Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Do I have to bring any clothes?”
“It’s better to bring a spare set. You won’t have to lug it around anyway. We can just leave it in the car.”
He headed to the dressing room to grab some of his clothes while An Xiaoning tidied her things. He then exited in a fresh set of clothes.
He was dressed in a casual outfit.
Being too used to seeing him in business suits, she was a little surprised to see him in a windbreaker and jeans.
He had put on some eyeliner, which made him exude a devilish charm.
The two of them made their way to the garage together to collect the car. This time, An Xiaoning did not drive her own car and instead decided to drive Jin Qingyan’s Mercedes-Benz sports car instead.
She got behind the wheel while he sat in the passenger’s seat.
He would turn to glance at her every now and then.
An Xiaoning could not tolerate it any further and she asked, “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing much. Look how gloomy the sky is. It’s not going to rain today, is it?”
“Take a look at the weather forecast. It does provide live updates.”
“I don’t have the software for live weather reports on my mobile phone.”
“I do. Take a look.”
Henry grabbed her bag and took out her mobile phone.
He unlocked it and checked the weather conditions for today.
“I was right. It’s expected to rain at eleven in the morning.”
“Would it be heavy?”
“Light showers.”
“Okay.” Reminded of the fact that the situation was unstable, she instructed him, “When we arrive, I’ll be entering the cave to look at the grave. Don’t follow me. Wait outside together with the archeologists.”
“Can’t I go in with you?”
“You can’t. One of the archeologists trespassed on his own and he’s yet to return, even until now. I doubt he’s safe. It’s likely that he had met with a mishap. Otherwise, why would he still be inside? He’s either dead or got lost inside. Or perhaps there’s another reason. There are secret entrapments and booby traps in ancient tombs. I’m not sure what’s inside because I’ve yet to see it, so you’d better stay outside.”
“Since it’s so dangerous, wouldn’t you be…”
“I’ve made the necessary preparations. No matter how dangerous it may be, someone has to go in to check on the situation. Besides, I’m different from you ordinary people. It’ll be much safer for me.”
His face grew a little sullen and he said, “I’ll go with you.”
“You’d better not go to the lake at all, then.” She stepped on the brakes all of a sudden and stared at him solemnly. “I don’t want you to be distracting me when I’m inside. If you go in with me, I’ll have to focus all my attention on keeping you safe.”
Noticing the austere expression on her face, Henry had no choice but to give in. He conceded, “I just won’t go in, then. Anyway, your life has nothing to do with me. At most, your child will just lose his mother.”
An Xiaoning glowered at him and rebuked, “From now on, shut up.”
She put on her earphones and listened to some music while keeping her eyes fixed on the roads ahead.
From then on, they stopped talking to each other, all the way until they arrived at their destination.
“Hey, Mr. Jin, you’re here too. Hello, I’m Wang Jinsheng,” said Wang Jinsheng, who extended his hand for a handshake.
Henry remained quiet and shook his hand aloofly.
An Xiaoning asked, “How long have you guys been here for?”
“About half an hour. We’ve been watching the surveillance cameras and none of the team members have come out of there yet. I reckon they must have already died inside…”
An Xiaoning’s heart sank, and she had a hunch that the mysterious calls that she would receive at 5:08 am daily had something to do with the tomb. After all, it was way too bizarre.
“Captain Wang, would you like to go in with me later?”
Wang Jinsheng answered softly, “I’ve encountered so many graves throughout my three-decade career as an archeologist. However, I really don’t have the guts to explore this one. I would definitely go in if the members hadn’t done so and ended up being trapped.”
“So you don’t plan to enter this one?”
“That’ll depend on your decision, Ms. An.”
“I won’t compel you if you don’t wish to go in. How about the rest of the team? Are they not going in either?”
“I’ve already asked them. None of them dares to go inside. Ms. An, I know it’s a little inappropriate to make you go in there alone since you’re not an archeologist and you’re already doing us a great favor by coming all the way here…”
An Xiaoning interjected, “Enough with all that crap. Since no one dares to enter, I’ll just proceed on my own.”
Henry did not know prior to this that she would be going inside the cave alone.
He glared at Wang Jinsheng and said, “None of you archeologists have the guts to enter but you’re making a woman go in there on her own? You’re the captain of the archeological team and yet you’re as timid as a mouse. You’re more cowardly than a woman. Are you even fit to be the captain? Well, your subordinates are definitely not going to take the risk if even you are unwilling to take the lead.”
Wang Jinsheng turned beet red, feeling extremely embarrassed. He explained, “Mr. Jin, you have no idea how many strange and supernatural encounters we have had in the past. However, we would always hire a medium to perform a ritual once we discover something unusual. We’d then seal the exits immediately if the rituals can’t be performed or are proven ineffective. We’ll never allow anyone to trespass or cause any damage to the sites. We’re very experienced in such matters. We can only continue to do more meaningful things if we’re still alive. Once you’re dead, you’ll have nothing left. Besides, we didn’t decide to become archeologists for the sake of losing our lives. We decided to become archeologists because we wanted to contribute to the research work done by the nation. I think Ms. An should also abort her plan to enter. We’ll just seal the exits. That’s not too bad of an idea.”
An Xiaoning objected, “Do you want to make atonements only after a major mishap occurs? Wouldn’t it be too late then? Do you really think sealing the exits of bizarre graves is the best solution? It’s expected to rain at about eleven in the morning today. I love and cherish myself and my life too, but I still think there’s a need to go inside to take a look. It doesn’t matter even if there’s no feasible solution for it.”
“What if you never make it out again? Captain Wang, if something happens to her here, what do you say you and your subordinates atone for your mistakes using your lives?” said Henry.
A sullen expression formed on Wang Jinsheng’s face immediately. He almost forgot An Xiaoning’s status and identity.
“Ms. An, shall we just seal the exits? Although that won’t solve the root problem, it’ll at least not cause any further issues. It’s not a must for us to deal with this grave either. Ms. An, you must consider this carefully. Nothing matters more than your life does.”
An Xiaoning was stuck in a dilemma. She desperately wanted to find out what was inside. However, she was also concerned about the risks involved. Thus, after some thought, she said, “Give me some time to think about it before I come to a decision.”
Wang Jinsheng hurriedly answered, “Sure, sure, we’ll wait for your answer.”
She and Henry got inside the car again. She questioned him in displeasure, “Why did you have to say those words just now?”
“I was just sparing a thought for you. That place is so dangerous and yet you’re thinking of going inside on your own. Didn’t you see how terrified that Wang Jinsheng was? He doesn’t even dare to go inside. You’re very brave, eh?”
