When Oman gently pushed open the seemingly ancient wooden door, the bell behind the door emitted a clear and pleasant sound, as if welcoming a long-lost visitor. With the opening of the door, a warm air mixed with the scent of ancient wood drifted out, carrying the traces of time, making people feel both familiar and mysterious.
Oman couldn't help but take a deep breath of the warm air, trying to revive some vitality in his stiff body due to the cold. He felt a hint of warmth spreading inside him, relieving the torment of the external cold. As he breathed deeply, he began to carefully observe the surrounding environment.
Upon entering, the first thing he saw was a slightly large counter, located directly in front of the door, with a cabinet and hanging paintings behind it, giving off a classical vibe. Behind the counter, there were two closed doors, seemingly leading to more secretive spaces.
On both sides of the hall, there were several glass display cases showcasing various artifacts. These artifacts looked very ancient, seemingly containing rich history and stories. However, Oman could tell at a glance that these artifacts were actually carefully crafted replicas. Placing such items in such a prominent location indeed seemed risky and could easily raise suspicion.
Oman's eyes revealed a hint of wariness and curiosity. He knew that the "Guardians of Time Association" was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. His heart was filled with anticipation and speculation about what was going to happen next, while also being cautious of any potential risks. He took a deep breath, preparing to further explore this mysterious place.
Just as Oman was about to explore the hall, a sharp and somewhat sarcastic voice suddenly broke the silence, startling him involuntarily. The voice sounded mocking as it said, "Young man... do you not even understand the most basic etiquette? Please take off your coat and hang it on the coat rack next to the door." This sudden reprimand instantly made Oman feel confused and alert.
He quickly searched around for the source of the sound, but it seemed that he couldn't find anyone. His gaze quickly scanned the room and finally landed on the coat rack next to the door, which was already filled with various coats. He hurried over and, following the mysterious sound's guidance, hung up his own coat on the rack.
Just as he was still surprised that there were so many people in the "Guardians of Time Association," a sudden thud came from behind his calf, causing him to turn his head and look down. It was a severely hunched old lady with white hair, looking quite old. Her eyelids almost drooped over her eyes, making it almost impossible to see her eyeballs, but her expression seemed to convey some anger towards Oman.
The old lady held a very old-looking cane in her hand, apparently using it to knock on Oman's leg. Although her facial expression appeared somewhat stiff due to her age, her displeasure was clearly visible between her eyebrows. Oman immediately felt a bit embarrassed; he didn't mean to be rude, but was simply drawn in by the mysterious atmosphere of this place, momentarily forgetting basic etiquette.
He quickly expressed his apologies to the old lady, while feeling curious about this sudden appearance. In this mysterious and unknown "Guardians of Time Association," every corner seemed to conceal a story, and every person could be a puzzle.
The old lady's cane kept tapping on the wooden floor, making a series of crisp "click click click" sounds. The sound echoed in the quiet hall, sounding particularly loud. Oman stood there, feeling somewhat at a loss. The old lady, on the other hand, silently stared at him, her eyes seeming to hold some kind of expectation or evaluation.
Oman realized that the situation required him to demonstrate his professionalism and background to break the awkwardness and show his seriousness and expertise. So, he proceeded to introduce himself in more detail: "Hello, I'm Oman, from California, USA. I just graduated from the history department at Yale University, with a major in anthropology and Egyptian history. I have a strong interest in the origins and evolution of ancient civilizations and how they have shaped the world today. During my time at university, I was particularly fascinated by the pharaonic era of Egypt, especially the myths and legends surrounding the pharaohs. Additionally, I delved into the study of Egyptian hieroglyphs and religious rituals, and participated in several archaeological excavations organized by the academy. My father is American, and my mother is Asian, which has given me a deep understanding and respect for different cultures from a young age."
The old lady listened to the introduction of Oman with little reaction. She simply nodded, seemingly acknowledging Oman's professional background, but did not show much interest or curiosity. Afterwards, she slowly and steadily turned back to the counter, climbed onto a chair next to the counter, and began flipping through the thick book on the table.
The old lady sat quietly on the chair at the counter, the sound of flipping through the book constant. Her movements were focused and rhythmic, occasionally moistening her fingers with saliva, apparently to make flipping through the book smoother. This ancient reading habit seems out of place in modern times, but it appears very natural on her.
Oman stood aside, observing the old lady's every move, feeling somewhat incredulous. He couldn't help but wonder how this elderly lady was reading this ancient book. Each page of the book seemed to contain profound history and knowledge, and every symbol, every word could be the key to unlocking a mystery.
Finally, the old lady's finger stopped on a certain page of the book. Her finger traced over certain words on the page, as if searching for or confirming something. Oman felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity, speculating that the old lady might be about to find the information she needed.
The old lady's expression gradually became serious and focused, her eyes fixed on the pages of the book, seemingly completely absorbed in it. Oman was filled with anticipation, knowing that this book and the old lady's upcoming words might reveal some crucial information, which would not only be a valuable professional resource for him, but could also have a significant impact on his future journey.
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