While Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi were making plans for the next day, in the bustling marketplace of Beili, specifically at the execution ground—a large and varied market that was always lively from morning till night.
"Hey, you little thing, get off Fatty's shoulder!"
"If you don't get down, believe me, Fatty will pluck your fur."
Fatty walked through the market, with the little fox perched on his shoulder. He had reluctantly accepted Zhang Tian's task to buy groceries and had brought the little fox along.
"Hmph, believe it or not, Tuan Tuan will scream right now, and then, Chou Chou will become a big bad guy!"
The little fox smacked its lips, its big eyes curiously scanning its surroundings. It was its first time out and it was amazed by so many things. Having been in a tomb for so long, even a pile of dung looked appealing now.
"So many people, why don't they bow to Tuan Tuan?"
"Why are their clothes so strange?"
"Where are their little braids?"
Tuan Tuan constantly asked questions, its large eyes filled with confusion.
"Hey, shut your little mouth. This is a market. If you don't want to be captured, stop chattering."
"Besides, braids aren't popular anymore. But you wouldn't understand; some people hide their braids in their hearts, and some people spend their lives kneeling on the ground."
Fatty mumbled as he walked, the little fox looking completely bewildered. Fatty's actions, however, drew the attention of passersby.
"Mom, why is he talking to a fox?"
"Child, don't look. He's crazy."
Fatty: "???"
Seeing this, the little fox closed its mouth, its gaze sweeping around. Because Fatty carried a white fox, many people stopped to stare. Especially since the little fox was so cute, some children circled it.
"Awooo."
Tuan Tuan let out a perfunctory yelp. Fatty smacked his own head. It was over.
"How do foxes yelp?" a bystander asked.
"I don't know, maybe? Have you ever heard a fox yelp?"
"No..."
The crowd murmured. Unquestionably, Fatty had become the most eye-catching person on the entire street.
"I heard that the Wu family, Wu Tianzhen, has returned from tomb raiding recently."
Inside the Xie family's premises, Xie Yuchen looked at the servants in the room and asked. He had been confined by his second uncle and could only rely on these subordinates to gather information.
"Yes, Young Master. This matter has spread among the major families. It is said that the tomb they visited this time is very likely related to a legendary great tomb."
The servant replied, bowing his head, not daring to look up.
"I see. Did they bring anything back?" Xie Yuchen inquired. He was very curious about what treasures were in the tomb. He was even more fascinated by tombs themselves.
"No, according to investigations, not only did they not get any treasures, but several people were injured and are now recuperating in the hospital."
"Do you know the location of the tomb?" Xie Yuchen asked again.
"Young Master, that tomb has already been blown up. It seems to be gone," the servant said. Xie Yuchen stood up.
"Never mind. You can go. Remember to find me in ten days." Xie Yuchen waved his hand, and the servant left quietly. Xie Yuchen was somewhat dejected. He had planned to send people to the tomb that Wu Tianzhen had explored. But he never expected Wu Tianzhen to bring nothing back and even blow up the tomb. It was simply outrageous.
"Oh well, I think Zhang Tian is probably more reliable than Tianzhen." Xie Yuchen mused. He intended to team up with Zhang Tian for tomb raiding. Xie Yuchen considered himself skilled and a good judge of character. Zhang Tian was definitely not an ordinary person, which was why Xie Yuchen wanted to try him out. Lost in thought, Xie Yuchen sat back down in his chair.
Outside the door, the servant who had just finished reporting was intercepted by Er Yuehong. The servant recounted the recent events truthfully. Er Yuehong frowned and glanced at Xie Yuchen's room. As Xie Yuchen's master, he understood his disciple well. Er Yuehong knew in his heart that this mansion could not hold him. Er Yuehong shook his head, lost in thought.
Time passed quickly. After Zhang Tian and Fatty and the others had dinner that evening, Zhang Tian took Zhang Qilin home for a visit. After all, Zhang Tian didn't want his legs broken.
"Sigh, I didn't expect the boss to be such a filial son," Fatty exclaimed, watching Zhang Tian's retreating back.
"Fatty, why does everything you say sound so strange to me?" Hu Bayi shot Fatty a glance. Fatty rubbed his head and said no more.
"Lao Hu, you have no idea how lively it was when I bought groceries today."
"Hey, Lao Hu, wait for me! I'll tell you!" Seeing Hu Bayi returning to his room, Fatty hurried after him. The little fox, meanwhile, lay under a tree, its large eyes fixed on a somewhat gloomy house. With a flicker of its eyes, it stealthily slipped inside.
Soon, at the younger Zhang family's residence.
"Mom, I'm back." Zhang Tian shouted.
But there was no reply. Just as Zhang Tian was about to shout again, Li Xueqin rushed out, brandishing a large cleaver.
"You brat, you actually dare to come back!"
"Look at this, how many days has it been? You've run away from home for a whole week!" Saying this, she chased after Zhang Tian.
"Holy cow, you're trying to murder your own son! Dad, save me!" Zhang Tian yelled as he ran.
Zhang's father, however, watched with amusement, showing great interest in the scene. Zhang Tian was dumbfounded.
"Dad, have you forgotten? Our trash cans are right next to each other! You can't just stand by and watch me die!" Zhang Tian shouted. His father, however, ignored him, pretending not to see anything, while his mother pursued him more fiercely. Zhang Tian never imagined that in the tomb, he could slay sea monsters and defeat female ghosts with such bravery, only to be chased around his house by his mother upon returning home.
"Clang clang."
As Zhang Tian ran around the house, Zhang Qilin knocked on the door. His mother finally noticed Zhang Qilin's presence.
"Clang!"
"Oh, Qilin, you're back. How's it going with this brat? Are you injured?" Li Xueqin seemed to transform, slinging the cleaver over her shoulder, her face beaming with maternal affection. Zhang Tian stood to the side, rubbing his eyes.
"Mom, did you study disguise?" Zhang Tian quipped.
"Your mother is experiencing a 'major transformation'," his father whispered in Zhang Tian's ear.
"What are you two whispering about? Lao Zhang, go make dinner quickly. Qilin is back, what are you waiting for!"
"And you, Zhang Tian, I'll deal with you next time." His mother said, shaking the cleaver. Zhang Tian quickly took it from her. He took a deep breath. Indeed, his second brother was a lifesaver.
"Are you hungry? Come, let's have some chicken soup," his mother said, taking Zhang Qilin's hand and leading him inside. Zhang Tian stood petrified. No matter how he looked at it, his mother seemed to favor Zhang Qilin, as if Zhang Tian were adopted. It was simply unfair.
Feeling the warmth in his palm, Zhang Qilin's fair hand trembled slightly. This sensation suddenly reminded him of a figure. It was a woman; the image flashed through his mind, causing a sharp pain in his head. Seeing his pained expression, Li Xueqin looked at Zhang Tian.
"Son, what's wrong?"
"Qilin, what happened? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Li Xueqin asked Zhang Qilin with concern.
"Mom, he had amnesia before. He's probably remembering something now," Zhang Tian said. Sure enough, Zhang Qilin's complexion improved shortly after.
"I'm fine. I apologize for worrying you." Zhang Qilin, uncharacteristically, spoke a full sentence. His mother beamed with joy. Zhang Tian covered his head. Ah, he'd better go help his father with dinner.