95: Chapter 95 Can't I just lie down for a bit?

In the living room of Jiang Feng's villa, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a warm yellow hue across the carpet.

He was wearing pajamas, sprawled out on the sofa with a can of ice-cold cola in his left hand and a bag of potato chips in his right. The coffee table in front of him was piled high with various junk food.

Old Chen was humming a little tune in the open-concept kitchen, and the old hen soup simmering in the clay pot emitted a rich, savory aroma.

Everything seemed peaceful and serene.

Jiang Feng took a large gulp of cola and let out a satisfied burp; the sensation of bubbles rising from his throat brought with it a sense of decadent happiness.

" This is the damn life. "

He complained internally.

" Drinking that ridiculously expensive Da Hong Pao tea on that pirate ship isn't even half as good as this five-yuan bottle of cola. "

" Once I've saved up enough lifespan, I'll find some scenic place and lie around like this every day. No one is going to make me go to work. "

Old Chen brought over a bowl of freshly stewed chicken soup, walking carefully with light steps, afraid of disturbing this rare peace.

He set the bowl steadily on the coffee table in front of Jiang Feng.

" Boss, drink some soup to nourish your body. You've been through so much trouble outside, you must be severely depleted. "

Jiang Feng looked at the greasy bowl of chicken soup with disdain. A thin film of chicken fat had solidified on the surface, exuding the kind of healthy aura he needed the least right now.

He pinched a potato chip and tossed it into his mouth. " What I need right now is dopamine, not protein. This stuff has less caloric value than this bag of chips. "

Old Chen smiled honestly, not offended, and picked up a rag, continuing to clear the snack bags and crumbs from the coffee table.

" You're right about everything. But Captain Zhao called just now to say that he's already booked that three-star Michelin meal and is waiting for your summon at any time. "

Jiang Feng stopped chewing his chips and lifted his eyelids.

" At least he has a conscience. Did he say anything else? "

" Also, " Old Chen paused, his tone becoming somewhat subtle, " he said that Interpol is very interested in you and wants to invite you to be a special consultant through him. "

Jiang Feng scoffed and opened another can of cola.

" Special consultant? Do they want me to read the faces of criminals to determine their sentences? Or maybe calculate whether their undercover agents will meet with a bloody disaster on their next mission? "

Old Chen didn't stop wiping the table.

" I reckon they were impressed by your performance on the ship. Captain Zhao said that Commander Petersen couldn't stop praising you, saying you possess a mysterious power to see into people's hearts. "

" Mysterious power? " Jiang Feng rolled his eyes. " Tell Zhao Yi I'm not interested. "

" You haven't even asked how I replied yet. " A look of pride appeared on Old Chen's face.

" Oh? What did you say? "

" I told him that our boss is an expert living in seclusion, with unpredictable whereabouts, elusive as a dragon, and that he shouldn't disturb your cultivation with such trivial matters. "

" Well done! "

" That line really hits the spot. Next time he asks, just tell him I've gone off to travel and gather qi, with no set return date. Tell him I'm going to the Kunlun Mountains for seclusion and have no cell signal. "

Old Chen nodded, gathered the trash into a bag, and added another sentence.

" Captain Zhao also mentioned that Mr. K's case has been transferred to the International Court, and Reynolds has been investigated thoroughly, uncovering a massive intelligence smuggling network. "

" Commander Petersen specifically asked Captain Zhao to convey that the favor he owes you is valid forever. "

" Got it, got it. "

Jiang Feng waved his hand impatiently; he didn't care at all about these international affairs and schemes.

He just wanted to be a salted fish waiting to die, but unfortunately, the circumstances didn't allow it.

He picked up his phone and scrolled through the news, bored out of his mind.

The light and shadow from the screen flickered on his face.

A local news pop-up suddenly appeared.

【 Our nation's archaeological community welcomes a major discovery: the 'Treasures of the Silk Road' special exhibition at the Jinghai City National History Museum opens today, with many national treasures making their debut! 】

Jiang Feng clicked on it casually, just to pass the time after his meal.

In the news report, a reporter was introducing the exquisite artifacts in the display cases with an excited voice.

The camera swept over an ancient bronze sword; the blade gleamed with an eerie light under the lamps, as if it could still reflect the cold edge from a thousand years ago.

" Old Chen, look at this. " Jiang Feng turned the phone screen toward Old Chen. " This sword looks pretty intimidating, but I wonder if it can still cut vegetables. "

Old Chen leaned in to take a look and said earnestly: " Boss, this is an artifact; it can't be used to cut vegetables. "

" I know. " Jiang Feng pouted. " It's just a metaphor. Look at the patterns on the hilt; maybe some general was holding it to hack people back in the day. "

The camera then gave a close-up of a painted pottery figurine, which had a strange smile on its face.

" Tsk tsk, this pottery figurine is sculpted quite well, but the smile is a bit fake. It looks creepy... If you put this at your bedside at night, it could scare someone to death. "

Old Chen looked at the figurine and agreed, " It really is a bit strange. It doesn't look like it's smiling; it looks more like it's crying. "

Jiang Feng's fingers scrolled across the screen, looking at pictures of the exhibits while he kept grumbling.

" This jade pendant has average quality. That porcelain bowl has such tacky patterns... "

Just then.

A notification sound rang in his mind without warning.

Pfft—!

Jiang Feng almost spat a mouthful of cola onto his phone screen.

He sat up straight on the sofa, his movement knocking over the bag of chips in his lap and scattering golden crisps all over the floor.

His expression was as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

Old Chen was startled by his sudden movement, and the rag in his hand dropped to the floor.

" Boss, what's wrong? Did you see some bad news? "

【 Ding! Detected host triggered keywords: History / Exploration / Puzzle-solving / National Treasure. 】

【 New task generating... 】

Jiang Feng's face turned black instantly.

Damn it!

You've got to be kidding me, right?

He roared frantically in his heart at the air.

System, are you a devil?

Even capitalists would tearfully hand you a cigarette and respectfully call you the "King of Overworking" when they saw you!

Jiang Feng had ten thousand curses he wanted to hurl, but in the end, all his anger and unwillingness turned into a long, hopeless sigh.

There was no helping it; to stay alive, he still had to go to work.

Otherwise, that three-hundred-plus days of lifespan would decrease by a day for every day he spent lying around, and he'd end up straight in the ICU.

【 New task released 】

【 Location 】: Special Exhibition Hall, B1 Floor, Jinghai City National History Museum

【 Time 】: Daily 10:00-11:00 (Except Mondays when closed)

【 Method 】: Discern History via Sound

【 Domain 】: Appraising Treasures and Identifying Authenticity

【 Goal 】: Uncover the "truth" hidden behind three exhibits.

" Boss, you don't look so good. Do you want me to call a doctor for you? "

Old Chen asked with concern, looking at Jiang Feng's ever-changing complexion.

" No need. " Jiang Feng waved his hand and stood up from the sofa, stretching his body. " It's just... some sudden work-related inspiration. "

He walked to the window, looking at the peaceful courtyard outside, but his heart was not peaceful at all.

Discern History via Sound?

What the hell is that?

Listening to noises?

Does it want me to lie on the museum's glass display cases and use my ears to listen to the whispers of those antiques that are hundreds or thousands of years old?

This sounds much more serious than betting my life on the pirate ship to calculate fortunes.

But it's also much creepier.

He looked back at the bewildered Old Chen and sighed.

" Old Chen, help me check how to book tickets for the Jinghai City Museum. "

" Huh? Boss, are you really going? "

" Go, of course I'm going. " Jiang Feng's voice carried exhaustion. " I love joining in the excitement the most. "