Wang Zhanggui lived up to his reputation as someone who could make do; even in this desperate situation, he managed to remain calm and seek a way out of the dead end.

He first climbed onto the platform of the sealing stone himself, then reached down to pull up Hong Jie.

I supported Hong Jie's backside, carried her on my shoulders, and cooperated with Wang Zhanggui to get her onto the platform as well. Then I called out to Uncle Mei, asking him to come up.

Uncle Mei didn't hesitate, taking two steps at a time, and quickly scrambled onto the platform.

Among us, only Biantou hadn't returned.

In a moment of impulse, thinking there was no way out, he had charged at the Xishu (奚鼠) rats with his diving knife. Now, he was surrounded by them and couldn't retreat.

I shouted at him, "Biantou! Biantou!"

But he couldn't spare any attention for me. His legs were covered with Xishu rats, and the sharp-toothed creatures were mercilessly gnawing at the flesh on his legs.

Thanks to his charge, he bought us time. The Xishu rats were all attacking him, leaving them no opportunity to deal with us.

At this moment, Uncle Mei said to me, "Rongsheng, don't shout. Biantou can't come back. You should come up now."

I glanced at Biantou again. The feeling of watching someone die before my eyes was unbearable. I felt uncomfortable when we abandoned the main force earlier, and I didn't expect to face the same thing so soon.

But I didn't hesitate and immediately climbed onto the stone platform with the help of Wang Zhanggui and Uncle Mei. The platform was about two meters above the ground, and the Xishu rats might not be able to climb up.

After I sat firmly on the platform, I looked back and saw that Biantou had fallen to the ground.

The flesh on his legs had been gnawed clean by the Xishu rats, and he couldn't stand steadily.

Before he died, he was still desperately waving his diving knife, hacking at the creatures, but he couldn't muster any strength while lying on the ground. The Xishu rats were also thick-skinned, and he couldn't even kill one.

We watched helplessly as Biantou was eaten alive by the Xishu rats. I will never forget his heart-wrenching screams before he died…

After Biantou was devoured, the Xishu rats ran to the bottom of the stone platform and squeaked at us.

Wang Zhanggui was right; these creatures couldn't climb up. The platform was safe.

But the problem was, the Xishu rats couldn't climb onto the platform, and we couldn't get down.

It was a dead end. We were completely trapped here.

We didn't bring any dry food on this tomb expedition. Everyone only had two bottles of mineral water in their backpacks.

I didn't know how long we could last with just two bottles of water, but it certainly wouldn't be for long.

Our only hope was to hold out until Jiang Yongguang and Xiao Liang came down to the tomb with reinforcements to rescue us.

But this tunnel was so remote. What if they couldn't find it? Wouldn't Uncle Mei and I die in this dark, sunless place with these two tomb robbers?

People are particularly prone to pessimism and fear in dark, confined environments.

Sitting on the stone platform, I felt overwhelmed by negative emotions. I really felt that we wouldn't be able to get out and that we were going to die.

Uncle Mei was calmer than me. He kept patting my shoulder, comforting me and telling me not to be afraid, that we would definitely get out.

What I admired even more was Wang Zhanggui. This guy was lying on his side on the stone platform, closing his eyes and starting to sleep.

I glanced at him and sincerely marveled that it was no wonder this kind of person could succeed. Just his mental fortitude alone surpassed most ordinary people.

Among the four of us survivors, the one in the worst condition was actually Hong Jie.

She was a woman, and her body was weak to begin with. She had also been bitten several times by the man-eating fish while crossing the river, carrying old wounds. When we encountered the Xishu rats, her legs were bitten again. She was covered in injuries.

Before long, Hong Jie moved closer to me, hugged my arm, and whispered, "Rongsheng, I'm so cold. Can you hold me? Please hold me…"

I nodded and held her in my arms. I felt that she was burning hot, as if she had a fever, and her body was constantly trembling.

I knew she probably couldn't hold on for much longer and might not make it out.

Hong Jie herself seemed to have a premonition, lying in my arms, closing her eyes, and speaking vaguely to me.

She said, "Rongsheng, actually, my real name isn't Wang Hong. Wang Hong is my alias. After all, no one in this business uses their real name except for you, you silly boy…"

I had actually guessed that.

After all, the name Wang Hong was too carelessly chosen.

Hong Jie continued, "My real name is Ren Wanjun, Ren from Ren Xianqi, Wan from Wanyue (婉约, gentle and graceful), and Jun from Junzi (君子, gentleman)."

I couldn't help but sigh, "Hong Jie, your real name is so much nicer. It's much better than your alias."

Hong Jie smiled faintly, a sad smile. She said, "Unfortunately, since I started hustling in society at the age of seventeen, not many people have called me that name. From that time on, I was called Wang Hong…"

Speaking of this, she struggled to open her eyes, looked at my face, and said to me, "Rongsheng, actually, from the first day I met you, I felt particularly close to you. It's not because I see you're young and fair and want your body, but because… you look so much like my younger brother."

I was stunned and asked, "You have a younger brother?"

"Yeah, seven years younger than me." Hong Jie's eyes gradually moistened as she mentioned her brother. She said, "Unfortunately, that kid had a hard life. He got seriously ill when he was ten years old. To treat him, my parents sold the house and borrowed money everywhere. In the end, relatives and friends avoided us, and no one dared to pay attention to our family anymore… I really had no choice but to come out and make money…"

Hearing this, I realized that Hong Jie's background was so tragic.

Hong Jie continued, "I had some looks, and I was young at the time. With a little makeup and dressing up, I couldn't compare to a female celebrity, but I could definitely make men infatuated. I worked hard to make money, saved enough, and sent it back to my parents so they could use the money to treat my brother. To make money, I didn't go home for three years…"

Speaking of this, tears suddenly streamed down her face, and she trembled as she said, "But later, I met a guest who was a doctor. He heard about my brother's condition and told me that my brother's condition meant he wouldn't live for more than a year. I didn't believe it at the time and told him it was impossible. My brother had held on for three years, and his condition was very stable now. But the doctor said it was impossible. Current medical technology couldn't possibly keep him alive for three years."

At this point, Hong Jie's body trembled even more violently. She gritted her teeth and said, "After listening, I immediately called my dad and asked him about my brother's condition, but my dad hesitated and didn't tell me. I felt there was a problem. I bought a ticket and went home overnight, but the result was… the result was…"

Before she could finish a sentence, Hong Jie was already sobbing.

I quietly wiped the tears from her face and whispered, "Hong Jie, rest for a while and then talk."

Hong Jie shook her head and said, "No, I have to say it now. I'm afraid I can't hold on, and I won't have a chance to say these things again. Rongsheng, I don't have many friends in my life, not even someone to confide in. If I die, these things will all go with me into the coffin. I have to say it now, I have to say it now…"