Love Lock

Chapter 370 Extra: Hua Tianyou and Zhao Ling'er

The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, and the weather is gradually turning cooler, with a slight chill in the passing breeze.

After lying in bed for three whole days, Han Lei still couldn't distinguish between reality and dreams.

Seeing that she had woken up, Luo Min did a series of emotional talks with her before going on to attend to her own business, only checking on her from time to time.

For the past three days, she had barely closed her eyes, staring at the ceiling. Every time she closed them, the image of Zhao Zun and her two crying children would appear in her mind and eyes...

Three days later, she could no longer endure the torment. She forced herself to get up, ate something, and went through the discharge procedures at the military hospital on her own.

She carried her bag out of the military hospital and rejoined the bustling streets.

Watching the girls on the street dressed in fashionable autumn and winter clothes, chatting and laughing while holding milk tea, she felt a splitting headache and was almost out of control.

This dazzling, bustling city is real.

Those vast and desolate scenes seem to exist only in dreams.

She wandered aimlessly for an unknown amount of time, carrying her bag as she walked through the crowd of people dancing in the square, and then, to the rhythm of the noisy music, sat down on a stone bench by the street.

The streetlights gradually came on, casting a dim yellow light on her pale face. Her fingers unconsciously scratched at the marble bench, her nails making a series of teeth-grinding sounds.

Neon lights flashed, and the streets were bustling.

This is the city's fireworks that she often longed for in her dreams during the Great Jing Dynasty.

But now that she's sitting here, she feels a void in her heart.

No, I feel completely drained.

An emptiness devoid of a soul.

She looked up at the star-like light on the lamppost and murmured, "Brother Zun, do you really not exist? I don't believe it. If you are on the grassland, I can go there to find you. If you are at the bottom of the cliff, I will go there to find you; but now you only appear in my dreams, so where can I find you? I've tried, sleeping pills couldn't bring me to your side..."

"No, even if it's a dream, I will find you."

Amidst the strange looks from passersby, she suddenly stood up and rushed out.

Back at her unit, she ignored her comrades' concerned inquiries and rushed into her dormitory like a madwoman.

Luo Min wasn't in the room. She turned on her laptop, plugged it in, and typed "time travel" into the search box.

What appears on the screen is either a screen full of time-travel novels and TV dramas, or all sorts of obscure and difficult-to-understand theoretical explanations.

She then typed: Great Jing Dynasty
She searched frantically online, even looking up unsolved mysteries such as black holes, Malaysia Airlines, and underwater pyramids, but to no avail.

However, after some searching, she discovered that the universe is vast and mysterious, and there are indeed many strange and unusual things that science cannot explain.

She used to think those things were just "mysticism," something to be taken for granted as entertainment. But now, she hopes that mysticism really exists in this world.

She could hear the laughter of her comrades celebrating her awakening outside, but a deep sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her.

She went to the bedside and lay down, trying to sink back into that dreamlike state, but to no avail. Even if she managed to fall asleep and dream of something, she would wake up still in her modern dormitory.

She repeatedly tried to recall the actions and words she had heard while in the dream... but no matter how she tried, she remained sitting in her dormitory, and nothing changed.

As long as there are no missions for the team, she can stay in her dormitory for entire days, spending her time in front of the computer searching for various materials and documents.

She even started studying Taoism, learning to draw talismans from online tutorials, hoping that those mystical and esoteric elements could once again transport her to the Great Jing Dynasty…

Han Lei has changed.

Her teammates were all talking about it, saying that she was like a different person after she woke up.

She became erratic, taciturn, and absent-minded. She often stared blankly at the computer and rarely responded when called.

Han Lei also knew that her condition was worrying.

She wanted to change, but she couldn't. No matter what, she couldn't let go of those memories. In fact, those images became clearer and clearer, and the longing and concern from the bottom of her heart became more and more heart-wrenching.

In this condition, he was naturally no longer able to perform the duties of a special forces medic.

Although the military did not require her to leave, she voluntarily submitted her discharge application on the tenth day after regaining consciousness, even though she was very reluctant to leave. Considering her health condition, the leadership quickly approved it.

After packing her few belongings, she moved out of the special forces dormitory. Her superiors and comrades came to see her off and told her to get some rest.

Standing at the gate of the barracks, she sadly realized that in this big city, she had neither a place to call home nor any idea where to go. Her savings from working for the past few years were enough to support her for a few more years, but they couldn't give her a real sense of security.

Without Zhao Zun, nothing has any meaning.

She didn't want to go back to her hometown to find her parents; she just wanted to stay in the city to work and continue searching for a chance to time travel.

The afternoon sun, with a touch of languor, cast dappled shadows through the sparse leaves of the sycamore trees onto the bulletin board of the old community.

Han Lei, dragging her only suitcase, stood in front of the bulletin board, her eyes quickly scanning the layers of posters and advertisements, some old and some new.

Pet Lost Notice, Appliance Repair, Tutoring Class Enrollment... Her gaze eventually settled on a handwritten rental ad in the corner.

The advertisement's handwriting was somewhat messy, but the key information was clear: "Local center Xueyuan residential complex, single room with furnishings, move-in ready, price negotiable. Contact number..."

"Xueyuan Residential Area..." Han Lei murmured. She vaguely remembered this place; it was located in the city center, with convenient living and complete supporting facilities.

She took out her phone and dialed the number listed.

The call was answered quickly, and a husky male voice came through: "Hello, who is this?"

"Hello, Mr. Wang? I saw your rental ad and would like to see the apartment." Han Lei tried to make her voice sound calm and composed.

"Oh, you're looking at apartments. Is now a convenient time? I'm right here in the complex."

"It's convenient, I'm nearby, I'll be right there."

The person on the other end of the phone briefly explained the building and unit number. Han Lei noted it down, dragged her suitcase, and followed the instructions into the nearby Xueyuan residential area.

The neighborhood is quite old, and the buildings look a bit dated, but it's shaded by trees and the environment is relatively quiet.

The landlord, Mr. Wang, was a middle-aged man in his fifties, slightly overweight, and with a fairly kind face. He led Han Lei up to the third floor and opened a security door with peeling paint.

"This is it, take a look." Mr. Wang stepped aside.

The room wasn't large, a one-bedroom apartment with simple furniture, but it included a bed, wardrobe, table, and chairs, and had a small balcony. The bathroom and kitchen were separate. Although the decor was dated from ten years ago, it was kept fairly clean.

"The water heater, air conditioner, and refrigerator are all working properly, and the internet is connected. One month's deposit and three months' rent in advance, is that okay with you?" Mr. Wang explained.

Han Lei looked around, paying particular attention to the doors, windows, and utilities. She didn't have high requirements for accommodation; cleanliness, safety, and convenience were all she needed. Although this place was a bit old, it met her basic needs, and the price was relatively affordable for the city center.

"Okay, this is fine." Han Lei nodded without much hesitation.

After completing the simple rental procedures, paying the rent, and seeing the landlord off, Han Lei looked at the small space that temporarily belonged to her and let out a long sigh of relief.

She opened her suitcase and began to organize her few belongings.

Actually, she didn't have much stuff. Since she used to wear military uniforms almost all the time, she only had a few changes of clothes, some daily necessities, and a few books on history, folklore, and mysticism—these were all "aftereffects" of her recent frantic research.

After packing her luggage, she found a rag and broom and carefully cleaned the room. By the time she finished, the sky outside the window was already tinged with the warm hues of dusk, and her stomach began to rumble. It was already dinnertime.

After locking the door, Han Lei walked out of the residential compound and onto the street outside.

As dusk settled, shops lined both sides of the street, and the aroma of food wafted from the restaurants. She had neither the mood nor any particular craving for food.

I strolled along and finally stopped in front of a small shop that read "Old Chen's Noodle Shop".

The shop isn't big, but it was peak time for customers, and there were already quite a few diners inside, so business seemed to be good.

Han Lei went inside, found an empty seat against the wall, and ordered a bowl of their signature beef noodles.

The noodles were served quickly, steaming hot, with a bright red broth and sprinkled with vibrant green scallions, making them incredibly appetizing. As she picked up her chopsticks to eat, the conversation of the guests at the next table drifted into her ears.

Three men were sitting at the table. Judging from their clothes, they seemed to be small business owners or errand runners. There were several bottles of beer and a few small dishes on the table. One of them, who had a slightly louder voice, was talking animatedly.

"Let's go to the ghost market later. Sister Zhang's shop just received a batch of walnuts. I heard they're of good quality, and they were collected from an old house in the north. There are several in there, with deep lines, large size, and they've already started to grow three-sided!"

A thinner man next to him chimed in, "Triangular? Really? That woman Zhang has a sharp eye; she wouldn't easily reveal something good, would she? The price must be high, right?"

The loud-voiced man chuckled, lowering his voice, but it was still clearly audible in the relatively quiet noodle shop: "She wants 30,000! Let's go over there later and try to bargain her down to 6,000 at most, and see if she'll sell."

The third man, who hadn't said much and seemed more cautious, frowned, took a swig of beer, and said, "Six thousand? Liu, are you drunk? Six thousand for a broken walnut? What if you can't crack it open? Wouldn't that be a complete waste? I doubt it."

The man called Da Liu scoffed: "You're such a coward! Last time you dealt in that Han Dynasty jade pendant, didn't you think it was too expensive at first? How much did you make when you resold it? This stuff is all about guts and a keen eye! If you really find a good-quality triangular piece, its value could be ten times higher! You'd make even more than that jade pendant! Six thousand is a conservative estimate!"

“Exactly,” the skinny man chimed in. “Although Sister Zhang is shrewd, it’s not impossible for the three of us to go together and negotiate with her. Besides, we can do it right here! Let’s put it to the test! If we succeed, we can find another job right on the spot!”

The group discussed their plans to "crack walnuts" at the ghost market later, unaware that their words, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples in Han Lei's heart.

“Jade pendant… Ghost market…” These two words were like a bolt of lightning, suddenly cleaving through the fog that had been clouding her mind for days!

She stopped picking up the noodles, her chopsticks frozen in mid-air, her mind racing.

A jade pendant! The jade pendant Zhao Zun gave her!

These days, she's been like a headless fly, pinning all her hopes for time travel on vague and unrepeatable concepts like falling off a cliff, deep sleep, or spacetime rifts. She's tried and failed time and time again, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted, and she's completely neglecting the jade pendant Zhao Zun gave her.

Now, recalling that scene in the textile factory shop of the Great Jing Dynasty, the crossbow bolt came flying through the air and hit the jade pendant hanging on her chest perfectly!
The situation was critical; she only had time to feel a tremendous impact and shock before the world spun around her, and she was back in the modern world.

The arrow was incredibly powerful; she was certain the jade pendant was shattered.

But why did the crossbow bolt hit the jade pendant? And why did she return as soon as the jade pendant shattered?
Could it be... that the jade pendant was the one that caused my last time travel? Did it take me to that distant era? And did the shattering of the jade pendant sever that connection, or rather, deplete its energy, thus causing me to return to the modern world?

right! That must be it!

Han Lei's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had finally seen a ray of dawn in the endless darkness.

Perhaps she was thinking in the wrong direction and got stuck in a rut! The key wasn't the environment or her state of mind, but that jade pendant with special power!
"Zhao Zun... Baby... wait for me." She unconsciously clenched the chopsticks in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly white. Her murmured voice was so soft that only she could hear it, yet it contained unwavering determination and rekindled hope. "I will definitely find the jade pendant! I will definitely make the jade pendant lead me to you again!"

Since she returned because of the broken jade pendant, did that broken jade pendant also return to the modern world? It's just unknown where it ended up.

It may have been broken into pieces and scattered in some corner; or it may have been picked up by someone because of its antique nature and flowed into... the antique market?
Thinking of this, Han Lei's heart suddenly raced.

She quickly shoveled down a few mouthfuls of noodles, barely tasting anything, and then hurriedly paid the bill and left the noodle shop.

The guests at the next table were still having a lively discussion, but Han Lei's goal was already clear—the ghost market!
She also wanted to try her luck in that chaotic place full of possibilities.

That place is a hub for antiques, curios, and strange and unusual items. She might just find clues about the jade pendant there, or even... what if she could find the jade pendant itself?
Although she knew the chances were slim, this was the most concrete and likely direction she could grasp at the moment.

In fact, the so-called "ghost market" is not a place where ghosts and monsters gather, but a local antique and secondhand night market.

It typically opens at night and closes in the early morning. The lights are dim, there are many shadowy figures, and the items traded come from all walks of life, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake. It is full of mystery and the possibility of finding a bargain, hence the name.

Around 8 PM, Han Lei arrived at a quiet street in the old city district, following the address she had inquired about. Unlike the surrounding quiet areas, this place was bustling with activity.

Two dim, yellowish lanterns hung at the entrance to the street, illuminating the two blurry characters "Ghost Market".

Stepping into the ghost market is like instantly entering another world.

The narrow streets were lined with stalls, most of whom were quiet and reserved. Some sat on small stools smoking, while others used the energy-saving lights hanging on their stalls to wipe their items.

The stalls displayed a wide variety of items: yellowed calligraphy and paintings, rusty copper coins, chipped porcelain bowls, strangely shaped wood carvings, old clocks, and various jade pendants... a dazzling array that was hard to look away from.

The air was filled with the unique scent of old things, a mixture of dust, mildew, and a faint hint of sandalwood.

The shoppers thronged the street, chatting in hushed tones, their voices rising and falling as they bargained.

The beams of flashlights flickered and crisscrossed in the darkness, and people carefully examined the treasures in their hands by the faint light. Their expressions varied—some were solemn, some were delighted, and some were suspicious. The entire market was shrouded in a bizarre and confusing atmosphere, where it was difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake.

Han Lei took a deep breath and blended into the surging crowd.

Her goal was clear: she was targeting the stalls selling jade and ornaments.

She tried hard to recall every detail of the jade pendant: the phoenix pattern, the warm and smooth feel of the jade, its size, its thickness... especially its unique tactile sensation.

She stopped at each stall, bent down, and carefully examined the jade artifacts, some real and some fake.

She had seen "jade" with overly bright colors, crudely carved antique-style jade pendants, and some miscellaneous jade that looked old but had completely wrong patterns... Every time she looked at them with hope, she was met with disappointment.

In the middle of the market, at a relatively spacious corner, there is a stall made of simple wooden planks, with a bright rechargeable light hanging on it, illuminating the various collectible items such as walnuts, bodhi seeds, and olive pit carvings on the stall.

Behind the stall, a smartly dressed woman, around forty years old, with shrewd eyes, stood with her arms crossed. The three men she had seen in the noodle shop were talking to her.

The area in front of the stall was quite lively, with a large crowd gathered around.

Han Lei also went over and saw the man called Da Liu holding a green walnut, haggling with Sister Zhang while spitting as he spoke.

"Sister Zhang, we're regular customers, so give us a fair price! Six thousand! We'll open it for six thousand!" Da Liu said, pointing at the walnut.

Sister Zhang scoffed, her voice carrying a hint of streetwise shrewishness: "Big Liu, are you dreaming? Six thousand? Do you think I picked this up on the street? Look at its condition and size, it's at least 4.0, and the three edges are even showing! Thirty thousand, not a penny less! If you want to find a bargain, go try your luck at another stall!"

"Hey, Sister Zhang, you can't say that," the thin man chimed in. "These walnuts are good, but they haven't been opened yet. Who knows what's inside? What if there's blemishes or wormholes? We're the ones who should bear the risk!"

“That’s right,” cautious Old Wang added in a low voice, “30,000 is too expensive, Sister Zhang, please give me a discount.”

Sister Zhang remained unmoved, pointing to the other walnuts on the stall: "Risk? Playing this game is all about luck! There are cheaper ones over there, a few dozen yuan each, you can open them however you like. But these, this is the price! To tell you the truth, there are other people waiting to watch!"

The onlookers were also discussing the matter, with some saying that Sister Zhang was heartless, while others said that the walnuts did look quite good.

After a brief standoff, Da Liu seemed to grit his teeth and pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket: "Twelve thousand! Sister Zhang, that's all I have on me! If it's okay, great; if not, we're leaving!"

Sister Zhang glanced at the stack of money, then looked at the pained expression on Da Liu's face, her eyes darting around as if she were weighing her options.

Finally, she sighed, looking like she'd been ripped off: "Fine, fine, since you're so eager to buy and are old acquaintances, twelve thousand it is! Remember to patronize my business next time you have good stuff!"

"Definitely!" Da Liu immediately beamed with joy and quickly stuffed the money into Sister Zhang's hand, as if afraid she would change her mind.

With the payment settled, the main event is about to begin.

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