Chapter 549: Heng Mountain
Chapter 549: Heng Mountain
After climbing for over two hours, Lu Jiaxin plopped down on the ground. At home, she would always lay out a clean mat before sitting in the backyard pavilion, but here on the mountain, she didn't bother with such formalities.
Lu Jiaxin looked at Yan Yijun and Miao Na, who showed no signs of fatigue, and said enviously, "I've been working out more lately, but I still can't match your endurance. I wonder when I'll be able to have stamina like yours."
Miao Na, with a suppressed smile, said, "Boss, don't even think about it. Just like us, we'll never be as rich as you in this lifetime."
Yan Yijun consoled her, "Boss, you're already amazing."
Without responding to them, Lu Jiaxin leaned against a tree and rested her eyes for a while. After about ten minutes, they continued their ascent. Half an hour later, they came across an elderly man and a young boy. The older man was explaining something to the boy.
The old man said, "Our Heng Mountain is renowned as the 'First Mountain of the Northern Frontier', stretching over five hundred miles with a hundred and eight peaks. The main peak, Tianfeng Ridge, stands at an altitude of 2,016 meters and is known as the 'Northern Pillar to Heaven'."
Lu Jiaxin had read up on Heng Mountain before her trip, so she was familiar with the information the old man was sharing. However, hearing these facts while climbing the mountain added a whole new dimension to the experience.
Noticing that Lu Jiaxin had slowed down, Miao Na adjusted her pace to match hers.
Soon, the elderly man also noticed Lu Jiaxin listening to his explanation and smiled, "Young lady, it's Wednesday today. Why aren't you at school, climbing the mountain instead?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled back, "I've already graduated from college. I'm taking advantage of the holidays to travel. Grandpa, are you a teacher?"
The elderly man laughed heartily, "Then you've guessed wrong. I'm not a teacher, just a staff member at the museum."
The boy beside him joined in, "Grandpa, if Mr. Chen and the others hear you say that, they might not let you be the director anymore. They'll transfer you directly to the Institute of Archaeology."
Lu Jiaxin realized that this was the provincial museum director.
The elderly man looked at Lu Jiaxin with a kind expression and asked, "You graduated but didn't report to your assigned unit or return home. Instead, you came here to travel. Aren't you worried that your parents will be concerned?"
At that time, university graduates in mainland China were assigned jobs, and those from prestigious universities often ended up in desirable positions. For graduates from average universities, connections and family background played a significant role in securing a good job.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and explained that she had graduated from the University of Hong Kong, "Things are different in Hong Kong. Unlike the mainland, university graduates don't receive assigned jobs. We have to find our own employment."
She then pointed to Yan Yijun and the others, adding with a smile, "With them around, my safety is guaranteed."
After exchanging greetings with Yan Yijun and the rest, the elderly man continued to talk about Heng Mountain. After a while, he pointed in a certain direction and said with a smile, "Up there, you'll find the Beiyue Temple, a place where emperors of successive dynasties offered sacrifices. In addition, there are eighteen scenic spots, including the Hanging Root Pine, the Chess Terrace, Sunset Glow, Guolao Ridge, Byway to Heaven, Tiger Wind Gap, Hidden Dragon Spring, Fairy Meeting Palace, and White Cloud Cave."
As they reached each of these attractions, he would tell a story, many of which were fictional. However, his storytelling was so captivating that it transported his listeners to another world, and everyone listened with rapt attention.
Through their conversation, Lu Jiaxin learned that the elderly man's surname was Lu, and they were distant relatives. He was the director of the provincial historical museum in Shanxi Province and had taken his grandson, Lu Yong, on this mountain-climbing trip during his busy schedule.
At noon, the group stopped to rest and replenish their energy.
Noticing that they were eating biscuits, Lu Jiaxin offered the food and fruits she had brought, insisting that she had brought too much and couldn't finish them all.
The elderly man was very easygoing and smiled, "Then let's enjoy this meal together."
Seeing the braised beef among Lu Jiaxin's dishes, Lu Yong exclaimed in surprise, "How did you bring this in such hot weather? It could have spoiled."
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "Don't worry, it's wrapped in ice and will stay fresh for a day."
In July, food brought to the mountain without any preservation measures would have spoiled by now. However, ice ensured its freshness.
It was summer, and unlike last year's winter trip where they had brought many warm items, this time, they had packed mostly food, apart from the essential mountaineering gear. After all, each of the six people carried twenty pounds of supplies, and they were all faster than her.
Lu Yong picked up a piece of braised beef and popped it into his mouth, enjoying the cool, refreshing taste. Although her clothing suggested a comfortable background, the delicacy of her food indicated that she was far from an ordinary rich person.
Director Lu savored the braised beef and couldn't stop praising it. He even expressed his regret at not bringing any wine, as it would have been a perfect opportunity for a small drink.
After finishing their meal, Director Lu asked, "Young lady, you said you graduated from the University of Hong Kong, but your accent suggests that you're from Beijing."
Lu Jiaxin was surprised, "I have an accent?"
"You have the accent of someone from Beijing."
This was the first time someone had pointed out her Beijing accent, and she smiled, "I'm a native of Beijing and only went to Hong Kong four years ago for my studies. I enjoy mountain climbing and have been to Mount Tai, Hua Mountain, Heng Mountain, and Song Mountain. I've climbed four of the five great mountains, and this trip to Heng Mountain completes my plan."
Their conversation flowed naturally, and they chatted happily.
At three in the afternoon, Director Lu and Lu Yong prepared to descend the mountain. Before leaving, Director Lu said to Lu Jiaxin, "Young lady, when you're done with your trip, feel free to visit the historical museum. I'll have Lu Yong give you a tour."
Lu Yong was a high school graduate that year, and he had applied to study mathematics. Based on his estimated scores, he was confident about his chances. He was also very familiar with the museum due to his frequent visits, and he would make an excellent tour guide.
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "I'll visit after I return from my hometown. I'll have to trouble you, Comrade Lu, for the tour then."
After they parted ways, Lu Yong asked curiously, "Grandpa, what's the identity of that Miss Lu? It seems like Comrade Yan and Comrade Miao listen to her."
Director Lu smiled, "Comrade Yan and Comrade Miao are her bodyguards."
Lu Yong was shocked, "Bodyguards? But Comrade Miao is a foreigner. What kind of identity warrants foreign bodyguards?"
"In Hong Kong, if you have money, you can hire anyone you want," Director Lu replied.
In truth, he also found Lu Jiaxin's identity rather mysterious. If she were the daughter of a wealthy Hong Kong family, it would make sense. But she had claimed to be from Beijing, only moving to Hong Kong four years ago. Such a grand display of wealth was perplexing.
Not wanting to dwell on it, he decided not to overthink the matter.
After Lu Jiaxin parted ways with the grandfather and grandson, she quickened her pace and finally reached the summit just before dark.
Upon arriving, Miao Na felt that the scenery here wasn't as impressive as Mount Tai. Recalling the majestic and majestic scenery there, she felt like climbing it again.
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "We can climb it again when Nie Zhan has time."
Miao Na glanced at her and smiled, "If it's within this year, that's no problem."
She intended to stay until next year, and the longer she stayed, the more reluctant she felt about leaving. However, she still preferred taking on missions, as it allowed her to fully relax after completing a job.
(End of Chapter)
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