The strange stone hadn't caught my attention last night until I noticed it glowed green on its own - something I'd never seen before. Picking it up, I found it was slightly larger than my fist but surprisingly light, like a piece of wood though the texture definitely wasn't wooden or plastic. It felt odd; if it were gemstone or rock, this weight just didn't make sense.

Holding it to the firelight revealed some transparency. The green color ran through it uniformly from surface to core, yet there was something uncanny about that shade - like verdant mist rising slowly from within the stone itself.

"From a scientific perspective," I told Zhao Fen, "this might be radioactive otherwise it wouldn't glow on its own. Still feels wrong just to throw it away though. Let's keep it temporarily and hide it somewhere safe until we can find someone to buy it. Something this rare could easily fetch tens of thousands at least - enough for us to live off for a while."

Zhao Fen looked astonished, "Could this stone really be worth ten thousand? That'd buy our entire village!"

So their village was only worth several ten thousand. Mountainous regions' economies clearly had room for growth. I said, "I can't say exactly. Might even reach hundreds of thousands or millions. Could also turn out worthless. Let's focus on getting back to town first."

The twelve-meter serpent had left my appetite in shambles last night. Looking at those blood-smeared snake bones nearly made me throw up. I must've lost my mind to act so irrationally like our ancestors eating anything.

Nothing worth keeping remained in the cave. Taking the pearls and green stone, we climbed out. The sky was already bright with ordinary pine trees surrounding us. While distant mountains offered directional clues, I didn't recognize them. Eventually Zhao Fen identified the direction home as we hurried toward town.

Zhao Fang nearly collided with me at hospital entrance before morning ended. "Sis! Uncle Zhao!" she panted, eyes wide in relief. "You've finally returned! I couldn't sleep all night. If you hadn't come back soon I was going to search for you myself. What happened? Your clothes?"

Zhao Fen told her sister, "I'll explain later. Let's go inside - find me something clean and bring water..."

Relieved at my safe return, I collapsed onto the hospital's worn stone slab outside. Whether either sister ended up marrying me no longer mattered.

A sudden smack to cheek followed by Zhao Fang's giggles in my ear. "Thanks for bringing my sister back safely, Uncle Zhao! I promised her something and that promise still stands."

Touched at her kiss, I was momentarily lost until she skipped back into the courtyard. Would this 14-year-old really become my wife? Though older sister might be possible too - considering I'd already seen her naked body. Yet she remained reserved compared to her open-hearted younger sibling who could kiss me anytime.

"Xiao Zhao's finally returned," Dr. Wu scolded from behind, "You've been too reckless! I've lived here years and always heard villagers whisper about Black Pine Forest. Now look at you - worse than a beggar."

Indeed, only my underwear remained intact after tying rags around it. My shoes had long since disintegrated though miraculously no foot injuries. When did soles become this tough? Definitely weird.

Hiding from Dr. Wu's half-scolding-half-concerned lecture with nervous chuckles proved easier than expected. He wasn't letting up though, "You've been bewitched by those two girls! I don't mind you dating but can't you protect them without dying first? Besides, as your superior, if you'd died in the mountains how would I explain to company leadership?"

"Dr. Wu," I said, "my appearance really does harm hospital's reputation. How about I take a shower and change first then continue with my education?"

He waved me off, "Hurry up."

Running toward back courtyard while saying, "Thanks for understanding!"

In the bathroom I found something odd - though shedding skin last night, rubbing revealed another thick layer of unknown substance all over from head to toes. Oily texture made it disgustingly foul... probably leftover snake grease.

Used entire bar of soap before feeling clean. After showering noticed something unusual about my private parts - outer skin had grown significantly longer like textbook description of excessive foreskin. Hadn't been this way before. Side effect of serpent's blood and meat?

Zhao Fang recovered fully from cold after Dr. Wu's treatment while Zhao Fen remained hidden in room post-shower. During lunch I saw her still sleeping on kang bed with strict orders not to disturb from Zhao Fang. Finally woke up for dinner, or else would've worried myself sick. Girls could barely handle shocks without incident.

After dinner as Zhao Fen washed dishes, Zhao Fang said, "Sis, I'm going to see books in pharmacy store today! Dr. Wu had lots of books there and being cooped up all day is boring. I won't return before nine o'clock so don't call for me!"

As she winked at me meaningfully while leaving, what was this? Earlier Zhao Fang still claimed wanting to marry me herself yet now creating alone time for her sister? From theoretical perspective these two sisters might be rivals... confusing.

Zhao Fen hadn't noticed sibling's gestures as she washed dishes. "Go ahead," she said, "Remember to close the door tightly or cats/dogs will mess up pharmacy while you're lost in reading."

With another wink Zhao Fang left. Now only me and Zhao Fen remained with awkward atmosphere. She silently cleaned dishes while I circled aimlessly not knowing how to start.

When dishwashing ended she wiped hands and said, "Uncle Zhao, could you teach me writing? I want to read like Fangfang too."

Great! Found conversation topic finally. "Neither you nor Fangfang attend school?" I asked, noticing mountain town's elementary school had few students with one teacher handling entire class.

Zhao Fen nodded, "Parents died early and family couldn't afford education so I only know basic math and my own name. Fangfang learned some characters through village friend who goes to school."

If hadn't seen this myself in remote mountains wouldn't believe Zhao Fen's words. These areas lacked transportation with endless hills replacing farmland. Many couldn't even solve food issues, let alone dream of education.

Putting bedding on kang bed she noticed my daze and continued, "Uncle Zhao think mountain life strange? Monthly expenses for city dwellers exceed rural family's annual income here. Before company started collecting herbs we had no pocket money at all now idle time gathering medicinal plants brings some extra cash."

She paused then asked something confusing villagers long, "Some elders say plant called 'Puncture Foot' has no medicinal value. Why does your company collect it?"

I shook my head, "Even I don't know why this strange herb gets sent directly to headquarters lab instead of pharmaceutical factory. Probably contains secret knowledge."

Zhao Fen nodded, "Maybe shouldn't question these matters... Should we start writing? Cold yet?"

She continued, "If cold let's write in bed since evening fire still keeps kang warm."

Too happy! Just needed excuse to get her into bed and here it is! "Good idea," I said while grabbing notebook and pen.

Zhao Fen sat against wall with me on outer side. Keeping distance between us we spread blanket over legs, placing notebook on top of covers.

First writing Zhao Fen's name, then Zhao Fang, finally my own. She recognized first two names but thought last must be mine. Smiling I wrote poetic vows "May we be twin birds in sky, entwined branches below." Her uncomprehending look turned into anxious attention as she stared at me with wide black eyes.

Reading the lines to her she flushed red and said, "Why write such things Uncle Zhao?"

Ignoring question I took pen from her and held her smooth farmer's hands. Surprisingly soft for someone who worked fields daily!

Teaching strokes carefully, soon she mastered writing. Turning new page requested recall - perfect results first time.

Next composed two Tang dynasty poems, another two Song dynasty lyrics with more words. She claimed mastery after single lesson each followed by flawless recall every time!

Goodness! Unless lying about prior knowledge Zhao Fen must be genius. Easy test yet here came my romantic opportunity - time to act decisively before sister matures. No way involving 14-year-old though.

Writing "Zhao Fen I love you for ten thousand years, will you be my girlfriend?" in notebook.

She studied it long then said, "First two characters are my name but the rest... key words unfamiliar."

Observing her expression carefully as she read - no shock or anger. Perfect! Proved today's lesson truly first writing experience despite rapid acquisition of over hundred characters within hour! Absolute genius!

"Uncle Zhao," she insisted curiously, "what exactly did you write? Please tell me!"

Anxiously taught new words while heart pounded fearing rejection. Such wonderful girl would be hard to find in city.

After learning she read passage herself then yelped and dove under covers with blanket. Ecstatic! No anger or denial plus immediate cover dive meant relationship had potential!

Pulling blanket over myself I snuggled into warm kang bed as Zhao Fen faced wall. From behind gently embraced her shoulder - body trembled slightly but no resistance.

"Feifei, will you answer? Silence means consent."

Mosquito-like voice responded, "Won't betray Uncle Zhao by breaking promise made that night."

Blowing breath on her neck I declared, "From now you're my girlfriend. Time to exercise boyfriend duties."

Probably unaware what these 'duties' entailed she nodded mechanically.

Heart racing with nervous hands releasing shoulder then drifting to delicate waist before kissing her neck.

She gasped softly - clearly stimulated by kiss too. Following smooth neckline toward earlobe finally drew out plea, "Uncle Zhao stop... ticklish!"

Grabbing her shoulders forcefully turned her around. If ears felt ticklish just go for mouth instead. First kiss experience entirely virgin territory with lips pressing against hers without cooperation.

Frustrated as she refused to open mouth I slid hands up waist toward... delightful sensation despite clothing - fullness and elasticity unmistakable!

"Stop!..." She attempted resistance only for my tongue entering simultaneously as she opened mouth. Definitely needed more H books knowledge before attempting romantic situations.

This kiss would break world records - first time ever after all! Initial struggle with her dodging turned into passive embrace with closed eyes accepting everything.

Suckling on her tongue she mumbled, "Why are you sucking? No... hands don't..."

Releasing her tongue I said, "Can't call this groping when these twin treasures belong to me now."

With kissing, hugging and touching completed Zhao Fen definitely relaxed more. "No they aren't!" she protested.

I smiled, "Then who owns them if someone dares touch? I'll fight anyone!"

"Belong...belong to you son..." She buried face into my chest - clearly first time uttering such bold talk though rumors were true about even reserved girls surprising in bed.

"Holding custody for son temporarily okay?" I asked while resuming hand movements on her chest. "Slept next to them all night anyway so familiar enough!"

Unresisting Zhao Fen hugged me back, "You had bad intentions since first meeting two days ago when grabbed my breast! Was that deliberate?"

Quickly explained, "Absolutely not! Total darkness prevented seeing anything plus chaotic circumstances made no room for... last night's events were dream-induced."

While unbuttoning her blouse found only simple cotton undergarment. "Why don't you wear proper bras? Without support these will sag eventually! Then my son would blame me!"

Blushing she explained, "Can't buy here. Needs thirty-li trip to big town and they cost too much for us."