Hmm, just short of directly calling them psychopaths.

But...

You guys are the real psychopaths!

Just seeing the stunning looks of the four ladies, the shop manager quickly criticized the staff over the walkie-talkie, telling them to work diligently, and then warmly escorted the group out the door.

...

Lu Zheng and the others wandered around the mall.

Meanwhile, the appearance of the Sheep Head Bronze Statue triggered yet another meeting in the Ancient Culture Research and Analysis Archival Room.

"This time, no other country has spoken up."

"It's been twelve hours since the Sheep Head Bronze Statue appeared, and we haven't received any reports from other countries about missing or returned artifacts."

"This time, we've retrieved surveillance from the museum and all monitoring within a five-kilometer radius. According to big data searches, there's no discovery at all. It's very similar to the Shu Province airplane incident, with the only difference being that this involves smaller items, nothing as dramatic as an airplane."

"Could it be them? You know, this artifact thief has been returning artifacts all over the world, not just to us."

"I want to point out, perhaps we're not the only country experiencing mysterious events?"

"Order outside to investigate any mysterious cases or strange phenomena in other countries over the past few years."

"Alright."

"We continue. From the Mianbei Stele and Shu Province airplane incident, it's clear this mysterious force can go abroad too. We know it's not like the old days when information channels were poor. That doesn't mean Hua Country's mysterious forces can only be used in Hua Country."

"From the actions of the artifact thief, there are several possibilities. First, we're overthinking, and the other party is just a normal organization using high-tech methods we haven't yet discovered.

Second, mysterious forces, judging by their return of artifacts to the Middle East, Athens, and Pharaoh Country, perhaps these ancient civilizations have mysterious forces, making this a combination of multi-nation mysterious forces.

Third, it's still our country's mysterious force, but seeing the thieving behavior of Europe and America, they returned all countries' artifacts."

"There's another possibility."

"What?"

"Taking back artifacts for exhibition, the more countries benefit, the more countries share the pressure from outside."

"Are you suggesting they're intentionally helping us share the pressure?"

"Just a guess."

"Dispatch someone to check the list of Hua Country travelers who went to the local areas thirty days before incidents in Europe and America."

"Alright."

"Are you sure he is hiding among the masses?"

"I'm unsure, but modern times aren't like the old days; with an advanced information network, creating an identity is clearly more convenient, isn't it?

Regarding the Hundred Flowers Fairy of Lu Province and East Sea Dragon King, I'm not very clear, but from the Shu Province airplane and Mianbei Stele incidents, the other party is connected to the secular world, even deeply understanding it.

Therefore, besides tracking various mysterious events domestically and abroad, it's best to conduct self-checks, investigate people using fake IDs in various places to see if there's any discovery.

Of course, during self-checks, be cautious with methods, better to be slow than involve more people, avoiding misunderstandings or incidents."

"Got it."

...

By the third day, the news about the return of the Sheep Head Bronze Statue and the gathering of the Twelve Zodiac spread across the front pages of major news outlets.

According to the museum, it was generously donated by foreign individuals, but they believe this item belongs to its original owner, hence insisting on no publicity. So the museum followed their wishes, sending them a banner without making a big deal.

"Foreign countries are still civilized places!"

"Facing oneself courageously is the fundamental reason for the persistent success of foreign countries. We should deeply reflect, not be ensnared by nationalism."

"If our friends donated to foreign museums, there'd certainly be a dedicated press conference and commemorative certificate, then a commemorative wall erected in the museum. But we only sent a banner, so petty-minded!"

The museum never dreamed that a casually fabricated fake news could stir up such a public intellectual and rational customer frenzy.

"Ignore them, it's almost summer break. Let's organize a cultural relic exhibition themed around the Twelve Zodiac Animal Head Bronze Sculptures, recounting the humiliating history of the past, then at the exit, contrast by showcasing our achievements over the years."

"With comparison, we can stimulate our national pride.

Nationalism is also a form of cultural diversity worldwide. Since when did nationalism become a derogatory term? It's simply ridiculous!"

Thus, the "Twelve Zodiac Series Cultural Relic Summer Exhibition" was decided to start in July, touring major cities nationwide, estimated to last two months, visiting ten cities.

The reports immediately sparked an overwhelming welcome in these ten cities, and...

A strong dissatisfaction among people from other cities!

Are you kidding? We all grew up with the same curriculum, who wouldn't be excited about the Twelve Zodiac Animal Head Bronze Sculptures? Only ten cities visited, who are you looking down on?

"Strongly protest the exhibition not coming to Xiang Province, it's the hometown of the instructor!"

"Yan and Zhao are full of impassioned patriots, how can Huabei Earth miss this exhibition!"

"Out of the Three Northeastern Provinces, only Liao Province is visited, is this looking down on the other two?"

"Is there no human rights in Hang City just because it's close to Hai City?"

"I think Fujian Province should have a stop, maybe attract people from across the street, even attracting one person is good."

"Jin Province is also a revolutionary base area, why go to Qin Province and not come here?"

"Gan Province expresses strong protest!"

Beidu Museum is overwhelmed, despite various attempts at soothing, it's still a case of pressing down a gourd only for a ladle to pop up, everyone wants to miss this first touring exhibition, especially the voices of primary and secondary school students are particularly strong.

"Public sentiment can be harnessed!"

"Hahaha, it instantly blew those public intellectuals somewhere unknown."

"Every comment spraying those public intellectuals is from primary and secondary school students, a new generation has grown up."

"Stop laughing, now what to do, we need to come up with a plan quickly!"

"What else can be done, just add more stops. Rarely do we see such enthusiasm nationwide, how could you drop the ball?"

"Adding stops means time isn't enough!"

"If summer break's time isn't enough, extend it to September. Ensure to tour provincial capitals nationwide by the end of the year; with such high enthusiasm, why not seize the opportunity to solidify it? Do you really want these artifacts staying in Beidu for the new year?

Revise the plan, make the schedule tighter. It's rare when we need to fulfill our role, everyone tighten up, don't let us down, understood!"

"Understood!"

...

Lu Zheng withdrew his hand from Lin Wan's embrace, picked up his phone, and was surprised to see the tremendous buzz the gathering of the Twelve Zodiac had stirred.

"Wow, a national tour?"

"Yes." Lin Wan also woke up, holding Lu Zheng, "The gathering of the Twelve Zodiac, many people say it's a symbol of national fortune reconsolidating."

"That's just superstition." Lu Zheng shook his head, chuckling.

"It's different." Lin Wan shook her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lu Zheng, "It's confidence, confidence indeed fosters fortune, and this confidence is brought by you!"

Seeing the nation's strength and knowing her lover had contributed, Lin Wan's emotions surged, her gaze turned gentle, once more becoming sentimental.

Lu Zheng felt Lin Wan's action, his eyebrows twitching, "Aren't you going to work?"

Lin Wan squinted her eyes, lifted the quilt, and flipped over onto him.

"I took the morning off!"