The only gold in the creek was the gold dust—everything else was pyrite.
Though Shen Nanchu was a little disappointed, she was still satisfied.
She collected the gold dust, leaving the rest as leverage for the Pei family’s return to the capital’s elite circles.
Discovering a mine for the nation—wasn’t that enough to make a comeback?
As for claiming the mine for herself, Shen Nanchu had no such thoughts.
In these special times, even if you held mountains of gold and silver, you still needed legal permission to mine them!
By the time that happened, she might not even be around anymore.
Better to cash in now.
As for leaving anything for the next generation, Shen Nanchu had no such sentiment.
Children would find their own fortune.
Whatever empire she built, her descendants could do the same.
If they couldn’t, then they should abandon grand ambitions and stick to their own small patch of land.
She didn’t want to miss a single speck of the gold dust she’d found.
“System, I’ve got a big job for you. You in?”
“Host, what do you mean?” The system was momentarily confused.
Shen Nanchu explained, “When I exchange items in the mall, you only get a cut of the aversion points, right?”
“...Yes.” Though reluctant to admit it, the system couldn’t deny the truth.
“The mall charges 888 aversion points to collect the gold dust for me, but since we’re closer, I’d rather let you earn this.” Shen Nanchu spoke as if they were old pals.
“I’ll give you 666 aversion points directly, and you handle the collection for me.”
The system immediately shook its head. “Host, that’s against the rules.”
“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible.” Shen Nanchu spoke sagely. “As a mature system, you should learn to adapt.”
“Besides, you’d get all 666 aversion points. How many exchanges would it take for the mall to give you that much?”
That last point struck a chord with the system.
Damn it, fortune favors the bold.
Let’s do it!
Under Shen Nanchu’s persuasion, the system became her gold-panning slave.
Shen Nanchu happily saved 222 aversion points.
The system gleefully earned 666.
A win-win.
Admittedly, the system was an efficient slave—it even collected the gold dust left in the black wolf’s paw prints.
By the time Shen Nanchu finished eating her mulberries, the system had gathered everything.
And it was a lot.
Five whole boxes’ worth.
The system even dug up a few scattered nuggets of gold ore hidden at the bottom of the river.
An unexpected windfall.
Those 666 aversion points were well spent.
After storing the gold dust in her system space, Shen Nanchu cheerfully retraced her steps.
Just as she left the cave and walked a short distance, she heard Pei Zhengnian calling for her.
The sight of Shen Nanchu finally eased the worry in his heart.
“The sun’s almost set. Why were you wandering the mountain for so long?”
“Huh?”
Shen Nanchu glanced at the horizon—the sun was indeed dipping low.
The whole day had slipped by unnoticed.
“Ah, sorry. I got too excited and lost track of time.”
Pei Zhengnian sighed at her animated expression.
“You didn’t even eat lunch. Are you hungry?”
Now that he mentioned it, her stomach growled in response.
“Here, have some pastries to tide you over.”
Pei Zhengnian had anticipated her hunger and brought a few oil-paper-wrapped pastries in his pocket.
Now, they came in handy.
Shen Nanchu ate straight from the paper.
“Guess why I’m so happy today?”
“Found new artifacts?”
Pei Zhengnian knew about her side job in cultural relics.
“Even better.” Shen Nanchu’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You’ll be thrilled when you hear.”
Pei Zhengnian’s interest piqued. “Did you find treasure?”
“Exactly.”
Her eyes gleamed like stars.
“This treasure could restore the Pei family’s former glory—maybe even surpass it.”
Pei Zhengnian stopped in his tracks.
Shen Nanchu lowered her voice. “I found a pyrite mine.”
What?
Pei Zhengnian’s jaw nearly dropped.
He steadied his racing heart. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” Shen Nanchu nodded firmly. “A big one.”
His heartbeat quickened even more.
If this was true, then…
He didn’t dare finish the thought.
“Let’s go home and eat first. Tomorrow, you can take me to see it.”
If not for concern over Shen Nanchu’s exhaustion, he would’ve sprinted there immediately.
“Fine.”
The mine wasn’t going anywhere, so Shen Nanchu wasn’t in a rush.
Back home, Pei’s Mother had dinner ready.
Shen Nanchu ate heartily and slept soundly that night.
Pei Zhengnian, however, tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The next morning, when Shen Nanchu opened her eyes, she found Pei Zhengnian sitting in a chair beside the bed, staring at her intently.
His dark circles were impossible to miss.
“You’re awake?”
His voice brimmed with excitement.
“Did you not sleep at all?” Shen Nanchu was surprised.
“Doesn’t matter.” Pei Zhengnian handed her the clothes he’d prepared.
“I’ve already squeezed your toothpaste and drawn water for you to wash up.”
“What do you want for breakfast? I’ll make it.”
Today’s service was top-tier.
“Haven’t had noodles in a while. Tomato and egg noodles sound good.”
Knowing his eagerness, Shen Nanchu kept breakfast simple.
After freshening up and eating, they finally headed for the mountain.
Along the way, Pei Zhengnian cheerfully greeted villagers, claiming they were just taking a stroll.
Once on the mountain, he even used a stick to erase their footprints.
A professional touch.
Following yesterday’s memory, Shen Nanchu quickly found the vine-covered cliff face.
But she didn’t move.
The vegetation hadn’t looked like this when she left yesterday.
Pushing aside the vines, she crouched and examined the ground.
Among her and Meiqiu’s footprints were two others.
Someone else had discovered the cave.
She touched the mud on the unfamiliar prints—still damp. They must’ve entered recently.
Pei Zhengnian’s expression turned grave.
Just as they prepared to investigate, strange noises echoed from the cave.
After a few seconds, Pei Zhengnian’s face flushed red.
He immediately covered Shen Nanchu’s ears and whispered against them,
“Be good, don’t listen. It’s bad for the baby.”
Shen Nanchu had just started deciphering the sounds when he cut her off.
She rolled her eyes.
So he could listen, but she couldn’t?
Typical double standards.
