The morning after the kiss was as fresh and wonderful as the first rays of morning light that had just dyed the horizon. The two sat quietly on the balcony, Vanessa's head gently resting on David's shoulder. There was no need for more words between them, because they understood each other tacitly. "You know what," Vanessa suddenly spoke, her voice so soft as if she was afraid of disturbing the quiet morning, "I have always dreamed that someone can truly understand the beauty of this place. I hope that in your heart, this place is not just a beautiful background." David turned his head and looked at her seriously, "Hey, this place is not just a place for me now, it is a story, a story of you and me." On that day, the two began their real mountain life. They walked in the woods together, talking and laughing; they played in the clear stream together and talked about their dreams; they shared dinner under the starry sky, sharing each other's stories and hopes for the future. Life is not always calm, they will also have small quarrels, such as accidentally burning the bottom of the pot when cooking, or disagreeing when setting up the tent. But these are just the seasoning of getting along, making their feelings more real and stronger. The days in the valley made David rediscover the rhythm of life and the peace of self, and for Vanessa, being able to share all this with the one she loves is her greatest happiness. They not only planted vegetables and flowers in the valley, but also planted the seeds of love. And all of these will slowly unfold and bloom in the future chapters.

During those days, news came that a group of guests from the Eastern country heard that there were precious turquoise stones buried in the valley, and planned to come to see if they could get some beautiful stones. After David and Vanessa learned about it, they knew they had to act quickly. They had to gather those scattered stones together to facilitate the Eastern guests to choose carefully. So the two of them started to get busy and began to work harder to gather those stones of different sizes. Some stones were so big that several people couldn't push them around a stone, and they had to rely on the power of bulldozers and excavators.

Early in the morning, when the sky was just getting light, David had already rushed down the mountain with a few familiar guys. They needed to borrow a bulldozer and a bulldozer, and several sturdy men began to work on the edge of the valley. Ah, that piece of land, it was turning over in front of their eyes, revealing pieces of turquoise raw stones of various shapes. The roar of heavy machinery echoed in the quiet valley, as if telling everyone, "Hey, the treasure here is about to show its true face." David was directing the operation of the bulldozer and joking with his old friends. Although the sun was shining brightly and sweat was flowing like a river, his eyes were full of expectations, and he was thinking about how to satisfy the oriental visitors. Vanessa was responsible for recording. She stood aside with a small notebook and occasionally reminded David to pay attention to safety. After all, although this job is good, it will be troublesome if you are not careful. The process was carried out step by step. The piles of raw stones were like newly discovered treasures, lying there quietly, shining with light waiting to be discovered. David looked at the raw stones exposed and felt lost, because to be honest, they really didn't know which raw stone had the highest quality turquoise. The quality of these stones varied, and people from the Eastern Dragon Country had to come to identify them.

Soon, the guests arrived. The helicopter roared past and landed on this quiet natural grassland. David felt how magnificent the scene was, and he couldn't help but feel a little admiration in his heart. A group of people couldn't wait to come to the pile of raw stones, as happy as children seeing new toys. David and Vanessa stood aside with a smile, ready to receive this group of people who came from afar.

The guests from the Eastern country were not only interested in buying turquoise raw stones,. The guests walked out of the cabin, dressed in exquisite clothes, and the style of landing the moment they stepped out of the helicopter seemed to suddenly connect the distant East and this quiet valley. David approached with a respectful and curious look and greeted the guests who had come from afar. The guests, perhaps also able to feel the uniqueness of this valley and the charm of the rough stones, showed great interest in these natural treasures. They carefully examined each rough stone, and their professional eyes made David and Vanessa a little nervous.

The guests from the great Eastern countries searched for their favorite stones in the piles of rough stones, but they were not satisfied with most of the rough stones. David and Vanessa were even more helpless. After all, they didn't know how to identify the quality of the stone. After searching in the pile of rocks for a long time, our friends in the East were a little disappointed. Vanessa's grandfather also felt very embarrassed. None of the rough stones they worked so hard to bring satisfied the customers. At this moment, David suddenly remembered that when they were moving the rough stones yesterday, they saw a very large and heavy stone. However, the stone did not look eye-catching. It had no gorgeous color and no special shape. Everyone was familiar with it. I thought it was just an ordinary rough stone with no value at all, so I threw it aside. But David always felt that there was a secret hidden in that stone, and a voice kept telling him that it was a stone of great value. So he said to everyone: "Actually, we still have a rough stone here. I may not have noticed it yesterday. Let's go and have a look." The group of people followed David towards the neglected big stone with curious eyes. Distinguished friends from the great Eastern countries took out testing instruments and began to measure. David was particularly nervous because he knew that if the stone was really valuable, it would be their savior; if not, then he would become a joke.

With David's nervous and expectant eyes, the guests from the Eastern Powers were busy testing the abandoned stone. The beams of light from the instruments swept across, revealing the internal structure of the stone, leaving everyone with varying degrees of doubts and hopes. At this moment, an Eastern guest showed a look of unexpected surprise. He jumped up excitedly and shouted to his companion: "This is the 'Star Tourmaline' given by God! It is a real treasure!" David felt in his heart. The stone finally fell to the ground. Seeing the excitement that could not be concealed on the face of the Eastern guest, he knew that his intuition was right. But the question of how to price it next made him think briefly. Facing the inquiries from Eastern guests, Vanessa's grandfather seemed a little embarrassed. After all, they had never come into contact with such a precious stone. Grandfather looked at David with questioning eyes. At that moment, David realized that what they were facing was not only a gem, but also an opportunity to make a choice. He weighed it quickly, thinking about his strategy. Then, he spoke slowly and tried to keep his tone as calm as possible, "We hope to close the deal for US$2 million." This price was like dropping a stone, causing ripples in circles. The distinguished guests from the East were stunned for a moment, and then laughed heartily, and the laughter was full of recognition and satisfaction. "Deal!" They did not counter-offer, but directly accepted the price.

A few minutes later, when a check with a figure of 2 million US dollars and a pile of formal documents were placed on the table and unfolded in front of everyone, the surprise and shock made almost everyone present feel incredible. This unexpected transaction, with its huge amount, was not just a transaction, but more like the opening of a new world, which moved everyone. But if David and Vanessa knew that the actual value of this big rough stone was at least 40 million US dollars, I wonder if they could still laugh like this?

As the transaction was completed, the almost crazy tension and excitement gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep joy and anticipation of the unknown. David looked at the check with a huge number written on it, and his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and comfort. They bet on faith and they won. This was their victory and their biggest gain so far. The distinguished guests from the East shook hands and said goodbye with satisfaction, their smiles full of appreciation. "Star Tourmaline", they are still amazed at the value of this gemstone, and David and Vanessa are full of expectations for their future because of this success. Vanessa's grandfather looked at the check in front of him, smiled and nodded, feeling more confident in the path his grandchildren had chosen. As for Vanessa, she looked at David with sincere admiration in her eyes. His decision and his bravery made her feel extremely proud. This seemingly simple and unpretentious stone turned into a priceless "Star Tourmaline" right under their noses. This is undoubtedly the best affirmation of David's intuition. They gain a deeper understanding of their own worth.

A few days later, the spring breeze was warm and the sun shone in the valley. Vanessa's grandfather found Vanessa and David, with a rare solemnity and determination in his expression. In the simple living room, my grandfather's voice was low and firm: "Children, you played a decisive role in this success. I want to divide half of this income between the two of you." Vanessa and the elder Wei looked at each other, their faces full of astonishment. Although their success this time was indeed due to David's intuitive judgment, such a reward made them find it difficult to accept. The two refused for a long time, insisting that the money should be used to further develop the mine and give an extra share to the workers. The grandfather's insistence and the children's stubbornness went back and forth for a long time in the warm afternoon. Finally, the grandfather was silent for a while, and then made a decision that shocked Vanessa and David even more: "Actually, I have made a more important decision. Vanessa, I transferred the ownership of the mine to you. I’m old, and it’s time to hand over the legacy of my ancestors to future generations.” These words, like a spring thunder, shocked everyone present. Vanessa's face was full of surprise, but also seemed to be touched, and her eyes were moist. She knew only too well what it meant to transfer the mine. David stood aside, filled with respect. He knew that behind this decision lay his grandfather's deep trust and love for Vanessa, and it was also a great recognition of their generation. "Grandpa, thank you for your trust, we will not let you down." Vanessa said this with difficulty with moist eyes. Although her voice was subtle, it was full of determination. David also nodded heavily, and their eyes met, full of expectations for the future.

On that ordinary afternoon, people in the town gathered together to hold a simple and warm celebration because of the transfer of the mine and the hope for the future. Every face of the townspeople was filled with joy. They cheered for their grandfather's decision and were full of expectations for Vanessa and David's future. Vanessa's grandfather prepared a grand dinner for this special day, inviting not only every family in the town, but also an orchestra and even well-known performers from neighboring towns. This is an iconic day, symbolizing the transition between old and new, the beginning of hopes and dreams. As night falls, the bonfire is lit and the lights are bright on the open-air stage. The townspeople dressed in festive costumes gathered around, dancing cheerfully and singing loudly. Laughter and cheers came and went all night long. The children set off fireworks on the side, lighting up the night sky as bright as day. The long table was filled with delicacies, and everyone from old to young was intoxicated in this rare joy. The sound of clinking wine glasses was heard one after another, and people toasted and sang to celebrate this memorable moment. David and Vanessa, as the protagonists, accepted everyone's blessings, and their smiles were filled with light from the inside out. As the party progressed, the two gradually relaxed under the influence of alcohol, and their conversations became more intimate. At the climax of the night, the band played a melodious tune and David invited Vanessa to dance. Under the bonfire and starlight, they spin, accompanied by music, creating a warm scene. People around them applauded the couple. As the party came to an end, many townspeople had left one after another, but David and Vanessa still stayed where they were. After a day of celebration, the two of them were extremely excited, and their feelings for each other reached a climax that night. Rather than showing their feelings in public, they need a more private space to continue their communication and deepen their emotions. Finally, at the end of the dance and driven by the drunkenness, David and Vanessa returned to the room. They ate meat all night, and all kinds of delicacies and meats were in their mouths, but only this was the most special and delicious thing in the world. They grew meat but had never tasted it. Driven by the primitive human curiosity and desire for this strange meat, the clumsy two people were as crazy as a fire dragon in the ground, as if the earth was shaking. The whole house was shaken, and finally, under the nourishment of the wild dragon's rain, the earth finally returned to peace.

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That early morning deep in the forest, Vanessa decided it was time to teach David in depth the art of shooting. She grew up in the mountains. Her family had lived in the Rocky Mountains since the pioneering days of the West. She learned to shoot from her father. Her favorite weapon is a historic 50 caliber "Winchester Model 1886 Bear Hunting Gun". This century-old gun is very well maintained and is an immortal inheritance of their family. This gun is very important to her. It was of great significance to her. Although the new shotgun was more powerful and could shoot more accurately, it could not change her love for the gun, and she was also a recognized shooting master in the nearby mountains.

Vanessa took David to find a suitable place to practice shooting for a long time. She began to introduce and demonstrate the eight essentials of shooting step by step:

**Stop**: First, Vanessa asked David to place the butt of the gun firmly on his shoulder, which would provide a solid base for shooting. She emphasizes that finding the right point of support is critical to stable shooting.

**Hold**: She then instructs David on how to hold the gun firmly against his shoulder to ensure the stability and accuracy of the gun when the trigger is pulled.

**Grip**: Vanessa demonstrated how to hold the gun handle correctly, allowing David to feel the fit between the grip and the palm of his hand, ensuring that the gun would not deviate from the target due to an unstable grip when shooting.

**Post**: She adjusted David's posture again so that the butt of the gun was close to his cheek. Doing so could help the shooter aim better.

**Sighting**: Vanessa taught David how to find and lock on the target through the scope. She explains how to adjust focus and recognize the effects of wind direction.

**Pause**: Before getting ready to pull the trigger, Vanessa demonstrates how to pause your breathing and reduce any slight movement of your body to improve the accuracy of your shot.

**PULL**: She teaches how to squeeze the trigger gently and steadily to avoid excessive force or sudden movements that may affect the accuracy of your shot.

**Report**: Finally, Vanessa explained how to predict the impact point of the bullet based on the shooting feel and sound of the gun. This is also a high-level action that experienced shooters can make.

After a period of in-depth shooting training, David gradually mastered these skills. Although he is not yet a master, he has made great progress. Vanessa is so pleased with David's progress that she knows he's ready for a bigger challenge - the most formidable prey in the mountains: the bear. After making sure that David had sufficient skills and mental preparation, Vanessa planned to set off early the next morning to find the legendary king of the forest. She knew that this was not just a simple hunt, but the ultimate test of David's courage and skills.

The Rockies are a haven for wildlife, especially known for its diverse bear population. Brown bears, grizzly bears and black bears are the most common large predators in this vast mountain range. Known for their large size and spectacular muscular strength, brown bears are very independent and territorial animals. They have powerful forearms and sharp claws, which are enough to easily dig into the ground in search of food or hunt other animals. Their coat color ranges from dark brown to light blonde, depending on the individual. The grizzly bear is a rarer species of bear that is no smaller than the brown bear. They are usually stronger and more brutal and will actively attack people, with a wide range of activities. A grizzly bear's coat can be gray or yellowish-brown with dark stripes and spots. Black bears are the smallest and most common bear species in North America. They usually weigh about 100kg, but larger black bears can also weigh up to 200kg. They are lightweight and better adapted to climbing trees. Black bears have a relatively gentle temperament, but can become aggressive in order to protect their cubs or their own food sources. Vanessa is well aware that hunting in these bears' territory requires not only superb shooting skills, but also deep ecological knowledge and experience in dealing with wild animals. Under her guidance, David gradually learned the behavioral habits of various bears so that he could be more safe and efficient when hunting. Armed with this knowledge, Vanessa and David were ready to take on the challenge. They planned to hunt black bears, a species that is relatively safe and suitable for beginners to hunt in the Rocky Mountains. They brought guns and necessary equipment, as well as other survival tools that might be used in an emergency. As the two went deeper into the forest, their moods became serious. In David's heart, excitement and nervousness were intertwined. He knew that what awaited him would be a real test and an unforgettable adventure. For Vanessa, this hunt was an opportunity to show David her awe and respect for nature. Soon, their tracking began to yield results. In dense woodlands, fresh tracks and broken branches herald the presence of black bears. The two remained vigilant and moved with minimal noise, so as not to disturb the tranquility of the forest that was not yet fully awakened. And that black bear is waiting silently...

As they progress deeper into the forest, Vanessa becomes extremely alert to her environment. She knew every inch of the Rocky Mountains, every tiny sound, every change in the wind, she could catch it. She knew these could be signs that a black bear was approaching. David followed close behind, trying to imitate Vanessa's every move. His heartbeat quickened, and every step he took was extremely careful. Under their guidance, he learned how to place each step on the soft ground to muffle the sound of his footsteps. They passed through a dense thicket of prickly pear bushes and reached almost the heart of the mountains. It was here that Vanessa pointed to the slightly shaking bushes in front of her and said, "Look, there is movement there, the black bear is right there." David adjusted the Winchester shotgun in his hand. He had followed Vanessa's instructions. Sha's guidance, keeping the eight essentials of shooting in mind. His hands no longer trembled, his eyes were firm, ready for that moment. They crouched down and waited without saying a word. While waiting, David could feel every breath and every beat of his heart. Then, in the bushes they were observing, a dark figure slowly moved and revealed itself. An adult black bear has a little light under its hair, like a pearl in the forest. Its nose was constantly vibrating, apparently sniffing the scent in the air. Vanessa motioned to David to prepare to shoot. David began to adjust his posture and breathing step by step, applying the skills he learned one by one in reality. He stabilized his body, braced his shoulders, gripped the handle of the gun tightly, put the butt of the gun close to his cheek, fixed his gaze on the black bear with a calm gaze, paused his breathing, and then gently pulled the trigger. However, the moment he was about to complete the pull, the situation unexpectedly changed——

David's eyes met the black bear's. The moment their eyes met, David realized his situation. He stood deep in this ancient forest, holding a weapon that could make the difference between life and death. He came here to learn hunting and survival skills, and to appreciate and experience the wildness and beauty of this nature. But now, he realized that what he was pointing at was not a malicious enemy, but an innocent life, a black bear wandering in the forest in order to survive. There was no hostility in the black bear's eyes. It simply lived and existed freely according to the laws of the forest. A complex emotion emerged in David's heart. He realized that he could not end a life just because of the pleasure of the moment. Vanessa watched David quietly and witnessed the changes in his heart. When David's hand relaxed slightly and the muzzle of the gun lowered slightly, a smile appeared on Vanessa's lips. She understands David's choices and is proud of his growth and the decisions he has made. David turned to Vanessa, his tone firm and full of new determination: "I thought I was learning how to shoot and become a hunter here. But now I understand that what I want to aim at should be in the world. The evil deeds of this bear, not this bear in this forest. I cannot and will not take away its life easily for the sake of momentary pleasure." With clear and firm words floating in the forest, David released the black bear. , and released himself at the same time. Two lives, one chooses to respect it, and the other continues to live in its world. They did nothing to hinder each other, and the forest witnessed David's growth and understanding. David and Vanessa then peacefully left the bear's territory. They walked side by side, their hearts filled with complex and beautiful insights into life. This hunting trip ends up being a profound spiritual journey, and the love gun is back on Vanessa's shoulders, symbolizing strength and responsibility that cannot only be expressed by pulling the trigger.

On their way home, David and Vanessa unexpectedly discover a young girl who seems disoriented. She looked scared and anxious, clutching a backpack tightly in her hands and looking around constantly. Before David and Vanessa could ask, the girl suddenly nervously whispered to them that someone had been following her. David quickly asked Vanessa and the girl to stand behind him, and then observed the surroundings vigilantly. Under the weak moonlight, they vaguely saw a figure moving quietly from behind the trees. David stared at the figure warily, then took a step forward and asked loudly: "Who are you? Why are you following this girl?"

Seeing that his figure was exposed and that he had nowhere to escape, the man walked out from behind the tree, revealing his thick figure. He was a middle-aged man who looked rough. As soon as he caught a glimpse of David's firm gaze and the weapon in Vanessa's hand, he realized that he had no advantage in this isolated mountain forest. David took action directly and instantly pinned the man to the ground. Immediately afterwards, Vanessa quickly stepped forward and tied up the man skillfully with the rope in her hand. At this time, a siren suddenly sounded in the distance. It turned out that Alison had managed to send a signal for help when she was lost. Soon, several police officers rushed to the scene. Alison explained what happened to the police and David and Vanessa. She came to the mountains for a vacation and mountain climbing, but unexpectedly got lost on the way and was followed and threatened by this criminal. Even more shocking, Allison revealed that she was the daughter of the governor of New York. It turned out that her disappearance put the entire state of New York on edge, and the governor even deployed all his resources to find her. David and Vanessa's heroic actions not only rescued Alison, but also unexpectedly attracted a lot of political and humanistic attention. In the days that followed, the governor of New York came personally to thank them and publicly expressed his praise for David and Vanessa's courage and wisdom. With this incident, David and Vanessa not only became local heroes, but also unexpectedly won the favor of the governor, lighting the way for their future revenge plan.