Chapter 21: Fortune Approaches Silently, Love Grows Hazy

"Sister, look..." He Yunsheng said suddenly, pointing into the distance.

I followed the direction of his finger. Deep within a lush, verdant forest, a dark, gaping cave entrance was vaguely visible.

Huh? We had roamed these mountains and forests countless times; how had we never noticed this cave before? A strange sensation welled up within me, and my heart began to race inexplicably.

This feeling… could it be?

Suppressing my inner excitement, I feigned nonchalance and said, "Oh, it looks like a cave. Shall we go and take a look?"

He Yunsheng nodded happily and pulled my hand, rushing toward the cave. His childlike enthusiasm made me smile in spite of myself.

As we stepped inside, a damp, chilly air greeted us. The cave was deep, and the light gradually faded as we ventured further. I quietly activated my golden gift, holding my breath to sense the aura of wealth surrounding us.

Boom!

A surge of intense, treasure-laden energy nearly knocked me unconscious! This sensation was more powerful than all the treasures I had discovered before, combined. I felt as if I had found a new world, and I began to tremble with excitement.

"Sister, what's wrong?" He Yunsheng noticed my reaction and asked with concern.

"It's... it's nothing, I'm just a little cold," I replied, masking my inner agitation and feigning composure.

We continued deeper into the cave. After rounding a bend, the space suddenly opened up! My breath hitched, and I nearly cried out in shock. Before us, the center of the cave was piled high with glittering gold and silver treasures!

Various precious gemstones emitted a dazzling radiance, illuminating the entire cavern! This… this was too much! It was like a mountain of gold! I stood rooted to the spot, as if under a spell, unable to gather my senses for a long time. He Yunsheng was equally dumbfounded, his mouth agape, speechless.

"Wan'er, you little gold-seeker, you really can find treasure wherever you go," He Yunsheng said, finally recovering. His eyes were filled with indulgence as he gently flicked my nose.

I blushed, feeling as sweet as if I had tasted honey. This windfall meant we could finally live a better life!

Just as we were preparing to move the treasure, I suddenly felt a cold breeze brush against my back. I spun around abruptly, but there was no one there. Was it just my imagination? I rubbed my eyes and looked around again, but still found nothing.

"What is it, Sister?" He Yunsheng asked concernedly.

"It's nothing, perhaps I'm just too nervous," I replied, shaking my head and trying to calm myself. Yet, that sense of unease lingered, like a thorn pricking at my heart, pulsing with a dull ache.

"Sister, let's move these treasures back first!" He Yunsheng rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes gleaming with greed.

I hesitated. "Yunsheng, these treasures... their origins are unknown. Is it really right for us to just take them?"

He Yunsheng paused, then smiled and said, "Sister, you're overthinking it! Out here in the wilderness, who could the owner be? Perhaps some wealthy man hid them here and forgot about them? Since we found them, it must be fate! Besides, with this money, we can finally live a good life!"

His words took me by surprise. This wasn't the simple, kind-hearted He Yunsheng I knew! Could the temptation of money have changed him?

However, upon reflection, his logic held some weight. In the end, I was overcome by the allure of wealth.

I nodded and said, "Very well, let's move these treasures back and hide them in a safe place. If anyone comes looking for them later, we can return them."

Back at home, looking at the mountain of gold and silver, I was as excited as a child. He Yunsheng was even more animated, dancing about and declaring he would craft the most magnificent jewelry for me, making me the most beautiful woman in the world. I felt wonderful, amused by his childlike antics.

Yet, as I laughed, my smile slowly froze. Could these treasures truly bring us happiness? What if their original owner came knocking? What if these were stolen goods, and we were now thieves? The more I thought, the more restless I became, a heavy stone pressing down on my heart.

Seeing my expression, He Yunsheng asked with concern, "Sister, what's wrong?"

"Yunsheng, I don't feel right about this. The origin of these treasures is unknown; we should hide them away and figure out what to do later."

Though he seemed somewhat reluctant, He Yunsheng agreed. We hid the treasures in a concealed spot and then pretended as if nothing had happened, continuing our quiet life. But the peace did not last long. The feeling of being watched grew stronger and stronger...

I grabbed He Yunsheng’s hand abruptly. "Hush..."