CHAPTER 753: CHAPTER 749: CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN OVERNIGHT (PART 1)

Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng hurriedly headed towards Uncle Fu’s house.

By the time they stepped on the unmelting snow to reach Old Fu’s family, the house was already surrounded by people, especially with the village women leading the charge, trying to squeeze in had become as difficult as reaching the heavens.

"What’s going on, Fu Wu, why is your family beating the gong?" A bold and curious man asked loudly.

"Today, I called everyone here because my future son-in-law Liu Qingshan was watching the snow at the foot of Niuwei Mountain, and ended up encountering a wild bear. In a panic, he ran up the mountain and hasn’t returned yet.

With more people, there’s more strength. I... I, Fu Wu, want to ask everyone to help me go up the mountain to find my future son-in-law. I, Fu Wu, would be deeply grateful."

The words from Fu Wu’s mouth about the wild bear and Qingshan reached Mu Shuangshuang without missing a beat.

Isn’t Uncle Fu’s future son-in-law Brother Qingshan from Fu Xiaonan? Back then, Xing Beichen still had some affection for Fu Xiaonan, but unfortunately, at that time, Fu Xiaonan already had a fiancé, Liu Qingshan.

Moreover, the two families had a childhood marriage arrangement, Xing Beichen had no chance.

Mu Shuangshuang had heard countless stories about Liu Qingshan from Fu Xiaonan, and it was clear Xiao Nan truly liked Liu Qingshan. Now that something so serious has happened, Xiao Nan must be having a hard time.

"Fengzi, what should we do? I’m so worried about Xiao Nan." Mu Shuangshuang turned and said to Lu Yuanfeng.

"Shuangshuang, I’ll hold back the villagers for you. Can you squeeze in with all your might?"

"Okay!"

Mu Shuangshuang was worried about Fu Xiaonan, so she put in all her effort and desperately squeezed inward with Lu Yuanfeng’s help.

Finally, after stepping on quite a few people’s feet, Mu Shuangshuang reached the front position and saw the situation in the yard.

In the yard, everyone from Fu Wu’s family had come out, each looking anxious, but the reactions of three people were the most intense.

One was Uncle Fu, one was Fu Xiaonan whose eyes were red from crying, and another was a "man" with slightly messy hair, somewhat dazed eyes, dressed in servant’s attire.

Let’s assume for now that this man truly is a servant. The moment Mu Shuangshuang saw the fabric of his clothes, she felt it was unusual.

Plus, with his overly delicate side profile, fine hair, and slender fingers, Mu Shuangshuang instantly felt that this person was highly likely a woman.

Disguising as a man is actually quite easy to notice—no matter how one dresses up, the traits of a woman don’t change.

Figure, voice, side profile...

Mu Shuangshuang stepped forward to Fu Xiaonan and handed over her cotton cloth handkerchief she carried with her. "Xiao Nan, quickly wipe your tears. What’s happening exactly? Explain clearly to everyone. With everyone’s help, it will be fine."

Listening to Mu Shuangshuang’s words, Fu Xiaonan started wiping her tears. She sobbed as she spoke, "I don’t know what’s going on. It snowed recently, and I wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t go out much.

During dinner time, Brother Qingshan said he wanted to go see the snow with his servant. I didn’t pay much attention, and it was already late, so I thought he was just looking around the village. Who knew the two of them went to the foot of the mountain.

Just now the servant came back saying Brother Qingshan went into the mountain, Shuangshuang, what should we do..."

Niuwei Mountain has always been a place that the people of Er Gui Village are extremely wary of; let alone going to the foot of the mountain, even looking from afar makes everyone feel a shiver in their limbs.

Afraid that a wild beast or bear would jump out and swallow them whole.

That’s why, for so long, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng left firewood and wood at the foot of Niuwei Mountain but never worried about it being stolen.

"This young master, hearing from Xiao Nan, you went to see the snow at the foot of the mountain with Liu Qingshan? Can you tell us what happened?" Mu Shuangshuang turned to ask the servant.

The servant’s face turned pale, not expecting to be pointed out by Mu Shuangshuang.

She hesitated for a while before speaking, "Today the snow just stopped, and the young master... told me he wanted to see the snow scenery at the foot of the mountain, so I agreed.

Who would’ve thought, just after arriving at the foot of the mountain, a dark shadow came down from the mountain—it was a bear. In panic, the young master ran up the mountain while I came back to report."

The servant lowered her voice and squeezed her voice as much as possible, so her voice still somewhat mimicked a man’s voice.

But Mu Shuangshuang heard it—this was indeed a woman, her inherent crispness in her voice couldn’t be changed.

Moreover, what she said didn’t quite align with common sense.

Usually, those at the foot of the mountain who encounter danger wouldn’t think to run up the mountain, because the upward path is more strenuous than fleeing towards the village, unless they were initially in the mountain.

Having suspicion, Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but glance a few more times at the person before her.

Judging solely from the facial features, they were merely plain, not as striking as Fu Xiaonan.

But this person’s demeanor should be more like a delicate and refined character, completely different from Fu Xiaonan’s lively and cute personality.

However, now is not the time to discuss this.

"Uncle Fu, we can basically confirm that Liu Qingshan is in Niuwei Mountain. What should we do next?"

As soon as Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, Fu Xiaonan cried out, "Dad, I want to go find Brother Qingshan. I want to go find him overnight."

Fu Xiaonan was truly heartbroken, her tears were falling in large drops, turning into ice the moment they hit the snow.

Uncle Fu understood his daughter’s thoughts but he wouldn’t let his daughter go.

"Today’s matter is a personal issue for Old Fu’s family. Anyone who goes to the mountain to search for my future son-in-law will receive ten Copper Coins each, and if Liu Qingshan is found, I’ll give one Silver, and if there’s any danger, I’ll cover the medical expenses.

If by any chance... I promise to take care of his family for a lifetime, and give them ten Silvers."

Uncle Fu was a businessman, well aware that going up the mountain so late, without incentives, no one would dare go.

With rewards, there’s bound to be braver people willing to take the risk. As soon as Uncle Fu finished speaking, a few strong men from the village boldly stepped forward.

"We’ll go!"

The remaining people were still hesitant. Just joining the effort earns ten Copper Coins, which is quite good, but if one dies, even with ten Silvers, there’s no way to spend it!

Watching the sky grow darker, Niuwei Mountain became even more frightening.

"Is anyone else willing to go?" Uncle Fu ignored his daughter’s pleading gaze and continued to ask the villagers; even now, he wanted more villagers to join.

"Dad, I want to go, I want to find Brother Qingshan..." Fu Xiaonan continued to cry.

"Xiao Nan, don’t get involved in this matter. Your father will take care of Qingshan’s issue." Fu Xiaonan’s mother covered Fu Xiaonan’s mouth.

Only five people stepped forward, far from enough to comb through the mountain. Uncle Fu also felt a bit hopeless.

At this moment, Lu Yuanfeng stood up.

He glanced around the entire scene and then looked at Mu Shuangshuang, and said: —