Chapter 246: A Rainy Mountain Getaway

After driving for a while longer.

By early afternoon, they finally reached their trip’s destination.

Lin Mountain.

This spot was the Three Little Ones’ joint pick when they decided to explore the mountains.

No other reason—just because it had ‘Lin’ in the name, which sounded just like Lin Zheng Ran.

Though the mountain had few tourist attractions, the group was there to unwind and didn’t care.

They parked the car in the mountain’s parking area.

The lot had few vehicles; even on a holiday, the rain kept most people away.

Once awake, the Three Little Ones pressed their faces to the car windows, staring at the dim mountain steps.

Rain pattered down steadily, with occasional flickers of lightning in the clouds; the trees on the mountain rustled, but at least there was no wind.

The cheeky and cute Lily swallowed hard in the car and said blankly, “Is this Lin Mountain? It doesn’t look anything like the promotional pictures!”

She pulled out the Lin Mountain brochure, showing sunny skies, vibrant flowers, birds, and crowds of people.

In reality, Lin Mountain was just a wild, rugged hillside with narrow man-made steps; she half-expected tigers or bears to lurk there.

Lily compared it again: “This has to be a different place. It feels so eerie.”

If the three girls had come alone, Heqing would have been scared.

But with Lin Zheng Ran there, she felt braver than usual: “It’s probably the rain. The sky’s so overcast, but it should clear up in a few days.”

Han Wenwen, though, gazed at the wild landscape with genuine excitement: “What an interesting spot—it looks so mysterious!”

Her invisible fox tail seemed to wag, like she’d returned home as a fox spirit.

Lin Zheng Ran cringed, and Lily did too, thinking this girl was definitely a fox spirit reborn.

Lin Zheng Ran reminded them, “Alright, grab your umbrellas. We’re not playing today—just head to the mid-mountain inn for the night. It’s got lots of artifacts to check out.”

Lily flipped through the brochure: “I remember now—the only real attraction here is the inn’s collection hall. They say it has rare artifacts, but the brochure doesn’t specify what.”

“We’ll find out when we get there. I’m curious too about what treasures this place holds.”

Lin Zheng Ran opened the car door and stepped out first with an umbrella.

The Three Little Ones followed, each with their own umbrella.

Since the steps up the mountain were narrow, they went in order: Lin Zheng Ran, Heqing, Lily, and Han Wenwen.

Han Wenwen, not afraid at all, had volunteered to bring up the rear.

Even so, Lily clutched her umbrella and eyed the dark trees and soggy steps, shivering from the cool air.

She wondered if this place was really as odd as it seemed.

Han Wenwen saw Lily’s reaction and couldn’t help but laugh: “Lily, are you scared?”

Lily replied defiantly, “Scared? Not at all. I’ve just never been to the mountains before—it’s all new. Why would I be afraid with everyone here?” Her voice hitched a bit.

Han Wenwen asked, puzzled, “You’ve never been to the mountains?”

Heqing chimed in, curious: “Lily, you’ve never hiked?”

Lily said matter-of-factly, “Nope, what’s strange about that? Ziteng City doesn’t have mountains, and I’ve never been anywhere like this. My parents never took me on trips.”

The little fox understood:

“That’s different then. Back at my and Xiao Qingqing’s southern old home, mountains are everywhere, with all sorts of activities. There’s even this Heart-Linking Festival—it’s supposed to be really effective! Singles go up the mountain for fortune sticks to find their true love, and couples get closer afterward!”

The girls perked up at that, even Lily: “Really? A place like that? I’d love to check out your Heart-Linking Festival sometime.”

Han Wenwen smiled: “Sure, it’s amazing. When we get the chance, Xiao Qingqing and I will take you.”

Heqing laughed and agreed: “Yeah, we’ll show you around then.”

But as soon as she said it, Heqing noticed Han Wenwen’s knowing smile and realized something—the Heart-Linking Festival was effective, so why had Han Wenwen said that?

She remembered Han Wenwen’s fortune stick from childhood had a ‘Lin’ on it. Back then, they’d joked it might mean one of Lin Zheng Ran’s siblings, but now…

Could that stick have pointed to Lin Zheng Ran himself?!

Did Han Wenwen see Lin Zheng Ran as her true love?

Otherwise, how would she claim the festival worked if she hadn’t found hers?

It made sense now.

As they chatted, Lin Zheng Ran led the way up the long path.

Surprisingly, they didn’t see another soul.

All around was just the rain, the calls of frogs and forest creatures, and no lights at all.

After what felt like forever, Lily noticed her shoes were soaked from the rain.

She glanced back and realized Han Wenwen was gone.

“Wait, where’s Han Wenwen?!”

Lin Zheng Ran and Lily looked around.

Heqing asked, “Where did Wenwen go?”

Lily said, baffled, “I have no idea—she was right behind me.”

As she turned again, a figure with a fox tail suddenly appeared.

It tapped her shoulder: “Right here.” Lily jumped like a startled cat, dropping her umbrella and hiding in Lin Zheng Ran’s arms, trembling with teary eyes: “Zheng Ran! Zheng Ran!”

Han Wenwen pulled off her cartoon fox mask, looking confused: “It’s me. Why so scared? And this fox mask is adorable.”

Lily, hearing her voice, peeked back and saw it was Han Wenwen holding a fluffy fox mask.

She started to relax, but then spotted the pink tail swishing behind Han Wenwen.

Panicking more: “No! You’re not Han Wenwen—you’re the mountain fox spirit! Your tail’s showing!” She clung tighter to Lin Zheng Ran.

Han Wenwen glanced at her own tail and pulled it off: “Huh? This is just a toy—it’s fake.”

But Lily was already shaking in Lin Zheng Ran’s arms, barely peeking out.

“Fake?”

Lin Zheng Ran knew this was her first time in the mountains, so he held her and stroked her head to comfort: “Don’t worry, Lily. I’m here—what’s there to fear? And Wenwen didn’t mean to scare you.” Lily bit her lip, nestled in his arms; her eyes were watery, but she stayed tough:

“I-I’m not scared. I’ve just never been to a place like this.”

“There, there, just hold on a bit.”

“I don’t need to…” she protested, but didn’t pull away, gradually calming in his embrace.

This attention from Lin Zheng Ran left Han Wenwen and Heqing feeling a twinge of jealousy.

They wished he would hold them too.

Heqing asked curiously: “Wenwen, where did you get that mask and tail? I didn’t see you with them earlier.”

Han Wenwen pointed down the path: “From the inn’s entrance over there. There are vendors—plenty of them.”

Heqing, Han Wenwen, Lin Zheng Ran, and Lily followed the side path, and everyone’s eyes widened.

Sure enough, midway up the mountain stood a large, lively inn with lights blazing and a row of snack stalls outside.

Couples and tourists wandered with umbrellas, chatting and laughing; it was bright, bustling, and felt totally safe.

They were all stunned.

Heqing exclaimed, “Wow, so many people? But we didn’t see anyone on our way!”

Lin Zheng Ran noticed the other paths people were using and realized: “We must have taken the back mountain trail. Look, everyone else is coming from a different direction.”

With the crowd in sight, Lily’s fears melted away, leaving only embarrassment.

Heqing added, “That makes sense. The place has promotions, so even in the rain, it shouldn’t be empty. We just took the wrong path up.”

She brightened up: “But this is fun—it’s so lively!”