Chapter 11: Entering the Mountains in the Snowy Season

When Cheng Xiangru arrived at Immortal’s Bridge, Boss Zhou had already been waiting in the shop for quite some time.

Boss Zhou handed Cheng Xiangru a mobile phone. “Carry this with you, and remember to keep it charged. When you’re out, if anything happens, it’ll be easier to get in touch.”

This was the first mobile phone in Cheng Xiangru’s life. He had no idea how to use it, fumbling with it a few times, not even figuring out how to light up the screen.

“The journey will be long. Let Chen Shangke teach you how to use it. Just learn the basics for now. Let’s go; they’re all ready.”

“Where to?” Cheng Xiangru carefully slipped the phone into his pocket, afraid of bumping or dropping it.

“The parking lot.” Boss Zhou had already stepped outside the shop.

“Driving there?” Cheng Xiangru hurried to catch up.

Boss Zhou chuckled, “Though it’s a bit far, there’s too much stuff, and some won’t pass security. Driving is more convenient.”

When Cheng Xiangru followed Boss Zhou to the parking lot, a black mid-to-large SUV was already running, ready to depart.

Just as Boss Zhou said, the trunk was packed to the brim with seven or eight travel bags, each bulging. Besides that, there were folded shovels, steel pipes, searchlights—all spotless and gleaming, clearly brand new.

Cheng Xiangru found a spot for his travel bag and was pondering how to close the door when Boss Zhou pressed a button on the trunk lid, and it slowly closed automatically. It looked very high-end.

At that moment, the car door opened, and Zhu Luofu stepped out. “Xiao Cheng, come on, get in quickly. The heater’s on!”

Though the temperature outside was low, the inside of the car was warm.

Cheng Xiangru settled into the third row next to Chen Shangke; Zhu Luofu and his wife sat in the second row; Gao Zhuang drove, and Boss Zhou took the front passenger seat.

Once everyone was seated, the car started smoothly, leaving the parking lot and merging into traffic, heading straight for the nearest highway entrance.

Gao Zhuang played some thumping music, nodding and occasionally singing along as he drove. Boss Zhou closed his eyes to rest, saying little. Zhu Luofu and Lin Xiaqí were cozy together, whispering sweet nothings that were almost sickeningly sweet. Chen Shangke, a chatterbox, occasionally teased the couple ahead and told Cheng Xiangru some rather unfunny cold jokes.

Cheng Xiangru had just set off and was already missing his sister. Thinking of Cheng Yimo’s tear-streaked face and her reluctant eyes, his heart felt heavy.

The two siblings had relied on each other since childhood. This was their first separation, and he didn’t know how many days it would be before they met again.

The thought made his nose sting.

“Little brother, what’s wrong? Didn’t I say something to upset you?” Chen Shangke leaned over, eyeing Cheng Xiangru’s reddened eyes.

Cheng Xiangru moved aside shyly. “I… I’m fine.”

***

At that moment, Boss Zhou spoke up loudly, “Shangke, I bought Xiao Cheng a phone. He doesn’t know how to use it yet; teach him.”

“All right!” Chen Shangke perked up, urging Cheng Xiangru to take out the phone. He enthusiastically helped him register fingerprints, reset the password, downloaded many apps, and set up accounts.

Cheng Xiangru was young and quick to learn. Before long, he grasped the phone’s basic functions and even learned how to send voice messages on WeChat.

Though the phone captured all his attention, after mastering WeChat, he still couldn’t help but think of his sister.

If only she had a phone too, then even when apart, they could stay in touch.

No matter where he was, just hearing her voice would ease his heart.

He silently vowed that once he returned from the Northeast, he would buy her a phone and teach her to use WeChat.

Chen Shangke, seeing Cheng Xiangru had learned how to use the phone, wanted to install games and talked about taking him to play "King of Glory."

Cheng Xiangru didn’t want to play “King of Glory.” He didn’t care who the king was; he just wanted quiet.

With such a chatterbox beside him, it was too noisy—so much so he was feeling a little car sick.

Finally, after Chen Shangke launched the game and started cursing at the screen, Cheng Xiangru was able to enjoy some peace.

From Rong City to Xinbin, nearly three thousand kilometers, they traveled for three days, through storms and frost, rushing from the Southwest to the Northeast, plunging into a snowy white land.

In Cheng Xiangru’s imagination, winter in the Northeast should be covered with pure white snow, dotted with small houses and courtyards hung with lanterns, joyful and festive.

But in reality, the county’s streets were sprinkled with coal ash; the air was hazy and choking; the snow was blackened; few pedestrians were on the streets, and every household had turned off their lights early.

The only thing that matched his vision was the locals’ warmth and hospitality.

They arrived late, with restaurants closed. The innkeeper prepared a table full of dishes, charged cheaply, and offered free local Northeast “Shao Dao Zi” liquor, which left everyone but Cheng Xiangru flushed and slurring.

Seeing Cheng Xiangru neither eat nor speak and constantly yawning, Boss Zhou took him back to rest first.

Zhu Luofu and Lin Xiaqí mysteriously fetched a box from the plump landlady, hand in hand, happily returning to their room.

In the end, only Gao Zhuang and Chen Shangke remained, drinking and chatting with the innkeeper, calling each other brothers and sharing stories.

Outside, the cold was biting; inside, it was dry and stifling.

After a quick wash, Cheng Xiangru went to bed.

***

Some unknown time later, a knock at the door woke Cheng Xiangru. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up to see Boss Zhou had brought in a heavily intoxicated Chen Shangke.

Surprisingly, though Chen Shangke had slurred speech at the table, now he spoke clearly, not drunk but slightly tipsy.

“Where’s Gao Zhuang?” Boss Zhou pulled over a chair for Chen Shangke.

Chen Shangke waved dismissively. “That guy’s too weak—he’s hugging the toilet bowl puking. Don’t bother with him.”

Boss Zhou sat on the edge of the bed opposite Chen Shangke, ignoring the foul smell, and whispered, “Did you find anything out?”

Chen Shangke nodded, clicked his tongue, then shook his head.

Boss Zhou frowned, “Did you or didn’t you?”

Chen Shangke rubbed his face, trying to sober up. “I showed the guy a photo. He said he’s never seen Wind Master.”

Boss Zhou emitted a disappointed “Oh.”

“But…” Chen Shangke smiled mysteriously.

Boss Zhou gave him a stern look but chuckled helplessly.

Chen Shangke deliberately drew out the suspense, then grinned at Cheng Xiangru and continued, “But that guy said he heard a few geological survey teams came a few days ago. They stayed at another hotel for a few days and went to the county library every day. I guess that must be Wind Master and his group.”

Boss Zhou stroked his goatee thoughtfully and nodded, “Hmm, that’s quite possible.”

Cheng Xiangru, confused, couldn’t help but ask, “Why would they go to the library?”

Boss Zhou smiled patiently. “I suspect they claimed to be geological survey teams to disguise their real purpose. Going to the county library was probably to consult the county annals for information on ancient tombs nearby.”

Looking up ancient tombs in the county annals, while not always precise, is the most effective and least laborious method. Experienced tomb raiding gangs excel at this.

There’s even a joke among insiders: without some culture, you can’t even get into the fight.

“Are they still here?” Boss Zhou asked anxiously.

Chen Shangke shook his head. “They should be gone. I heard that survey team checked out yesterday and drove south into the mountains.”

Boss Zhou slapped his thigh, exclaiming, “Too late again!”