Tomb raiding: A mere 20 is nothing!

The familiar words transcended the boundaries of time, instantly transporting Zhang Haiyan back a century ago. Back when he went on a mission to Southeast Asia, an old Chinese medicine doctor had said the same thing to him.

At the time, he dismissed it dismissively.

Hearing these remarks again now, he still dismissed them with disdain, but the fact that they came from Shen Mingchao made him take them seriously.

Someone is talking behind his back.

I wonder who it was that had such low taste.

With his sharp ears, Zhang Haike couldn't help but chuckle, scanning Zhang Haiyan up and down with his eyes, lingering on his lower body for a moment, clearly enjoying the sight.

Zhang Haiyan couldn't stand such humiliation. He could curse him however he wanted, but he couldn't be told a man was incompetent. He glared back, then smiled enigmatically and looked at Shen Mingchao for information:

"Who is this physiognomist from the Ming Dynasty? Could you introduce me to him? I would like to ask him in person for advice on how to resolve this."

In this place teeming with hidden talents, there are far too many people who could be behind his back. Most of them are underground figures, with only a superficial understanding of character analysis, and a few being true experts. Even if he wanted to settle scores, he would be in a situation where he couldn't choose his targets.

To everyone's surprise, Shen Mingchao was quite righteous. He shook his head while suppressing a laugh. Zhang Haiyan's words were nice, but her eyes were full of murderous intent. For Qi Qiu's personal safety, she chose to keep quiet.

She replied: "Xiao Qiu, if Brother Zhang knew you were talking about him like this, he would drown you in his spittle."

Qi Qiu: So, will you tell him? (Cat pointing to finger emoji)

Okay, Shen Mingchao admits she was charmed.

Shen Mingchao: No.

Qi Qiu: Yes, I believe you. (Cat nods)

Shen Mingchao looked at the chat history and thought: Watching fortune tellers talk about crickets is truly endlessly entertaining. It's just like when she was shipping a couple and searching the whole internet for tarot reading videos.

"You really can't tell me?"

Zhang Haiyan was flexible and adaptable. Seeing Shen Mingchao's resolute attitude, he immediately softened his tone, and his affectionate eyes softened with tenderness.

Damn it, how can you test cadres with their beauty!

Shen Mingchao looked away, mentally chanting a prayer, imagining himself as Tang Sanzang facing the Queen of the Women's Kingdom.

Her mind was completely still, and the passage from Journey to the West played on repeat in her head.

You claim to be detached from worldly desires, yet you keep your eyes tightly shut. If you were to open your eyes and look at me, I wouldn't believe your eyes are empty.

She finally closed her eyes and silently recited Amitabha Buddha.

Seeing Shen Mingchao's expression, Zhang Haiyan also lost interest and complained, "You're really heartless."

Just then, some new customers came in. Zhang Haiyan sighed, "Never mind, I'd better go and be a good waiter." With that, he went to greet the customers.

Shen Mingchao glanced around and noticed that Zhang's breakfast shop was doing quite well, with people coming and going, and some even taking photos with their phones. She looked over and saw a young girl who was typing on her phone after taking the photos, smiling broadly.

It seems the three women's good looks played a significant role in the shop's success. Her idol, too, has a lot to say on this matter.

"Speaking of which, what would you like to eat? Congee? Steamed buns? Or Fuzhou fish balls?" Zhang Haike asked.

Shen Mingchao thought for a moment and said, "A bowl of millet porridge, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a steamed bun."

"Okay, wait a moment."

Just as Zhang Haike turned around, Shen Mingchao called him back.

"Let me get it." She knew she wouldn't be charged for breakfast, and she also knew the Zhang family members were long-lived. She felt really bad having this centenarian serve her.

Zhang Haike hesitated for a moment, then chose to respect Shen Mingchao's decision: "Qianjun is busy in the kitchen, you can go find him."

"OK."

The so-called kitchen was a semi-open type. As soon as Shen Mingchao arrived, he saw Zhang Qianjun facing a stack of drawers, glancing at his watch every now and then. Steam was rising from the top of the drawers, and the kitchen was filled with smoke.

"Brother Qianjun," she called out.

Hearing the voice, Zhang Qianjun was clearly startled. He turned around and saw the beaming young girl. His eyes filled with surprise and joy, and he quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Mingchao, when did you arrive?"

"Just arrived." Shen Mingchao teased with a smile, "Congratulations on your promotion from a jianbing (Chinese crepe) stall owner to a breakfast shop chef. Don't worry, I won't just eat for nothing. I'll also give you guys a good shout-out online this time."

Having transmigrated from the book in 2025, she knows the true value of the internet better than anyone else.

After greeting Zhang Qianjun, Shen Mingchao took a large plate with the porridge she had served and the pickled vegetables she had prepared. Zhang Qianjun also specially brought her a freshly steamed bun with the filling of preserved mustard greens and braised pork that she had requested.

When she returned with breakfast, she found Zhang Haike already sitting opposite her.

Shen Mingchao asked in confusion, "Aren't you going to help?"

Zhang Haike chuckled lightly: "It's alright, those two can handle it."

"Oh, okay." The division of labor between them was none of his business. Shen Mingchao opened an episode of anime as if no one else was around and began to eat his breakfast with relish.

But as she ate, she realized something was wrong.

The guy opposite her had a piercing gaze, a knowing look that seemed to hold hidden meanings, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

After finishing the last bowl of porridge, Shen Mingchao put away his phone and looked directly into her eyes without any hesitation.

Is there something you want to tell me?

Zhang Haike hadn't expected this girl to be so unreserved. Since she had spoken first, he no longer needed to worry about how to start the conversation.

"I do have something to say."

"You may not remember, but that time at Xilaimian was not the first time we met."

To get closer, you need to create as many opportunities as possible to spend time together. The timing of the last time the two of you met was not good, but the fact that you helped her pick up her cat made it a pleasant memory.

The remnants of the Wang family that he had dealt with were all piled up deep in the alley, in the dark. Shen Mingchao probably wouldn't have noticed such details.

To Zhang Haike's surprise, the other party was far more meticulous than he had imagined.

Shen Mingchao smiled and said, "No. I remember."

I've only encountered the Zhang family a handful of times. I didn't know it was Zhang Haike before, but now that the two features are so obvious, even a fool could tell.

"About four months ago, when I was chasing San San, I accidentally bumped into someone. Was that you?"

Zhang Haike was stunned: "How did you know? I was definitely wearing a mask at the time."

"First."

Shen Mingchao pointed to the corner of the other person's eye and said, "I remember this mole on your face."

"second."

Shen Mingchao lowered his gaze and could vaguely see a series of tattoos on the man's neck, which was covered by his collar.

It's really special.

The location of the tattoo is unique, and the content of the tattoo is also unique; no one else but Zhang Haike could have done it.

She lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.

"Can you tell me what you have tattooed on your neck?"