A splinter driven deep into the soil bore no trace of blood—only a few scattered strands of grayish-brown fuzz.
Beneath the splinter, huddled at the bottom of the pit, lay three wild rabbits: one large and two small, clearly a mother with her kits.
Nearly a week had passed since Ye Qing last climbed the mountain. She had no idea how long these rabbits had fallen in or how many days they had gone without food.
Seeing them lie motionless, Ye Qing suspected they were already dead. She picked up a stick and prodded the big one, muttering, “What kind of mother are you, leading your babies right into a hole like this?”
At two pokes to its hindquarters, the mother rabbit kicked its legs and struggled again, scrambling desperately to escape. But the pit Ye Qing had dug was deep, and there was no way they could jump out.
Ye Qing grabbed the two kits by their ears and tossed them out of the trap. Still dazed at first, the young rabbits sat frozen for a moment before slowly hopping away into the thicket.
The larger one, she decided to take with her.
“Whoa, this one’s plump enough,” she said, hefting it. It must have weighed close to seven pounds. Holding it by the ears, she looked around for vines to tie its legs.
Her gaze swept toward a tree, and her movements came to a halt. There, she spotted stems and leaves she recognized.
After securing the rabbit and digging up the familiar medicinal plant, Ye Qing restored the trap to its original state and sprinkled a handful of crushed cornbread over the opening as bait.
Seeing the day was fading fast, she turned and hurried back down the mountain.
She moved much faster on the return trip, stopping nowhere along the way and pressing on at a steady pace. Even so, by the time she reached home, night had fully fallen. Old Xiao’s courtyard lay shrouded in darkness, save for the thin wisp of smoke curling from the chimney.
People were moving back and forth inside; clearly, the family had finished their work in the fields and were already busy with household chores.
From a distance, Ye Qing took her wicker basket out of her storage space and arranged everything she had gathered on the mountain neatly inside. The basket felt heavy tonight. She gave it a quick shake to balance the weight and stepped into the yard.
“I’m back! Is dinner ready?” she called out.
At the sound of her voice, everyone inside and out stopped what they were doing and crowded over to greet her.
Chen Xiuzhi came out of the kitchen, patting her chest in relief. “Thank goodness you’re home! When it got dark and you still hadn’t returned, my heart was pounding like a drum.”
“I’ll try to come back earlier from now on,” Ye Qing replied casually.
Shi Fengxia, though over six months pregnant, moved with surprising agility. She strode out of the house and reached out to help lift the basket. Knowing she was too heavy for her, Ye Qing gently pushed her aside and called for Xiao Yang instead.
“I’ve had a good haul today—let’s take a look together.”
“Come inside first,” Chen Xiuzhi said firmly.
They carried the basket into the house. Ye Qing immediately found a wooden stool to sit and rest, while the rest gathered around to inspect her findings.
Chen Xiuzhi told her eldest son to light a kerosene lamp, and the family leaned in to see.
Right on top lay the wild rabbit caught in the trap. Xiao Lei lifted it by the ears and gave it a shake, his face lighting up. “This must be six or seven pounds. We can butcher it for meat, and keep the pelt. If we collect a few more, we’ll have enough to sew a pair of gloves—good enough to keep our hands from getting frostbitten this winter.”
“Exactly the weight I guessed,” Ye Qing said with a smile, sipping hot water Shi Fengxia had brought her.
Not sure how to respond, Xiao Lei set the rabbit aside and dug deeper into the basket. Next came two pairs of antlers, and at the very bottom, a pile of chaga mushrooms.
All but one piece, which had crumbled, were fully intact. Xiao Lei sighed in admiration. “Sister-in-law, you were born to forage in the mountains. I’ve never seen anyone harvest chaga so cleanly. When we men went looking for it before, everything we brought back was broken into bits. Look at these—whole and firm. Once dried, they’ll fetch plenty of grain at the market.”
“So this is chaga?” Shi Fengxia picked one up, turning it over. “It looks so dark and rough. People say it can cure illnesses.”
“How much grain would this bring?” she asked curiously.
Xiao Lei thought for a moment and named a figure.
Shi Fengxia gasped softly. She set the mushroom down with great care, then hurried over and began rubbing Ye Qing’s shoulders.
“Are your back and legs sore at all? Do you need a massage tonight?”
Ye Qing flinched. “What’s gotten into you, Sister-in-law?”
Shi Fengxia spoke with unapologetic frankness. “Nothing much—just trying to stay on your good side! If what you brought back today is traded for grain, it’ll feed the whole family for a month. I couldn’t earn that much even if I worked myself to the bone. Whoever puts food on my table earns my respect—it’s as simple as that.”
Ye Qing laughed and stretched lazily. “Fair enough. My legs do ache a bit—you can give me a rub later.”
Shi Fengxia agreed instantly. After a few minutes of kneading, she leaned in again to peer into the basket.
Along the way, Ye Qing had also gathered a handful of wild greens—not much, but enough to add a fresh side dish to supper.
When everything else was sorted, Xiao Yang pulled out the thick root Ye Qing had dug up. He turned it over, frowning. “What is this? It doesn’t look like yam or sweet potato.”
“Not something to eat—it’s medicine,” Xiao Lei said, bringing the lamp closer for a better look. His face lit up with recognition. “This is Solomon’s Seal! A valuable herb. Sister-in-law, where did you find it?”
Ye Qing did not hide the truth from her family. She pointed toward the rabbit. “Right where I caught this one, under a large tree.”
“I thought it looked familiar,” she added thoughtfully. “But I wasn’t sure, so I dug it up just in case. If it turned out useless, we could always toss it to the chickens or throw it away.”
“Elder Brother, what is it used for?” Ye Qing asked.
Xiao Lei rarely saw such a large specimen. He turned it over in his hands, admiring its size. “It’s said to nourish both qi and blood—very good for women and the elderly. I don’t know all the details, just something the village barefoot doctor mentioned once.”
“Sister-in-law, tell me exactly where it grew,” he pressed. “Medicinal plants spread their seeds. If you found one this big, it’s been growing for at least ten years. Wherever it stands, its seeds have likely sprouted all around—there could be a whole patch of them nearby.”
Ye Qing immediately described the location. When words failed to paint a clear picture, she took a piece of paper and drew a rough map. After some guessing and explaining, Xiao Lei finally understood.
But his expression turned to regret. “Without someone to lead the way, it would take me six or seven hours just to find that spot. Even if I went with others, no one dares venture that deep into the hills lightly. Maybe it’s not worth the trouble…”
Ye Qing smiled confidently. “No need to give up. Next time I go, I’ll look around more carefully. If there really is a whole patch, we could make a tidy sum from it.”
“Also,” she added, “let’s not sell this root. Sister-in-law will give birth soon—it can help replenish her blood and energy. If she doesn’t need it right away, we can dry it and use it ourselves later.”
It was her way of returning Shi Fengxia’s kindness.
Shi Fengxia’s heart warmed instantly, even before tasting the herb. Overcome with gratitude, she hurried back to rub Ye Qing’s shoulders again.
True to her word, she would do anything for anyone who ensured she never went hungry.
“Once I’ve recovered from childbirth,” she promised while working Ye Qing’s muscles, “you can go up the mountain without a worry. I’ll wash your clothes, make your bed, even bring you warm water to wash your feet—”
“Fengxia, that’s enough,” Xiao Lei cut in, embarrassed by his wife’s excessive flattery.
She ignored him. “You understand nothing!”
Just then, a gust of wind swept across the yard. Outside, all was pitch black. Only the kerosene lamp inside the Xiao home cast a soft glow, wrapping the room in warmth and harmony.
Ye Qing let her massage continue for a while longer before stopping her. Then she turned to Xiao Lei. “Elder Brother, you mentioned the village doctor knows about herbs. Does he know what grows on the mountain? Could I ask him to identify them for me? I don’t want to miss anything valuable just because I can’t tell them apart.”
Before Xiao Lei could reply, Chen Xiuzhi smiled and said, “You’ve come to the right person. He may not be the best at treating illnesses, but he used to be a full-time forager. He knows every useful plant growing up there.”
“Good,” Ye Qing said. “I’ll pay him a visit when I have time.”
By the time they finished examining her finds, dinner was ready. They moved the low table onto the heated brick bed and sat down to eat.
As soon as she finished, Ye Qing began yawning one after another. She had walked for nearly eight hours round trip. Even with her special abilities, the physical toll was heavy, and exhaustion was quickly catching up.
Chen Xiuzhi noticed. “We’ll take care of the rest. You go lie down and rest—you’ve had a long day.”
Ye Qing rubbed her eyes and wiped away the tears brought on by fatigue. “All right, I’ll turn in early.”
She lay down, pulled the quilt over herself, and fell asleep almost instantly.
The rest of the family picked up the basket and stepped out, each returning to their chores. They still had plenty of work to do after a full day in the fields.
Chen Xiuzhi filled a wooden basin and began washing clothes in the yard. She knew how to read the sky; seeing the wind pick up and the stars and moon vanish behind clouds, she guessed rain would come tomorrow. She hurried to finish and hang the laundry before it got wet.
Knowing they now had extra income from the mountain, she felt lighthearted and worked with renewed energy.
As she carried a bucket of dirty water to throw out, she heard sounds from the neighboring yard—voices, the opening and closing of doors.
She paused to look over, and just then, a woman stepped out carrying a winnowing tray to empty ashes.
“Hello, Sister-in-law,” Chen Xiuzhi called out warmly. “You’re back!”
The house next door belonged to her husband’s youngest brother. Her late mother-in-law had borne five children in total; her husband was the eldest, and the man next door the youngest. The children born between them had all died young.
Because of this, the brothers were ten years apart in age. But since Chen Xiuzhi was nearly a decade younger than her husband, she was roughly the same age as her sister-in-law, Wang Xiao’e.
Wang Xiao’e, who had come out to dispose of the ashes, gave only a curt nod and a faint “Mmm” in reply.
“When did you return?” Chen Xiuzhi asked, setting down her bucket. “Why didn’t you send word? I had dinner cooking—your place must be cold and empty after being away. I would’ve invited you over.”
The younger couple’s daughter had married into the city and recently given birth. Ten days prior, they had gone to visit her and had only just come home.
“Save your breath,” Wang Xiao’e said bluntly. “You don’t have anything worth eating anyway. We’ll manage fine on our own.”
Her tone was as sharp as ever—something Chen Xiuzhi had grown used to over the years.
But as they spoke, Wang Xiao’e studied her neighbor’s face. The longer she looked, the more puzzled she became. Chen Xiuzhi’s complexion looked far better than it had before they left. It seemed healthier, rosier, more vibrant.
A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind. She said nothing more, gave a few vague replies, and hurried back inside.
Minutes later, she slipped out again, her footsteps quiet, and headed straight to visit a friend in the village.
When she returned, she stormed back into her own home, exchanged a few sharp words with her husband, and then dragged her son over to the Xiao house, banging loudly on the gate.
“Chen Xiuzhi! Open this door! Come out here right now!”
Inside, the Xiao family had just finished their chores and were preparing for bed. Hearing the commotion, they quickly put on their outer clothes and rushed to the yard.
As soon as Chen Xiuzhi unlatched the gate, Wang Xiao’e shoved her hard and marched right in.
“Pay back what you owe us!” she shouted, her voice loud enough to wake the whole street. “You’ve been living well enough to eat fine food, yet you dare ignore your debt? Look at your face—you look healthier than mine! How is that possible?”
Chen Xiuzhi was caught off guard and nearly fell over, had Xiao Yang not steadied her from behind.
Still reeling, she struggled to understand how the woman who had been speaking politely just moments ago had turned hostile so suddenly.
“Calm down and talk properly,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Waking everyone up in the middle of the night—where am I supposed to find money at this hour?”
“That’s not my problem!” Wang Xiao’e planted herself firmly in the yard. “Debts are meant to be repaid!”
Ashamed of owing money, Chen Xiuzhi tried to reason with her. “We borrowed when we were short on cash, and I’ve never forgotten your kindness. Of course we will pay you back—it’s only right. But we agreed you’d get your money once we sold our share of the harvest. It’s barely been ten days. Why come demanding it now?”
“Things change!” Wang Xiao’e snapped. “If I hadn’t just returned, I’d never have known you were feasting on wild game behind my back! You have money for rabbits and birds, but none for us?”
“That was my daughter-in-law’s catch from the mountain—not something we bought—”
“Save the excuses!” Wang Xiao’e cut her off. “Debts are debts. I don’t care when or how I get it—I want it now!” She thrust out a hand. “You Xiao family are all heartless scoundrels! When we lent you money to treat Xiao Yang and that new wife of his, no one else helped! We did you a favor, and now you pretend it never happened? Even if you can’t pay cash, you could’ve at least sent over some of that meat!”
Only then did Chen Xiuzhi realize what had triggered this outburst. The thought of one wild rabbit causing such a scene left her speechless.
Xiao Yang could not stand seeing his mother humiliated. He pulled her behind him and stepped forward. “Aunt, stop yelling. Give me a little more time. Once my arm heals enough to work, I’ll get paid and settle the debt right away. I promise you’ll have it within two months.”
“Who knows when your arm will ever be strong enough?” Wang Xiao’e sneered, her eyes darkening at the mention of work.
While the argument raged, Shi Fengxia woke up from the noise. She dressed quickly and crept out to the yard, listening to every word. Pulling Xiao Lei aside, she whispered, “Didn’t Ye Qing bring back a lot of valuable things today? Sell them and pay her off. It’ll stop her from pestering us every day.”
Xiao Lei pressed his lips together, frowning. “Those belong to Ye Qing—she caught them herself to feed us and build up our strength. And she’s still sleeping. We can’t go through her things without asking. Besides, we made a clear agreement to repay after harvest. Why does she come banging on our door in the dead of night like a thief?”
“Ouch—what are you doing?” he hissed as she pinched his waist.
“Because you and your family are too soft and too stubborn!” she hissed back. “Think about it—we borrowed that money to save both Ye Qing and Xiao Yang. If Xiao Yang hadn’t hurt his arm rescuing her, we wouldn’t owe anything. If we use what Ye Qing gathered to settle it, she’d agree immediately. She’s not the selfish type.”
Meanwhile, the shouting grew louder and louder. Wang Xiao’e’s angry voice carried far, and soon neighbors began to gather outside, wrapped in blankets and coats to see what was happening.
At first, they just watched silently. But as Wang Xiao’e grew more aggressive and hurled increasingly foul insults, some stepped in to speak up for the Xiao family.
“Xiao’e, give them a little more time,” one man said. “You both agreed on the harvest date. Showing up now when you know they have no cash on hand—isn’t that just to embarrass them?”
“Indeed,” another added. “You’re family, aren’t you? Why make such a fuss at this hour and ruin everyone’s sleep?”
Wang Xiao’e spun on them. “What do you mean I’m being unfair? Is it wrong to ask for what is mine?”
A few of her friends murmured in support.
She crossed her arms and raised her voice further. “You say they’re poor? Look how well they live! Both sons have found wives, while my son Youcai is still single. Truth be told, we didn’t only go to the city to see our daughter—I also went to find a match for him. If he’s to marry a city girl, we need a hefty dowry. That’s why I need the money now!”
“And if they can afford wild game, they aren’t exactly starving. Chen Xiuzhi—pay me back today, and we can cut all ties after this!”
“That rabbit was Ye Qing’s catch from the mountain, not something bought with money,” someone pointed out.
Wang Xiao’e dismissed it. “That makes no difference to me! It’s still food they have and we don’t. Do you want my son to lose his chance at marriage?”
She burst into loud, dramatic sobbing. “Oh, how unfair life is! Even when my mother-in-law was alive, she always favored the eldest son. Now I’m nearly a grandmother, and still being pushed around by his family!”
Her son, Youcai—who stuttered badly—stepped forward to comfort her, fumbling his words but looking fierce. Together they put on a show of being the wronged party, leaving the watching villagers unsure how to respond.
Chen Xiuzhi’s face burned red, half from anger, half from shame. She wiped her own eyes and begged, “Just give us two more days. We’ll have the full amount by then.”
“No—now!” Wang Xiao’e insisted.
Her shout was loud enough to rouse Ye Qing.
Ye Qing had been sleeping deeply, but the noise kept rising, breaking through her rest. She opened her eyes and listened to the shouting outside. Being woken abruptly left her in a foul mood. She dressed quickly, her face grim, and stepped out rubbing her eyes.
“What is all this noise in the middle of the night?” she asked.
Seeing her, the crowd quickly explained the situation from start to finish.
Ye Qing processed the facts, then turned to Chen Xiuzhi. “Mother—how much exactly do we owe her? And was it all borrowed to save me?”
Chen Xiuzhi nodded uncomfortably. “Twenty-five yuan in total. We had barely anything saved after your father took a large sum earlier, and then we spent most of what was left on your hospital bills and Xiao Yang’s treatment. We had no choice but to ask them. And we promised to pay after the harvest—she never said anything about needing it right away.”
“Never mind,” Ye Qing said calmly. “Debts are debts, and this one was incurred for my sake. I’ll take responsibility for it.”
She straightened her expression, forcing her irritation aside, and faced Wang Xiao’e directly. “We have several pounds of chaga mushrooms and a large Solomon’s Seal root. If we take them to town, they should easily cover twenty-five yuan. Would you accept these herbs instead?”
“Where did you get such things?” Wang Xiao’e asked instinctively, while others leaned in curiously.
Shi Fengxia spoke up proudly. “It’s true—Ye Qing brought them back from the mountain today. I told you she has a gift for foraging.”
The crowd murmured in surprise. They had been impressed enough when she returned with a wild chicken; medicinal herbs were far more valuable and harder to find, since both government factories and state-run supply stores sent their own experts to collect them.
Respect for the young woman grew instantly.
But Wang Xiao’e recovered quickly. She felt her son pinch her arm and saw him mouth the word job. Remembering her true purpose, she threw her hands up. “I want cash! I lent you money, not herbs! I don’t have time to run to town to sell them. I want real money—tonight!”
“You’re being unreasonable,” Ye Qing replied, confused. “If they sell for money, why does it matter how you get it?”
Some of the onlookers, seeing which way the wind was blowing, decided to side with Ye Qing. “She’s right, Xiao’e. The herbs are worth the same amount. No one can run to the city and back this late just to get cash.”
“I don’t care!” Wang Xiao’e shouted back. “The loan was in cash—I demand cash!”
Youcai nodded beside her, stammering out his agreement.
Just then, an older man in his fifties stepped forward from the crowd. He was weather-beaten and wrinkled, looking older than his years, with an unkempt beard and simple clothes.
He coughed and walked up to Ye Qing. “You mentioned chaga and Solomon’s Seal—may I see them? If they are good quality, I’ll buy them from you right now.”
Ye Qing looked at him inquiringly.
“This is our village doctor,” several people explained. “He used to be a professional forager. He won’t cheat you.”
So this was the man she had been planning to ask for advice.
“Come inside then,” she said.
She had thought to ask Xiao Lei to join them, but her gaze shifted to Xiao Yang instead. Since she didn’t know the doctor well, having a family member present would be safer.
“Xiao Yang—come with me.”
The three of them went inside, where it was pitch black. Xiao Yang, still worked up from the argument, quickly lit the kerosene lamp and handed it to the doctor before fetching the basket.
“Everything is still here,” he said.
Ye Qing nodded. “Take a look. Tell me what you think they’re worth. If the price is fair, we’ll sell them to you.”
“Rest easy,” the doctor said steadily. “We all live in the same village. I won’t take advantage of you.”
He knelt and began sorting through the contents. His eyes lit up at the chaga. “These are excellent—all whole and firm. They’d fetch a good price in town.”
“Good, but we need cash quickly,” Ye Qing replied.
He did not waste more words. He examined each piece carefully, checking color, texture, and size, then brought out a small scale to weigh them.
After finishing, he said, “All together, that’s ten pounds. The market price for dried chaga is one yuan and fifty cents per pound. But since these are fresh and I’ll have to dry and process them myself, I can give you one yuan per pound. Is that acceptable?”
It matched what Xiao Lei had estimated, and Ye Qing agreed at once. “Fair enough. I know you’re being generous. If you’re buying more herbs in the future, I’ll bring you everything I find first.”
Her words pleased him. He looked at her with new respect. “A brave girl who can climb the mountains alone and still thinks of others—you have good character. In return, I’ll always give you a fair price.”
Ye Qing smiled. In her mind, she calculated: ten yuan from the chaga. If the rest could bring in another fifteen, they would reach the twenty-five they owed.
Moving on, the doctor picked up the large Solomon’s Seal root and turned it over, clearly delighted. “This is even more precious. You have incredible luck.”
After close inspection, he quoted: “Two yuan and eighty cents per pound is the price for fully dried roots. But again, this is fresh. Preparing it properly takes nine rounds of steaming and sun-drying—very labor-intensive. I’ll give you two yuan per pound. This one weighs four and a half pounds, so nine yuan total.”
Ye Qing nodded in agreement. Then she took out the two sets of antlers. “Would you take these as well?”
He shook his head regretfully. “If they were still velvet, I’d pay handsomely. But hardened antlers have no use for medicine or food—sorry.”
“No problem,” Ye Qing said. “What about the rabbit?” She remembered it was still in the kitchen and turned to fetch it.
Xiao Yang stopped her. When she looked up, she noticed his eyes were red and he was breathing heavily.
Is he going to cry again? she wondered in surprise.
But she said nothing in front of the guest.
“Stay here,” he said, his voice thick. “I’ll get it.”
He returned in moments, holding the rabbit by the ears. Surprisingly, it was still alive, kicking and struggling despite the long journey.
Ye Qing passed it over. “Will you take this too?”
“Not medicinal,” the doctor began automatically, then slapped his forehead. “But I’ll take it anyway. My children would love a treat of fresh meat.”
He weighed it. “Rabbit meat sells for roughly the same as chicken. At seven pounds, I’ll give you three yuan and eighty cents.”
“Perfect,” Ye Qing said. “Can you pay us right now? As you can hear, someone is waiting outside for their money.”
He chuckled. “Of course. Let me run home and fetch the cash.”
He hurried out, leaving the Xiao family to wait.
Outside, Wang Xiao’e grew increasingly impatient, yelling insults to keep the neighbors listening.
Ye Qing stepped to the door and called out, “Stop shouting—we’ll have your money shortly!”
Her voice cut through the noise.
A few minutes later, the doctor returned, carrying money. Villagers stopped him to ask how much the herbs were worth, but he kept silent and went straight inside.
Once the transaction was done and the goods handed over, Ye Qing stepped back into the yard.
“All together, it comes to twenty-two yuan and eighty cents. We still owe you two yuan and twenty cents. We’ll have it in two days—will that work?”
Wang Xiao’e stared at the cash in her hands, stunned. She had never expected them to produce so much money so quickly.
Her expression shifted from triumph to confusion. Then she hardened again. “No! I lent you twenty-five whole yuan. You must repay the full amount tonight, no exceptions. If you can’t come up with the rest, hand over your quilts and winter coats—they’ll cover the difference.”
“Are you mad?” Chen Xiuzhi cried. “If we give you our warm clothes, how will we survive the winter? Do you want us to freeze?”
“Debts must be paid,” Wang Xiao’e repeated coldly.
“We’ve given you nearly all of it—just a little more to go,” Shi Fengxia protested. “Ye Qing will bring in more soon.”
“That’s not how it works!” Wang Xiao’e snapped. She let out a long breath and finally revealed her true intent. “Here’s what I’ll do—I’ll give you back this twenty-two yuan. In exchange, Xiao Yang must transfer his work position to my son Youcai.”
The yard fell dead silent for a full minute.
Chen Xiuzhi stopped wiping her tears and stared at her sister-in-law in disbelief.
Then she exploded. “Wang Xiao’e! I’ve put up with your rudeness all night—but this is too much! That job was hard-earned. Even temporary positions cost two hundred yuan to buy these days! You want to take it for twenty-five? Have you no shame?”
She had always been gentle and patient, but now she showed the full force of her anger.
Shi Fengxia rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight. “How dare you demand such a thing!”
The neighbors joined in, outraged. “You’re related by blood—how can you treat them like this?”
“To trade twenty-five yuan for a job worth hundreds? You’re shameless!”
Wang Xiao’e flushed bright red. She knew she was in the wrong, but had gone too far to back down. She stood her ground, arms crossed, defiant.
“You owe me!” she shouted. “If you can’t pay, this is the only fair solution!”
“Y-yes—give me the j-job!” Youcai stammered, finding his voice at last. “I w-want to work at the state restaurant!”
The Xiao family’s faces turned dark with fury. They began to push the pair out of the yard, while Wang Xiao’e clung to the gate, refusing to leave.
The crowd loved the drama—none had radios or evening entertainment, so this was the best show they’d had in months.
As the shouting escalated, a new figure burst through the darkness and ran into the yard.
“Ye Qing! Where is Ye Qing? Someone needs help up the mountain—now!”