Chapter Twenty-One: Engineering—The Sudden Transformation of the Fool

Zhang Qinglin looked at the approaching woman—it was the very same who had helped them out of trouble the previous night. Her jet-black hair danced in the wind, and the black fitted short-sleeved shirt and shorts she wore lent her an unusual allure.

Old Seven had mentioned that the contractor had sent another leader down, though no one had met him yet. Accompanying him was a young woman, known only by her surname, Su. Everyone simply called her Miss Su. She had only arrived a few days prior, here on a work inspection; everything else was handled by Master Wu.

From the black sedan behind, three or four people emerged. Leading them was Master Wu, who instructed the workers to clear a path. The man walking forward was clad in a suit and tie—a mature figure with a stern face and cold, piercing eyes that seemed to keep others at a distance.

As the man passed by Zhang Qinglin, those icy eyes made Zhang feel as though he had seen him somewhere before.

The man walked up to Miss Su and said something, to which she responded with a sharp glare. The man shook his head, apparently realizing he was wasting his effort. He glanced around, then ceased engaging with her.

Master Wu, after clarifying the situation with the foreman, hurried to Miss Su and the man to ask whether they should halt work for further handling. Zhang Qinglin had no interest in listening to their deliberations about the remains.

Cheng Che glanced at Miss Su and remarked, “That girl’s quite formidable—neither of those men can outtalk her. Still… why does that man seem so familiar?”

“Cheng Che, where’s Da Zhuang?” Zhang Qinglin had just heard the tough guy order everyone back to the trucks, but upon turning, realized Da Zhuang was no longer at his side.

“Da Zhuang? Old Zhang, he’s over there…” Cheng Che scanned the crowd and spotted a burly figure darting into the cavern.

The two gave chase, just as Master Wu caught sight of them and sent several people in to apprehend them.

Oddly enough, once Da Zhuang entered the cave, he seemed transformed. No longer wild or erratic, he moved swiftly, eyes fixed ahead.

Zhang Qinglin was close behind, with Cheng Che trailing. Turning the corridor, Zhang saw Da Zhuang halt in the middle of the tunnel. He didn’t advance, but instead swayed his head from side to side, as if searching for something.

Then he turned to face a wall within the cave, crouched down, and began digging with his bare hands.

Zhang Qinglin hurried to the rack nearby, intending to stop Da Zhuang. Though Da Zhuang was mentally impaired, he still possessed some awareness of his actions.

Watching Da Zhuang dig furiously, Zhang suddenly saw him twist his head sharply, staring coldly at the light streaming in from the right side of the tunnel, his expression terrifying.

That light must have come from those previously working on the remains inside. Suddenly, a voice rang out from that direction.

“What are you doing here? Did Team Leader Wang ask you to come in?”

Da Zhuang glared fiercely toward the voice and turned back to dig even faster, madly clawing at the wall.

“Da Zhuang… Da Zhuang, stop digging. What’s gotten into him…” Cheng Che caught up, watching as Da Zhuang frantically scratched at the wall.

Zhang Qinglin whispered, “Shh… let’s sneak up quietly…”

Cheng Che slipped behind Da Zhuang, moving to his right. Zhang Qinglin gave Cheng Che a look; together, they grabbed Da Zhuang’s arms, attempting to restrain him. Unexpectedly, Da Zhuang’s strength was astonishing—he shook his arms violently, and both were flung aside.

With a thud, they landed a meter away.

Zhang Qinglin scrambled up and stared at Da Zhuang. Perhaps his headlamp had fallen nearby and switched on, casting a beam of light across them.

Da Zhuang seemed to see something dreadful. The muscles in his face twitched, and his eyes locked unwaveringly onto Zhang Qinglin.