Soon, the sounds from the cave grew even louder.
Were they taking advantage of the remote wilderness to act without restraint?
"...You brute, be gentler..." A woman's voice came through, laced with coquettishness.
Why did that voice sound so familiar?
Shen Nanchu couldn't help but pull Pei Zhengnian's hand away from her ear.
Listening more carefully—good heavens, wasn't that Zhao Hongmei, the widow from the village?
Zhao Hongmei's husband had died in an accident two years ago while working on the reservoir, leaving her with a five-year-old daughter. She usually played the part of a fragile, pitiable woman, but who would have thought...
"What's there to fear? We're deep in the mountains," a man's voice rang out. Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian exchanged glances—it was Wang Daming, the elder brother of Wang Dazhi!
An extramarital affair?
Pei Zhengnian's ears burned with embarrassment, while Shen Nanchu showed no such discomfort—her eyes were practically gleaming with excitement.
Shen Nanchu mouthed to Pei Zhengnian, "Let's keep listening."
"...Don’t forget what you promised me..." Zhao Hongmei's voice came in broken gasps.
"Don’t worry... once we find the gold mine... you’ll get your share..." Wang Daming panted heavily.
Shen Nanchu’s eyes flashed with surprise.
A gold mine? How did Zhao Hongmei know about it?
She had only discovered traces of gold dust yesterday and immediately stored all of it in her system’s inventory—no one else could have known.
Pei Zhengnian noticed Shen Nanchu’s reaction and glanced down at her questioningly.
Shen Nanchu shook her head and focused on listening.
"...Are you sure... there’s really a gold mine?" Wang Daming asked.
"Absolutely..." Zhao Hongmei’s tone suddenly turned firm. "I’ve checked the records... the geological formations here... are perfect for gold deposits..."
Shen Nanchu narrowed her eyes.
Zhao Hongmei had only married into Wang Family Village a few years ago. How would a rural woman know anything about geology?
The commotion inside the cave gradually quieted.
Soon after, Wang Daming crept out of the cave entrance and hurried down the mountain.
"We should head back," Pei Zhengnian whispered, his face still tinged with lingering awkwardness.
But Shen Nanchu raised a finger. "Wait a little longer."
Wang Daming had left, but Zhao Hongmei was still inside—she must be up to something else.
About an hour later, another figure appeared on the path—Wang Daqiang, Wang Daming’s younger brother! He glanced around furtively before slipping into the cave.
Both brothers sneaking around with the same widow?
Playing with fire like that?
Shen Nanchu clapped a hand over her mouth, which had formed a perfect "O" in shock.
Pei Zhengnian’s face darkened completely. He reached out again to cover Shen Nanchu’s ears.
But Shen Nanchu, right in the middle of the juicy details, wasn’t having it.
She dodged his hand with a quick turn of her head, then puckered her lips and planted a kiss right on his palm.
Pei Zhengnian recoiled as if burned.
Shen Nanchu smirked and mouthed, "If you cover my ears again, I’ll kiss you."
Pei Zhengnian was left both flustered and furious.
Just then, Zhao Hongmei’s saccharine voice floated out from the cave: "Brother Daqiang... did you bring what I asked for?"
"Y-yes..." Wang Daqiang said eagerly. "The map I stole from the village committee’s drawer..."
Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian locked eyes, their playful scuffle forgotten.
"What use is this map?" Zhao Hongmei’s voice turned sharp. "I already know the gold mine is in Wang Family Village. I need you to find the exact location..."
Clearly, Wang Daqiang’s map wasn’t what she wanted.
"Hongmei, why are you so fixated on this gold mine?" Wang Daqiang suddenly asked.
"Silly..." Zhao Hongmei’s voice softened again. "Isn’t it for our future together...?"
Shen Nanchu’s frown deepened.
This Zhao Hongmei was no ordinary village woman.
Soon, rustling sounds came from the cave entrance—they were leaving.
Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu retreated to a more concealed spot and waited.
Wang Daqiang left reluctantly, lingering under Zhao Hongmei’s sweet gaze.
Once he was gone, Zhao Hongmei stood alone at the cave entrance, her tender expression vanishing in an instant.
She pulled out a small notebook and quickly jotted something down.
As sunlight fell on her wrist, Shen Nanchu’s sharp eyes caught a thin scar on the back of her right hand—shaped like the letter "S."
"That’s..." Pei Zhengnian tensed.
"What is it?" Shen Nanchu whispered.
Pei Zhengnian’s gaze turned razor-sharp. "That scar... I’ve seen it before during my border patrol days. It’s the mark of a foreign spy organization."
Shen Nanchu’s expression turned grave.
Zhao Hongmei lingered at the cave entrance for a long time before finally leaving.
Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu remained perfectly still, their movements synchronized.
With a spy this skilled at disguise, extreme caution was necessary.
Sure enough—
Less than ten minutes later, Zhao Hongmei’s figure reappeared behind a nearby tree.
She observed the area for another ten minutes before departing again.
Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu waited a full hour, ensuring she wouldn’t double back, before finally emerging.
With silent understanding, the couple entered the cave one after the other.
Earlier, Shen Nanchu had been too distracted to examine the cave’s surroundings carefully.
This time, with Pei Zhengnian’s help, they quickly uncovered several items Zhao Hongmei had left behind.
Pei Zhengnian’s face grew increasingly grim as he studied them.
"Let’s go back first."
"Right."
They retreated quietly and hurried down the mountain.
The moment they got home, Pei Zhengnian checked that all doors and windows were secured. Then, from the bottom of his bag, he retrieved a small military radio and began tuning the frequency.
"What are you doing?" Shen Nanchu asked.
"Contacting headquarters," Pei Zhengnian said gravely. "If Zhao Hongmei really is an enemy agent, this is serious."
Shen Nanchu thought for a moment, then asked him one question:
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
Pei Zhengnian didn’t even hesitate.
Shen Nanchu smiled.
"Then report the pyrite discovery first."
"Then mention Zhao Hongmei afterward."
That way, it would count as two separate achievements—and sound far more plausible.
"Alright."
Pei Zhengnian tightened his grip on the radio.
"Nanchu, tell me everything about how you found the pyrite. Leave nothing out."
Shen Nanchu recounted her experience in the mountains the previous day—though this time, she emphasized the terrain around the pyrite deposits and conveniently omitted the gold dust she’d pocketed.
Pei Zhengnian nodded. Suddenly, a faint static crackled from the radio.
Shen Nanchu tactfully stepped outside to wait.
Half an hour later, Pei Zhengnian emerged.
"Specialists will be sent to handle this. Until then, we need to monitor Zhao Hongmei closely—but don’t alert her."
"Why is she after the gold mine?" Shen Nanchu wondered. "Even if she finds it, she couldn’t possibly transport it out."
That puzzled Pei Zhengnian too.
Mining and transporting gold would be impossible to hide.
What was Zhao Hongmei really after?
