CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 234 ORIGINAL SIN 43

This time going into the mountains, it’s hard to say how much time it will take. Yun Shuangshuang had also prepared food and water, climbing ropes, and after some thought, she brought a big bottle of saline solution. Although it tastes awful, it’s the best for replenishing strength at critical moments.

With her backpack on, Yun Shuangshuang turned around intending to leave, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw her mother Feng Jinyan standing there at the entrance, frowning at her, "Are you going into the mountains to look for Wan Yan?"

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"Yes, I’m going to search the mountain. Wan Yanfeng Jing and that director Li Ming have complex backgrounds, and something happened while they were staying here. If their families vent their anger, it could be troublesome."

"If you’re afraid of them retaliating, you can easily abandon Red Dust and leave. It’s not a big deal. You don’t have to risk running into the mountain!" Feng Jinyan frowned, disapproving of Yun Shuangshuang’s actions.

"Mom, even if we could ignore their anger, it’s a human life. We can’t really just stand by and do nothing. Besides, I’m not recklessly trying to play hero. You know I’ve trained in martial arts and have good physical strength. Plus, I practically grew up in the mountains running everywhere. The mountains aren’t that threatening to me. And my sense of smell is very keen; I’m sure I can find people easier than those armed police."

Feng Jinyan pursed her lips and said nothing, though in her heart she knew her daughter’s capability. Even if she went into the mountains, it’s unlikely she’d encounter danger. But concern breeds confusion, and there’s always a ’what if,’ which is why she was unwilling for Yun Shuangshuang to risk going into the mountains for an outsider.

Yun Shuangshuang sensed that Feng Jinyan was softening. She seized the opportunity to say, "Mom, rest assured, I know what I’m doing. I’ll just search for one day; I’ll definitely be back by nightfall. I won’t risk my safety to save others."

Seeing Yun Shuangshuang was determined, Feng Jinyan knew she couldn’t persuade her, and resignedly sighed, reminding her, "Remember your words; leave now, and you must be back by nightfall. And don’t take any risks!"

"Mom, don’t worry. I know my limits. I still need to take care of you in your old age. I wouldn’t let anything happen to myself on the way. I will act within my means," assured Yun Shuangshuang vowing to herself that she would come out before nightfall and definitely not do anything reckless before she bid farewell to a deeply concerned Feng Jinyan.

When Yun Shuangshuang reached the hall, she saw a group of local villagers resting there. These villagers were hired at a high price by Li Ming and Feng Jing to help search the mountains. The villagers often visited these mountains and might even be more useful than the armed police. But still, there were no results.

Seeing Yun Shuangshuang dressed fully for the expedition, Li Ming, sitting on a bench in the hall with dark circles under his eyes and red-streaked eyes, uncertainly asked, "Are you dressed like this to go into the mountains?"

Yun Shuangshuang nodded her head, intending to head straight out, but who knew Li Ming would immediately get up to block her, "Miss Shuangshuang, I understand your goodwill, but it’s too dangerous for a young girl like you to go into the mountains! Better to wait here. There are already many armed police and villagers searching the mountains. They will surely find Wan Yan. You don’t have to worry too much."

Li Ming’s movement startled Feng Jing, who had been leaning back in the chair snoozing. As soon as he woke up, he saw Li Ming stopping Yun Shuangshuang from going out. Feng Jing hadn’t heard what Li Ming said earlier, but just looking at Yun Shuangshuang’s attire, he knew what she intended to do and was instantly wide awake.

Feng Jing hurriedly got up and walked to Li Ming’s side, rubbing his aching temples as he spoke, "Miss Yun, the mountains are very dangerous. We’re grateful for your desire to help, but it’s not safe there. Villagers have mentioned even people from Changpao Mountain have gotten lost in there, let alone you who aren’t a local. Don’t take the risk into the mountains. Your mother has only you as her daughter. Imagine how worried she’d be if something happened to you!"

Li Ming and Feng Jing’s persuasion actually made Yun Shuangshuang feel a bit of goodwill. They hadn’t vented their frustrations on her, and even in such a time, they remembered to dissuade her. These two people seemed to have good character.

"You don’t have to worry. I’m not some pampered princess. I practically grew up in the mountains, and I’ve climbed the surrounding mountains more than once. I’m familiar with the routes, and I’m not a weak woman. You wouldn’t believe that I’d dare to bring my mother to live in such a remote place without knowing how to defend myself, right!"

"Well..."

Li Ming and Feng Jing hesitated. This place was so desolate; it wasn’t a secret that only Yun Shuangshuang and Feng Jinyan lived here. The guests at the inn all knew. Liu Ying, Lu Jian, and even Professor Zhang had discussed it during chats, and Li Ming and Feng Jing had heard about it too, but hadn’t thought much about it at the time.

Yun Shuangshuang smiled and, not waiting for their reaction, turned and left directly. Seeing Yun Shuangshuang walk out straight away, Li Ming sighed and wanted to reach out to pull her back, but Feng Jing held his arm.

"Let her go. I was wrong before. You see her young age and thought she still needed adult protection, but think carefully. Being able to run such a big establishment like Red Dust at such a young age should have told you she isn’t an ordinary girl. She’s a smart person, and smart people don’t act on impulse!"

When Yun Shuangshuang reached the foot of the mountain, she saw many police dogs guided by their handlers coming down to rest and eat. Her heart sank—a search and rescue mission with dogs, and yet no one was found. This was indeed troublesome!

Yun Shuangshuang found a less populated spot to enter the mountain, standing there and taking a deep breath. Various scents rushed to her senses, and she instantly understood why those police dogs couldn’t find anyone. There were many wild peppercorns and star anise growing in the mountains, emitting a very strong scent.

The scent wasn’t so overpowering before these plants matured, but now was the harvest season for both. Yun Shuangshuang had even paid to hire people to go into the mountains to pick them before.

Such an extremely pungent smell, along with the faint smell of a distant water source, are big adversaries for police dogs searching by scent!

It’s no wonder these people had brought police dogs but still couldn’t find anyone. The dogs’ abilities were severely restricted here.

Fortunately, due to her long exposure to potent spices for cooking, Yun Shuangshuang had trained her own sense of smell. After years of training, her sense had grown even keener than that of a police dog, and it wasn’t quite as suppressed.

Yun Shuangshuang remembered Wan Yan’s scent. It wasn’t on purpose, but now Yun Shuangshuang’s sense of smell was like her eyes.

A person’s eyes instinctively remember the things they see, including people’s appearances, the shapes and colors of objects. Yun Shuangshuang’s nose was the same, instinctively remembering the smell of a person or thing.