As they talked, she stood up and stretched her limbs, the sleeping position having made her neck a little sore.
Qiao Muchen thought for a moment and said, "It's probably been a long time; I fell asleep too."
It was pitch black in the cave. They had no idea what time it was or how much time had passed. All they knew was that a long time had gone by, because they both felt hungry.
Zhao Zhitong wasn't worried about starving or dying of thirst, as her space held plenty of food and water.
However, Qiao Muchen did not know that.
Looking at the silent cave, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Just then, Zhao Zhitong fumbled for a moment as if taking something from her robes, but actually retrieved a few candies from her space. She handed them to Qiao Muchen. "Qiao Muchen, here, have a candy first. It'll prevent you from fainting from hunger if we're stuck here much longer."
Similarly, Zhao Zhitong unwrapped a candy and put it in her mouth, observing the enclosed space as the torches were nearly burnt out.
Staying in an enclosed space for an extended period can make people uncomfortable. Zhao Zhitong particularly disliked confined spaces; her head would start to ache if she stayed in one for too long.
So, she couldn't help but ask, "Qiao Muchen, do you think we can get out of here?"
Qiao Muchen was fiddling with the oil paper wrapper from the candy in his hand. Ever since they were young, Zhao Zhitong had always had candy on her, so Qiao Muchen didn't doubt its origin at all. Hearing her words, he looked up at Zhao Zhitong. Although he was worried too, he didn't show it. If he showed his worry now, it would only make Zhao Zhitong more frightened.
"We definitely can."
Those three simple words seemed to comfort Zhao Zhitong's heart, and perhaps his own as well.
Zhao Zhitong sighed, "I hope so."
As she spoke, she sat down next to Qiao Muchen again and asked, "Qiao Muchen, if—and I'm just saying if—we can't get out, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"
Qiao Muchen thought for a moment and answered, "I suppose so. Not being able to become a judge who upholds justice for the common people and complete my father's unfinished work—that's one, I guess."
Zhao Zhitong nodded, "Anything else?"
"Yes," Qiao Muchen said, looking at Zhao Zhitong. "There's also a secret I haven't had a chance to reveal yet."
"WOW, a secret!"
Zhao Zhitong's interest was instantly piqued. "So, if we can't get out, will you tell it to me?"
Qiao Muchen couldn't help but chuckle and nod. "That secret is about you. If you want to know, I can tell you right now."
"About me?" Zhao Zhitong was somewhat puzzled. "Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"
Qiao Muchen thought for a moment. "It can be either good or bad. If you like it, it's good; if you don't, it's bad."
Zhao Zhitong was speechless. What kind of secret could be good one moment and bad the next?
At this moment, Qiao Muchen thought that whether they could escape or not, perhaps he should let Zhao Zhitong know his feelings. Otherwise, the young girl might remain clueless later on. Although she was still young, only thirteen and not yet of age, he felt one should find a wife early. Zhao Zhitong was so outstanding, many people were surely interested in her. If he didn't win her over soon, someone else would.
After making up his mind, Qiao Muchen took a deep breath, preparing to speak his heart out. "So, can I tell you now?"
As he spoke, he coughed to calm himself down and began, "Tongtong, what do you think of me?"
Zhao Zhitong was taken aback, wondering why he would ask such a thing. Nevertheless, she thought about it seriously and said, "You're great! You're the second smartest person in Anyang County."
HEHE, she was the smartest!
Qiao Muchen easily saw through Zhao Zhitong's little scheme and couldn't help but smile helplessly. "Well then, do you..."
Just then, Grandpa Bai in her space suddenly spoke, "Young girl, don't you find it strange? You've been in this cave for so long, yet why can you still breathe so easily?"
Grandpa Bai's timely interjection instantly captured Zhao Zhitong's attention, so she completely missed what Qiao Muchen had said.
Only after Qiao Muchen called her name twice did she look at him, her eyes wide with excitement. "Qiao Muchen, I just thought of something! Have you noticed? We've been breathing smoothly this whole time!"
Qiao Muchen was speechless. Clearly, the young girl hadn't heard a single word he'd said.
Zhao Zhitong excitedly grabbed Qiao Muchen's arm and said joyfully, "This means this place isn't sealed! There's air circulation! That's why we haven't experienced oxygen deprivation!"
Although Qiao Muchen didn't quite understand what 'air circulation' or 'oxygen deprivation' meant, he instantly grasped Zhao Zhitong's point.
This meant there wasn't just this one hidden passage here!
Qiao Muchen said, "So, there might be other exits."
"MM-HMM." Zhao Zhitong nodded repeatedly.
Seeing that Qiao Muchen understood, she suddenly remembered he had been about to tell her a secret. She quickly asked:
"AH, right, what were you saying just now? I didn't hear you."
Qiao Muchen said, "Nothing important. I was just saying you're the smartest person I've ever met."
Zhao Zhitong was instantly delighted. She happily patted her chest and declared, "Naturally! Come on, let's hurry and find another exit!"
Saying that, she pulled Qiao Muchen along to start feeling around the stone walls.
The two of them pressed themselves against the walls, patting, knocking, and pressing their ears close to listen.
Before long, Zhao Zhitong suddenly exclaimed, "Qiao Muchen, quick, come over here!"
"Listen, here!"
Saying this, she tapped the stone wall with her palm a few times, then patted other spots. When they compared the sounds, the difference was immediately obvious.
"It's hollow!"
Qiao Muchen exclaimed in surprise.
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "MM-HMM, MM-HMM. Quick, let's find a way to open it."
"MM-HMM, as you command." Qiao Muchen smiled and nodded, reaching out to ruffle Zhao Zhitong's hair. "You truly live up to your name as the smartest person in Anyang County."
"Naturally!" Zhao Zhitong lifted her chin with a touch of cute pride. Being praised was wonderful, but the way Qiao Muchen's height 'crushed' hers was a constant source of annoyance for her.
Over the years, it was as if Qiao Muchen had eaten some kind of height-increasing medicine; he just kept shooting up. Now, among their friends, Qiao Muchen was the tallest. At fifteen, he was already 1.78 meters tall.
In contrast, Zhao Zhitong had only grown to 1.53 meters…
Consequently, she often had to endure Qiao Muchen playfully ruffling her hair.
"HEY! Stop touching my head! It'll stunt my growth!" Zhao Zhitong complained, dodging Qiao Muchen's hand. "If I don't grow taller and can't get married, are you going to marry me then?!"
Qiao Muchen teased, "No way. I can't win a fight against you."
Zhao Zhitong pouted. "Then don't touch my head! HMPH!"
The words had barely left her mouth when Qiao Muchen raised his hand and ruffled her hair again. Then he laughed and said, "Don't worry, you won't have any trouble getting married. Someone will definitely want to marry you."
After saying that, and before Zhao Zhitong could ponder the meaning of his words, he added, "Quick, let's find the exit."
The two of them began meticulously searching that section of the wall.
A moment later, Zhao Zhitong's hand brushed against a stone that felt loose. She immediately exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Qiao Muchen, quick, come here!"