Chapter 130: Climbing the Mountain, A Frightening Encounter in the Cave

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A faint blush crept up Liu Lele’s cheeks—this guy was becoming increasingly unpredictable! The two of them stepped side by side into the vibrant production base, where all around them was a scene of busy yet orderly activity.

After a thorough inspection, their conversation quietly shifted to a more private matter—the secrets behind the breast-enhancing balm and the health wine.

Liu Lele gently tucked her hair behind her ear, her voice tinged with pride and hope: “The medicinal cuisine business is gradually flourishing. Recently, several groups of clients have come by reputation, eager to join us. Once everything settles, why don’t we join forces to build a glorious health group?”

Her smile blossomed like a flower as she continued, “By then, you can be the esteemed CEO, and I’m willing to be a humble soldier under your command, helping you conquer the business world!”

Li Chao quickly waved his hands to decline, “Me? Doing business? That’s like forcing a duck onto a perch!”

But Liu Lele’s smile grew even brighter: “Who says? The core technology in your hands is our foundation, the true path to success! The future of the Liu family may very well depend on you to safeguard it!”

Though casual, her words carried deep meaning, stirring ripples in Li Chao’s heart.

As they spoke, the sun tilted low in the sky, its lingering light bathing the earth.

Liu Lele’s gaze inadvertently landed on a small hill not far away, and a sudden, inexplicable urge surged within her: “It’s been a long time since we exercised; my body’s almost rusty! How about we conquer that hill?”

Li Chao looked up, frowning slightly: “That hill isn’t tall, but it’s exceptionally steep—hard for ordinary people to climb.”

His tone implied a warning.

Yet, in Liu Lele’s eyes shone a challenging light, determined to drag him along.

Li Chao was helpless and agreed, secretly wondering what surprises this sudden “adventure” might bring.

The hill behind was indeed not high, but it stood steep and imposing like a natural barrier, seemingly telling tales of the past.

The tragedy from seven or eight years ago cast a shadow over the forest, making villagers wary of it; even Li Chao rarely ventured there.

The path was rugged, with wild grass and small trees sprouting everywhere, each step requiring caution.

Li Chao led the way, occasionally looking back to check on Liu Lele, muttering, “Sister Liu, do we really have to suffer like this? Wouldn’t it be more pleasant to rest at home?”

Liu Lele chuckled softly, wiping fine sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, her eyes sparkling with a strange light: “You mountain kids don’t understand city folks. For those of us who have lived in the city for a long time, occasional outdoor activities add a special flavor to life.”

She glanced around; despite the harsh path, her admiration was evident: “Honestly, the scenery on this hill isn’t bad at all. It’s a pity the local consumption power is limited. Otherwise, developing a scenic area around here would surely attract many tourists and bring in a fortune.”

Li Chao’s lips twitched; in his heart, he thought, “This beautiful CEO never stops thinking about making money!”

As they climbed higher, the path grew even more difficult.

As a practitioner, Li Chao navigated with ease, but Liu Lele struggled.

Seeing this, Li Chao suggested, “Sister Liu, how about we stop here, rest a bit, and then head back down?”

Liu Lele looked up at the steeper slopes ahead, hesitated briefly, then nodded: “Alright, let’s stop here for today.”

They found a comfortable spot under a large tree to rest.

After Li Chao suggested descending, he noticed a strange expression on Liu Lele’s face and asked with concern, “Sister Liu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

A flush immediately crept onto Liu Lele’s cheeks; her voice was as soft as a whisper: “Um… could you go ahead and find a place to wait for me for a moment?”

Li Chao was stunned and asked curiously, “Why not come together? There are potential dangers on this hill—snakes, spiders, and such. I’m not comfortable letting you be alone.”

Mentioning this, a flicker of panic crossed Liu Lele’s eyes, but she mustered courage and whispered, “Actually… I need to use the restroom. We’re still some distance from the base, and I really can’t hold it.”

Nature calls are unavoidable.

Li Chao felt awkward too; he cleared his throat and pointed to a large rock nearby: “There’s no restroom here. Why don’t you go behind that rock? I’ll wait not far away. If anything happens, just call me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Lele nodded.

She stood and walked toward the rock, bending down. Then came the rustling sound of her adjusting clothes.

Next followed sounds that were difficult to describe.

Li Chao stood about ten paces away. Although this distance seemed private enough for most, as a practitioner with sharp senses, he could hear clearly the sounds behind the rock.

Truthfully, seeing a usually aloof and elegant CEO in such a private moment nearby stirred complicated feelings in him.

But he quickly composed himself, knowing everyone has their privacy and vulnerabilities; he chose to respect and protect this awkward moment’s tranquility.

He silently reminded himself that as a decent man, he must not entertain any inappropriate thoughts.

Suddenly, a shriek pierced the air from behind the rock: “Snake! There’s a snake!”

Li Chao immediately looked toward the rock, alert.

What happened next stunned him completely.

Startled, Liu Lele panicked so much she didn’t properly adjust her pants, exposing herself unexpectedly before Li Chao.

His gaze froze, overwhelmed with indescribable embarrassment and shyness.

At first, Liu Lele didn’t realize her mishap, but noticing Li Chao’s unusual stare and the chill she felt, she was jolted awake.

She looked down and gasped, hurriedly pulling her clothes back up.

Li Chao turned away awkwardly, trying to avert his eyes.

Yet the image replayed in his mind incessantly, making calm impossible.

What shocked him even more was discovering that Liu Lele possessed a legendary rare constitution.

This constitution was extremely unusual, said to endow its bearer with extraordinary talent and potential.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions.

He glanced at Liu Lele, whose flushed face and shy, uneasy eyes showed she too felt the unexpected embarrassment.

“Um… Li Chao, you… you didn’t see anything, right?” Liu Lele’s voice trembled slightly, trying to stay composed.

Li Chao forced a smile, thinking, How could I not see?

But he reassured her, “Don’t worry, I saw nothing. Let’s leave here quickly before encountering any more danger.”

With that, he took her wrist and led her away from the awkward spot.

Liu Lele followed closely, silently hoping this incident would soon be forgotten.

The snake had long vanished, likely scared off by the commotion.

Li Chao quickly changed the subject to ease the tension, “Sister Liu, snakes aren’t common here. And as long as you don’t provoke them, they usually won’t attack.”

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Liu Lele replied softly, her voice still faint, clearly still embarrassed by the earlier scene.

They decided to continue descending, but the weather turned sour; dark clouds swiftly gathered, followed by lightning, thunder, and a torrential downpour.

“Damn weather!” Li Chao cursed, then pointed ahead, “I remember there’s a cave over there. Let’s take shelter!”

They dashed into the cave.

The cave was shallow but remarkably dry inside.

On the stone walls around, strange markings were carved, crooked and scattered—neither words nor pictures.

Weathered by time, these carvings had faded beyond recognition.

Li Chao had no time to investigate; he first took off his shirt and wrung out the water.

Then, he looked back at Liu Lele, his gaze involuntarily lingering on her.

It was early September, entering autumn, but still warm enough that they wore light clothing.

Recalling moments earlier, a surge of complex emotions—a blend of shame and desire—washed over him.

It was as if a wild beast imprisoned deep within was about to break free.

He struggled to control himself, but a faint red glint flickered in his eyes—a battle between desire and reason.

He knew he had to remain clear-headed and not lose control now.

In the lonely, desolate mountain, Liu Lele keenly sensed the turbulent emotions hidden deep within Li Chao’s eyes.

Honestly, her feelings were as complicated as leaves caught in a gust of wind.

Her father’s words echoed in her mind—urging her to get closer to Li Chao, even to use love as a bridge if necessary.

But Liu Lele’s nature wasn’t one to surrender easily.

Her inner turmoil felt as if clawed by a cat.

Now, alone in the wild mountains, if Li Chao lost control, what should she do?

Should she surrender her body to him?

Her heart fluttered anxiously, indecisive.

Meanwhile, Li Chao’s expression grew more intense, as if an irresistible impulse surged within, making him hard to restrain.

He stared unblinking at Liu Lele, then stepped closer step by step.

“Xiao Chao, what… what exactly do you want?” Liu Lele looked at him, feeling as if he had suddenly become a stranger, frighteningly unfamiliar.

Li Chao said nothing, suddenly pushing her against the cave wall.

He tugged roughly and violently, his eyes bloodshot.

Liu Lele wanted to resist but hesitated, then closed her eyes.

She thought, since this was inevitable, she might as well let it happen naturally.

Although a bit rushed and messy in the wilderness, there was no other choice.

Li Chao drew closer; the space between them shrank, poised to cross the final boundary.

At that moment, a muffled thunderclap outside the cave nearly deafened them.

And then—

An incredible event occurred.

In Li Chao’s mind, the ancient, silent tower suddenly radiated brilliant light, as if awakened.

A white halo slowly rose, rippling through his body like waves, bringing a cool sensation.

It felt like cleansing his soul, instantly extinguishing the fiery passion, and the redness in his eyes gradually faded.

Li Chao was stunned to realize he was lying on top of Liu Lele, his mouth near her lips, one hand wandering restlessly.

This scene completely baffled him; he had no idea how he lost control.

He should not have been like this.

Moreover, he clearly sensed Liu Lele was not fully invested, still holding back.

Yet, even so, he had nearly crossed the line—luckily, the ancient tower’s timely glow saved him!

Filled with confusion, Li Chao wondered why the tower suddenly lit up.

Could it be a triggered passive ability?

He decided to study it when he had time.

But now was not the moment—he quickly moved off Liu Lele, noticing her torn clothes.

He hurriedly offered his shirt and apologized, “Sister Liu, I’m sorry! I don’t know what came over me. It’s all my fault!”

Liu Lele took the shirt, looking somewhat surprised.

Though reluctant, she was prepared for this but hadn’t expected Li Chao to stop at the critical moment.

Her feelings were mixed—was it his strong self-control or her diminished allure?

Since he had stopped, she couldn’t rush forward.

The cave fell silent.

A few hours later, the clouds dispersed, rain ceased, and a rainbow arched across the sky.

The two stepped out and began descending.

Unexpectedly, not long after they left, in an unnoticed corner,

the carvings on the cave wall faintly glowed white,

like fireflies drifting toward a spot.

There lay a thin crack, only a dozen centimeters long,

which no ordinary person would give a second glance.

The white light gathered on the crack, slowly dissolving it.

Then, miraculously, the crack gradually sealed,

while a low, fierce roar emerged from within,

as if sealing some ferocious beast—but the sound vanished as the crack closed.

Afterward, the carvings returned to their original state, as if nothing had happened.

…

Meanwhile, Li Chao and Liu Lele continued down the hill.

Liu Lele’s clothes were torn, so she draped Li Chao’s shirt over herself, while Li Chao went bare-chested.

Along the way, villagers saw them and lowered their heads, but their eyes gleamed with suppressed smiles, as if witnessing some juicy gossip.

Li Chao sighed helplessly, thinking, “Folks, it’s really not what you think!”

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After escorting Liu Lele onto the car,

the window rolled down slowly.

Liu Lele looked at Li Chao curiously and asked,

“Why did you suddenly stop in the cave?”

Ah…

Sister,

your question really puts me in a bind!

That scene had a hint of an unfinished business, tinged with the awkwardness of being questioned by a lady about why it all fell through.

Li Chao’s mouth twitched slightly before he replied,

“My mind was unsettled; I wasn’t in the right state!”

“Besides, it seemed you weren’t very willing either!”

Liu Lele was silent for a moment, then softly said,

“Actually, I didn’t firmly refuse!”

“It was just too sudden, and the environment was really unsuitable!”

“Maybe another time, in a different place!”

With that, she stepped on the accelerator and drove away.

Li Chao stood bare-chested, watching the car disappear, feeling somewhat dazed.

Unsuitable environment? Different place?

What could she mean…

Whew!

An inexplicable hope stirred in Li Chao’s heart.

…

Back at the clinic,

Russell, busy cleaning, saw Li Chao’s state and hurried inside to fetch a shirt, personally helping him put it on with meticulous care.

Meanwhile, Yuxin, flipping through medical books, looked up and approached curiously:

“Where did you go? How did you lose your shirt?”

Li Chao replied awkwardly,

“Sister Liu wanted to climb the hill, so I accompanied her to the back mountain!”

“Her clothes got snagged and torn by branches, so I gave her my shirt.”

Yuxin glanced at Li Chao, teasingly,

“You’re such a flirt!”

“As the saying goes, there’s no overworked field, only exhausted oxen—you better be careful!”

Yuxin had come to accept Liu Dan, so naturally, others were no exception; otherwise, Russell wouldn’t be allowed to stay at the clinic.

Li Chao was destined for great things, so his romantic adventures were inevitable.

But no matter how many beauties he had, as long as he reserved a place in his heart for himself, that was enough!

After a pause,

Yuxin seemed to recall something and said,

“Oh, by the way!”

“Sun Peng’s fiancée came with her family today. They’re probably here to discuss the wedding. Want to go take a look?”

Li Chao suddenly understood.

A few days ago, Sun Peng had indeed mentioned marriage plans; they had a good relationship.

A marriage matter, whether official or personal, deserved attention.

Sun Peng lived in a factory building at the production base, and to facilitate things, he had also brought his father over.

Li Chao had been there twice and was familiar with the place.

When he arrived at Sun Peng’s residence, the door stood open.

Inside sat two men and two women.

The men were naturally Sun Peng and his father.

On the other side sat a slightly plump woman in her forties or fifties, wearing shining gold earrings and bright lipstick, arms crossed, her face full of displeasure.

Next to her was a girl about twenty, pure and lovely, presumably Sun Peng’s girlfriend.

Seeing Li Chao, Sun Peng immediately stood to greet him:

“Brother Chao, you came too?”

Li Chao smiled, replying,

“I heard your girlfriend and family arrived, so I came to take a look.”

Before he finished, a voice interrupted,

“What girlfriend? There’s nothing official yet!”

Li Chao turned toward the voice—it was the plump woman.

Sun Peng looked embarrassed, inviting Li Chao to sit while whispering to the woman,

“Aunt Zeng, didn’t we agree over the phone?”

“Why the change of heart now?”

His tone was full of helplessness.

Li Chao frowned, sensing the tense atmosphere.

Having just arrived, he said nothing further and sat silently.

The plump woman sneered,

“How dare you mention that!”

“What did you say on the phone? That you have stable work and a company-provided house!”

“And the reality?”

“You’re just a lousy security guard patrolling the village! Is that work?”

“And that house? Look at it! Drafty, like a doghouse!”

“What? You expect my daughter to live in such a place?”

She glared fiercely, merciless.

Then she turned to scold her daughter,

“And you!”

“There are so many suitors introduced—cars, houses—but you had to pick a pauper like him!”

“Do you want to drive me crazy?”

The girl defended herself,

“Mom, I just thought Brother Chao was nice. I didn’t think that much!”