To ensure the success of the bid for the Silk Road to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Xinjiang Cultural Relics Bureau held a "Silk Road" artifact exhibition in Las Vegas, USA, specifically to raise the profile of the Silk Road.

The centerpiece, the world-famous mummy known as the "Loulan Beauty," was deliberately placed as the grand finale of the exhibition. Lu Zong, the expert archaeologist and mummy specialist who had discovered the "Loulan Beauty," stood proudly on the stage, lecturing the audience on the excavation and creation dates of the exhibited items. He concluded with a flourish: "It seems the quality of ancient things really is better than modern stuff. Over three thousand years, and it’s still usable." This elicited a burst of laughter, making the atmosphere lively.

When the announcer clearly uttered the four words, "The Loulan Beauty," Lu Zong, who had been relaxed and jovial, instantly grew serious. He waved to the crowd, signaling for quiet, stood rigidly with a solemn expression, and watched as staff carefully carried the mummy, coffin and all, onto the stage.

Gasps rippled through the crowd—a mixture of astonishment and curiosity at the sight of the desiccated body. A person from three millennia ago lay quietly in the coffin, serene as a sleeping princess. Her slight smile seemed to enchant everyone present; they were stunned silent. The silence held until the first click of a camera shutter, followed immediately by a rapid succession of click-click-click.

Lu Zong beamed with pride, a smile playing on his lips as he began his explanation: "This mummy is the one known as the 'Little River Princess,' the 'Loulan Beauty.' She is over three thousand years old."

He approached the display case, tapping the outer glass with his pointer stick: "Look closely at her facial features. Large, deep-set eyes, a high, narrow nose bridge, and a sharp, pointed chin—these exhibit distinct features of the European race. This indicates that Europeans were already trading with China at that time. The friendship between China and Europe, and the world's close ties, began in antiquity. We should offer a blessing for this friendship that spans millennia." He then led the audience by closing his eyes, clasping his hands together over his chest, and murmuring a silent prayer.

The audience, moved by Lu Zong’s speech, began imitating him, bowing their heads in prayer.

The entire hall fell into absolute stillness; the drop of a pin could have been heard.

Suddenly, Lu Zong felt a bizarre sensation. The vast exhibition hall had become deathly quiet, creating an unnerving, almost creepy atmosphere. Coupled with the millennia-old mummy positioned right beside him, the feeling intensified to sheer horror. Yet, he silently coached himself: Don't let anything go wrong. This exhibition is crucial for the fate of the Silk Road. Stay calm.

Despite his resolution, a strange sensation persisted. He could almost feel a breath near his ear, a faint current of air disturbing his focus.

This isn't right. The podium setup was grand and imposing. He had observed closely moments ago—there should be no one else here. That breath... could it be...?

In his rising fear, he squinted his eyes toward the "Loulan Beauty."

She remained peacefully asleep within the crystal sarcophagus, utterly unchanged.

Then, he caught it—a faint glimmer of light emanating from her hollow eyes. His heart jolted.

Jingle-jingle-jingle! At the moment of his distraction, his cell phone rang, startling him so badly his whole body trembled. The sound jolted the congregation from their prayers, and they resumed viewing the mummy.

Lu Zong managed an apologetic smile for the crowd. "My apologies, I need to take this call. I'll be right back."

He walked toward the side of the stage and answered the phone. As soon as he connected, the person on the other end gasped, unable to catch their breath: "It's bad... Lu Zong, the 'Loulan Beauty' you brought for the exhibition—that’s the real mummy. The one in the museum... is a fake!"

Hearing this, Lu Zong felt his blood rush to his head. He roared into the phone, furious: "What? Director, this is no time for jokes. You know the 'Loulan Beauty' is my life! I would sacrifice my own life to protect her—don't try to scare me!"

The Director’s voice was laced with apology. "Do I sound like I'm joking right now? Don't argue. I suspect someone deliberately swapped the replica with the original. That way, it could be easily stolen during the exhibition. Go back to the hall immediately and check if the mummy is still there!"

Lu Zong spun around instantly, forgetting to hang up. His gaze swept across the empty stage. Beyond the tall speaker’s lectern, there was nothing left.

The "Loulan Beauty" was gone.

Lu Zong’s mind went blank, his strength deserted him, and he collapsed to the floor, losing consciousness.

At a hospital somewhere in Las Vegas.

Lu Zong slowly opened his weary eyes, staring at the stark white ceiling and the white sheet covering him. He tried to recall the bizarre events leading up to his collapse.

He sat up abruptly, his anger surging. "Where is my mummy? Who stole my mummy?" he demanded of the nurse beside him.

The door suddenly swung open, and the hospital Director entered, calming the overly agitated Lu Zong. "Lu Zong, don't get worked up. The mummy will be recovered; rest assured."

Lu Zong fixed the Director with a cold stare. "Director, didn't you say you were substituting the real artifact with a replica for the exhibition? Then why was the genuine article on display?"

The Director patiently explained, "Don't rush. Let me tell you slowly. I only found out the mummy was real when the cultural relics authentication expert called me at the exhibition. But by then, the mummy had already been moved onto the stage. I called you immediately, but just as I answered, it was stolen. I deeply apologize for that."

Lu Zong’s tone softened slightly. "So how did the expert know the mummy was real?"

The Director continued, "It was simple, really. He ran a Carbon-14 test on the mummy. He discovered that the one in the museum couldn't possibly be older than two thousand years. But the real 'Loulan Beauty' should date back four thousand years!"

Lu Zong nodded thoughtfully, and silence descended upon the room.

To break the awkward tension, the Director said, "Don't worry, I will get the mummy back. After all, it represents the culmination of your life's work. I have already notified the CIA; they have agreed to begin investigating the matter."

"The CIA, yes, the CIA..." Lu Zong’s dull gaze suddenly brightened. He remembered a comrade-in-arms, Ma Xiong.

Whenever he spoke of Ma Xiong, Lu Zong was unstinting in his praise, not just because he was a dear friend, but primarily because Ma Xiong had once saved his life. Ma Xiong had been the commander of the 115th Regiment, 55th Division, during the Sino-Vietnamese War, while Lu Zong was merely a driver in the regiment. After a period of intense combat, victory was finally achieved. While escorting prisoners of war back to camp, the lead vehicle carrying their comrades was decimated by pre-planted enemy landmines. Enraged, Lu Zong sped up, driving directly into the minefield himself before jumping clear. A Liberation truck carrying the full contingent of POWs was blown sky-high.

At that time, killing prisoners of war was a grave offense. Lu Zong was certain of his impending fate. However, the incident caught the attention of the Regiment Commander, Ma Xiong. Ma Xiong greatly admired Lu Zong’s righteous act and shouldered the entire responsibility. Consequently, Ma Xiong was sent back to China for punishment and served several years in prison. After the war ended, the two maintained frequent correspondence. Lu Zong later read in his letters that Ma Xiong had been transferred to work for the CIA, though he wasn't certain if this was true.

He asked the Director, "Do you think I could meet with someone from the CIA? Are they here now?"

The Director shook his head, his expression troubled. "That might be difficult. You know, the CIA is notoriously elusive—they appear and disappear without a trace. How could they show themselves so easily? If someone spotted them, they might assume they were trying to steal state secrets, especially here in this superpower where suspicion runs high."

Just as the Director finished speaking, the door creaked open. Both men turned to look toward the entrance.

A heavy-set man with a slight smirk, carrying a black bag in one hand and a CD in the other, walked in. He wore sunglasses and a strangely coiffed haircut. In thick, flawless English, he inquired, "EXCUSE ME. WILL YOU BUY THE DISK! I CAN ASSURE THAT THEY ARE ALL IMPORTED FROM CHINA; AND THE PRICE IS LOWER THAN OTHERS."

The Director looked at the uninvited guest with confusion, frowning. "What is this boy rambling about?"

Lu Zong grinned slyly and explained, "He’s asking if you want to buy some VCDs—all imported from China, prices absolutely fair, no deception. Especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly gentlemen who are bald on top but have wild growth underneath for viewing."

The Director became irate. "Are you sick? Get out of here!"

The man smiled, speaking perfect Mandarin: "Oh, come now, just kidding. Why so serious? Haha."

The Director grew angrier. "You speak Mandarin? Isn't that treasonous? Get out! We don't need any."

The plump man smiled slightly. "Wait, I'm a friend this gentleman made while here. I came specifically to see him today." He then nodded toward Lu Zong.

The Director looked at Lu Zong curiously. "Is this your friend?"

Seeing the man wink suggestively at him, Lu Zong felt certain the man had something crucial to tell him, possibly about the missing mummy. He said, "Yes, he is my friend. Perhaps you could step out for a moment?"

The Director eyed the two skeptically but finally left, resigned.

The moment the Director was gone, Lu Zong pressed, "Who are you? Did you come about the missing mummy?"

The plump man slowly sat down on the sofa, speaking with refinement. "Oh my, I said I was his friend, and now you disown me in the blink of an eye."

Lu Zong snapped, "If you aren't here about the mummy, please leave immediately, or I’ll call 110!" The man burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach until tears streamed down his face. "You really are patriotic, wanting Chinese police even here in America. Go ahead, call 110. I estimate it'll take them until tomorrow by special flight to rescue you! Hahaha... I'm dying of laughter!"

Lu Zong felt a moment of awkwardness, but his expression quickly hardened. "Who are you really? Your voice sounds so familiar."

The plump man finally stopped laughing, walked over to the hospital bed, removed his sunglasses, and winked conspiratorially at Lu Zong.