Who told him to make the cards!

Page 5

"Okay, I'll help you find it."

He called the man over and gave him a few instructions.

Soon, the three veteran miners who had not yet gone down the mine were brought into the main building.

They had all worked in the mining area for over twenty years and knew the roads in almost every mine shaft.

But when they heard that they were going to Well No. 13, their expressions changed.

"Steward Ding, please find someone else. I can't go."

“My children in the city are counting on the money I earn to go to school, I can’t die.”

"Manager Ding, please don't make things difficult for us. You know how dangerous Well No. 13 is. Although we're doing a job where we risk our lives for money, we can't just go and die..."

No matter how Ding Mao tried to persuade them, even though the wages had been increased to the level of ten years ago, the three old miners still refused to go.

One of them knelt down instead, preferring to have his wages docked rather than go down into well number 13.

"Sigh, never mind." Ding Mao sighed, waved for the three to leave, then turned to the girl with a wry smile, "Miss Shen, as you can see, I have tried my best to cooperate with you, but there was just an accident at Well No. 13, and no one dares to go there."

"How about this... wait for me a moment."

Ding Mao went upstairs and retrieved a stack of blank forms.

"Actually, what the academy wants is nothing more than a comprehensive result."

He said, "I can fill in the legal samples that were missing in the previous report, and if you need more evidence to prove the mining accident, I can provide it as you wish."

“In the new investigation report, I will write that you have been to Well No. 13, personally inspected the accident site, and confirmed that the legal activation was true and there were no other abnormalities. This way, you can complete the task assigned by the academy without actually risking your life. It’s the best of both worlds. What do you think?”

The blank form was stamped with the Blackstone Mine's seal, clearly indicating that this wasn't the first time Ding Mao had done this.

In his view, whether or not an investigation is conducted is not that important.

He had heard some things about the Qinggong Academy, which often sent students out on missions, partly to earn money and partly to enrich their resumes.

Neither of these things has anything to do with the facts.

He only needed to treat them well, play the part convincingly so that they could report back, and prepare a few boxes of local specialties from the mining area, such as copper horns, and that would be enough to settle the matter.

Few students who are used to living in big cities would actually be willing to enter a dangerous mine.

After all, people can really die from that.

The best years of your life are still ahead of you. Why work so hard when you're so young?

As for the young man who recorded the entire conversation, he was with Ms. Shen. If Ms. Shen chose his option, the young man knew what to do.

Shen Qinglian glanced down at the materials Ding Mao was holding that he could write on freely, and chuckled to herself.

"Manager Ding's considerations are truly thorough."

Ding Mao smiled ingratiatingly: "It's nothing."

“But no need.” Shen Qinglian stood up.

Ding Mao's smile froze again.

"What is this...?"

"Since you can't find a guide, I'll find one myself."

After saying that, Shen Qinglian turned and left.

Liu Bai glanced at Ding Mao and followed along with the old servant.

Ding Mao's face burned with embarrassment. He stood rooted to the spot, watching the three figures disappear into the distance, his expression slowly darkening.

……

Outside the main building.

Chen Zhi is still repairing the cards.

Most of the miners have gone to the mines, and there are only a few people left in the village.

Shen Qinglian walked straight toward Chen Zhi.

Two elderly miners waiting for their cards at the stall quickly bowed their heads and made way for them.

Shen Qinglian did not speak immediately.

Whether it's replacing cards or making new cards, it's a very delicate job, and the slightest mistake can ruin the card.

The man was very focused at the moment, and Shen Qinglian didn't want to interrupt him, so she just stood in front of the stall and quietly observed Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi has a thin layer of calluses on his index finger and thumb.

Shen Qinglian was still wondering whether the calluses were from years of working in the mines or from constantly refilling cards, when Chen Zhi suddenly noticed her arrival and asked abruptly, "Why is my hand being stared at, sir?"

Shen Qinglian: "..."

Without looking up, Chen Zhi continued, "It's just a quack tactic, nothing special."

Shen Qinglian choked for a moment.

She had spoken very softly when commenting on Chen Zhi's card replacement technique, but she never expected that Chen Zhi would be able to hear it.

but it does not matter.

She has always been bold and responsible.

"Your technique is rough, messy, and impatient. In your pursuit of speed, you've lost the delicacy and composure a card maker should possess. No mainstream school of card repair works like you," Shen Qinglian said. "Am I wrong to say you're using unorthodox methods?"

Chen Zhi countered, "Then why did you come looking for me, sir?"

Shen Qinglian then changed the subject: "If you can fix the card even with unorthodox methods, doesn't that prove you're exceptionally talented and capable?"

"..."

This time, Chen Zhi was speechless for a moment.

It can be this round?

He looked up at Shen Qinglian.

The aloof and beautiful girl in front of him remained calm and composed, seemingly unaware that her words were inappropriate, and met his gaze openly and confidently.

Chen Zhi couldn't help but laugh.

The noble lady who came this time was a bit different from others.

He's neither arrogant nor impatient, which is quite unlike a student.

"Put the card on the table," Chen Zhi said. "There are two people ahead of you."

Shen Qinglian shook her head: "I won't replace the card."

Even Chen Zhi couldn't understand his card.

"What is that?" Chen Zhi asked knowingly.

Shen Qinglian's gaze shifted to the ore in the iron box: "Is this stone yours?"

"I found it, it's worthless," Chen Zhi said. "I can give it to you if you want."

Shen Qinglian looked up: "Found it in well number 13?"

Chen Zhi replied dismissively, "I've never been to Well No. 13. Not all stones in the mining area look like this. Miss, are you mistaken?"

Shen Qinglian stared at Chen Zhi: "This kind of fibrous stone can only appear in the deepest part of the earth. In the entire Black Stone Mine, only the fifth level and below of Well No. 13 can meet this condition."

"In addition, the cracks in your stone are natural, without any special treatment. The surface is not oxidized, the veins are not discolored, and there are still traces of the principles of law inside. It was unearthed no more than fifteen days ago."

"And half a month ago, a mining accident occurred at shaft No. 13, and the entrance was sealed. If you haven't been there, did it grow wings and fly out to land in this iron box?"

Shen Qinglian's words were all logical and well-founded.

Chen Zhi raised his head again.

Eyes facing each other.

Their eyes met for the first time.

Without a doubt, she is a very beautiful girl.

Her skin was delicate, fair, and flawless.

The dirtier and more chaotic the mining area, the more noble and beautiful she appears.

But why does this face have so many glowing lines on it?

It's like a card game.

This was the first time Chen Zhi had encountered something like this.

"Take me to Well No. 13." Shen Qinglian looked directly at Chen Zhi. "Name your terms."

Chen Zhi glanced at the general manager's building.