“What fatty? He just ate well and was healthier as a kid,” Liang Qian said, a hint of annoyance in her expression as she listened to both of us referring to him as 'fatty.'

But I paid her no mind at the time, continuing, “No, you were really fat back then. You weighed a hundred pounds when you were only seven or eight—like a watermelon…”

I gestured with my hands as I spoke, which made Da Xiong next to me burst into roaring laughter.

At that moment, Liang Qian turned her head away, ignoring us.

Seeing the displeasure on Liang Qian’s face, I quickly suppressed my laughter, but Da Xiong kept clutching his stomach and chuckling nonstop.

I quickly nudged him with my foot, coughed twice, and said, “Hey, hey, laughing is enough. I said you were the fattest of all, yet you have the nerve to mock others. Aren't you ashamed?”

Only then did Da Xiong slowly stop, declaring haughtily, “If it weren’t for this physique of mine, who knows where I’d have died in some underground palace. This is my armor.”

I retorted, “Enough of the bragging. What are your plans when we get back to Chengdu?”

“Plans?…” Da Xiong pondered for a moment, rubbing the back of his head. “No real plans, just sell the gold and silver we got from the cave, split it among us brothers, then enjoy a few days of freedom. We’ll hit up Jiuyanqiao and find some pretty girls…”

As he reached this point, I poked him in the side with my elbow and said, “Stop talking nonsense. How many times have we stopped right at the doorstep and retreated? You even claimed we were too young and weak, saying those places weren't good for us.”

Da Xiong chuckled wryly and said, “Do you remember Brother Chun? The guy selling beer? He said he’d introduce us to some good spots this time…”

Just then, Liang Qian turned her head back, looking at me, her brow deeply furrowed.

Hearing Da Xiong still chattering away, I quickly gave him a meaningful look, signaling him to stop.

Da Xiong glanced back at Liang Qian, then paused, clearing his throat a few times before saying, “We’re not taking you this time. You always lose your nerve. I’m not taking you; I’ll go have fun with Brother Chun and show off my manly prowess.”

In truth, I knew Da Xiong lacked the nerve for it; he was just talking big, making himself sound more rakish as if it made him seem more impressive.

But Liang Qian clearly didn’t see it that way. She must have pictured us as delinquent youths constantly hitting nightclubs looking for one-night stands.

I thought, This is ruined. The slight good impression I had just built up was ruined by this kid Da Xiong. I quickly tried to explain, “It’s not like that. You know my background; I’ve been honest since I was little. If you don’t believe me… ask my dad.”

Liang Qian rolled her eyes at me and said curtly, “It’s fine. No need to explain. Men should stand by their actions. It has nothing to do with me anyway.”

“How am I not standing by my actions? I really haven’t been to those places…” My neck flushed crimson, but I genuinely didn't know how to explain myself right then.

Liang Qian shrugged, turned her head to the side, and said, “I’m tired. You two chat. I have a flight back to Beijing tomorrow; don't keep me up.”

With that, she leaned against the car window and truly began to sleep.

I could only glare at Da Xiong, my anger practically bursting five zhang high behind me.

Da Xiong offered an awkward chuckle, his small eyes darting around. He pointed out the window and exclaimed, “Look! A flying saucer is coming!”

I actually thought he had spotted another UFO and whipped my head around to look, but I saw nothing.

When I turned back, Da Xiong had already slumped against the window, snoring loudly.

I knew he was faking it and desperately wanted to strangle the bastard, but he was putting on quite a convincing act. I nudged him several times, but he didn't budge.

At first, I thought both of them were just pretending to sleep, but after a while, Da Xiong and Liang Qian actually drifted off for real.

But thankfully, it wasn't boring, because Kobe and his wife, who were driving, had been listening to our entire conversation.

Kobe then asked me, “Hey, Xiao Chuan, I have a feeling you’re hiding something from me. I heard talk of a ‘cave’ in your conversation—what was that all about? Tell us.”

I thought about it. Kobe seemed quite reliable, and what we had experienced was so bizarre that people might not believe it even if I told them; I wasn't afraid he’d spread rumors.

However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I omitted the parts about grave robbing and taking treasures. I only recounted the sequence of events starting from when we entered the Russian underground research facility.

After all, this wasn't fiction; I could describe every minute detail, which left them utterly astonished.

It took me over an hour to finish recounting everything. By the end, Kobe had nearly steered the car into roadside utility poles several times, completely captivated by our experience.

After I finished, the first question Kobe asked was, “The grandfather you mentioned—is he the old man in the other vehicle?”

I nodded, glancing at the Jeep driving alongside us. Grandpa was already asleep.

Truthfully, for the past few days, I hadn't stopped wanting to ask him what exactly was going on, but I knew he wouldn't tell me, and I had no idea when he would ever speak honestly with me again.

“I never would have thought your grandfather, who seems quite cultured, was actually a dangerous person. Aren't you planning to report him when you get back?” Ah Qiu asked at this point.

Over these few days, I had realized she sometimes spoke without much thought, so I didn't take offense, replying, “Report him? My grandfather hasn't broken any laws—at least not yet. And do you think the police would believe such a bizarre story?”

“Underground ruins hiding the power to destroy the world—that does sound a bit ridiculous. But since UFOs exist in this world, more supernatural phenomena aren't impossible. I believe you…” Kobe responded.

“Actually, what he means to say is, if there’s another chance like that next time, you should take us along to see,” Ah Qiu chimed in.

“You guys? Stop joking. With your delicate constitutions, you wouldn’t last five minutes down there before dying off. We are trained professionals; don't imitate us!” Da Xiong suddenly sat up in his seat and said.

“Alright, you son of a gun, faking sleep until now!” I moved to choke Da Xiong.

Da Xiong blocked my hand, chuckling, “I was truly asleep, just woke up and happened to hear you talking about it.”

“Alas, it’s not that I don’t want to take you, but seeing so many people die so carelessly, I think you should cherish your lives,” I told Kobe. “Besides, I swore last night that I won’t go near any underground marvels again myself. From now on, I won’t even park in underground garages, and I won’t press B1 or B2 in elevators. I’m truly traumatized.”

“Alright, we just wanted to witness it, honestly. Since you feel that way, let’s drop it. If you’re free in the future, you can join us in tracking UFOs and traveling around the world. All expenses paid,” Kobe said cheerfully.

I figured the kid thought I was quite skilled and wanted me as a bodyguard, so I just smiled without saying anything.

We ate a quick meal in the car around noon and continued driving that afternoon. Ten hours passed quickly, and by six in the evening, we had reached Diwopu Airport in Urumqi.

The moment of parting had finally arrived.

Liang Qian had booked her flight back to Beijing. Da Xiong had initially planned to return to Chengdu with me, but he suddenly said he hadn't seen his mother in a long time and booked a flight to Harbin instead. As for * [Name omitted]*, he was going to Chongqing to check on his business. Kobe and his wife, along with the two shirted men whose names I still didn't know, were heading further north to Sverdlovsk Oblast in Siberia.

In the end, only Grandpa and I had tickets booked for Chengdu.

Our flight wasn't until ten that night, and we arrived back in Chengdu early the next morning.

Uncle, Second Uncle, my parents, my paternal aunt, and all my aunts and nephews were at the airport to meet us. This was the first time I had ever seen my entire family gathered in one place; even for the New Year’s Eve dinner, there weren't this many people.

As soon as Grandpa and I got off the plane, no one paid me any attention; everyone swarmed around Grandpa, asking question after question.

Helplessly, I walked to the side and saw my cousin, Nie Qilan, standing there too. I walked over and asked, “Lanlan, where’s your little snake?”

Nie Qilan gave me a strange look and replied, “The little snake is at home; Mom locked it up. What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, saying it was nothing, and that I’d tell her when we got back.