Tomb raiders: You stole my little Qilin?

When Wu Wei returned to the courtyard, he didn't rush in. Instead, he stopped in front of the door and took out the jade pendant from his ring.

The jade is delicate and without any flaws, its edges tinged with a warm glow in the setting sun.

Wu Wei closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed all his surging emotions deep in his chest.

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, putting on a smile no different from usual, before reaching out to push open the door.

"I'm back."

Zhang Qiling was the only person in the courtyard.

He was lying on a deck chair under the eaves, holding a bag of cookies in his hand, his gaze fixed on the television screen in the living room.

Upon hearing Wu Wei's voice, Zhang Qiling raised her head, her lips curving slightly as she patted the empty recliner beside her.

Wu Wei understood, walked over and lay down, the chair creaking as it did so.

Zhang Qiling handed over the biscuits, but Wu Wei didn't take them. He just picked up one and put it in his mouth, then pushed Zhang Qiling's hand away.

Zhang Qiling didn't force him, and continued eating slowly, turning her eyes back to the television.

"Have you eaten?" Zhang Qiling asked.

Wu Wei shook his head: "No. I wanted to come back and eat with you guys."

Zhang Qiling: "They went to buy groceries; they'll be gone in a bit."

Wu Wei took the jade pendant out of his pocket, spread it in his palm, and handed it to Zhang Qiling: "I've got it back."

Zhang Qiling's gaze fell on the jade pendant and lingered for a moment.

With a stretch of his leg, the recliner slowly came to a stop.

He sat up, reached out and took the jade pendant, gently rubbing it in his palm.

"it is good."

Wu Wei asked curiously, "Brother, is there only one of these?"

Zhang Qiling said, "No. There's more."

Wu Wei immediately sat up straight and asked, "Where is it? Let's find it and make a pair."

Zhang Qiling gently shook his head: "In a very dangerous place."

Wu Wei was taken aback, and then gave up the idea of ​​finding another piece.

He paused, then asked casually, "Hey buddy, what do you need this for?"

Zhang Qiling said casually, "Something came up."

Wu pressed for details: "What is it?"

Zhang Qiling finally turned his gaze from the television to Wu Wei's face, and said in a flat tone, "Next tomb."

Wu Wei immediately said, "I'll go with you!"

Zhang Qiling refused decisively: "No."

Wu Wei sniffed, his voice tinged with displeasure: "Why?"

Zhang Qiling didn't say anything, but raised his hand and gently patted Wu Wei's head.

With a hint of comfort and an uncompromising tone, it was withdrawn before Wu Wei could react.

"No." He repeated.

Wu Wei seemed dejected, slumping back into the recliner, his voice muffled:

"Then come back soon. Also, you need to return the jade token to me when you're done using it."

Zhang Qiling looked at him, her gaze softening, and replied, "Wait for me to come back."

As dusk fell, Hei Xiazi returned first.

Carrying two cases of drinks, he placed one case on the coffee table after entering the courtyard, then gestured with his chin towards Wu Wei and handed him the other case.

"Put it in the refrigerator and freeze it."

Wu Wei responded and took it, heading towards the kitchen.

Just as they reached the door, Zhang Haimo and Zhang Hailou returned, both carrying large and small bags, the plastic bags bulging.

Zhang Haimo put the things on the ground and let out a long sigh: "This is really hard work."

Zhang Hailou walked past him, put down his bag, and scoffed, "Weakling."

Zhang Haimo suddenly turned his head and glared at Zhang Hailou: "Don't think I can't beat you."

Zhang Hailou pushed his glasses up his nose and said casually, "Want to give it a try?"

To the Zhang family, these two words were tantamount to a challenge.

Zhang Haimo threw off his coat and rushed forward.

The two of them didn't care about the location and started fighting right there in the yard.

This had happened more than once, and the other three were used to it.

Hei Xiazi glanced at Zhang Qiling: "Dumb guy, aren't you going to do anything about this?"

Zhang Qiling ignored him, his gaze remaining fixed on the television.

Wu Wei hesitated for a moment, then said, "Should I go and try to persuade them?"

Zhang Qiling reacted immediately: "No. It might accidentally hurt you."

Black Bear rolled his eyes, thinking to himself that with Wu Wei's current skills, it wouldn't be easy to accidentally hurt him.

He ignored Zhang Qiling's protective attitude and grabbed three bottles of drinks from the coffee table, distributing them to the two of them.

Zhang Qiling continued to stare at the television, slowly chewing on a cookie.

Wu Wei and Hei Xiazi's gazes fell on the two people fighting in the courtyard.

Zhang Haimo launched a fierce attack, while Zhang Hailou was agile, and neither could gain the upper hand for a time.

Hei Xiazi would occasionally explain the flaws in the two men's movements to Wu Wei, helping him to fill in the gaps.

Wu Wei listened attentively and said sincerely, "You're so observant."

Hei Xiazi was drinking a beverage when he heard this and paused.

She turned her head to look at Wu Wei, her eyes filled with a smile that carried a hint of helplessness, yet also a subtle tenderness.

She said softly, "It's only right for you."

Wu Wei found these words very familiar.

It took him a while to remember that this was something he had said to Fatty Wang.

At the time, Fatty Wang kept asking him if he treated everyone like that.

Wu Wei didn't understand why the fat man asked that question at the time, and just assumed that the other man was bored and making fun of him.

When Hei Xiazi threw the same words back at him in the same way, he began to vaguely understand the other meaning.

This sounds really strange.

Very special.

It was so unusual that even someone who usually spoke these words so fluently felt a little uncomfortable at this moment.

Wu Wei rubbed his fingers together but didn't reply.

Hei Xiazi waited for a long time, but Wu Wei didn't speak again, so he turned back to look at him.

Seeing Wu Wei's unusually reserved demeanor, his eyes darkened: "Wu Wei, you've been acting a bit strange lately?"

Wu Wei suppressed his unease: "What's strange about it?"

Zhang Qiling put down the biscuit and turned to look at him: "What's strange about it?"

Hei Xiazi stared at Wu Wei for a moment, making Wu Wei almost explode with anger.

In the end, Hei Xiazi simply looked away: "Nothing. I must have been mistaken."

Normally, Wu Wei would never let this go; he would have chased after him and made a scene, demanding that he explain himself clearly.

At this moment, he did not ask any further questions, but simply lowered his eyes and sipped his beverage.

The sky grew completely dark.

Black Bear stood up and called out, "It's time to cook."

"Dumb man, wash the vegetables; Wu Xiaowei, go cut the potatoes."

Since it concerned a meal, the two immediately got to work.

Zhang Qiling rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen, while Wu Wei obediently went to get the cutting board and cleaver.

The two Zhang family members who were still arguing in the courtyard stopped when they saw Wu Wei and Zhang Qiling getting busy.

They glared at each other, then each carried their purchases into the kitchen and started helping out.

Wu Wei skillfully cut the potatoes into evenly sized shreds and the green peppers into neat, thin strips.

Zhang Qiling was washing vegetables nearby, the water running softly.

Black Bear prepared the sauce and occasionally gave a few instructions.

Zhang Haimo squatted on the ground peeling garlic, while Zhang Hailou stood beside the cutting board.

Seeing Wu Wei's skillful knife work, he complimented, "You've got something special."

Wu Weichong smiled confidently.

Zhang Hailou added, "But not many."

Wu Wei almost missed a cut with the knife in his hand, then put away his smile and looked at him with a mournful expression.

Black Bear turned around: "Concentrate, watch your hands."

As the cooking oil began to rise, the aroma of the food slowly wafted out.

The lights in the courtyard were on, illuminating the busy yet leisurely figures of several people.