Chapter 280: Chapter 280

Gong Tao thought Zhao Xuran’s mentioned place would be somewhat remote. Indeed, it was a little out of the way, but since it was where Zhan Jing had chosen to plant schisandra initially, it didn’t seem that remote to everyone.

"Is it here?" Having studied the map these days, they could engrave key places in their minds without looking at it.

Gong Tao glanced around, feeling the place didn’t match the map.

Zhao Xuran led everyone to slightly shift the angle, then pointed to a protruding rock, "From this angle, it looks a bit like it."

"And there’s a cave over there."

Zhao Xuran wasn’t very sure, having dreamt of something last night, but with a goal, it was still worth checking out.

From this angle, it indeed seemed likely, over sixty percent similar. Especially after hearing about the cave, Gong Tao got a bit excited.

"Xuran, how did you know there was a cave here?" From outside, it didn’t look like a cave, just rocks.

Back when they planted schisandra, they got quite familiar with the place.

"Yeah, I found it accidentally, but the entrance isn’t big." Because the entrance was small, no one discovered it. If something hadn’t accidentally rolled in, Zhao Xuran wouldn’t have found it either.

An entrance not big? That’s suspicious. Generally, a natural entrance wouldn’t be small unless it was man-made or purposely blocked.

This thought excited Gong Tao, "Take me to see the entrance."

Zhao Xuran hesitated, "I need to find it." It was an accidental discovery last time, who would remember its location? Especially after a summer, with trees and shrubs growing densely, covering the area; it won’t be found without searching carefully.

Gong Ruini was stunned since arriving with Zhao Xuran, her mind screaming, yes, this is the place.

What a fool, always thinking the familiar map spots, why didn’t she think of this place right under her nose?

Sigh, letting others take the lead. If she had suggested first, would she be dealing with this annoying kid giving her smug looks?

While it’s true the last laugh is the sweetest, who likes giving the opponent a chance to smile? It’s best to get them down from the start.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xuran couldn’t find the place at the crucial moment, which thrilled Gong Ruini.

Although not her turf, she’s familiar with it, "I know where the entrance is."

Huh, Ni Zi knows where the entrance is? Zhao Xuran and Gong Tao turned their eyes to her, indicating how she knew.

"I saw a snake a few days ago, then it slithered over." Remembering it scared Gong Ruini, she hated snakes and reptiles.

Though they carried Zhan Jing’s snake repellent herbs, Gong Ruini found it terrifying. The sight of that long snake haunted her.

Seems fate favored her, given she never saw snakes despite gathering herbs here so long, only to witness such a lengthy one now.

Not only big, it slithered into the cave, a rare stroke of luck indeed.

This time, Gong Ruini threw a smug glance at Zhao Guangran.

The latter was fuming, clearly her brother’s credit, yet at the critical moment, Gong Ruini stole the thunder, leaving him regretting the missed chance.

As Zhao Guangran wallowed in regret, the Gong family got anxious, knowing Gong Ruini stood fine before them, they couldn’t stop asking if she was okay.

This embarrassed Gong Ruini, nothing serious happened, why the fuss?

Gong Ruini pulled out the herbal pouch Zhan Jing gave her, "Aunt Zhan’s herbs are good, the snake never approached."

Not wanting them to keep chattering about a snake, she quickly led them somewhere, "Right behind here."

Gong Tao stared for a while, still not seeing an entrance.

Zhao Guangran gloated again, "Ni Zi, how do you know it’s a cave? You didn’t check it yourself, did you?"

He needs a lesson, or he’ll remain a nuisance. Gong Ruini glared daggers at Zhao Guangran, annoyed he’d remind them of seeing the snake earlier, terrifying her family again.

The Gong father and son were restless, though armed with snake repellent, what if they enraged the snake?

Zhao Xuran was startled too, knowing Gong Ruini was gutsy, but not expecting her to be this bold, "Don’t come here alone, if a snake hides behind the trees, what then?"

"Indeed." Gong Ruwen reproached too.

Sigh, as expected, Gong Ruini blamed Zhao Guangran, if not for him, would she face such criticism?

Zhao Guangran looked at the sky, claiming it had nothing to do with him.

Gong Ruini’s irritation at his nonchalance, but patience for payback runs long. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel·fire·net

She vowed to teach him a lesson if ever caught slipping.

Not letting this idiot off, "Brother Guangran, you’re so dumb, why not use something to knock around?"

"I stumbled upon the entrance that way."

"Yes indeed." Gong Tao used a tool to poke where his daughter pointed, it was really a cave.

Although eager to explore, considering her words about the snake, Gong Tao worried it might be a snake den, opting for caution.

They wouldn’t enter but surveyed the surroundings since the entrance’s size was uncertain. Gong Tao cleared some shrubs and said, "It’s likely this place."

The entrance bore human-made marks, if nothing inside, why block it with stones?

Gong Tao wondered if the place needed mapping, it wasn’t hidden, why no one retrieved stuff?

This cast a shadow over Gong Tao, fearing their effort was in vain if someone took the treasure away.

Gong Ruini didn’t share the doubt, happy regardless of treasure. Not everyone can get a treasure map.