equatorial moonlight

A hospital in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

As soon as they arrived in Xishuangbanna, they immediately took Yinya to the hospital for treatment.

The doctor placed the person on a trolley and pushed them into the emergency room, where everyone waited outside.

Lu Min was a little nervous, and Sang Qi squeezed his hand to encourage him. Lu Min pursed his lips and nodded in response.

Linna was worried about being followed, so she went outside to check on things, while Zaxi went outside to call his friend and ask him to meet them.

Two hours later, Yin Ya was taken to a ward and was out of danger.

Upon hearing this news, Lu Min's anxiety subsided slightly.

Linna and Zaxi returned shortly after and asked Lu Min about Yin Ya's feelings. Lu Min explained everything, and everyone was relieved.

At this moment, the doctor went over and said, "When we were operating on the patient just now, we found something in his arm."

After saying that, the doctor held up the small object, about the size of a mobile phone SIM card, in his palm for everyone to see.

Everyone looked puzzled.

"What is this?" Lu Min picked it up and examined it carefully.

Sang Qi tilted his head and looked at it carefully, then said, "It looks like something like a technology chip."

Lu Min looked at Sang Qi with a solemn expression.

Neither Linna nor Zaxi understood these things, and could only look at each other in bewilderment.

Sang Qi picked up the small object and said, "I'll go ask my senior brothers; they should know."

Whether she was an undergraduate or graduate student, Sang Qi knew many senior students majoring in computer science. They should know about things like technological chips, so she could just take a picture and ask them.

In response, Lu Min joked, "After all, you're from the same school as Einstein."

Sang Qi: "..."

Zaxi joked, "So Sangqi is actually a person with higher education."

“It’s not just higher education; he even did his postgraduate studies at Einstein’s alma mater,” Lu Min said.

Sang Qi: "..."

After the joke, Lu Min asked Zaxi, "What did your friend say?"

Zaxi replied, "My friend can come and pick us up anytime."

"Where in Xishuangbanna is your friend?" Linna asked curiously.

“Mengla, once things are settled here with Yinya, they will come to pick us up,” Zaxi said.

Sang Qi clicked his tongue a few times: "Suddenly I feel that it's really good to have Lin Na and Zaxi as friends. Lin Na has Fifth Brother's connections in Kunming, and Zaxi has Meng La's connections in Xishuangbanna. It's really good."

Lu Min smiled and put his arm around Sang Qi's shoulder: "If you come with me, you'll meet more of my capable friends."

"So, does that mean I can roam the whole country like this?" Sang Qi joked.

"If you're not afraid of being beaten to death, you can roam all over China with your head held high."

"...Didn't you say you had friends?"

"Whether they can help you or not is another matter," Lu Min said helplessly.

"..."

Sang Qi felt that Lu Min was exaggerating.

...

Yin Ya's injury required hospitalization for observation, so he stayed in a hospital in Jinghong for almost a week.

After a week of wobbling around, Silver Tooth, young and strong, had almost fully recovered, but he still couldn't walk and needed to use a wheelchair.

On the day of discharge, Lin Na drove her car downstairs early in the morning to wait, Zaxi went to pick up his friend, while Lu Min pushed Yin Ya downstairs, and Sang Qi helped carry the luggage.

When Zaxi arrived at the square downstairs from the hospital building, he had already met his friend.

His friend, a Dai ethnic minority man named Yan Qi, was a tall and handsome young man. Upon meeting everyone, he first shook hands and greeted them.

Yanqi said, "I heard from Zaxi that we're all brothers from now on."

"Thank you for your trouble." Lu Min felt he was troubling him, but had no choice.

Yan Qi smiled and nudged Lu Min's shoulder: "Nonsense, you can only rely on friends when you're out and about."

Zaxi said, "Yanqi will drive ahead to take us into the village in a little while, and Linna can drive behind him."

Sang Qi asked curiously, "Is your village in the forest? Otherwise, you wouldn't need someone to lead the way."

Yan Qi laughed and said, "You're very smart. Our village is indeed in the forest, a secluded little village. The villagers are all kind and united, and it's very difficult for outsiders to find it."

"That's good." Lu Min nodded.

After a brief chat, everyone got into their cars and headed towards Mengla.

Since Yan Qi drove himself, Zaxi got into Yan Qi's car, and the two of them went first, while Lin Na drove Lu Min, Yin Ya, and Sang Qi.

The two cars followed one after the other on the Kunming-Mohan Expressway.

The distance from Jinghong City to Mengla County is only a little over 100 kilometers, and it takes less than two hours by car.

They quickly exited the highway. After exiting the highway, they first turned onto an unnamed side road.

At first, the road was a cement road, but it became increasingly bumpy as they drove. Sang Qi noticed that the cement road was slowly turning into a muddy mountain road.

The scenery outside the window changed from houses and streets to lush green forests. Everything in sight was a deep green, with trees and grass growing in patches, full of vitality.

Looking at the lush green vegetation outside the window, Sang Qi sighed, "No wonder it's tropical rainforest vegetation; this is the first time I've ever seen it."

Lu Min had been to Xishuangbanna several times and had even ventured into the forests, so the scenery before him didn't seem particularly novel.

After entering the forest, the car bumped and twisted for more than two hours before finally stopping in an open area.

The destination has been reached, and everyone gets off the bus.

As soon as Sang Qi got out of the car, she felt a slight warmth.

Xishuangbanna has a humid monsoon climate, which is part of the northern tropical and southern subtropical zones. It has a long summer and no winter, with distinct dry and wet seasons.

It's late autumn and early winter now, and Shangri-La is already experiencing heavy snow, but the weather in Xishuangbanna is still exceptionally mild, truly like spring all year round.

Yan Qi pointed ahead and said, "Our village is right there."

Following the direction Yan Qi pointed, everyone saw several bamboo houses standing among the green trees.

Yan Qi led the way into the village, and the group followed closely behind.

Following the narrow, muddy path through the dense forest, we continued for only a few hundred meters.

After walking along this road, you'll see bamboo houses of all sizes. These houses are built along the water, surrounded by lush bamboo and shady trees.

Those are typical Dai bamboo houses, with a square floor plan. The ground floor is raised for raising livestock and storing miscellaneous items, while the upper floor serves as the villagers' main room and bedroom. The bamboo houses are surrounded by a large number of bamboo and banana trees, making the scenery of the bamboo houses even more distinctive.

Yan Qi walked ahead: "Our village is relatively small, with only about thirty people. The place is large, and our houses are all single bamboo houses. Each household has its own courtyard, so no one will disturb us."

As everyone listened to Yan Qi speak, they followed him up to the main room of the bamboo building.

Upon entering the main room, Sang Qi first looked around; this was the first time she had seen the interior of the bamboo building with her own eyes.

Yan Qi pushed open the door to a bedroom and let Lu Min settle Yin Ya inside to rest. Then he took Sang Qi and Lin Na to their rooms.

After everyone had settled on their accommodations, they finally relaxed. They were all exhausted from the past few days, so they all went straight to sleep.

I slept until six or seven in the evening, which was right around dinnertime.

Sang Qi and Lin Na walked out of the room together and saw Yan Qi, Zha Xi, and Lu Min, three big men, preparing food. The main room of the bamboo house is equipped with a hearth, which is where people in Dai villages cook tea and make meals.

Meanwhile, Silver Tooth sat in his wheelchair on the open porch outside the main building, enjoying the breeze.

Seeing that Sang Qi had woken up, Lu Min stopped what he was doing and said, "I was just about to call you."

Sang Qi sat down at the dining table on the front porch of the bamboo house and said expectantly, "I woke up because I could smell the aroma of your cooking."

"It'll be ready to eat soon." Lu Min went back to continue working on what he was doing.

Lin Na sat down opposite Sang Qi and said with a smile, "Lu Min really likes you. I've never seen Lu Min treat a girl like this before."

Sang Qi lowered her eyelashes and remained silent.

"Don't you really feel anything at all?"

Sang Qi stared blankly at Lin Na, hesitant to speak.

There are too many things I don't know how to express in words.

As they were talking, Silver Fang rolled his wheelchair into the house. Having recovered most of his health, he was back to his former self and started grinning.

He said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I think Brother Min values ​​you a lot, really."

Hearing Silver Tooth call her that, Sang Qi felt a mix of emotions. It was as if everyone knew that Lu Min liked her, and everyone thought that she was indifferent.

She remained silent.

The front porch of the bamboo building is a place for eating, resting, and receiving guests, functioning like a living room.

Lu Min and the others brought the food they had prepared to the dining table on the front porch, filling the entire table. All of the dishes were distinctive Dai ethnic cuisine.

There was bamboo rice, wrapped roasted meat, pounded chicken feet, fried moss, Nam Mi beef skin, steamed pork wrapped in leaves, boiled pickled bamboo shoots, and spiced roasted Dai carp. The variety was dazzling and made one's mouth water.

After the food was served, everyone gathered around and began to eat in a cheerful atmosphere. Dai cuisine is mostly sour and spicy, but it's also quite light and appetizing. At first, Sang Qi thought she wouldn't be used to it, but to her surprise, she not only didn't find it unpleasant, but actually loved it.

"Try this." Lu Min picked up a piece of fish from the wrapped-up roast and gave it to Sang Qi. "I made this."

Sang Qi's eyes widened: "You can cook Dai cuisine?"

Lu Min was helping out over there just now, and Sang Qi and he were just there to assist, but they ended up getting involved.

Yan Qi laughed and said, "Lu Min not only knows how, but his technique is also professional. He can do it better than me, a Dai person."

Upon hearing Yan Qi's praise, Sang Qi immediately became curious about how Lu Min knew it.

Lu Min spread his hands and said proudly, "I met a Dai chef when I led the team to Xishuangbanna. He taught me."

"Sure," Sang Qi gave him a thumbs up, then joked, "Make me some other things to try when you have the chance."

Lu Min pouted: "All I know how to make is wrapped-up scallions."

"..."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Come on, everyone, let's have a drink." Yan Qi poured a glass of wine for everyone, then raised his glass in a toast. Seeing Yan Qi raise his glass, they also raised their glasses.

Yanqi said, "Today we've all sat down together for a meal and drinks. From now on, we're all brothers and sisters. If there's anything I can do to help you in the future, I will definitely do it."

"Okay, we have to have one." Lu Min took the lead in clinking glasses, then tilted his head back and downed his drink in one gulp.

Sang Qi suddenly felt that the atmosphere was very nice, much like the martial arts novels he read when he was a child, where heroes from all over the country met in the martial arts world.

People who frequent the underworld are generally loyal and righteous. They might simply lend a helping hand or do something else, and they'll become friends and good brothers.

Lu Min, Zaxi, Lin Na, Yin Ya, and Yan Qi are like this now. When friends are in trouble, they help each other without hesitation and become good brothers and partners. They are full of chivalry.

Sang Qi felt that her trip was worthwhile; she had met a group of such good and loyal brothers and sisters.

"What are you daydreaming about, sister-in-law?" Silver Tooth asked, noticing that Sang Qi was lost in thought.

Yan Qi raised an eyebrow: "So Sang Qi and Lu Min really are a couple. I was wondering if they were at first."

Silver Tooth chuckled: "A perfect match, you two are obviously meant to be."

Sang Qi explained, "Don't misunderstand, we're just ordinary friends."

Lu Min laughed and said, "We're just one step away."

Sang Qi: "..."

As they were talking, Yan Qi smiled and looked at Zaxi, starting to play matchmaker: "Brother, what about Lin Na and you..."

Linna coughed lightly: "I'm determined to be a single aristocrat."

Sang Qi laughed heartily upon hearing this: "When I was in school, I also wanted to be a single aristocrat and focus on making money. I thought men would only slow down my money-making speed."

"Do you still think that way now?" Lu Min suddenly asked Sang Qi with interest.

Sang Qi frankly said, "Now I feel that men only affect my IQ."

Yan Qi smiled knowingly: "It seems that love really does lower one's IQ."

Lin Na raised an eyebrow: "Oh, you know a lot."

Yan Qi smiled wryly: "A lifelong single, you know."

Linna: "..."

Everyone burst into laughter.

After laughing, Sang Qi rested her chin on her hand and asked, "I'm curious how Zaxi knows Yan Qi."

Yan Qi pouted and looked at Zaxi: "Were we deskmates in the second year of high school or the third year?"

Zaxi thought for a moment and said, "I think it's the senior year of high school."

“You were classmates before,” Sang Qi exclaimed. “I doubt any of my high school classmates would recognize me.”

Silver Tooth laughed and said, "It's okay, it's good to have such a big group of friends like us now."

"That's true."

Lu Min suddenly sighed, "If only Jin Hai and Yang Hao hadn't colluded with Qian Kunpeng, they could have become good friends with everyone."

When Jin Haiyang and his group were mentioned, Yin Ya's smile froze, and he fell into melancholy.

Sang Qi patted Lu Min on the shoulder and said, "People with different paths cannot work together. If they think they can make a living by following Qian Kunpeng, then let them make a living."

Lu Min smiled and said, "Just a moment of reflection."

"Qian Kunpeng and Jin Hai have been asking Sang Qi for a storage device. What exactly is that?" Lin Na asked, puzzled, when Qian Kunpeng and Jin Hai were mentioned.

Lu Min took a sip of wine and said, "I don't know the specifics, but I've heard it's about Chang Le's lifeline. It contains many things from Chang Le's past. If we get it, Chang Le can restart many of its old shady dealings."

"So Sangqi, do you actually have a storage device?" Zaxi asked Sangqi.

Sang Qi instinctively shook his head violently, saying with a frustrated expression, "I didn't. I don't know who they heard it from. Everyone came to arrest me and demanded the storage device. If I had one, I would have given it to them to avoid all the trouble and problems. But in fact, I don't have one. I've never even heard of it."

Everyone was completely confused after hearing Sang Qi's words.

Sang Qi lowered her eyes sadly: "Also, I don't know where they heard that I have a father. I've grown up and I really didn't know I had a father."

Upon hearing this, both Lu Min and Yin Ya were somewhat surprised.

"You didn't know that Brother Hua is your father?" Lu Min asked.

"Brother Hua?" Sang Qi frowned.

"Chen Yaohua."

“I’ve never heard of this name. I grew up with my mom, and she said my dad died,” Sang Qi said honestly. “Moreover, my mom rarely talks to me about my dad. She only said that she and my dad met and got to know each other at Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La.”

Silver Tooth looked at Lu Min with suspicion: "Could it be that sister-in-law is really not Brother Hua's daughter?"

Lu Min frowned deeply: "That shouldn't be the case. If that's the case, Qian Kunpeng is fully capable of investigating thoroughly. There's no need for him to spend so much manpower and resources hunting down an unrelated woman. Why did he keep chasing after Sang Qi?"

"Could it be that you don't know the truth about your father at all?" Yan Qi suddenly voiced his suspicion.

Linna said in a daze, "That's not impossible."

She looked at everyone and continued, "Think about it, Chen Yaohua is a big boss in the underworld, and you could say he has enemies everywhere. If his wife and daughter were to be exposed openly, it would be difficult for them not to be kidnapped and hunted down by their enemies. Perhaps Chen Yaohua has been hiding his true identity from Sang Qi and her daughter in order to better protect them, so that Sang Qi has no idea about it at all."

Lu Min and Yin Ya nodded in agreement, as this was the only plausible explanation at the moment.

Sang Qi was somewhat shocked after hearing Lin Na's words.

If what Linna said was true, then she thought there must be some clues about her mother and father in the house.

When her mother was alive, Sang Qi never asked about her father, and rarely went to her mother's room to search for anything. Perhaps there really were things related to her father in her mother's room.

Thinking of this, Sang Qi secretly decided that she must go home and find out the answer to this mystery.

"Forget about that, let's not think about it anymore. Now we should eat and drink properly and get some rest." Lu Min raised his glass again.

Everyone clinked glasses again in a lively atmosphere.

After finishing his drink, Yan Qi asked them, "By the way, what are everyone's plans for the future?"

Lu Min thought for a moment, then said helplessly, "I might have to stay here for a while until things calm down. Anyway, the village is secluded, so it will be hard for Qian Kunpeng to find me. It's just that it will be a lot of trouble for you."

Yan Qi quickly waved his hand: "No trouble at all, I think it's great, it's lively, I can stay as long as I want."

"Is it really convenient for so many of us to be here? Aren't your parents home?" Sang Qi asked.

Yan Qi smiled faintly and said, "My parents passed away many years ago."

"Oh... I'm sorry." Sang Qi pursed her lips, feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, it's alright. I'm all alone now, it's more lively with you guys around."

“That’s true.” Sang Qi nodded and smiled brightly. “It’s good to have a lively atmosphere.”