28: Chapter 28 Check-in

As for the sleeping bag, he specifically chose a professional model capable of withstanding temperatures down to minus ten degrees Celsius.

The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is extreme, and keeping warm at night is a matter of life and death; there is no room for carelessness or taking chances.

Considering that deep mountains are full of signal dead zones and communication interruptions are the norm, Hu Tian decisively purchased a satellite phone and a high-precision positioning device.

Although the satellite phone cost over twenty thousand, it was a life-saving trump card in critical moments; this money could not be saved and had to be spent.

That positioning device also included an elevation measurement function, allowing it to accurately lock onto coordinates even deep in dense forests where the tree canopy blocked out the sky, ensuring he wouldn't lose his way.

In the detection equipment section, Hu Tian carefully selected and picked up a lightweight metal detector and a folding pickaxe.

The detector weighed no more than one kilogram, making it easy to carry, yet it had a detection depth of two meters. It was extremely practical for gold hunting and treasure seeking, serving as the "eyes" for discovering underground treasures.

The folding pickaxe was easy to carry and could be surprisingly effective in critical moments, capable of both clearing paths and serving as a self-defense weapon.

Finally, he also equipped himself with a professional outdoor first-aid kit, containing a full set of emergency supplies like tourniquets, disinfectant, gauze, bandages, and anti-inflammatory medication, just in case, to handle any potential accidental injuries.

In terms of food, he grabbed a box of high-calorie compressed biscuits and two cases of bottled mineral water.

Although the taste was poor and hard to swallow, the high calorie count, long shelf life, and small volume made them an excellent choice for wilderness survival.

The shop assistant looked at the mountain of equipment in Hu Tian's shopping cart, his eyes full of surprise and admiration.

This customer's shopping list was too professional; from clothing to lodging, from tools to communication, every item hit the mark. It was clearly custom-tailored for extreme wilderness operations and was incomparable to what an average hiker would need.

He couldn't help but probe, "Sir, are you going on a deep off-road expedition? This configuration is completely unnecessary for ordinary outdoor activities; it's too hardcore, it's almost like you're going into an uninhabited area."

Hu Tian just smiled slightly, not answering directly. His eyes were deep like a pool, revealing a sense of mystery. "It's better to be prepared than sorry. Safety first."

Seeing that he didn't want to say more, the shop assistant stopped asking and instead helped count the equipment even more diligently, his movements swift and respectful.

At checkout, the cashier announced the total price: "Sir, that comes to 52,700 yuan."

Hu Tian swiped his card to pay, his expression unchanged throughout the process, not even frowning, as if he hadn't paid over fifty thousand, but fifty-three.

For this equipment, this expense was nothing.

Compared to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Holy Treasury treasure that was about to be in his hands, this was just a drop in the bucket, a ticket to the hall of wealth.

After paying, the shop assistant helped move all the equipment to the car.

The off-road vehicle's trunk was already spacious, but now it was packed full, leaving no gap whatsoever.

The windbreaker pants, sleeping bag, and tent were squeezed to one side, while the engineer shovel, flashlight, and positioning device were neatly packed into a dedicated toolbox.

The compressed biscuits and mineral water were stacked seamlessly, making full use of every inch of space.

That life-saving satellite phone was placed by Hu Tian separately in the front passenger seat's storage compartment, within reach and ready for action at any time.

The whole car was now loaded with supplies, like a mobile fortress, a steel beast ready to rush into any dangerous environment at any time.

Hu Tian closed the trunk and sat in the driver's seat, glancing at the time; it was already past three in the afternoon.

The sunset's afterglow spilled onto the black car body, reflecting a golden light, casting a sacred halo over this war chariot.

Just as Hu Tian was preparing to start the car to return to the rented apartment, his phone rang suddenly, breaking the afternoon silence.

He picked it up and saw the name "Lin Xiao" on the screen.

After connecting, the young girl's crisp and pleasant voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying undisguised excitement: "Mr. Hu, hello! Cloud Top Manor has been completely cleaned according to your requirements, and all the furniture and appliances are fully equipped. You can come over at any time to complete the move-in procedures!"

Lin Xiao's tone carried a hint of joy; she was clearly very excited about facilitating this big deal, and at the same time, was full of curiosity about this young mysterious wealthy man.

A flash of joy crossed Hu Tian's eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up: "So fast? The efficiency is really high. Alright, I'll go over right now."

Hanging up the phone, he didn't drive in the direction of the rented apartment, but skillfully turned the car around, the engine roaring, and headed first to Cloud Top Manor.

Half an hour later, the black off-road vehicle stopped steadily in front of the Yunding No. 1 villa, looking imposing.

Lin Xiao had long been waiting at the door. Seeing Hu Tian get out of the car, she immediately walked up to greet him, a professional yet heartfelt sweet smile on her face: "Mr. Hu, you're here! Please come in, let me show you around the villa's facilities."

She was wearing a proper professional suit, holding a stack of documents and a set of brand-new keys in her hand, her eyes full of anticipation.

Hu Tian nodded and followed her into the villa.

Pushing the door open, the first thing that came into view was a spotless, spacious living room, with marble floors so shiny they were reflective, mirroring the gorgeous chandelier.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was a meticulously manicured courtyard landscape, lush and green.

The furniture and decor were simple yet grand, fully displaying luxurious taste; the appliances were all top-tier brands, full of technological feel; the kitchenware was complete, and even the refrigerator was thoughtfully stocked with mineral water and fresh fruit, emitting a fresh fragrance.

Lin Xiao took Hu Tian to visit floor by floor, from the first-floor living room to the second-floor bedroom, from the basement storage room to the rooftop terrace, explaining the function of each area in minute detail.

"This is the smart home control panel, which can adjust the lighting, temperature, and curtains for the whole house, and supports voice control. Over here is the security system, connected to the community's 24-hour monitoring center; if there is any abnormality, it will immediately sound an alarm..."

Her eyes were focused as she spoke, her speaking pace moderate, afraid of missing any details, demonstrating a high level of professional competence.

After the tour, Lin Xiao brought Hu Tian to the access control system: "Mr. Hu, now we need to register your fingerprint and set a password, so it will be much more convenient for you to enter and exit in the future, and the security will be higher."

Hu Tian placed his thumbs on the sensor one by one; the system emitted a crisp "beep," indicating successful registration.

Subsequently, he set a six-digit password that only he knew, his fingers dancing nimbly on the keypad.

Lin Xiao then led him to the garage door, where he also registered his fingerprint and password.

Next was the villa's main gate, the backyard door, and the basement door; everywhere that required authorization, Lin Xiao assisted him in completing the setup one by one, with great patience.

The whole process took nearly twenty minutes; she remained patient and meticulous throughout, without the slightest impatience, instead finding joy in it.

Finally, Lin Xiao solemnly handed the set of brand-new keys to Hu Tian, her hands slightly trembling: "Mr. Hu, these are the spare keys to your villa, three in total, please keep them well. From now on, the Yunding No. 1 villa officially belongs to you!"

Her tone carried a hint of congratulation, and her eyes sparkled with envy.

Hu Tian took the keys; the heavy texture made an indescribable feeling well up in his heart—it was a sense of stability, a sense of belonging.

This was the first house in his life that truly belonged to him.

It was not a rented hovel, not a temporary resting place, but a private territory that belonged entirely to him, a symbol of him putting down roots in this city.

Standing in the center of the spacious and bright living room, he looked around, the corners of his mouth curling up into a smile involuntarily, his eyes full of emotion.

Seeing his expression relax, Lin Xiao also smiled: "Mr. Hu, if there are no other questions, I won't disturb you anymore. If you have any needs, feel free to contact me at any time. I have also sent the property management's number to your phone; they will prioritize serving you."

Hu Tian nodded his thanks, walked her to the door, and watched her car drive away.

After returning to the villa, he didn't rush to stay; instead, he drove again to the old rented apartment where he had lived for several months.

In the evening, Hu Tian pushed open the door of the rented apartment.

The interior was sparsely furnished, the walls mottled, forming a sharp contrast with the luxury of Yunding No. 1, as if they were two different worlds.

He didn't feel overwhelmed with emotion, just efficiently packed up his belongings—a few changes of clothes, two books he often read, a document bag containing his identification, and a few daily necessities.

There wasn't much stuff, and within ten minutes, it was all packed into a suitcase; he zipped it up, making a crisp sound.

He took one last look around this small room that had accompanied him for so long and witnessed his down-and-out days and his struggles; he didn't feel much attachment, turned around, locked the door, and left with a firm stride.

When night fell, Hu Tian returned to the Yunding No. 1 villa.

This time, he was there as the true owner, with peace of mind.

Putting the suitcase in the master bedroom, he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the landscape lights that had lit up in the courtyard, flowing with radiance and color.

In the distance were the city's myriad lights, like twinkling stars; nearby was his own piece of heaven, quiet and peaceful.

Hu Tian took a deep breath, his eyes as firm as iron.

This was just the beginning; a new chapter of his life had just unfolded.

And this villa would become the most stable harbor and the most solid backing after his countless treasure-hunting returns in the future.

He didn't cancel the lease on the rental near Antique Street.

Although that small room was simple, its location was excellent, and he could reach the core area of Antique Street in five minutes on foot.

As a treasure hunter, he knew very well that Antique Street was a place where information gathered, a mix of good and bad; perhaps one day he could hear valuable clues from those stall owners or collectors—that was intelligence money couldn't buy.

Moreover, the monthly rent there wasn't high, so keeping it as a base was perfectly fine, giving him flexibility to advance or retreat.

However, for now, he still had to go back once to organize some commonly used clothes and bring them to the villa, completely finishing the relocation.

When he drove back to the rented apartment near Antique Street, it was already completely dark, and the streetlights were dim yellow.

Hu Tian turned on the bedroom light and skillfully picked out a few sets of home clothes from the wardrobe, as well as some undergarments and toiletries, his movements practiced.

After packing up, he locked the doors and windows and drove back to the Yunding No. 1 villa, his wheels rolling over the night, his heart eager to return home.

After working busily for nearly two hours, Hu Tian finally finished organizing all his belongings. Looking at his tidy new home, a sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

He took a hot shower to wash away the fatigue, changed into comfortable loungewear, and walked to the balcony on the second floor of the villa with a cup of freshly brewed hot tea.

The night breeze was cool, carrying the unique moist scent of lake water, blowing against his face, making him feel refreshed and relaxed.

He sat down on the lounge chair, tilted his head slightly, and his gaze crossed the balcony railing, landing on the sparkling lake in the distance.

Moonlight spilled onto the water, shattering into countless tiny spots of light, swaying gently with the breeze, like dancing elves.

On the opposite bank of the lake were the vaguely visible shadows of mountains, their outlines soft; further away were the city's dim lights, prosperous like a dream.

At this moment, Hu Tian felt a long-lost relaxation, his body and mind completely stretched out.

He took a gentle sip of tea; the tea fragrance overflowed, and his thoughts couldn't help but drift away.

A month ago, he was just an ordinary person struggling for a living, holed up in a narrow rented apartment, worrying about daily necessities every day, and acting according to others' moods.

But now, he was sitting on the balcony of a villa worth millions, holding a golden finger capable of changing his destiny, about to embark on a journey to find the legendary Taiping Heavenly Kingdom treasure; life is like a dream, unpredictable.

The impermanence of life is mostly like this, full of drama.

Who could have imagined that an accidental opportunity could completely rewrite a person's trajectory, letting him soar from the bottom of the valley to the sky?

The poem says: Settling into the grand hall to wash away the dust of the journey, lightly bidding farewell to the old abode and bitter poverty. The moon shines on the lake and mountains, my heart is like iron; at dawn, I spur my horse to seek the heavenly treasure.