The archaeological team spent years on field expeditions, which had built up their robust physiques. Almost everyone following behind Professor Wu had tanned skin and sturdy builds. Though they were referred to as teachers, they were actually Professor Wu’s students, and he had always been held in great respect. These teachers were here this time to assist Professor Wu.
"Uncle Wu, I heard we can’t find a guide?" Cheng Luo asked from behind.
"It’s a bit troublesome, but we’ve already posted the news online and increased the payment. We should receive a call from an agency soon." Professor Wu said as he sat down, beckoning everyone to sit with him.
The hotel restaurant mostly served quick spicy dishes. Several teachers were discussing how to add codes for the position detectors, which would soon be strapped onto the camels, onto the signal display. After all, each camel was quite expensive. The local cultural bureau director, who was seated at the table too, had helped the research team prepare the camels, supplies, and certain necessary items that couldn’t be brought by plane.
After finishing her meal, Cheng Luo politely told her elders to enjoy their meals before exiting the private room. The small hotel had only three floors and no elevator. She swiped her card to enter her room on the second floor, opened a can of cold Coke, and sipped it slowly.
Peering out the window, the street outside was still sparsely populated. Under the eaves of the small department store across the street stood a man who caught her attention. Despite the scorching weather, he wore a heavy-looking black hoodie, thick army green work pants, and desert boots—so he looked very, very hot. His short black hair and indifferent expression made him handsome enough, but his gloomy demeanor gave the impression of being difficult to approach.
The man took a call with one hand in his pocket, then stepped toward the street.
Cheng Luo glanced away, finishing her Coke, and prepared to sleep.
Having taken a nap, Cheng Luo finally felt a bit better after the bumpy ride.
Not long after, Professor Wu called everyone to gather in the front hall. Cheng Luo packed her things and went downstairs, seeing the man in weather-inappropriate clothing she had spotted before her nap. How was he here? Cheng Luo wondered.
Everyone else arrived in the front hall one after another. It was now around four in the afternoon, the sun was lowering, and the hotel’s air conditioning was set to a gentle breeze. Standing in front of the group, Professor Wu introduced: "Ah, this is our newly hired guide, Que Qiu. We sincerely thank him for being willing to help us and lead us into the desert. Under his guidance, we are confident in our collaboration to complete our research project."
Everyone applauded, while Que Qiu simply nodded slightly. After shaking hands with Professor Wu, he left the room without saying a word.
"Why is he so aloof?" Zhou Qiang muttered quietly.
"Maybe those with real skill have some quirky temperament. This guy is said to be very famous here. He knows the desert like the back of his hand. The previous guides all declined when they heard where we needed to go for our research project. Only he dared to take it. Of course, his fees are quite high, several times that of regular guides."
"Is he that amazing?" Cheng Luo asked in surprise.
"Yes," the assistant explaining nodded. "We’ve checked, and he has an excellent reputation and indeed great ability."
"That’s good; the desert is ever-changing. With him around, we can be much more at ease," Zhou Qiang felt reassured by this.