"Can any of you do me a favor and carry some of this stuff?" I grumbled, annoyed at the four chattering girls walking ahead of me.

Fang Yanmeng turned back and smiled, "My dear Brother Zhao, we are all young ladies. Shouldn't you show a little gentlemanly conduct? Do you have the heart to let us carry such heavy bags? Besides, the bags you carried back yesterday were much heavier, and I didn't see you ask Sister Xiao for help."

Four women make a drama, and even Zhao Fen didn't back me up, just smiling sweetly at me alongside her sister. In the bright sunlight, their two adorable, doll-like faces were utterly captivating.

After waking up that morning, the four of them seemed to have coordinated their efforts, incessantly pestering me with the same demand: they wanted me to accompany them to Peach Blossom Village. Although their individual motivations differed, their ultimate goal was the same, so it was only a matter of time before they presented a united front.

Zhao Fen wanted to go home to check on things; Xiao Chuchu intended to investigate the photograph; Fang Yanmeng simply wanted some fun—she would have fussed even if they went somewhere else; and Zhao Fang hoped I would visit her home so she could familiarize me with the route.

I had no desire to pursue that nonsensical photo investigation, especially since Xiao Chuchu had rightly pointed out last night that no one could provide concrete proof regarding ghosts or spirits, making the trip likely pointless—just like the handprint on the windowpane last night, which I still couldn't fathom.

But the girls had made up their minds to take me along, finally employing a flanking maneuver. By morning, they had successfully persuaded Director Wu as soon as he arrived at the hospital. In the end, Director Wu even told me that he would handle the procurement of the medicinal herbs for me, urging me to go to Peach Blossom Village without worry, as it truly wasn't safe to let four young women trek those dozen miles of mountain path alone.

When passing the Black Pine Forest, I strongly felt the urge to re-enter the woods and search for that snake den again; I had even promised Director Wu to bring him back some snake meat and bones. However, Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang vehemently forbade me from entering, remembering that near disaster where we almost lost two lives. It was best to avoid it if possible.

The route through Black Pine Forest was indeed much shorter. Around ten o'clock, the group arrived outside Peach Blossom Village. The terrain here consisted of a valley flanked by two mountains running east to west, with the valley opening facing east. The homes of the dozens of families were built against the slopes, distributed on both sides of the valley. A small stream, not carrying much water but exceptionally clear, flowed along the valley floor, teeming with active fish and shrimp.

The entrance to the valley was a flat alluvial plain covered with peach trees, though at this time of year, most of the leaves were nearly gone, meaning there were, of course, no peach blossoms to admire. The ground became slightly steeper as we approached the village. Right at the center of the village entrance stood a gigantic peach tree facing us directly. The stream diverted around the tree's massive domain here, splitting into two paths before merging again further down.

Fang Yanmeng and Xiao Chuchu were as excited as little lambs entering a grassy meadow, pinching branches and picking leaves—everything was novel. But honestly, I felt the same way. Although I had been living in the mountains for some time, this was the first time I had seen such a place of exquisite natural beauty. It wasn't surprising that Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang were so adorable; local scenery nurtures its people.

Walking up to the great peach tree, Zhao Fen pointed and said, "This is the peach tree from the photograph."

At these words, a distinct chill ran through everyone, inevitably recalling the events of the previous night. Xiao Chuchu picked up the digital camera hanging from her chest. "I'll take a picture first and see."

Everyone made way for her, letting her photograph the large peach tree from various angles to her satisfaction. Then, the group stared tensely at the screen, waiting for Xiao Chuchu to bring up the newly taken pictures.

Thank goodness, thank goodness; there were no 'extra' things appearing. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Xiao Chuchu then announced, "Everyone come and stand in three neat rows. I'll take another picture."

Stand in three rows? Including her, there were only five of us. How were we supposed to arrange ourselves? Finally, Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang stood in the front row, I was in the middle, and Fang Yanmeng stood just behind me on the left. The girl muttered under her breath, "Zhao Qian, please don't let a hand suddenly sprout out of your shoulder, like the one you and Sister Chuchu saw last night."

Fang Yanmeng's words gave me goosebumps all over. This large peach tree wasn't exactly eerie, but I had a persistent feeling that something was amiss, as if a pair of eyes were staring intently at us from an adjacent dimension.

I shot back at Fang Yanmeng, "You be careful too, and don't grow three legs. While walking might be more stable that way, I'm afraid you wouldn't fetch a good price, leaving me to pay the compensation."

Xiao Chuchu ignored our bickering and pressed the shutter, taking several rapid shots. Once again, reality proved our worries unfounded; everything appeared normal.

This digital camera was definitely a high-end, professional model. Fang Yanmeng’s slightly pouting, soft pink lips, and the rosy-white, cute doll-faces of Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang made my heart race.

Xiao Chuchu said, "You all stand together again. I'll take one more shot with my old film camera. Too much time has passed, and I can't find the original camera anymore. Roughly the same will do; our real goal isn't the picture anyway—the key is for everyone to have a blast."

Fang Yanmeng bounced high, proclaiming, "I firmly support Sister Chuchu's suggestion! Hurry up and take the pictures, and then we can go visit Fenfen and Fangfang's home."

The film camera couldn't show the results immediately. After Xiao Chuchu finished shooting, the group, led by Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang, followed the small path to the right of the ancient peach tree and entered the smaller cluster of houses on the right side of the valley.

As they walked, Zhao Fen pointed toward the cluster of houses on the left side of the valley. "The entire Zhang clan lives over there. Our side is mostly scattered families with different surnames. Normally, the people on our side rarely go over there."

Zhao Fen’s home was a three-room stone house, with a thatched roof. The interior was low and dark; the middle room served as the kitchen, and the two side rooms were bedrooms. Looking around the entire interior, aside from a few basic necessities, there was essentially nothing else to see.

Zhao Fen apologized to the group, "The conditions in the mountains are poor; you can't compare them to the city or the small town. Please bear with it."

It was hard to imagine how Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang had endured such austere lives for over a decade. I pulled Zhao Fen aside, my voice tight with emotion. "Zhao Fen, I had no idea until now how difficult your life here is. When we leave this time, pack your things. You never have to come back here again. I would gladly sell every bone in my body before I let you continue suffering here."

Zhao Fen lowered her head, choking back a sob. "Brother Zhao, we are used to it; it's alright. I feel your concern, Fenfen does. Thank you."

I waved my hand dismissively, adopting an authoritative tone. "No, I make the final decision on this matter. At the very least, you and Fangfang must come live with me in the small town. You both need to go to school, and after you build a solid foundation, you can pursue deeper studies in the city."

Zhao Fang chimed in, "Sister, just agree with Brother Zhao. If you truly appreciate him, you should strive to help him achieve his wishes."

I was confused myself and asked Zhao Fang, "What wishes?"

Zhao Fang answered seriously, "Researching those incredibly powerful geophysical weapons, didn't Brother Zhao just mention it last night? You've already forgotten?"

Although this goal seemed rather grandiose, I could only offer encouragement and not deflate their spirits. "Yes, Fenfen, I myself am dull and couldn't even get into university. You and Fangfang are very clever. Listen to my arrangements now, and if you become famous scientists later, I get to bask in the reflected glory."

Zhao Fen nodded. "Fangfang and I will listen to Brother Zhao and work hard. We just worry that we are too slow-witted and might disappoint Brother Zhao."

"As long as you try your best, whether you succeed or not, I will be happy."

Fang Yanmeng interjected from the side, "Zhao Qian, you are quite an interesting person. If my heart hadn't already been set on the image of my future boyfriend, I might have tried to like you myself."

I grinned mischievously, "You absolutely cannot like me."

Fang Yanmeng pouted. "I know. You have a girlfriend. Look at how happy Fenfen is; I envy her."

"That's not the reason. You were brought by me; at best, you're a maid, how could you possibly like me? You just need to focus on serving tea, drawing water, washing clothes, and cooking meals."

Fang Yanmeng chased after me, threatening to hit me. Zhao Fang stopped her and asked, "Mengmeng Sister, tell us what your ideal boyfriend is like."

Fang Yanmeng shook a fist at me in defiance, then stopped paying attention to me. "My boyfriend should be a man who can stand up to the heavens and support the earth. I don't need him to be incredibly handsome or come from a high-ranking family, but the minimum requirement is this: he must be willing to sacrifice his own life for me. He must possess the spirit of being unswayed by wealth or rank. When he holds me in his arms, he should be as gentle as a little lamb, but when facing enemies, he must be like a tiger starved for days, whose single roar can send them fleeing in terror. He can be poor, but he cannot lack ambition. In the future, he must be an economic giant, a political giant, a military giant—with one gesture, he can determine an enemy's life or death, and with one sentence, he can influence the fate of a nation..."

I quickly made a STOP gesture to Fang Yanmeng. "Excuse me, Miss Fang, what kind of daydream are you having in broad daylight? I think you should stop looking for a boyfriend and immediately call the Jade Emperor and the Buddha to ask if they'd take you as a wife. Jesus would also work. If you can't be the main wife, maybe you can settle for a concubine position, considering your demands are beyond what ordinary deities can meet."

Fang Yanmeng gritted her teeth and raised her fist. "Zhao Qian!..."