145: chance encounters and scrutiny

Jiang Wanqing's sudden appearance was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the flame that had just ignited in both their hearts.

Wang Dalong's excited expression froze in place. He instinctively glanced at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with panic that screamed "What do we do?"

Lin Feng reacted much faster.

After the initial shock, he quickly regained his composure. His perpetually expressionless face now served as the perfect disguise.

"Dr. Jiang," he nodded slightly in greeting, his tone so flat it betrayed no ripple of emotion. "What a coincidence. We were just about to head back."

"Head back?" Jiang Wanqing walked up to the two of them, her bright eyes sweeping over them and the suitcases behind them with just the right amount of curiosity. "I thought you'd stay a few more days. The grasslands of Ordos are quite beautiful. Don't you want to experience them a bit longer?"

Her tone was light and casual, as if chatting with ordinary friends, but Lin Feng detected a hint of probing in her words.

"We've seen what we came to see. Too many people, too noisy," Lin Feng said expressionlessly, giving a typical socially-awkward reply. "Home is more comfortable."

Wang Dalong nodded vigorously beside him, like a yes-man. "Exactly! We just came to see the spectacle. Now that the festival's over, it's a sea of people—not fun at all. Brother Feng is right, lying around at home is the most comfortable."

As he spoke, he guiltily tried to hide his backpack behind him.

Watching one put on a cold act and the other an exaggerated performance, a flicker of amusement flashed in Jiang Wanqing's eyes, but it vanished quickly.

"Is that so? What a pity," she said regretfully, shaking her head. "I led the team here this time mainly to conduct routine digital archiving work on the sacrificial texts and related artifacts of the 'Mausoleum of Genghis Khan.' I was actually hoping that, if the opportunity arose, I could seek Mr. Lin's unique insights on Yuan Dynasty history."

Her words were flawless.

An official archaeological team coming to a nationally protected heritage site for work—the reason was solid and impeccable.

But Lin Feng didn't believe it was a coincidence.

From Hainan to Ordos, they had just arrived, and Jiang Wanqing followed right behind. How could there be so many coincidences in the world?

Their every move was likely under some kind of surveillance.

"Insights? Hardly. Just random musings," Lin Feng said, adjusting his backpack strap as if preparing to leave. "Dr. Jiang, your work is important. We won't disturb you further."

"Wait," Jiang Wanqing called out to stop him.

Her expression grew more serious as she looked at Lin Feng, speaking sincerely. "Mr. Lin, I know what I said last time might have been presumptuous. But as an archaeologist, I must remind you again."

"Our China is vast in territory and rich in resources, with a long history. No matter where you go, there are too many historical sites buried that we haven't yet explored. These places have complex geological environments, and many areas don't even have signal coverage. Private exploration is truly very dangerous."

"I sincerely hope you can channel your talents and energy into safer and more valuable academic research. If you're willing, I can even formally invite you on behalf of our center to become a Specially Appointed Consultant."

Specially Appointed Consultant.

This was undoubtedly a huge olive branch. For any history enthusiast, it was a dream honor.

Wang Dalong's eyes widened in awe.

But Lin Feng shook his head, refusing outright.

"Thank you, but I'm not interested," he said, looking at Jiang Wanqing. "I'm just an ordinary person who likes to travel and see things. It's not as complicated as you think."

With that, he gave her no further chance to speak, pulling his suitcase and walking past her straight toward the hotel entrance.

Wang Dalong hurried to follow, offering an awkward smile as he passed Jiang Wanqing.

Jiang Wanqing stood where she was, not stopping them again. She watched their hurried departing figures, her pretty brows slightly furrowed.

She didn't believe Lin Feng was just "traveling and seeing things."

A person who could unravel the seven-hundred-year mystery of the Southern Song Dynasty Treasury, who had explored various treasures in just a year—who would believe he was really just "traveling and seeing things"?

Every move he made was never on a whim.

Perhaps he was pursuing something.

A goal even more significant than the Southern Song Dynasty Treasury... In the taxi, Wang Dalong let out a long sigh, slumping into the back seat.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death! Why is she haunting us like a ghost? Following us from Hainan to Inner Mongolia? Brother Feng, are we being watched?"

"Possibly," Lin Feng said, looking out the window at the rapidly receding streets.

"Then what do we do? If we go to the airport now, they'll definitely know! If we go to Xinjiang, they'll surely follow! By then, forget about finding the Tomb—they'll probably 'escort' us out of the mountains under the guise of 'protecting tourist safety' the moment we enter!" Wang Dalong said irritably, grabbing his hair.

Lin Feng remained silent.

"Then... are we still going to Altay?" Wang Dalong asked cautiously.

The taxi stopped at a red light.

Lin Feng looked out the window at the bustling street, silent for a long time. Just as he was about to say something, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a red banner hanging at the entrance of a hotel across the street—【Warmly Welcome Experts Attending the 'Silk Road Ancient Civilizations' Archaeological Symposium】.

His heart jolted violently.

So there really was an archaeological conference! That meant running into Jiang Wanqing at the restaurant might genuinely have been just a coincidence.

Lin Feng quickly calmed down, reassessing the situation. He had indeed been overly tense earlier. In China, they wouldn't deploy an all-encompassing surveillance net over such speculative "trivial matters."

Wang Dalong, sitting beside him, noticed his change and was about to ask "What's wrong?" when he heard Lin Feng speak slowly.

"The plan remains unchanged."

Wang Dalong was taken aback for a moment before catching on. "Continue to the airport? To Altay?"

"Yes," Lin Feng said, his eyes sharp and resolute once more. "Look at that banner. Jiang Wanqing is most likely really here for the conference."

He turned, his gaze burning as he looked at Wang Dalong. "We just need to be careful she doesn't latch onto us next time we meet. Because if we find what we're looking for this time, she'll definitely remember today's events. After all, for someone like her, no academic conference can compare to a real, major archaeological discovery."

The light turned green, and the taxi merged back into the traffic flow.

"Driver, please hurry. We're catching a flight," Lin Feng said to the driver, his tone filled with unwavering determination.