Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

The oranges are all gone.

A faint, sweet fruity scent lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of sunshine and old book pages.

A levitating live-streaming sphere hovered in mid-air above the living room, its camera silently recording the proceedings. A green light indicated it was in operation. The live chat was still scrolling, but slower than before; the viewers seemed to be immersed in this brief moment of tranquility.

Zhang Qiling placed the last bit of orange peel on the small table. "Zhang Qiling" also finished his portion and patted off the non-existent crumbs on his hands.

Neither of them spoke again, nor did they continue looking at their tablets. They sat side by side, one gazing out the window at Aning's figure organizing her equipment in the courtyard, the other looking down at her bandaged hand, her fingers unconsciously bending and straightening, testing the recovery process.

The sounds of stir-frying and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. It was Aunt Chen preparing lunch.

"Fatty, have you finished your list?" Wu Xie looked up, rubbed his sore wrist, and looked at Fatty Wang across from him, who was scratching his head.

"Almost there, almost there!" The fat man didn't even look up, scribbling something rapidly before forcefully crossing it out, cursing under his breath, "Damn it, this thing is even harder than tomb raiding to locate the burial site!"

"That's arithmetic, not geomancy." Black Bear strolled over, craned his neck to look at Fatty's scribbles on the list, and laughed. "Fatty, your handwriting looks like a spider crawling. It'll give me a headache."

"Mind your own business!" the fat man snapped angrily, slamming his notebook shut. "I've finished calculating! It's roughly correct! Anyway, once we get there, we'll figure out what to do if we run out of steam!"

"Alright," Xie Yuchen said, walking out of the study with several newly printed sheets of paper in his hand. "Xiuxiu and I have checked the equipment list, and it's basically fine. Aning's inventory is almost done too. This afternoon I'll contact the vehicles and complete the necessary procedures, and we can set off as early as tomorrow morning. The preliminary route plan is set: first from the highway to the border town, then we'll switch to a local guide and pack animals, and hike into the mountains. There are no existing paths in that rainforest, and satellite images can't capture the details clearly, so we can only proceed step by step."

"Is Director Xiang reliable?" Wu Xie asked.

"I asked a friend to find him. He said he's one of the last old hunters in that mountain area, surnamed Hu. He's a bit eccentric, but his sense of direction is unparalleled. However..." Xie Yuchen paused, "He has a condition: he wants to meet the people who went into the mountains, especially... the leader." He looked at Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling".

Zhang Qiling looked up: "Greetings."

"Mm." Zhang Qiling nodded.

"Alright, let's arrange a meeting when we get to town," Xie Yuchen said. "Also, the place we're going to this time is near the border, so the situation is complicated. Besides natural dangers, there might be other... uncertainties. Everyone, please be vigilant."

"Understood." Ah Ning walked in from the courtyard, took off her gloves, and said, "The equipment has been inventoried. First aid medicines and antitoxin serum have been packaged separately, one for each person. The signal flares and glow sticks have been waterproofed. The satellite phones and spare batteries are fully charged."

Jiang Xun Gu followed behind her, carrying a box: "Some heavy public equipment has been packed up; we'll use mules to carry it."

The camera on the floating live-streaming sphere moved with their conversation, clearly conveying everyone's expressions and words. The live chat became active again:

The prophet: Time to set off! This time it's a rainforest trek!

A scathing critique of so-called experts: The director's surname is Hu? Could it be that Hu Bayi from *Dream of the Red Chamber*? (Just kidding)

The male lead's fan club: Of course, the leaders are the husbands! Director Xiang has good taste!

Miss Aning: Sister Ning is incredibly efficient!

Go Fatty! Fatty finished the calculations, that wasn't easy!

Blackie wanders around again: Blackie is really good at creating atmosphere.

What is Tianzhen doing? Wu Xie has written a lot in his notes, he's so serious.

The atmosphere was more relaxed at lunchtime than in the morning. Perhaps it was because the destination was clear, the preparations were methodical, and everyone felt more confident. Even Fatty Wang, facing his still bland meal, stopped groaning and muttered, "This is the last meal of grass... Once we're in the mountains, we can finally have some meat, right..."

Aunt Chen placed a piece of steamed fish on his plate: "Mr. Wang, you must be careful when you go into the mountains. You can't just eat anything. This fish is nutritious, so please eat it properly."

The fat man looked at the fish in his bowl, sighed, and resignedly began to eat.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" ate quietly as usual. They sat side by side, occasionally glancing at each other to check on each other before returning their focus to their food. They ate little, but very slowly, chewing each bite carefully, as if conserving every bit of energy for their long journey.

After dinner, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu went back to the study to handle documents and make contacts. A Ning and Jiang Xun Gu continued to organize some odds and ends. Hei Xiazi said he was going to the city to buy some "personal goods" and went out for a stroll. Wu Xie returned to his room to do a final check on his backpack and notes.

Fatty Wang sprawled on the living room sofa, rubbing his belly and staring at the ceiling: "You fatten yourself up for a thousand days, only to use it for one. This body of mine is a mobile granary once we're in the mountains... no, a strategic reserve!"

A levitating live-streaming ball floated above him, with the camera pointed at him.

The fat guy waved at the camera: "Guys, we're off again! This time it's the mountains of Southwest China, searching for our buddies' hometown! Exciting, right? Remember to send me rockets to cheer me on!"

The screen was filled with comments like "Go, Fatty!" and gift effects.

The afternoon passed by in a well-organized flurry of activity. The setting sun cast a warm golden glow upon the villa.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" no longer stayed in the living room. They returned to their room. The door was closed, and it was unclear what they were doing inside. Perhaps they were organizing their few personal belongings, or perhaps they were simply meditating, adjusting their inner energy, making final, internal preparations for the unknown journey ahead.

In the evening, Hei Xiazi returned, carrying a small bag, looking rather mysterious. Xie Yuchen also returned, saying that the vehicles and paperwork were all arranged, and they would depart at six o'clock the next morning. Their guide, Old Hu, would be waiting for them in the border town.

Dinner was exceptionally lavish. Aunt Chen had used all her culinary skills, laying out a table full of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, saying it was a farewell dinner for everyone. Even Fatty's meal was more plentiful, making him beam with joy.

At the dinner table, Xie Yuchen raised his glass (using tea instead of wine): "I won't say anything more. Our goal for this trip is clear, and the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. But we've been through so much together, and I believe that no matter what we encounter, as long as we work together, we can overcome it. Be careful and come back safely."

"Come back safe and sound!" Everyone raised their glasses.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" also raised their teacups and nodded slightly.

After lunch, everyone went back to their rooms for a final rest. We agreed to get up at 5:00 AM the next morning, have breakfast at 5:30 AM, and depart promptly at 6:00 AM.

As night deepened, the lights in the villa were turned off one by one.

Zhang Qiling stood by the window. The moonlight outside was hazy, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently. He held the unified jade eye in his hand. The warm, smooth jade gleamed faintly in the moonlight, the swirling symbol at its center seemingly bottomless. Southwest, ancestral land, ancient tower… these words swirled in his mind, colliding with fragmented memories, failing to evoke a complete picture, only a heavy, seemingly deep-seated pull and… a vague unease.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

He closed his jade-like eyes and opened the door. "Zhang Qiling" stood outside, holding the bronze compass in his hand. In the nighttime room, the compass needle trembled slightly, pointing southwest, more stable and clear than during the day.

"The senses have become stronger," said Zhang Qiling.

"Hmm." Zhang Qiling took the compass, glanced at it, and handed it back. "Sleep. Tomorrow, we'll be on our way."

Zhang Qiling nodded, said nothing more, and turned to go back to his room.

Zhang Qiling closed the door, lay down, but didn't fall asleep immediately. He listened to the faint sound of the wind outside the window, the gradually stabilizing breathing in the other rooms of the villa, and the regular heartbeat in his own chest.

It seems like every departure is preceded by a night like this. Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents are stirring.

But this time, it seems a little different.

The goal is "home." A "home" that may hold all the answers, or it may hold even more questions and dangers.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to sleep. His body needed rest to prepare for the long and arduous trek ahead and the unknowns of the rainforest.

The floating live-streaming sphere sits in the corner of the living room, entering low-power mode, its indicator light turning into a slow breathing light. It's also "resting," waiting for tomorrow's journey.

The live stream wasn't closed; the screen was just frozen on the empty living room. But some night owl viewers were still online, and a few comments were appearing in the chat.

The prophet: Are you all asleep? We're going into the mountains tomorrow.

Specializing in dealing with those who disagree with the experts: I'm a little nervous, but also a little excited.

Brother's fan club: Husbands, take a good rest and get plenty of energy.

Good night and sweet dreams: Good night everyone, wishing you all the best.

The gentle night enveloped the villa, and also the mysterious and ancient Zhang family homeland, slumbering deep in the rainforest in the distance.

Dawn will break soon.