Chapter 26: If Two Hearts Are Meant to Be Together for a Long Time

  It can be said that the fifth layer is the most normal area, where birds sing and flowers bloom, the air is fresh and clean, pavilions and kiosks stand tall, and small streams flow. We suddenly arrived at a paradise on earth, looking at this beautiful scenery, I was intoxicated, and didn't know why there were no light sources here, yet it was extremely bright, just like the sun shining on my body, very comfortable.

  But here is the most abnormal, the area is twice as large as the previous few floors. In this sultry underground, how can there be flowers and grass? In front of us is a small wooden bridge built on a flat plate, with a gentle stream flowing under the bridge, and we can still hear the sound of gurgling water.

  "Is it over?" Pengpeng asked.

  "What are you thinking now that it's come to this? You've asked this question several times, and we've passed by it several times. Don't ask such shallow questions in the future, or readers will think our dialogue is stupid."

  As I walked onto the wooden bridge, I stretched my hand into the water and could fully feel its flow. Washing my face with it dispelled some of my drowsiness. It seems this isn't an illusion; this water truly exists. With water here, it explains why the air is so fresh. After crossing the small bridge, not far away stood a pavilion, exquisitely crafted. At that moment, a butterfly flew past me, so vivid and lifelike. I couldn't believe that in such an enclosed underground space, they could survive. Could this be a space detached from reality? Have we traversed through the vortex of time and entered a realm without time?

  We arrived at the pavilion and put down our heavy backpacks, which were almost empty inside, but our bodies were too tired. As we put them down, it felt like we had unloaded a thousand pounds of weight.

  "How much water is left?" I asked

  "There are only two bottles left, a few slices of bread and two sausages. All the other food is in the coffin."

  "How did you put him there?"

  "My cassock is too big and there's really no other place to put it, so I just left it there."

  I saw his innocent expression and found myself laughable. How could I blame him? I had discovered it early on, but didn't take any measures, and only when things really happened did I become helpless. Now I realize that I'm really too tender, my understanding of society and human nature is still not enough, I can only feel the direction of things, but can't stop them. Maybe this is the difference between successful people and ordinary people.

  Drank some water, lay down and stretched out with a long yawn, as if I hadn't rested for ages. Pengpeng also lay down beside me. Closed my eyes, savoring this peaceful moment.

  "Old buddy, what are we going to do after we get out?"

  "Let's go see if there's any treasure. When we have money, we can do whatever we want. Oh right, didn't you find another treasure map? Let's go there."

  "But the photo is in the coffin, and now the coffin is also nowhere to be found. Honestly, can this person be trusted?"

  "There shouldn't be a problem, we've known each other for two years, he's never done anything bad."

  "That's why there's no conflict of interest between you two, your work and his profession are completely unrelated, now we're tied to the same rope, we don't know anything about these things, but he and his ancestors have been studying for generations, maybe he saw some way out that he didn't tell us, is it because he's afraid we'll snatch his things or is there another reason?"

  "Hoo hoo hoo... Hoo hoo hoo..." Pengpeng has fallen asleep.

  Yes, I'm too tired. My eyelids are being invaded by relaxing nerves. I forced myself to pick up the short knife and lay down again, only to see two lines of words written on the top of the pavilion:

  Delicate clouds play cleverly, flying stars convey hatred, the Milky Way stretches far and dark. Golden wind and jade dew meet once, and they surpass countless human relationships.

  Tender feelings like water, a good time like a dream, enduring the magpie bridge's return journey. If our love is long-lasting, how can it be just morning and evening?

  It should be the first word, Tang poetry and Song lyrics, it seems to be a love story. But at this time I don't want to think about what the word means anymore, closing my eyes, as if I can hear the sound of myself snoring.