Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

The warmth of breakfast hadn't yet dissipated.

The traces of morning exercise were still visible in the yard—a few leaves fell to the ground by the force of the movement, and a faint smell of sweat lingered in the air.

The villa was quiet, but unlike its usual tranquility, there was a sense of tension, a feeling of anticipation.

The levitating live-streaming sphere hovered in the corner of the living room, its yellow light flashing slowly, like a sleepy eye. It hadn't started working yet; according to Zhang Qiling's instructions, it needed to wait until it entered the "target area."

But where is the "target area"? Zhangjia Ancient Building, deep in the southwestern rainforest. That's still a long way off.

Now is the time to prepare.

Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu had already retreated to the study. The door was closed, and the sounds of turning pages and hushed discussions could be heard from inside. They were carefully studying the official information and comparing it with the clues they had brought back from various tombs, trying to piece together a clearer route and a list of risks.

Aning was checking her gear in the yard. This time, due to the special circumstances, she had a long list: a cut-resistant and waterproof turtleneck bodysuit, insect repellent and snake repellent, protective gear, a water filter, antimalarial and antitoxin serum, high-strength glow sticks, moisture-proof matches, spare batteries for the satellite phone... She checked everything carefully, personally inspecting each item to ensure it was in good condition, and then categorized and packed it into different waterproof bags.

Jiang Xun Gu helped out; being strong, he was responsible for packing and securing the heavier spare batteries and tools. Watching A Ning's meticulous movements, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister Ning, will this... be even more dangerous than the Qinling Mountains?"

A Ning didn't even look up, her hands still moving: "The environments are different. The Qinling Mountains are underground structures, and traps and energy pollution are the main threats. The rainforest is a living hell, with poisonous insects, miasma, complex terrain, unknown creatures, and... things that breed in people's hearts. Moreover, if it really is the Zhang family's ancestral land, the defenses they've set up are probably more deadly than natural dangers."

Jiang Xun Gu swallowed hard, nodded, and worked even harder.

Fatty Wang was in the living room, scratching his head in front of an open notebook. Xie Yuchen had given him a task: to estimate the weight and physical exertion distribution for each person based on the existing equipment list. Fatty's math skills were honed by his PE teacher, and the calculations were giving him a major headache.

"Fatty, are you sure you can handle this?" Wu Xie sat opposite him, also organizing his notes, rewriting the fragmented information about "door" and "gatekeeper" in an attempt to find a pattern.

"Nonsense! I'm doing... overall planning!" The fat man stubbornly insisted, but he miscalculated the numbers again and angrily crossed them out.

Black Bear, carrying a cup of coffee, strolled to the kitchen doorway and chatted with Aunt Chen: "Aunt Chen, we're going on a long trip this time, and it'll be for a while. Please take care of yourself while you're home alone."

Mrs. Chen, who was preparing lunch ingredients, smiled upon hearing this: "Mr. Hei, don't worry, I can take care of myself. But you two are going to a dangerous place again... This time, please be very careful. Mr. Zhang and the others' injuries haven't fully healed yet."

"Don't worry," Black Bear took a sip of coffee, "The mute Zhangs are like cats, tough as nails. Besides, this is their 'hometown,' maybe there will be a surprise."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the other side of the living room.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" didn't participate in any preparations. The two sat on the sofa by the window in the living room, separated by a small table. Zhang Qiling held the tablet in his hand, repeatedly looking at several blurry satellite images on it. The photos had low resolution, only showing large expanses of lush green tree canopies, with several slightly darker, irregularly shaped shadow areas vaguely visible, looking like they had been artificially manicured, or perhaps naturally formed strange terrain.

Zhang Qiling wasn't looking at the tablet. He leaned back on the sofa with his eyes slightly closed, his right hand unconsciously tapping a rhythm on his knee. His brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were sketching or simulating something in his mind. Was he recalling something? Or sensing something?

There was no conversation between them. But that synchronized silence and focused attention was itself a form of silent communication.

The yellow light on the floating live-streaming sphere flickered briefly before turning a stable green. A soft buzzing sound rang out, and the camera panned, focusing on the people in the living room.

The live stream started automatically.

It was probably activated remotely by the official side, or a new command was set. Zhang Qiling's "target area" command may have been overwritten or modified.

The green indicator light came on, the lens zoomed in and out to focus, and the scene in the living room was captured clearly.

Almost simultaneously, a large number of viewers flooded into the live stream. The live stream, which had been black for a long time, suddenly started broadcasting, and the chat exploded instantly:

Prophet: It's on air! Can I believe my eyes?!

A solution to those who disagree with the experts: The new ball! It seems even smaller!

The fan club for the young man: Husband! It's my husband! And Qi Ling's husband! We're all here!

Archaeological discovery of missing persons: I thought my account had been banned!

Qinling Survivor: Judging from the background, is this Huaerye Villa? Are they about to set off?

The fat guy has gotten fatter again: What's he doing? Doing math? That's a rare sight!

Innocent and pure: Wu Xie is so serious, what is he writing?

Blackie's looking at me: Blackie's flirting with Sister Chen! Deduct pay!

Miss Aning: Sister Ning is organizing her gear, so cool!

Passerby A: The atmosphere seems a bit tense. Is there a new target?

The live stream ball moved slowly, the camera panning across everyone. Wu Xie glanced up, adjusted his glasses, ignored it, and continued writing. Fatty Wang made a face at the camera, then continued working on the numbers. Hei Xiazi raised his coffee cup to the camera, flashing his signature roguish grin. A Ning and Jiang Xun Gu were in the courtyard, not in the frame.

The camera finally lingers on the sofa by the window. Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" appear in the center of the frame. One is looking down at a tablet, the other is lost in thought with his eyes closed. Sunlight streams through the window, casting serene silhouettes on their bodies. The bandages on their hands and the faint outlines beneath their clothing reveal unhealed wounds.

The barrage of comments instantly became even denser:

Qi Ling's hand: My husband's hand isn't healed yet! It breaks my heart!

Qi Ling's injuries: Qi Ling's face is still a little pale.

Fans of both are overjoyed: They're in the same frame! He looks so handsome just sitting there!

What are they looking at: a map on a tablet?

Is it time to set off? Where are we going this time?

Official equipment delivery: I heard that the officials came and gave us new clues?

The new ball is great: the clarity seems to be even better.

Zhang Qiling seemed to sense the camera's focus. He looked up at the floating live-streaming sphere, his gaze indifferent and devoid of emotion, before looking away and returning to the tablet. It was as if it were merely an insignificant decoration.

"Zhang Qiling" also opened his eyes, glanced at the live broadcast ball, then looked at the tablet in Zhang Qiling's hand, and whispered two words: "Here." He pointed to the darkest shadow in the thick green on the screen.

Zhang Qiling zoomed in on the image. Although it was even blurrier, the shape of the shadow... vaguely resembled an irregular depression or basin surrounded by mountains.

"The entrance might be down there," Zhang Qiling said.

"There's a barrier around us," Zhang Qiling added, "an energy field, or... something else. The photo isn't clear."

Their conversation was very quiet, but the live broadcast receiver was very sensitive and transmitted the audio clearly.

The comments section immediately began to analyze:

Prophet: They're discussing a new location! The Southwest Rainforest?

Geography class representative: The vegetation looks like it's at the boundary between tropical and subtropical zones, and the mountain shape...

Energy field? : And a special magnetic field?

The entrance is below: an underground structure? Is the Zhang Family Ancient Building underground?

It's getting more and more mysterious.

Just then, Mrs. Chen came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter and placed it on the small table in the middle of the sofa. "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Qiling, please have some fruit. These oranges were just delivered; they're very sweet."

The fruit platter contained bright yellow oranges, exuding a refreshing aroma.

Zhang Qiling glanced at the orange, then at Aunt Chen, and said softly, "Thank you."

Zhang Qiling nodded without saying anything.

Aunt Chen smiled and walked away.

Zhang Qiling put down his tablet and reached for an orange. His long, slender fingers moved slowly and deliberately as he began to peel it. The peel cracked, releasing a refreshing aroma of juice. He peeled it carefully, removing the peel almost completely to reveal the plump segments inside.

Instead of eating it himself, he naturally broke the peeled orange in half and handed one half to "Zhang Qiling" next to him.

Zhang Qiling took it without saying thank you, but simply lowered his head, broke off a piece, and put it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, his eyes fixed ahead, seemingly still thinking.

Zhang Qiling also broke off his own half and ate it quietly.

The two sat side by side, silently eating segments of the same orange. Sunlight, the scent of fruit, silence, and the occasional exchange of glances.

The scene was unusually harmonious and peaceful, even somewhat... ordinary.

But the chat in the live stream had completely gone crazy.

The fan club for the guy: Peel an orange! Hand over an orange! Eat it! I'm dead!

Was Qi Ling gentle today? He actually peeled an orange for someone!

Qi Ling answered: He answered it! He ate it!

Brotherhood: It's about brothers! It's about tacit understanding! It's about family!

Peaceful and serene: Why does it suddenly feel so warm and cozy?

Are these oranges sweet? I bet five cents they're super sweet!

Live food broadcast: It's the first time I've seen my husbands eat, they look so handsome!

Official announcement: This freebie was totally worth it! I got it!

The floating live-streaming sphere quietly recorded this ordinary scene. There were no thrills, no mysteries, only two people, still wounded and about to embark on another perilous journey, sharing an ordinary orange in a brief moment of tranquility before setting off.

After Wang Pangzi finished calculating (he might have made a mistake), he came over to take an orange, but Hei Xiazi grabbed him.

"What?" the fat man asked, puzzled.

"Have some sense," Black Bear lowered his voice and pointed over there, "Let them eat in peace for a while."

The fat man glanced over there, then at the bear, pursed his lips, withdrew his hand, and muttered under his breath, "It's just an orange..."

Wu Xie also looked up at the two people by the window, a slight smile unconsciously curving his lips. Then he lowered his head and continued organizing his notes, the pen nib scratching across the paper.

The faint sounds of A Ning and Jiang Xun Gu organizing their equipment could be heard outside the courtyard. Inside the study, the faint sounds of discussion continued.

The suspended live-streaming sphere slowly rotated, faithfully recording the busy yet peaceful final preparations before the storm in the villa.

The green indicator light remained steadily lit.

A new journey, a new exploration, has begun.