquitoes. Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao ascended the mountain.

Tiger Mountain was the middle of those three connected peaks, tallest and most treacherous. Rumors spoke of many wild beasts lurking there, and the path was notoriously difficult.

Both Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao were robust men, skilled and strong, not easily bested by ordinary mountain trails. Yet, after barely half an hour, both were breathless.

A black butterfly circled overhead. Zhang Ye tried to catch it but failed, watching as it fluttered away to settle on a beautiful flower.

“Wentao, tell me about you and Sister Mei. When are you getting married?” Zhang Ye joked as they walked.

This past half-month had been life-changing for Zhang Ye, and even more so for Liu Wentao. His wallet was fuller, he had money, and his future in-laws no longer looked at him as a stranger.

Just days ago, Zhang Ye saw Sister Mei bring her mother to visit him, and he felt genuinely happy for his friend.

“There’s nothing to say, just childish stuff,” Liu Wentao replied shyly, quickening his pace. “End of the year, maybe. My mother-in-law wants to test me a bit more, so we’ll see then.” His voice drifted back, uncertain but clearly delighted.

He could finally say his hardships were rewarded. Three times in and out, and someone still waited for him; he felt content. Now, everything was moving toward a brighter future, and he looked forward to life.

“Congratulations! We’ll be waiting for your wedding sweets, then,” Zhang Ye called out, picking up his pace to continue the climb.

The mountain path was far from ordinary—almost no trail at all. They had to forge ahead blindly, green shrubs blocking their way, with insects chirping and birds calling, the scent of mountain decay thick in the air.

“Careful, there’s a green bamboo viper here. Go around.” August’s heat brought out the snakes, and one misstep could mean a bite.

So, entering the mountain, a stick and sharp eyes were essential. Most snakes weren’t a problem, but the highly venomous bamboo viper was best avoided. Human reflexes might not be fast enough to evade its strike.

Nodding silently, Zhang Ye followed Liu Wentao’s lead, carefully circumventing the area. He glimpsed a slender, thumb-thick snake, bright green, basking lazily atop a small shrub.

The morning sun was rising; it was the perfect time for cold-blooded creatures to warm themselves.

From then on, Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao were even more cautious, probing ahead with sticks before each step, slowing their progress.

Finally, as sweat soaked their clothes and their exposed arms were dotted with red welts from insect bites, they reached the mountainside of Tiger Mountain.

“There’s a path here.” Zhang Ye felt the urge to slap himself.

He and Liu Wentao exchanged glances and then burst out laughing. Not knowing the route was one thing, but why hadn’t they thought to ask? Both felt a mix of amusement and frustration.

Now that they were here, Zhang Ye began to search in earnest. It was certain Old Chen had lived in a cave along this mountainside, but finding the exact cave would be difficult.

“Listen—what’s that sound?” Zhang Ye twitched his ear and tugged at Liu Wentao’s sleeve.

“Sounds like a wild piglet?” Liu Wentao was unsure; the cries, muffled by the trees, weren’t clear.

“Let’s check it out.” They made a quick decision and carefully moved toward the sound.

“It’s a mountain goat! There’s actually a goat here—and it seems injured?” Zhang Ye was thrilled. Encountering wild animals here was exhilarating.

“Careful, someone set a trap.” Liu Wentao grabbed Zhang Ye, face pale.

Zhang Ye realized the danger—they’d been wandering recklessly. Cold sweat broke out on his back.

“Let’s wait here. That trap was surely set by Old Chen, and he’ll come soon to collect his catch.” After a while, Zhang Ye suggested this.

He was well aware of the skill of veteran hunters. At his grandfather’s home, there was a formidable hunter who never returned empty-handed, always catching at least one rabbit, sometimes even leopards when regulations were looser. Those traps were nearly invisible even up close.

“Alright,” Liu Wentao agreed, sitting on a protruding rock nearby.

So, half an hour passed. As the relentless insects nearly drove them mad, footsteps echoed from the distance.

An elderly man in his fifties or sixties approached, wearing a straw hat, gray homespun clothes, canvas shoes, and rolled-up pants. His face was deeply tanned. At his waist was a belt with a sickle basket attached—now holding the sickle in his hand—while his other hand gripped a long, sharp bamboo pole.