44: Chapter 44 A Date with a Beauty

Suddenly, a rapid phone ringtone shattered the silence of the room, sounding like a death warrant, or perhaps the God of Wealth knocking at the door.

"Bzz, bzz, bzz—" Hu Tian opened his eyes groggily, reaching out to fumble across the nightstand. After much effort, he grabbed his phone and squinted at the screen.

Caller ID: Waner.

"Hello..."

Hu Tian's voice was hoarse, carrying the nasal tone of someone who had just woken up. He seemed to still be sleepwalking, his mind still savoring the mountain of treasures from last night.

"Brother Hu Tian! Why are you still sleeping? It's already two in the afternoon! The sun is shining on your butt already; are you planning to sleep like a pig?"

Zhou Waner's crisp, lively voice came from the other end of the line, filled with obvious excitement, chirping incessantly like a happy little bird.

"Hmm... I didn't sleep well last night..."

Hu Tian rubbed his eyes, sat up and leaned against the headboard, and stretched, his bones popping with a crackling sound as if protesting this sudden interruption.

"By the way, where are you right now?"

Zhou Waner asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity and a little bit of probing.

"Nanjing, why? Did you come here too?"

"Really?!"

Zhou Waner's voice suddenly shot up an octave, nearly piercing Hu Tian's eardrums. The volume could practically shatter glass. "I'm in Nanjing too! I'm a graduate student in the Archaeology Department at Nanjing University, and I just happen to be studying here! Why did you come to Nanjing? Did you come to see me? Or is it that... we share a tacit connection?"

Hu Tian was fully awake now. He laughed, "I came over to handle some business. I didn't expect you to be here too. This fate is truly unstoppable; it seems we were destined to meet."

"That's great!"

Zhou Waner said excitedly, her voice filled with unconcealable joy, as if she had found a treasure. "Are you free this afternoon? I'll take you around Nanjing! Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum... there are so many fun places in Nanjing! You definitely wouldn't be able to find those authentic snack shops on your own! I'll take you to eat the most authentic duck blood vermicelli soup; I guarantee you'll want more after just one bite, and you won't want to leave!"

Hu Tian looked at the sunlight outside the window and thought about how his haul from last night was safely stored in his System Space. He really didn't have any urgent matters, and it was time to relax; after all, "work is to live better."

"Sure, then I'll trouble you to be my tour guide. It just so happens I also want to experience the charm of this ancient capital of six dynasties, and maybe see if I can pick up another bargain while I'm at it."

"It's no trouble at all!"

Zhou Waner laughed happily, as if she had found a treasure. "Which hotel are you at? I'll come find you! I'll be there right away! Just wait for me to come pick you up!"

"Jinling International Hotel."

"Okay! Hurry up and wash up and get ready; I'll be there in half an hour! Don't you dare stand me up! Whoever is late is a puppy!"

After hanging up, Hu Tian stretched, a smile playing on his lips, feeling exceptionally refreshed.

It was a rare opportunity to relax. After experiencing that thrilling treasure-hunting journey, he should take a break; after all, health is the capital of revolution, and "sharpening the axe will not delay the work of cutting firewood."

Hu Tian took a quick shower, the warm water washing over his body and carrying away all his fatigue.

He changed into a clean and sharp casual outfit, adjusted his hair in the mirror, and confirmed he looked energetic and dashing before heading downstairs to the hotel lobby.

The lobby was bustling with people coming and going—business people dragging luggage to check in, and groups of tourists. It was lively, like a miniature society.

Hu Tian found a sofa by the window and sat down, picking up a magazine from the coffee table to flip through, though his gaze drifted toward the hotel's revolving door from time to time, a strange sense of anticipation in his heart.

At this very moment, at the foot of Cuiyun Peak, more than sixty kilometers outside of Nanjing, the atmosphere was completely different—like heaven and hell.

An off-road vehicle sped along the bumpy mountain road. Inside the car, there was a deathly silence, so oppressive it made it hard to breathe.

Zhao Shanhe sat in the back seat, his face ashen, his hands clenched into fists with veins bulging, as if he might explode at any moment.

His eyes were fixed on the scenery flashing past the window, but he couldn't take any of it in. His mind kept replaying that empty stone chamber—it was truly the beginning of his nightmare.

"Boss Zhao... what should we do next?"

The deputy asked cautiously, his voice very low, fearing he might provoke this raging lion.

"Go back!"

Zhao Shanhe spat out the two words through gritted teeth, each word sounding as if it were squeezed out from between his teeth. "Return to Jinling first. I want to find out who did this! Daring to snatch food right under my, Zhao Shanhe's, nose—I will make him regret coming into this world! I will let him know why flowers are so red!"

The car fell into an oppressive silence once more, with only the roar of the engine echoing through the valley, as if mourning their failure.

Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby, Hu Tian was leisurely sipping tea brought by a waiter, completely unaware that he had been targeted by a dangerous person. He was truly "blissfully ignorant."

However, even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

Relying on his Treasure Hunting Radar and System Space, he was already invincible; it was practically like having a cheat code.

What's more, the combat skills he'd been rewarded with from the system upgrade weren't just for show; they were genuine, "real kung fu."

"Brother Hu Tian!"

A crisp voice came from the hotel entrance, sounding like a heavenly melody.

Hu Tian looked up and saw Zhou Waner wearing a light blue dress with her hair in a ponytail. She was youthful and beautiful, waving at him with a radiant smile on her face, like a blooming sunflower, instantly lighting up the entire lobby.

Hu Tian stood up and walked over to meet her with a smile, his pace much lighter.

"You got here pretty fast. I guess you couldn't wait to see me, right?"

"Of course!"

Zhou Waner blinked and said playfully, "I sped all the way here on my little electric scooter! I almost got caught by the traffic police! Let's go, let's go! I'll take you to eat something delicious! I guarantee you won't regret your trip, you'll eat until you have to lean against the wall to walk!"

As she spoke, she took Hu Tian's hand and walked outside, completely failing to notice the flash of surprise on his face, or the slight thrill he felt at being held by the hand.

The sunlight spilled onto the pair, stretching their shadows long, as if even Heaven itself were playing matchmaker for them.

Meanwhile, on a mountain road not far away, the off-road vehicle was speeding toward Jinling City. Inside the car, Zhao Shanhe's eyes were filled with malice, like a beast waiting to devour someone...

The two walked out of the hotel, and Zhou Waner checked the time on her phone; it was already past four in the afternoon.

"Brother Hu Tian, it's a bit late to go to those scenic spots now. How about we go shopping first, eat something good, and then go check out Nanjing's night markets tonight? Tomorrow I'll take you to Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and those places, how about it? I guarantee I'll take good care of you!"

Zhou Waner tilted her head and asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, like a child waiting for praise.

"Sure, this is your home turf. I'll listen to you. I'll just be responsible for eating and playing, and acting as your protector along the way."

Hu Tian readily agreed. He wasn't in a rush anyway; it was a rare chance to relax, so he would treat it as a vacation. Besides, with a beauty accompanying him, why not?

"That's great!"

Zhou Waner jumped up happily, like a child who had just received candy. "Then let's go stroll around Xinjiekou first; there are many malls and lots of food there! Tonight we'll go to the 1912 block; the night view there is especially beautiful, and there are lots of handsome guys and pretty girls. Maybe I can even find you a girlfriend there!"

As she spoke, she hailed a taxi and pulled Hu Tian inside, her movements as practiced as an old pro.

The car soon drove into the bustling downtown area, with towering buildings, heavy traffic, and bustling crowds everywhere, as if the entire city were celebrating.

Xinjiekou lived up to its reputation as Nanjing's most prosperous commercial center, with all kinds of brand-name shops lined up side by side, and the streets packed with people, incredibly lively.

Zhou Waner was like a happy little bird, dragging Hu Tian through various shops. She would stop from time to time to look at the goods in the windows, enthusiastically introducing to Hu Tian which shops had good things and which shop owners were nice. She was practically a "living map."

"Brother Hu Tian, are you hungry? There's a long-established duck blood vermicelli soup shop ahead, it's super authentic! Every time I come to Nanjing, I have to eat there!"

"Let's go, let's try it. I'm hungry too, let's see if I can fatten you up a bit."

The two arrived at a small shop that looked like it had been around for a while. The storefront was not large, but business was booming; it was almost completely full, and the air was filled with an enticing aroma.

Zhou Waner found a seat with familiarity, ordered two bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup, and added side dishes like salted duck, duck gizzards, and duck liver, truly bringing out her inner "foodie" to the fullest.

"Nanjing people love eating duck; this is our specialty! No duck can leave Nanjing alive!"

Zhou Waner said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You have to taste it properly; this is something I carefully selected for you!"

The steaming duck blood vermicelli soup was served. The broth was milky white, the aroma mouth-watering, and it was enough to make anyone drool.

Hu Tian took a taste; it was incredibly delicious, the vermicelli smooth and tender, the duck blood delicate. Paired with cilantro and chili oil, the taste was indeed excellent, truly "a flavor that should only exist in heaven."

"How is it? Delicious, right? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Zhou Waner looked at him eagerly, like an elementary school student waiting for praise, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Hmm, it's indeed excellent, much better than those guides I read online. It seems you still have to listen to the locals."

Hu Tian nodded and praised her sincerely, "You're a very competent tour guide; you definitely deserve a chicken leg!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Waner laughed until her eyes curved into crescents, her face filled with a satisfied smile, as if she had received the approval of the whole world.

After dinner, the sky gradually darkened, and the lights began to come on, as if the whole city had put on a golden coat.

The two strolled for a while longer, and when night had completely fallen, Zhou Waner brought Hu Tian to the 1912 block.

This was a bar street converted from buildings of the Republic of China era, with blue bricks and gray tiles, antique and elegant, yet integrated with modern fashion elements—it was a perfect example of "East meets West."

The sycamore trees on both sides of the street were covered with colorful lights, shining in all sorts of colors, reflecting on the crowds of people coming and going, as if they were in a fairy tale world.

Melodious music wafted from the bars, and young people sat in twos and threes at outdoor tables, drinking and chatting. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, full of the air of youth.

"It's especially lively here at night; many people like to come here to relax, especially couples—there are so many of them!"

Zhou Waner held onto Hu Tian's arm like a young couple, walking slowly along the street, her cheeks slightly flushed, yet she had no intention of letting go.