The next day.
A little after six in the morning.
Not long after dawn, hearty chuckles echoed from a room in the County Party Committee Family Compound. Dong Xuebin was actually awakened by his own laughter. Only when he opened his eyes did he realize he had been dreaming, his lips still curled into a grin. He had no idea how long he had been laughing all night, but his cheeks were aching. Dong Xuebin hurriedly stopped smiling and rubbed his mouth and cheeks, finally feeling a little better.
He got up.
He brushed his teeth and washed up.
Although he had returned very late last night and had still been busy on Qingluan Mountain after nine, Dong Xuebin did not feel sleepy at all. His mind simply was not here; he was still thinking about the excavation of the ancient tombs on Qingluan Mountain. So he did not sleep in and got up early to make breakfast. In a good mood and full of energy, he unusually made himself an exquisite breakfast: dry dishes, porridge, salty food, bland food, meat, vegetables—everything was there. He ate until he was completely stuffed, his belly bulging.
Ring, ring, ring.
A call came in.
Dong Xuebin rubbed his belly and let out a satisfied burp. After clearing his throat, he answered.
"Secretary Dong, are you awake?" It was his secretary, Su Yan.
"I've been up for a while. What is it?" Dong Xuebin said.
"I just came down from Qingluan Mountain. They dug up several more cultural relics up there." Su Yan happily reported, "Including yesterday's Bronze Mirror and treasured sword, seven cultural relics have already been unearthed!"
Dong Xuebin snapped his fingers. "Well done. By the way, why did you go up so early? The excavation started first thing in the morning?