Chapter 8: The Secret Room is Built

It was the height of afternoon, and the streets were bustling with life, yet there was an undeniable air of leisure about it all.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting its gentle rays down. Warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the sycamore branches, creating dappled shadows on the street. The light added a lazy aura to the pedestrians who strolled beneath it.

Street vendors were carefully organizing their stalls, their melodic calls occasionally echoing through the air. The dust on the ground was lifted by the light breeze, only to fall back down quietly after a moment.

The roofs, with their gracefully curved eaves, glistened faintly in the sun. In the distance, the mountains rose like ink-wash paintings, lush and vivid, as if they embraced the entire city in their verdant arms.

Su Qianqian moved gracefully through the crowd, the noise of the street seeming distant to her. Her mind remained focused on how she could find a skilled female chef.

Her eyes flitted over the market stalls, and then, suddenly, a delicate wooden box caught her attention. It was intricately carved, with a mechanism that was uniquely designed—seemingly simple yet full of hidden complexity.

The vendor was a calm middle-aged man, who, noticing her intense focus, refrained from interrupting her. The air was filled with the scent of wood, carried gently by the breeze, offering a refreshing atmosphere. Su Qianqian's gaze remained fixed on the wooden box, as if waiting for the moment when it would reveal its secret.

She had originally been walking the streets in search of a highly skilled cook, but now, the mechanism of the wooden box had completely captured her attention. These cleverly designed boxes were not easy to open unless one knew the trick—its true nature remained hidden. She had been staring at it for quite some time, completely forgetting her original purpose.

The vendor, seeing her engrossed, waited silently for her to speak. Finally, Su Qianqian couldn't resist and asked, "Did you make this?"

The man nodded gently, replying, "Yes. Are you interested, miss?"

Su Qianqian smiled slightly and stepped closer, her eyes scanning the wooden box. She then asked, "Can you make secret room mechanisms?"

The man hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, "I… I only make wooden boxes with mechanisms, but I've never made a secret room."

Su Qianqian was unconcerned, casually replying, "Actually, I only have some simple blueprints. But I do have a book, The Legacy of Heavenly Craft, which contains designs that are quite ingenious and could be of help."

At the mention of the book, the man's eyes widened in shock, as if he had just glimpsed something extraordinary. His voice trembled as he asked, "The Legacy of Heavenly Craft? You mean the work of Master Lu?"

Su Qianqian smiled lightly and nodded, "Indeed, that's the one. If you're willing to help me design a secret room mechanism, I'll let you borrow The Legacy of Heavenly Craft."

The man's eyes sparkled with excitement as he nearly leaped in joy, "Yes! If I can see The Legacy of Heavenly Craft, I'll do it for free! I'd be more than happy!"

Su Qianqian and the man walked back toward the Xianyun Inn, the sounds of the street vendors' calls echoing around them. The air was thick with the aromas of street food.

The man kept his head lowered, walking quickly yet somewhat awkwardly. Occasionally, he would glance at Su Qianqian before quickly averting his gaze, his demeanor showing some awkwardness and unease.

Su Qianqian broke the silence with a casual tone, "What's your name? What did you do before?"

"Wei Jie," the man replied, his voice low but tinged with self-mockery. "I used to be a carpenter. My craft is decent, but I've been wandering for so long that I can't seem to settle anywhere."

Su Qianqian smiled and said, "Sounds like you've lived the life of a traveling expert, but I imagine this 'wandering' hasn't been all that pleasant, has it?"

Wei Jie paused for a moment before offering a bitter smile, "Indeed. Wherever I can settle, I depend on fate."

Su Qianqian's expression softened, and her voice took on a reassuring tone, "In this world, aren't we all drifting on our own islands? As long as you're willing, there's always a place where you can settle and put down roots."

Wei Jie straightened his posture slightly, as if he had been comforted by her words. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Miss Su, will you really let me see The Legacy of Heavenly Craft? That's a work by Master Lu—something I've dreamed of seeing! If I could just glimpse it, I'd consider it worth giving up my whole life!"

Su Qianqian raised an eyebrow, teasing, "So you'd be willing to give up your life for the sake of designing mechanisms?"

Wei Jie's expression grew earnest, and he lifted his head to look her in the eye. "If it means uncovering its secrets, then yes, I, Wei Jie, would willingly dedicate my life to the craft."

Su Qianqian smiled warmly, her gaze filled with approval as she thought to herself, Indeed, my companions are all true talents.

Upon arriving at the Xianyun Inn, Wei Jie was immediately captivated by its spacious, brightly lit interior, which was uniquely and thoughtfully designed. Su Qianqian led him into the reception room, where Liu Xinyao and Du Zhe were already waiting.

Su Qianqian smiled slightly and introduced the two, "This is Miss Liu Xinyao, a master in embroidery and clothing design—her hands can make anything remarkable. And this is Mr. Du Zhe, the inn's accountant. His mind works faster than an abacus, and he never makes a mistake."

Wei Jie gave a slightly awkward bow, and Liu Xinyao and Du Zhe returned the gesture in kind. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three exchanged glances, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. They were all specialists in their fields, and each had gone through their own struggles.

Seeing the mutual respect between them, Su Qianqian's smile deepened. She then took out a roll of blueprints and an old, worn book, placing them in front of Wei Jie. "Look here. This is the design for the secret room, and this is the Legacy of Heavenly Craft. See? I wasn't lying."

Wei Jie's eyes widened in disbelief. He eagerly opened the book and was instantly captivated by the intricate structures and clever mechanisms inside. He held his breath, his fingers trembling slightly as he marveled, "This… this truly is the pinnacle of mechanical artistry!" After several pages, he suddenly remembered the matter at hand and quickly turned his attention to the blueprint, studying it intently.

After a moment, he looked up with a determined tone, "Miss Su, I can definitely make the secret room mechanism. I can even design more sophisticated protective devices to make it even more secure."

Su Qianqian beamed with joy, patting his shoulder. "Good! This task is yours now."

Wei Jie nodded solemnly, glancing once more at The Legacy of Heavenly Craft with burning enthusiasm in his eyes. "Miss Su, this book has truly opened my eyes. I've always wanted to focus on studying mechanisms, and if I can contribute to the inn, it would be the fulfillment of my life's wish."

Su Qianqian felt a warmth in her heart. She spoke softly, "As long as you don't mind, this place will be your home. Liu Xinyao, Du Zhe, and I—we're like family. You can focus on your research, and I'll support you all the way. Xianyun Inn is our safe harbor, a place where you can settle and pursue your dreams without worry."

Wei Jie paused, clearly moved. He nodded deeply, his eyes brimming with emotion, and bowed. "Miss Su, with your trust, my life from now on belongs to Xianyun Inn."

Once back at the inn, Wei Jie immediately set to work designing and constructing the secret room. Su Qianqian raised the bar even higher, not only requesting a hidden and secure room but also protective mechanisms at key locations around the inn—such as the main entrance, stairways, and even her own bedroom.

Wei Jie carefully studied The Legacy of Heavenly Craft, drawing inspiration from the ancient designs. His ideas were unique, particularly the mechanism in Su Qianqian's bedroom, which could be activated by a touch sequence, similar to a "fingerprint recognition" system. The elegance of this design left Su Qianqian in awe.

As she stood before the mechanism, Su Qianqian couldn't help but think of the little wooden box that had once carried her through time and space. She felt a fleeting moment of confusion. "Could this technology be so advanced…? Could that little box also be one of Master Lu's masterpieces?" She shook her head, speaking more to herself than to Wei Jie, "Do you think such craftsmanship could have come from the legacy of the Heavenly Craft?"

Wei Jie paused, then thoughtfully replied, "If it truly came from Master Lu, then it wouldn't be surprising. His craftsmanship has become the stuff of legend, and the so-called heavenly techniques are likely just a part of his knowledge."

Su Qianqian smiled, nodding in agreement. "Whatever the case, these mechanisms will ensure I