30: Chengdu fireworks

The video regarding Captain Kidd's 'memories' was like a deep-sea nuclear bomb, triggering a terrifying tsunami across the global internet.

That eerie Golden Mural had only revealed a corner of its mysterious veil, yet it had already driven countless historians, archaeology fanatics, conspiracy theorists, and internet Sherlocks worldwide into a total frenzy.

The name Lin Feng was once again pushed to the crest of the wave by the surging tide.

This time, it was more violent than ever before!

The number of private messages in his social media accounts instantly soared to 99+, the little red dots seemingly mocking his overestimation of his own strength. His phone had completely turned into a hot potato, receiving dozens of calls from unfamiliar numbers all over the world every day.

There were mysterious tycoons waving stacks of cash wanting to buy exclusive intelligence, chuunibyou youths claiming to be from ancient organizations wanting him to join them, and even a fellow speaking fluent Chinese who claimed to be an FBI agent wanting to invite him for 'a cup of coffee.'

Downstairs at his residence, the once quiet neighborhood had now become suspicious and secretive.

Several black business vans with dark tinted windows were parked in different corners twenty-four hours a day. In the garden below, there were always a few figures wearing peaked caps and carrying 'long guns and short cannons'—telephoto lenses—pretending to take a stroll.

Once, a drone even buzzed its way outside his window, its camera staring straight into the room.

If Lin Feng hadn't reacted quickly and pulled the curtains shut in a second, photos of him picking his toes would have made global headlines the next day.

This feeling of being peeked at and monitored every second of every day was like countless ants crawling over his body, causing Lin Feng's social anxiety to instantly spike to the max.

He locked himself completely inside the house, curtains sealed shut and the door bolted; he hadn't stepped foot out of the house for three consecutive days.

"Brother Feng, my dear brother! If this keeps up, the two of us will have to live off the northwest wind!"

Wang Dalong looked at the last lonely carton of eggs in the fridge, the fat on his face squeezing into worried wrinkles.

"These paparazzi reporters are more annoying than hyenas! They come as soon as they catch a scent! We have to find a way to get out and lay low!"

"Go where?" Lin Feng's voice was dry and hoarse, like rusty parts rubbing together; he hadn't spoken properly to anyone for nearly three days.

"To a place they'd never guess in a million years!"

Wang Dalong's eyes instantly lit up like two 200-watt light bulbs. He pulled out his phone like he was presenting a treasure and tapped on a photo.

On the screen, a black-and-white, round, and chubby creature was death-gripping a stalk of emerald-green bamboo, munching away with relish as if no one else existed. Its naive and cute appearance was enough to melt anyone's heart.

"Chengdu! We're going to see the 'Gungun' pandas!"

Wang Dalong had a look of yearning, drool almost leaking out.

"These things are our Dragon Country's national treasures, the gods of cuteness for the whole world! Their healing power is MAX! There's no trouble that petting a Gungun can't solve! If there is, then pet two!"

He shoved the phone screen in front of Lin Feng's eyes, pitching the idea with spit flying: "Just imagine the scene! Steaming hot pot, sizzling skewers, numb and spicy Dandan noodles! And the world's number one cutest Gunguns!"

"Even if those foreigners and reporters rack their clever brains, they'll never expect us to run off to an inland city to see giant pandas, right? It's called hiding in plain sight! The most dangerous place is the safest place!"

Lin Feng's gaze fell on the panda in the photo that only knew how to bury its head in eating, and he remained silent for a long time.

Going to a city where no one knew them, where the pace was slow and filled with delicious food... this suggestion was like a life-saving straw, causing his nerves—which were stretched to the breaking point by external pressure—to show a sign of loosening.

He needed a change of environment.

He needed to catch his breath.

"Book the tickets."

He spat out three words, concise and to the point.

Two days later, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

Lin Feng and Wang Dalong both wore baseball caps and black masks, covering their faces tightly. They lowered their heads and walked quickly out of the arrival hall, swiftly merging into the bustling crowd.

A wave of moist and mild air hit them, carrying a faint, soul-stirring spicy aroma that refreshed both of their spirits.

They didn't go to high-end hotels where their identities could easily be exposed. Instead, through a mobile app, they rented a two-bedroom short-term apartment in an old residential area in the city center that looked quite aged.

After simply tossing their luggage in the room, the two of them headed non-stop to the first stop of their plan—the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

As soon as they entered the base, their eyes were filled with the shade of bamboo forests and lush greenery; the clamor of the city was instantly shut out.

Wang Dalong completely let himself go, like a three-hundred-pound child entering a candy store for the first time. He held up a rented camera, 'click-clicking' away without stopping, letting out all sorts of unrefined, voice-cracking exclamations.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! Brother Feng, look at that one! It's sleeping hanging on a tree branch! Isn't it afraid of turning over and falling directly into a bear pancake?"

"Ahhh! That one! That one's rolling on the grass! It rolled here and then rolled back! I'm dying of cuteness! My health bar is empty!"

"Pfft, hahaha! Brother Feng, look, this little one is stealing its mom's bamboo shoots! It can't win the fight so it's playing dirty! So mean! A panda 'snatching shoots'!"

Lin Feng didn't squeeze into the crowd of onlookers, but just stood far off under a large tree.

He watched those lazy, chubby creatures. Some were sprawled out on wooden frames sleeping, some were holding large bundles of bamboo and eating frantically, while others were slowly strolling in their yards, completely ignoring the screams and flashes of the surrounding tourists, entirely immersed in their own world.

That leisurely and carefree posture had a strange infectious power.

The tight string in Lin Feng's mind relaxed inch by inch without him realizing it.

He leaned against the rough tree trunk and took off the baseball cap that made him feel hot, letting the warm sunlight spill onto his face in mottled patches through the gaps in the bamboo leaves.

This long-lost peace and tranquility made him feel incredibly comfortable.

By the time they came out of the panda base, the sky had already begun to darken.

As the evening lights flickered on, the entire city seemed to be soaked in a pungent and spicy atmosphere, the aroma of chili and Sichuan pepper in the air growing even more intense.

"Let's go! We must have an authentic Nine-grid Old Hot Pot!" Wang Dalong rubbed his growling stomach and pulled Lin Feng into a small alley full of diners and the breath of life.

The two of them randomly found a hot pot restaurant that looked the most popular with the longest queue.

The restaurant was bustling with people and steaming with heat; every table was full.

An overbearing nine-grid copper pot was bubbling in the center of the table, the bright red beef tallow base popping with tempting bubbles, its spicy aroma hitting the crown of the head.

Tripe, beef throat, duck intestines, tender beef... plates of fresh ingredients were brought to the table by waiters in a steady stream.

The two of them completely let loose, dipping the cooked tripe in garlic and sesame oil, eating until they were sweating profusely and thoroughly satisfied.

Under the influence of this lively and fiery atmosphere, Lin Feng felt his tense nerves completely unwind. He spoke a few more words than usual and even clinked several glasses of iced beer with Wang Dalong.

Just as they were eating with gusto and getting into the spirit, the voices of several middle-aged men at the next table, who were red-faced from drinking, became louder and louder as they bragged without restraint.