Test

The driver just thought Feng Yi looked quite good, somewhat resembling those popular young stars in the entertainment industry these days. In truth, he couldn’t tell one from another; to him, they all looked about the same. He had recently heard that some celebrities were coming to Yangcheng to film a show, which was the only reason he had asked.

When Feng Yi said he wasn’t a celebrity, the driver believed him.

Makes sense. How could a celebrity fail to even get a taxi?

I heard stars have cars picking them up and dropping them off wherever they go. Besides, no celebrity would go to a place like Little Phoenix Mountain, right?

So, the thought “Am I driving a celebrity?” flickered in the driver’s mind for a moment and then flew away.

“What are you going to Little Phoenix Mountain for? Scientific research? Shooting videos? Or exploring? A few internet celebrities have gone there to shoot videos in the last couple of years, but their experiences weren’t great, so no one goes anymore,” the driver said.

“Looking for someone.” Since the driver was chatty, Feng Yi decided to try and glean some information from him.

“What’s on Little Phoenix Mountain? This is my first time going,” Feng Yi asked.

“Snakes. Everyone calls it Snake Mountain. Even birds don’t build nests there. Oh, there are also many agriculture and animal husbandry companies over there, with large swathes of farmland and pastures at the foot of the mountain.”

“If I want to go up the mountain, do I have to walk?” Feng Yi asked again.

“Not necessarily. I heard there are people living halfway up the mountain, so there might be cars going up and down. I’m not too sure about the details. If you’re lucky, you might run into a car going up; just offer some money and they might give you a ride. That’s just what I’ve heard.”

“Is there anything I should watch out for when going there?” Feng Yi opened the notes app on his phone, ready to record the driver’s advice.

“Watch out for?” The driver smacked his lips. “Bring plenty of food when you go up. Don’t touch anything in the wild unless you have to; you never know if it’s poisonous. And the animals, no matter how curious you are, don’t provoke them. The security drones in that place appear and disappear like ghosts. They patrol at least once a day, but the time isn’t fixed.”

Remembering something, the driver added, “Last June, three high school freshmen from out of town went there to explore. They snuck a bunch of stuff up the mountain for a DIY barbecue and even planned to catch snakes. A drone detected the heat source, flew over, and caught them red-handed.”

“Later, the three of them were taken in for education. They even had to take exams, the ‘Secret Forestry Management Scroll,’ the ‘Ten Sets of Animal Protection,’ and so on. They weren’t allowed to leave until they passed.”

“Animal Protection what?” Feng Yi didn’t hear clearly.

“‘Secret Forestry Management Scroll,’ ‘Ten Sets of Animal Protection’, that’s just our joking way of putting it. It’s the Forest Law, Fire Prevention Regulations, Wild Fire Source Management Measures, and so on, abbreviated as Forestry Management. Animal Protection refers to the laws related to animal protection and ecological environment protection; some expert summarized ten sets of exam questions. I heard those three kids, all averaging 1.8 meters tall, cried while taking the tests!”

Feng Yi suddenly understood and noted down the keywords.

The driver continued, “Anyway, it’s a conservation area. Don’t touch any animals on the mountain, whether it’s snakes, birds, or frogs. Just treat them all as protected animals. For safety’s sake, stay far away from them. If you accidentally kill or injure one, you’ll be in for a lot of trouble. Just remember one sentence, one is illegal, ten sends you to prison.”

“That… seems a bit exaggerated. What if I encounter a rat? Can’t hit that either? There are rat plagues in many places recently,” Feng Yi asked.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Rats on Snake Mountain? Snakes are the natural predators of rats! The tyrant of Little Phoenix Mountain is the King Rat Snake; they are fierce rat eaters. The rats there were exterminated and their clans wiped out long ago!

“Do you know why people still live halfway up Little Phoenix Mountain? The people living there have to manage the feeding! Every so often, they have to transport rats from other places, otherwise the snakes isolated in the conservation area would starve to death.”

“Oh right, King Rat Snakes eat rats.” Feng Yi nodded. “And they’re non-venomous.”

The driver smacked his lips again. “King Rat Snake, that’s what many people call the Caigua Snake. Around here, we also call it the Great King Snake. A long time ago, they were actually raised for food…”

“Can’t eat them anymore,” Feng Yi said.

Driver: “Back in my grandparents’ generation, the old folks used to say, ‘Seeing a snake and not hitting it is a three-point sin.'”

Feng Yi: “And now it’s ‘One is illegal, ten sends you to prison’?”

“Pretty much,” the driver sighed. “Everything was fine, then the climate changed just like that, and so many animals died just like that.”

Feng Yi fell silent. He didn’t know how to respond to that.

During the nearly twenty-year period of climate abnormalities in the past, too many plants and animals had disappeared. Common species became endangered, and endangered ones became functionally extinct.

Those who supported the Strictest Protection Law didn’t necessarily cherish those plants and animals, nor did they necessarily have any ecological awareness. They viewed the mass extinction event as a warning. The survival status of plants and animals was also an indicator of the human living environment, data that needed to be collected for the Sixth Database.

Therefore, the “data” had to be protected well. This was the common consensus.

The atmosphere in the car was a bit heavy.

But this heaviness, as they got closer to the destination, turned into restlessness.

There were fewer and fewer buildings on both sides of the road, and more and more warning signs, as well as signs with phone numbers printed on them.

The driver spoke up: “If you see a snake outside the isolation zone, call the number on the warning sign. It’s very likely a snake from inside the conservation area that broke out of prison.”

Feng Yi saw the isolation barrier set up not far away. The further they went, the closer the road got to the barrier.

They were already within the range of Little Phoenix Mountain. Feng Yi could see a snake on a large rock inside the isolation zone, slightly raising its front body to look at them, as if watching a loach that had strayed into a snake pit.

The further in they went, the closer they got to the barrier, and the more crawling figures they could see along the edge of the isolation zone.

“There really are… a lot of snakes here.”

Feng Yi’s face turned pale.

The driver was fine; it wasn’t his first time running this route, so he wasn’t surprised. “They just like to gather at the edge of the barrier to watch the passing cars and pedestrians.”

“That bold?”

“This type of snake is generally bold and fierce. Now that they know everyone is afraid to eat them, they’ve become even more arrogant. Alright, we’re here!”

The driver stopped the car at the designated spot. Feng Yi would have to walk the rest of the way himself; outside vehicles weren’t allowed up the mountain.

Seeing Feng Yi tense all over, the driver patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t be afraid, they’re just Rat Snakes.”

Feng Yi was not comforted.

A field full of vegetable flowers might be a rustic drama, but a field full of Rat Snakes was a horror movie!

The driver looked around the parking lot and parked the car in the smoking area. He hadn’t dared to smoke while driving, but Little Phoenix Mountain had a designated smoking area where you didn’t need to get out of the car.

Lighting a cigarette, the driver watched Feng Yi put on his gear.

He was practically armed to the teeth.

Smiling, the driver said, “We have an old saying here: ‘One Li of King Rat Snakes, Ten Li of No Poisonous Snakes‘.”

This saying could be parsed in two ways:

Ten Li / No / Poisonous Snakes — There are no poisonous snakes within ten li.

Ten Li / Non-Venomous Snakes — There are snakes everywhere here for ten li! They just aren’t poisonous.

In reality, it was the same thing!

The driver said, “Although it sounds exaggerated, King Rat Snakes also eat other snakes. You have to believe that the strength of a foodie is unquestionable.”

Feng Yi forced a smile. “Thanks, Master. You really know how to comfort people!”

The driver smiled and shook his head. “Look at you, scared of snakes like this. Why come to a place like this? Isn’t this just looking for torture?”

Feng Yi said faintly, “Life isn’t easy.”

These words instantly touched a sore spot for the driver. With a cigarette in his mouth and a weary look in his eyes, he said, “None of it is easy.”

Feng Yi asked, “You aren’t afraid of snakes?”

Driver: “I’m not getting out of the car, what do I have to be afraid of?”

Feng Yi: “…” That makes so much fucking sense.

Driver: “As long as I’m in the car, not a single snake can sneak in! I won’t even go to the toilet! I’ll wait until I leave here to find a place to go.”

Feng Yi: “…Rigorous indeed.”

Driver: “We have another saying here: ‘Thunder at Awakening of Insects, insects and snakes swarm in groups.’ After the Awakening of Insects this year, the old folks said there might be more insects and snakes this year than last. Now that the weather is getting warmer, the snakes, bugs, rats, and ants on the mountain really are increasing. Be careful.”

“Thanks, Master. Leave a phone number. I’ll contact you for the return trip. I’ll add money,” Feng Yi said.

“Alright.” The driver had a good impression of Feng Yi, didn’t want to miss a big order, and was also a little worried about him.

Thinking for a moment, the driver said, “How about this: at most three days. If you don’t call, I’ll call you. If I can’t get through, I’ll call the police. Does that work?”

“Works!”

Feng Yi was also worried about his personal safety, and the driver’s method suited him perfectly.

They exchanged phone numbers. The driver finished his cigarette, checked the car again, and left immediately.

Shouldering his pack, Feng Yi adjusted his helmet uncomfortably, took a deep breath, gripped his snake-repelling stick, and started up the mountain.

I’ve come this far; what is there to be afraid of?

Walking further up the mountain, the isolation nets ran along both sides of the road. On the other side of the nets, Rat Snakes gathered, flicking their tongues and inching along with Feng Yi as he walked.

Two-meter-long Rat Snakes weren’t rare here, and there were even bigger ones, but Feng Yi refused to look.

He felt like the goosebumps all over his body were about to explode.

Having lived in the city for over twenty years, his “getting close to nature” meant visiting major scenic spots or elegant agritourism sites. This was his first time approaching a wild ecological reserve where few people trod and plants and animals grew savagely.

Every so often, he would see waves of flying insects he couldn’t name. As Feng Yi walked past, several insects landed directly on his helmet visor.

Something flew onto his shoulder, stayed for a while, and then flew away. Feng Yi only caught a glimpse of a black silhouette.

It wasn’t even summer yet, but these insects were already active.

Continuing upward, he saw a checkpoint manned by guards. Only after registering was Feng Yi allowed up the mountain, and they told him the location of the Feng Ancestral Home.

“There’s only one old house on this mountain. It seems to belong to the Feng family, but I’m not sure about the details. Only one person lives there. If that’s the old house you’re talking about, just follow this road straight up and you should see it. If you meet anyone on the way, you can ask them; they all know.”

Feng Yi thanked them and continued up the mountain.

Luckily, he hadn’t walked far when he heard a vehicle approaching and hitched a ride.

The two people in the car were from a feed factory at the foot of the mountain and were going up for a work task.

“Feng Ancestral Home? Are you looking for Mute Uncle?” one asked.

“Mute Uncle? Probably. My elders just told me someone looks after the house there. I have some business at the old estate,” Feng Yi said.

The other person looked over Feng Yi’s gear. “Looking at you, I can tell it’s your first time here.”

“Do you live on the mountain? Is it nice living here?” Feng Yi asked.

The two laughed.

One explained, “Who would be happy living on a mountain these days? Even with WiFi, it’s no good. You can’t even get takeout delivered at night, let alone the fact that if you take a dump in this place, you might have eight snakes watching you. Would you be willing?”

“Isn’t there an isolation barrier?” Feng Yi said.

“The isolation net is right next to it! When you’re squatting, if you look out the window, you’ll see seven or eight snakes clinging to the net nearby, staring at you. Except for shifts or temporary assignments, we all live in the company dorms at the foot of the mountain. Anyone who can live peacefully on the mountain isn’t an ordinary person.”

“Like Mute Uncle?”

“Right. Mute Uncle is truly no ordinary person. He actually lives quite happily.”

“What is Mute Uncle’s surname? How should I address him?” Feng Yi asked.

“Address him? Just call him Mute Uncle. I don’t know his surname; everyone calls him Mute Uncle anyway. He can’t speak.”

The mountain looked desolate, but the road was well-paved. The small car drove smoothly without bumping, and not even slightly larger stones could be seen on the surface.

“There are road cleaning vehicles every day,” one explained. “Mute Uncle also frequently asks people to bring him things. There aren’t many vehicles going up and down the mountain, but they aren’t rare either. We’ll drop you off up the mountain first, then come back down later.”

The car drove further up the mountain. After passing the halfway point, the isolation barrier gradually moved away from the road lane. In the woods by the roadside, traces of human activity could be seen. The planted trees were clearly planned; some were fruit trees that were already bearing fruit, and others were species Feng Yi had never seen before.

Just as he was thinking, Feng Yi suddenly heard the person next to him shout, “Hey, I see Mute Uncle! Mute Uncle!”

The car pulled over to the side of the road and stopped.

Feng Yi looked in the direction they were pointing.

A man who looked about seventy years old, dressed like an old mountain farmer, emerged from the woods.

Probably due to being outdoors often, his face was dark, with deep wrinkles etched into his skin. He wore cloth clothes, rubber shoes, and carried a large bamboo basket. His pant legs bore half-dried mud stains. A straw hat sat slightly askew on his head, and a few strands of long, graying hair poked out from under the brim, swaying with his steps.

The bamboo basket on the old man’s back was filled with freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Feng Yi couldn’t recognize most of the varieties; they were all mountain specialties.

The young man in the driver’s seat rolled down the window and waved at the old man. “Mute Uncle, you have a guest! I brought him to you!”

Mute Uncle looked toward the car.

Feng Yi met his gaze and saw not a trace of gloom in his eyes.

Mute Uncle raised a hand to wipe away his sweat and flashed a brilliant smile at Feng Yi.

Then, Feng Yi watched as the old man dug into his pocket, stained with mud and debris, and pulled out a latest-model smartphone.

It was the same series as Feng Yi’s phone, only the old man’s model had a “plus” compared to Feng Yi’s.

The top-spec model. Three thousand yuan more expensive than the one in Feng Yi’s hand. And very hard to buy.

NOTES

Caigua Snake / King Rat Snake (Elaphe carinata): A large, non-venomous, colubrid snake. It is known for being aggressive and eating other snakes, hence the “King” moniker. It is a key element of the local fauna in this story.

“One Li of King Rat Snakes…”: This plays on the Chinese measurement Li (approx 500m). The phrase implies that the presence of King Rat Snakes suppresses the population of other snakes, especially poisonous ones, due to predation.

Awakening of Insects (Jingzhe): The third solar term in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, usually in early March, signifying the time when hibernating insects and animals wake up.