Taohua Ying, seeing that Yan Shouyi and the others had started discussing serious matters, very considerately went to the side to play with the children.
The child sitting in the stroller by the roadside could still see Taohua Ying because the fontanelle on their head had not yet closed.
The child pointed at Taohua Ying and made several "ying ying ying" sounds. Unfortunately, the child was too young to speak. Otherwise, they would surely have told their parents: there's a beautiful older sister in a red dress over there!
Taohua Ying seemed to like children very much. She half-crouched down and made a funny face at the child, making the child giggle uncontrollably.
Seeing the child so happy, Taohua Ying prepared to add some more excitement.
She suddenly slapped her head, and her head detached, rolling a few times to the front of the child, still making funny faces.
The child froze, scared into a wailing cry. The child's parents rushed over to comfort them. Taohua Ying picked up her head, reattached it, and wondered, "Are children's guts so small these days?"
However, the child's tear-streaked face made Taohua Ying like them even more. Seeing that round, chubby little face, she really wanted to pinch it.
But her Yin energy was too heavy. Even if she deliberately restrained it, once she touched the child, the child would be plagued by Yin energy and fall seriously ill.
So Taohua Ying could only suppress her desire and cast a glance back at Lin Zitong's belly.
"I wonder when Miss will give birth. It would be even better if it's a daughter, I can help take care of the child!"
Taohua Ying thought happily. As a hundred-year-old Ghost King, this was the only bit of affection she had left, and it was largely due to her own daughter.
On Lin Zitong and Yan Shouyi's side, they both fell silent when faced with Li Chongxi's question.
What was their business with Li Chongxi?
Yan Shouyi couldn't possibly say, "I want to steal the tomb you guard."
Nor could he say, "I want to kill your own son."
For a moment, this simple question stumped both of them.
Perhaps it was because Yan Shouyi hadn't expected to meet Li Chongxi so easily, so he hadn't even thought about what to say during the meeting.
Seeing their hesitation, Li Chongxi already had a general idea.
He said, "My Li family has guarded tombs for generations, and a thousand years of merit cannot be ruined in my hands. If you wish to enter the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, I can only send you back. If you want to inquire about Li Genmiao, I have nothing to say. I have long since severed father-son ties with him."
Yan Shouyi smiled awkwardly. He wanted to do both things. Fortunately, he hadn't asked, or he would have walked right into a trap.
Li Chongxi dashed Yan Shouyi's hopes, but Yan Shouyi did not give up directly.
He said cheerfully, "We came to Chang'an without any major purpose. We are just surprised to be able to meet Senior Li here today."
"Mm," Li Chongxi nodded, not exposing Yan Shouyi.
Lin Zitong also deliberately changed the subject, pointing to the small items on the stall and asking, "Senior Li, did you make these things yourself?"
The stall was filled with a wide variety of small items, each exquisitely crafted. Yan Shouyi had even noticed earlier that the small paper figures were as well-made as Agong's.
Li Chongxi nodded and smiled, "I've guarded the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor for so many years, and it can be rather boring. So, I've learned a few crafts from friends who come and go, and I fiddle with them when I have time."
Yan Shouyi gave an awkward laugh. These weren't crafts that could be made just by fiddling around when one had nothing to do.
Lin Zitong asked curiously again, "Senior Li, you are a tomb guardian. Shouldn't you be guarding the entrance of the mausoleum? Why do you have the leisure to set up a stall?"
This question hit the mark. Yan Shouyi also wanted to ask.
However, if Yan Shouyi asked, Li Chongxi might not answer. Lin Zitong was a beautiful girl with natural charm, so Li Chongxi was more likely to answer.
Li Chongxi laughed heartily, took out his phone, and opened the monitoring software.
On the phone screen, dozens of monitoring devices were watching every corner of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Even if a night owl walked by, the monitoring would immediately alert Li Chongxi.
Seeing this, Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong were stunned.
Then, both of them couldn't help but laugh. The times were progressing, technology was developing, and even the methods of tomb guardians were changing...
Li Chongxi said with a smile, "I am now the director of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor scenic area."
"...Impressive."
Yan Shouyi's understanding was once again refreshed. He had imagined Li Chongxi to be a disheveled old man hiding in a dark tomb, blocking the way with a Guan Dao.
Who would have thought that the man would have tea and watch monitors in his office during the day and then come out to set up a stall and make clay figurines at night...
According to Li Chongxi's standards, Yan Shouyi felt that his legacy as a Lu Ban successor should also progress. When he returned to Rongcheng, he would first launch online consultation services and then buy a few 3D printers. Those carpentry jobs could be directly handed over to the 3D printers, eliminating the need for manual labor.
However, this was just a thought. Although machine-made items were exquisite, they ultimately lacked a human touch.
The reason artisans are called artisans is not only due to their superb craftsmanship but more importantly, their spirit of craftsmanship.
Just as Yan Shouyi was about to continue chatting with Li Chongxi, an unexpected situation suddenly arose.
In the bustling square, many citizens were walking their pet dogs. However, those well-behaved and obedient pet dogs suddenly began to howl and hide frantically.
Before everyone could figure out what was happening, the ground suddenly began to tremble!
Trees swayed, streetlights flickered. As people panicked, the ground actually cracked open!
Yan Shouyi came to his senses, grabbed Lin Zitong's hand, and said, "It seems like an earthquake!"
Chang'an was experiencing an earthquake!
People also quickly reacted and began to search for safe places to take shelter.
The ground beneath Yan Shouyi's feet suddenly cracked, opening a fissure tens of meters wide, its depth unknown!
Suddenly, he heard a scream. Not far away, the child who had been amused by Taohua Ying and had cried earlier had fallen into the fissure!
The child struggled to grip the edge of the fissure, on the verge of falling into the abyss!
Meanwhile, the child's parents were on the other side of the fissure, watching their child fall into danger helplessly, unable to do anything!
"Save my child!" The parents cried out hysterically.
Yan Shouyi didn't think twice. He lunged forward and, just as the child was about to lose their grip, grabbed the child's hand and pulled them up.
But before they could steady themselves, the fissure widened again, and the ground beneath Yan Shouyi's feet rapidly collapsed!
"You wretched girl, catch!" Yan Shouyi scooped up the child and tossed them towards Lin Zitong. Lin Zitong caught the child steadily, but when she looked back, Yan Shouyi had already fallen into the fissure!
Seeing this, a glint flashed in Li Chongxi's eyes.
He grabbed a paper bird from the stall, turned, and threw it into the fissure!