"Fatty, did you go to see your Lin Daiyu? Why are you so late? Haha!" As soon as Fatty boarded the bus, Zhang Guodong was behind him. Immediately, some young people behind them started to cheer. The group of young people were around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, both men and women, and they were making quite a fuss.
Everyone knows that Fatty is pursuing Lin Yujiao, the most beautiful girl at the provincial radio station. Rumors of his daily bouquet of roses have already spread, though only within his circle of friends.
Upon seeing the people cheering, the fat man gave an awkward smile and said, "Hey, sorry, sorry, I'm picking up my buddy, my college classmate, Zhang Guodong!"
The beautiful woman turned into a man, and everyone's attention was focused on Zhang Guodong. They were very curious, but once they saw that Zhang Guodong looked and dressed very ordinary, no one was interested anymore.
Zhang Guodong simply nodded politely, but suddenly his gaze fell on a woman. Her stunningly beautiful, icy face seemed familiar, but Zhang Guodong couldn't quite place it.
The woman was wearing a thick down jacket, her face was beautiful and flawless, her hair short and she looked dashing, but with a cool expression that kept strangers at bay. Zhang Guodong glanced at her a few more times, and suddenly a figure flashed into his mind—wasn't that Lin Yue, the landlady policewoman? What was she doing in this car? At this moment, Lin Yue had already taken off her police uniform, no wonder Zhang Guodong hadn't recognized her at first.
Lin Yue seemed to sense someone watching her. For the first time, she glared at Zhang Guodong, then frowned and looked away. Lin Yue didn't have a good impression of Zhang Guodong, but she didn't have a bad impression either; he was just like a random passerby. She continued chatting quietly with a beautiful woman next to her, nodding coolly from time to time.
There were still seven or eight seats left on the bus. After putting down his luggage and finding a place to sit, the fat man said, "The leaders haven't arrived yet. You sit down first, I'll go down and ask!"
Zhang Guodong nodded without saying anything. Those who didn't come were probably the fat man's superiors; it's normal that those in positions of authority always arrive last.
"Hey everyone, a few of our friends haven't arrived yet, so please wait a little longer!" The chubby guy stood up and said to everyone with a smile. "It's freezing cold, so it'll be more lively with more people on the bus. Please check if there's anything else we need to prepare. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Hurry up, don't let everyone sit here and freeze!" It was that same guy who started it all, speaking with a hint of arrogant arrogance and impatience. Zhang Guodong noticed that he seemed quite displeased with the latecomer.
Checking equipment? That was just an excuse; everyone knew they were waiting for someone supposedly 'important.' However, the fat man was the organizer, usually generous, and drove a nice car, so everyone still gave him face.
The fat man got out of the car to make a phone call. After a while, everyone was dozing off when there was some noise outside. When the car door opened again, the fat man had a travel bag in his hand. Behind him were several middle-aged men and women, chatting and laughing. Obviously, this was the fat man's boss, the main character of the day.
After arranging their luggage, the fat man greeted them and set up their seats before sitting down next to the middle-aged men and women. This side seemed to consist of officials, clearly distinct from the other side.
After checking that everyone was present, the fat man called out to them, "Everyone's here, Master, let's go!"
The Qinling Mountains traverse China from north to south, stretching for over a thousand kilometers. Much of the mountain range is covered in primeval forest, and its rugged terrain makes most resources untapped. However, it boasts exceptionally rich flora and fauna, earning it the title of the most important 'gene bank' connecting central and western China. Giant pandas, golden monkeys, crested ibises, Chinese pines, and oil pines, among others, thrive here. Because of this, many people venture into the mountains each year for hunting and independent tourism. Among the most popular destinations is Qinglang Mountain and the 'Wild Boar Forest' on the northeastern side of the Qinling Mountains, located over a hundred kilometers from the city.
Speaking of 'Qinglang Mountain,' it's actually not very high; it's just an ordinary mountain. I only learned the name from the local villagers. It's like a flat, primeval forest, relatively flat in terrain, but densely forested with many precious wild medicinal herbs, such as wild ginseng, aconite, and golden snake grass fruit. The villagers told me that the mountain once produced 200-year-old ginseng, 280-year-old aconite, and even more precious golden snake grass fruit, but that was decades ago. Nowadays, even if you encounter precious medicinal herbs, most are only a few years old; those over ten years old are rare, unless you venture deep into the mountains.
Among them, the fruit of the golden snake grass is an extremely precious medicinal material. According to legend, it is very effective in treating 'men's diseases', and the older the golden snake grass, the better its effect.
However, this medicinal herb has only ever appeared in the Qinling Mountains throughout China. Its leaves are broad and resemble grass, making it extremely difficult to identify in the mountains and forests. It has not been seen again for decades.
This is a story told through oral tradition, yet it is very attractive and arouses people's curiosity. Of course, the abundance of wildlife is another attractive factor, such as the 'Wild Boar Forest' in Qinglang Mountain. Because the crops grown by local villagers are often severely damaged by wild boars, and the Wild Boar Forest, covering an area of hundreds of square kilometers, is rich in wild animals such as rabbits and pheasants, hunting in the mountains has become a hobby for urban dwellers.
Wild boar is the most famous among them. Wild boar meat is tender, fragrant, and has a rich gamey flavor. It has a high lean meat ratio and low fat content (only 50% of that of domestic pigs). It is also rich in nutrients, containing 17 kinds of amino acids and a variety of trace elements. The linoleic acid content is several times higher than that of domestic pigs, according to records.
It can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or served cold; it's an extremely rare delicacy, not even found in some five-star hotels. Furthermore, wild boar meat is also a medicinal ingredient, further enhancing its value as a hunting prey. The name 'Wild Boar Forest' is undoubtedly related to this.
"Wild Boar Forest isn't just home to wild boars, rabbits, and pheasants; the most dangerous animal is a local venomous snake!" To liven things up, the fat man went on and on in the car, leaving everyone stunned.
The snakes occasionally elicited gasps from the women. Clearly, they were terrified of snakes. Zhang Guodong's lips curled into a playful smile. The fat man was incredibly eloquent; perhaps he was born with a talent for politics? However, snakes in the north, especially in winter, hibernate. Those that don't hibernate have long since frozen to death and pose no threat.
Sure enough, the fat man changed the subject and comforted everyone, saying, "Of course, we won't be able to encounter any snakes. It's winter now, and the snakes are all hibernating. If we went in spring, summer, or autumn, it would be much more dangerous!"
"Tch, Fatty, you scared me on purpose, didn't you? Want to die?" Li Yun, sitting next to Lin Yue, tossed a sunflower seed at him, rolling her eyes at the fat man to express her displeasure at being frightened. Most girls are afraid of insects and snakes; she was one of those who screamed earlier. This fashionable woman had a very fiery personality.
Zhang Guodong glanced around and saw that even some of the "young masters" in the back breathed a sigh of relief, then raised their middle fingers in disdain for the fat man. None of them had much wilderness survival experience, and they had been momentarily fooled by the fat man's bluff. In this freezing weather, where would snakes come from? They'd all frozen to death if they came out. It was quite amusing.
Zhang Guodong was also secretly laughing; there were others like him.
Lin Yue sat next to Li Yun, looking like sisters, though their personalities were quite different, though both were stunning beauties. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, and Zhang Guodong was stunned. This cool policewoman could actually smile! As if sensing Zhang Guodong's gaze, Lin Yue shifted her eyes to meet his, glared at him fiercely, gave a small snort, and then her smile vanished—her expression changed swiftly.
Zhang Guodong touched his face inexplicably, wondering why he was being dissatisfied with himself one after another.
"A gentleman uses words, not fists. I haven't even finished speaking and you're already getting impatient. Whose fault is that!" the fat man said with a chuckle as he dodged.
Li Yun, having missed hitting the fat man, retorted crisply, "Tch, I'm a woman, not a gentleman! Keep going, what else is fun there?"
When the topic turned to something fun, the fat man's expression turned serious, and he said very solemnly, "Snakes hibernate in winter, so there's no need to worry. But there's one animal we need to be careful of, and that's the wolf! The locals call it the blue wolf. You all know what a wolf is, right? Blue wolves are mostly solitary, but if you're unlucky enough to encounter a pack, then it's dangerous!"
Most of the people present had never been to Wild Boar Forest; they were just curious about it. But when Fatty reminded them, they all felt that the place seemed quite dangerous. But no one knew that Fatty hadn't actually been there either. His older sister and her friends had been there and mentioned it when they came back, which he remembered. It was all hearsay, and after getting a little more information from the manager of the farmhouse there, he successfully fooled everyone.
"My luck can't be that bad, right? What's there to be afraid of with guns and bows and arrows!" Li Yun paused for a moment, then said dismissively. But clearly, her tone revealed her lack of confidence, and the fear and excitement of the unknown piqued everyone's curiosity.
The country has banned guns for a long time. Even if there are still guns in mountain villages, they are just air guns or the like, which are not as powerful as the old homemade guns.
On this issue, the fat man wisely kept quiet, smiled, and concluded: "We'll eat first when we get there, and then go up the mountain. But once we're up there, everyone must follow the guide's instructions. The guide is an experienced local hunter, so you don't need to worry too much!"
Besides the four leaders, there were a total of seven men and five women, including Zhang Guodong and Fatty. Fatty's colleagues included one man and two women. The man was Lin Hongmin, a section chief in the District Commission for Discipline Inspection's Office for Correcting Unhealthy Tendencies. He was 29 years old, four years older than Fatty, and had a good relationship with Fatty. Of course, his family was also well-off, and he had some connections.
The two women, Du Juan and Xia Yimeng, were staff members in the district government's secretariat. They were pretty and got along well with the fat man. The fat man invited them over because he felt there weren't enough women in the group.
The two women were also chattering excitedly.
For these three young men, this hunting trip was both nerve-wracking and exciting, as opportunities to have private contact with leaders were rare. Standing Committee member and Executive Deputy District Head Luo Jianhui, just over forty, looked composed and well-off, with a certain official bearing; rumors circulated that he was about to be promoted.
The first deputy director of the district public security bureau, Deputy Director Xie, and Director Xiang of the government office, the latter being the current district head's personal secretary, a beautiful woman in her early thirties. However, the current district head is reaching retirement age. Normally, a secretary would be promoted half a grade, which would be equivalent to a division-level official. There's also Luo Jianhui's current personal secretary, Xiao Li. These four are all powerful officials with many people currying favor with them. Therefore, the three within the system felt constrained on the bus, unlike the others who were more relaxed.
Besides the three colleagues, there were four men and three women. Among them, Lin Yue and Li Yun were great beauties with strong personalities, and there was also a mature woman named Qin Li, who was smiling and rather plump. She was chatting and laughing with the four young men behind her.
The young master who hangs out with the fat guy is quite handsome. His name is Zhao Jinlong. He spends a lot of time eating, drinking, and having fun with the fat guy. His parents run a large business and have considerable connections in official circles. All of this contributes to Zhao Jinlong's status as a playboy. He speaks with a slightly arrogant tone and is definitely a philandering young master.
The other three were also quite distinguished. Li, Wei Yungang, and Liu Feng were all in their late twenties, and their families were wealthy. It was unclear how the fat man had managed to befriend them, especially since his parents forbade him from revealing their identities to anyone. This meant that establishing connections with influential people required considerable skill in social maneuvering. However, the three appeared far more 'gentlemanly' than Zhao Jinlong in this setting, occasionally engaging in lengthy discussions about 'business'.
The fat man would walk around from time to time, livening up the atmosphere on the bus, and would occasionally sit up to chat with the leader and listen to his teachings. As for Zhang Guodong himself, he just listened attentively. He could sit still by himself, but it was clear that he was still quite far from being in harmony with the others, or rather, he was not yet used to this identity, this life, and had not integrated into this circle.
With the roads blocked by ice and snow, the luxury bus got onto the highway leading out of the city half an hour later. But even on the highway, the bus didn't dare to go too high, maintaining a speed of about 50 or 60 miles per hour, otherwise it would be easy to slip and cause an accident.
Even so, several accidents were still witnessed. Fortunately, the road was clear and the luxury bus was not blocked. Moreover, the driver was skilled and experienced. Two hours later, the bus stopped at a roadside gas station to refuel and let everyone get off for some fresh air and a bite to eat.
Zhang Guodong also got out of the car. He felt a bit uncomfortable sitting in the car, so he stomped his feet on the snow a couple of times. The cold wind made him feel much more awake.
Looking at the time, it was already past 10:40 AM. The car had been traveling for over two hours. Zhang Guodong suddenly remembered that he hadn't fed the two little ones yet, and he couldn't help but feel anxious. But there were people outside, so it wasn't convenient to enter Taoyuan. He didn't know how the two little ones were doing. He had brought a thermos to prepare formula for the babies.
Zhang Guodong looked out at the wind; to his left and right were mountains, covered in a blanket of white snow, exceptionally beautiful.
"Hey bro, wanna grab something to eat in the break room?" A guy came up from behind. Zhang Guodong recognized him as Zhao Jinlong, the playboy. Zhao Jinlong's eyes were clearly filled with curiosity. Zhang Guodong was taken aback. How could he even notice that expression? Had his eyesight improved a lot?
Zhang Guodong smiled and said, "It's too hot inside, but it's refreshing outside!"
"Hey bro, you're something else. Where are you from?" Zhao Jinlong came up to find out Zhang Guodong's identity. Zhang Guodong was dressed plainly and didn't say a word the whole way, but the people with the fat guy seemed to be quite something.
Unfortunately, Zhang Guodong disappointed him. Upon hearing that he was a vegetable seller, Zhao Jinlong paused for a moment, then laughed it off, saying, "Food is the most important thing for people!"
Then he lost interest, and Zhang Guodong didn't care.
People are very pragmatic these days. If Fatty hadn't introduced Zhang Guodong as his brother, probably no one would have given him a second glance.
On the other side, Zhao Jinlong was with Li, Wei Yungang, and Liu Feng. Li asked Zhao Jinlong, "So, what does that guy do? Did you find out?"
The other two listened attentively. If the person came from a business family, there might be opportunities for them to cooperate in the future. If the person had a government background, it would be even more complicated.
Zhao Jinlong curled his lip and said, "Look at you guys, they said they're selling vegetables!"
"What? This guy looks down on the young master? He's just being perfunctory!" Liu Feng exclaimed.
Although the words were somewhat divisive, Zhao Jinlong still agreed with them. What a joke! A vegetable seller can hunt with everyone? Aren't all of you people of status?
Zhang Guodong had no idea that his honest words would arouse jealousy.
After a 20-minute rest, the bus refueled and set off again. The bus had already traveled most of the way, and by the time it arrived at Qingshan Village, where the farmhouse was located, it was already noon. The entire journey had taken more than four hours, slower than expected. But the weather had finally cleared up, and the sunlight shining on the snow was exceptionally dazzling.
"Wow!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
Qingshan Village is a small mountain village with only about fifty households in total, including some from outside the village. These outsiders have invested in and established agritainment businesses in Qingshan Village, which combine accommodation, dining, and hunting, making the small mountain village much more lively.
Before leaving, the fat man waved to the people in this direction. Not far away, Manager Yang of the "Lezizi" farmhouse was already waiting outside.
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