Chapter 31: The Deadly Backpack

"What’s he so arrogant about? Isn't it just a Porsche?"

Inside the BMW, Zhang Xun, who was driving, said irritably, "Xiao'e, what does that guy behind us do? Which company is he with? When I get back, I’ll have my uncle check his family's fire safety compliance!"

He was young and drove a Porsche Cayenne; he definitely didn't work for a public institution. Based on Zhang Xun's experience, the guy’s family must run a business, and such companies almost always had fire safety violations. His uncle could nail them with a single inspection.

"I don't know him," Yuan Xiao'e said coquettishly. She turned her head to look at Han Ying, who was squeezed into the middle of the back seat, and asked, "What does he do?"

Han Ying shook her head. "I've never asked."

Regardless of whether she knew Zhao Yuanqing's background or not, she couldn't let Zhang Xun cause trouble for him. However, the honking from the Cayenne behind them was indeed annoying. She immediately dialed a number and said curtly, "Stop honking! It's deafening!"

The sound of the Cayenne's horn vanished instantly.

"Huh, he’s quite obedient," Yuan Xiao'e laughed. She began introducing the two men in the front to the other two women. "Zhang Xun and Qi Muyang are both my friends. They love all sorts of outdoor activities."

"Hiking, rock climbing, diving, skiing, parachuting—they know a bit about everything."

"Ever since I met them, I’ve been going on trips with them, and I’ve never had to worry about a thing."

"Since we’ve all met today, let’s team up for weekend trips. Don't just stay cooped up in the city. We should go out more and breathe some fresh air."

"Zhuang Qing, don't you agree?" Yuan Xiao'e looked toward the tall, beautiful woman who was looking down at her phone.

"Mm, yes," Zhuang Qing responded politely, not even lifting her head.

Yuan Xiao'e was Han Ying’s friend, not hers. She had only met her two or three times, and her impression of the woman was lukewarm.

"They live such a healthy lifestyle," Han Ying said, sounding wistful. She sighed, "I've been so busy with work these past few years; I really haven't gone out much."

In the front seats, Zhang Xun and Qi Muyang saw her interest and curled their lips into smiles.

"It's a go."

...

"Linzi, how are those stocks of yours doing?"

Inside the Cayenne, Zhao Yuanqing, having been scolded by Han Ying, had settled down and was driving properly, making small talk. "I know you make a lot of money in stocks. When are you going to show me the ropes?"

"Just a small profit," Wei Lin said, tilting his head to look at the woods along the elevated road. "You know I play the long game. I pick a few stocks I feel have potential and hold them for two or three years."

"Some go down, some go up. When it all averages out, it's just a little bit higher than bank interest."

"Ha, that bit of money? It’s not even what you spend at a karaoke bar in a year."

Wei Lin was just spouting nonsense.

There was a reason Zhao Yuanqing told Han Ying that Wei Lin worked in finance; he had been playing the stock market since college. He did indeed play the long game, holding onto his stocks for years at a time, with his oldest position held to this very day.

Of course, he earned far more than he told Zhao Yuanqing. But the risks were too high, and since he didn't have absolute certainty himself, he naturally wouldn't dare bring others along.

Moreover, Zhao Yuanqing was never a patient person. Even if he told him a stock needed to be held long-term, Zhao might panic and sell it prematurely one day. Besides, it was best not to involve money in friendships.

"That's no fun then."

As soon as Zhao Yuanqing heard it was only slightly better than bank interest, he lost interest immediately. He laughed, "That grandson Wang Hongyu, where does he get the nerve to pursue Zhuang Qing? He probably doesn't know her background, right?"

"I suspect even Han Ying doesn't know the situation with Zhuang Qing's family," Wei Lin said softly.

"Go for it!" Zhao Yuanqing shouted. "I'll take down Han Ying, you take down Zhuang Qing, and let those two idiots go eat dirt!"

Wei Lin shook his head and didn't answer.

...

Around 11:30, the two cars arrived at the Nanshan Scenic Area in Zhongjiang City. After parking and buying tickets, the group of seven entered the park.

"My name is Qi Muyang, and this is Zhang Xun. We've been to this mountain a few times; how about we lead the way?"

As Wei Lin and Zhao Yuanqing were looking at the crude map on their tickets, a man with slicked-back hair, wearing inexpensive but professional outdoor gear, asked them with a smile. He was 1.78 meters tall. Because he loved outdoor sports, his skin looked a bit tan, but his build was lean and muscular, showing clear signs of regular exercise.

"Wei Lin," Wei Lin introduced himself.

Seeing Zhao Yuanqing's lazy, couldn't-be-bothered attitude, he added, "This is my brother, Zhao Yuanqing. Since you know the route, we'll just follow you."

Qi Muyang gave Wei Lin a friendly smile and ignored Zhao Yuanqing, grabbing his trekking pole and backpack to lead the way up the stone steps.

"Why are you humoring him?" Zhao Yuanqing complained with dissatisfaction.

"Politeness," Wei Lin said, his expression calm. He chided, "Brother, whether they are romantic rivals or not, we must maintain basic decorum."

Zhao Yuanqing wanted to retort, but seeing Han Ying walking away with the others, he hurried after them. "Han Ying, I brought water and food for you!"

"Wei Lin, hurry the hell up!" He didn't forget to urge him on.

Looking at the bulging Arc'teryx backpack on his back, Wei Lin’s face twitched. He knew this idiot probably wouldn't last long.

Sure enough, before they even reached the official trail, Zhao Yuanqing was already panting. "Damn it, I think I brought too much stuff; it's a bit heavy!"

In contrast, Qi Muyang and Zhang Xun were also carrying heavy backpacks, yet they looked relaxed. The three women, Zhuang Qing included, were traveling light, each carrying a thin, small bag that didn't look like it held much of anything.

"You idiot, this is weight-bearing hiking!" Wei Lin scolded him bluntly. "We aren't climbing a wild mountain; there are plenty of kiosks along the way. Water, food—what don't they have?"

"I brought Fiji water and imported snacks. Do they sell that on the mountain?" Zhao Yuanqing countered.

"Fine, then carry it to your heart's content!" Wei Lin was speechless, thinking to himself, "Cheap people are just pretentious."

Not long after the hike officially began, Zhao Yuanqing became the laughingstock of the group and the weakest link. After just half an hour, he was drenched in sweat, begging Han Ying and Zhuang Qing to drink the water he brought to help lighten his load.

The two women couldn't resist him, and each took a large bottle of water, urged on by him to drink quickly. Then, Zhao Yuanqing and the two women spent the rest of the way hunting for restrooms.

"Heh, I guess this guy's kidneys aren't too good," Zhang Xun seized the opportunity while Zhao was peeing to whisper to Yuan Xiao'e with a malicious smile. "You shouldn't date a man with weak kidneys."

Yuan Xiao'e giggled uncontrollably.

Not far away, Wei Lin heard this and shot Zhang Xun a cold look, calling out, "By that logic, does that mean Han Ying and Zhuang Qing's kidneys aren't good either?"

The two women had just walked out of the foul-smelling public restroom and glared at Wei Lin upon hearing this.

Wei Lin shrugged and explained, "Brother Zhang just said that people who use the restroom often have weak kidneys. He must have been talking about you two."

As soon as he finished speaking, the cold gazes of the two women shifted from Wei Lin to Zhang Xun.

Zhang Xun was about to say he was referring to Zhao Yuanqing, but when he saw Zhao stepping out of the men's room, he rubbed his nose and didn't offer any explanation.

The two "hiking gods" continued to lead the way. Han Ying and Zhuang Qing, who had been walking with them and keeping a distance from Wei Lin and Zhao Yuanqing, suddenly slowed their pace and walked alongside the two men.

Zhao Yuanqing gave a "hehe" grin, thinking his fawning display of offering water had worked, and pulled another bottle from his backpack. "Drink some water, drink some water!"

"Get lost!" The two women, who had been peeing all the way, shouted in unison.

...

After a while longer.

"Wei Lin, save me! I'm dying!"

When the group stopped to rest, Zhao Yuanqing sat on the stone steps and shouted like a dog: "I can't carry it anymore, and I can't walk anymore! If you don't help me carry this, I'm going to collapse right here today!"

"Brother, my best brother in this life! I’ve never asked you for anything, but today I’m begging you!"

He held the backpack up with both hands as if offering a sacrifice to Wei Lin.

"Damn it! I knew it would come to this."

Wei Lin cursed, but seeing him look like he was on the verge of death, he helplessly took the backpack. As soon as he touched it, he cursed again: "Zhao Yuanqing! You asshole! How much stuff did you bring?"

He unzipped it and took a peek, only to find several more bottles of water and various snacks.

Wei Lin unleashed a volley of colorful language at Zhao Yuanqing. Zhuang Qing and Han Ying watched Zhao, who looked like a dead dog, with expressions of pure disdain.

...

Ahead.

Zhang Xun and Qi Muyang, who had also stopped, looked at a path marked "No Entry" and exchanged a glance.

"Ahem!"

Zhang Xun drew everyone’s attention. Seeing no one else around, he said, "We know a wild path that also leads to the summit. It has streams and a more beautiful bamboo forest along the way. Is everyone interested?"