Chapter 9: The Second Note

The city of Li is divided by a river that cuts it in half; locals refer to the two sides as "He Dong" (East of the River) and "He Xi" (West of the River).

He Dong is the old town, with pedestrian streets, prestigious schools, a sports arena, a museum, a large mall, and the financial center; He Xi belongs to the newly developed area focused on tourist attractions. In recent years it has grown rapidly, with housing prices catching up to He Dong.

Li is divided into a total of nine districts. Gao Yang and Qingling live in District 5 of He Dong—the Shanqing District.

The "Qingyang Bridge" is the first modern bridge in Li, mainly connecting Shanqing District in He Dong and Feiyang District in He Xi.

This bridge is several decades old. Compared with the newer bridges built later, it is like an elderly man on his last legs—the bridge is dilapidated and long-neglected, and few vehicles pass over it. However, once past midnight, the number of large trucks on the bridge increases dramatically, because taking this bridge allows drivers to bypass a toll station, making it the top choice for long-haul freight.

Late at night, Gao Yang and Qingling arrived at the eastern end of the bridge, at the base of the bridge. Overhead, trucks were rolling over the bumpy bridge surface, and the roaring "rumble, rumble" of their engines was deafening.

Gao Yang was genuinely worried that the bridge might collapse.

Qingling sat cross-legged on the embankment, concentrating on searching for something.

The content of the first note was as follows:

  "At the east end of Qingyang Bridge, at the bridgehead, use your [Metal] ability to find something."

Soon, Qingling's eyes snapped open. "I found it—it should be that thing."

Gao Yang really wanted to ask what the thing was and where it was located, but that would make him look foolish, so he simply stayed by her side without saying a word.

Qingling walked down from the embankment and extended both hands toward the river. After a while, her brows furrowed.

"What is it?" Gao Yang asked.

"It's a bit too far. Come over and hold me," she said.

"Hold you? How?"

"Have you seen Titanic? It's just like that poster."

"I get it!"

Gao Yang quickly wrapped his arms around Qingling's slender waist. The wind from the river carried the faint fragrance of her hair—a scent reminiscent of blooming flowers in a cluster.

The girl in his arms leaned forward and, using both hands, pulled herself about a meter closer to the river. Gao Yang, not having time to overthink, held her tightly.

Soon ripples appeared on the water's surface, growing increasingly intense.

"Splash—"

A rectangular iron box burst from the water and hovered in mid-air.

Qingling gritted her teeth and forcefully pulled back with both hands as the heavy, long iron box flew toward them.

Gao Yang tensed and pulled with all his might—as if in a tug-of-war. When the weight on Qingling suddenly vanished, he didn't have time to recover his balance and both of them fell backward together.

Qingling did not immediately scramble off Gao Yang's body; instead, she lay flat on his chest, breathing heavily.

Gao Yang wasn't in a rush either—after all, being pressed by a beautiful girl wasn't such a bad feeling.

"Isn't your Metal talent supposed to be impressive? It doesn't seem like you're really using it..." Gao Yang hesitated carefully, choosing his words, "It seems rather ordinary."

"I just recently reached that level—it's too low to fully manifest yet," Qingling replied, turning over to stand. "Right now, I can sense metal up to 20 meters away, control metal up to 10 meters away, and handle a maximum weight of 10 kilograms. That thing just exceeded my limits."

Gao Yang silently noted: even a strong talent is limited by its level. A strong talent at a low level might be inferior to a weak talent at a high level.

Qingling walked over to the iron box, took out her dagger, and carefully sliced through the thick waterproof tape on it, slowly opening the box.

Gao Yang leaned in to take a closer look and was stunned.

Inside the iron box was a black sniper rifle in its disassembled form, neatly embedded in an inner case. In the moonlight, these cold, black lacquered metal parts glowed with a dangerous yet alluring sheen.

At that moment, the system voice in Gao Yang's mind sounded:

  [Would you like to observe this unfamiliar item, costing 1 Lucky Point?]

  ——Observe.

  [M82A1 Semi-Automatic Anti-Materiel Rifle, 12.7mm ammunition, magazine capacity 10 rounds, effective range 1800 meters, weight 14kg]

Gao Yang's heart sank: It looked like they were about to kill someone.

Even for Officer Huang, acquiring such a sniper rifle in a short time would be impossible. It appeared he had long been planning this, hiding it and waiting for the right opportunity.

Qingling looked at the sniper rifle and pondered for a moment.

She then took out a small backpack bag from the iron box, slid the box inside it, and looked at Gao Yang, "Put it on your back."

Gao Yang quickly went over and picked up the heavy black backpack, slinging it over his shoulder.

Qingling opened the second note and said nothing for a long while.

"What is it?" Gao Yang asked.

"Where is the hotel?" Qingling inquired.

——

Due to carrying the equipment, they could only walk; the two of them spent an hour before arriving at the Pink Hotel. This was an adult-themed hotel; pink neon lights flickered on and off on their faces, and provocative little cards were scattered on the floor.

"Are you sure?" Gao Yang swallowed hard, "This is it?"

"See for yourself." Qingling handed the second note to Gao Yang:

  "Go to the Pink Hotel, room on the fifth floor facing south; open the third note at six o'clock."

Gao Yang and Qingling entered the hotel.

At the front desk stood a chubby young man, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a T-shirt with a JoJo portrait, his hair extremely sparse and his face greasy. He was absorbed in playing a mobile game: "Anyone need a magnifier? Hey, help me out! Almost—oh no…"

Gao Yang looked around: how peculiar, typically the front desk at an adult-themed hotel should be staffed by a pretty young lady, shouldn't it?

"Ahem, ahem," Gao Yang coughed, "I'd like to check in."

The chubby man glanced at Gao Yang, "Just one person?"

"Two."

The chubby man put his phone down and, noticing Qingling behind Gao Yang, his eyes widened, "Oh my! Brothers… tonight's gonna be a feast!"

Gao Yang felt embarrassed, "Fifth floor, a room with a south-facing window—do you still have one available?"

A lecherous smile spread across the chubby man's face as he replied, "Let me see… Ah, lucky for you, there's one left—'Jing Hua Shui Yue'!"

"What?" Gao Yang was taken aback.

"That's the room name," the chubby man snickered, "equipped with an automatic water bed, a sensual chair, a mandarin duck bathtub, a ceiling mirror—it'll give you the ultimate experience…"

"Alright, that room will do." Gao Yang's face flushed as he took out his phone to scan the QR code.

"Okay, please show your ID."

Gao Yang froze—he had forgotten his ID.

He glanced back at Qingling; she shook her head.

"Brother, there's nothing we can do now." The chubby man looked helpless, "If it really can't be helped, may I suggest an outdoor venue? I guarantee it'll be exciting…"

Qingling, expressionless, turned and walked away.

Gao Yang thought she must be angry and quickly chased after her.

Just as he stepped out, he saw Qingling seize someone.

Gao Yang was startled, "…Wang Zikai?"

Wang Zikai, who had just suffered consecutive losses at the internet café, was about to fetch his car when someone grabbed him. When he turned around, it was none other than their classmate Qingling.

Soon, Gao Yang joined them.

Wang Zikai stammered, "Gao Yang, how are you two here?"

"Did you bring your ID?" Qingling said bluntly, "Lend me yours."

Wang Zikai glanced at Qingling and Gao Yang, then at the adult-themed hotel behind them, "You want… to check in?"

Gao Yang nodded.

Wang Zikai's face contorted in shock as he exaggeratedly stepped back, "Oh my! Geez…"

Though he often spouted bawdy jokes, in reality he had always been a born singleton. Yet he had never doubted that his good friend Gao Yang was also single, despite his habit of trying to set him up with Li Weiwei. He never expected Gao Yang to actually get into a relationship.

Now, it turned out that Gao Yang was not only ending his single status, but it looked like he was about to lose his virginity tonight!

Wang Zikai's mind collapsed.

"Gao Yang! Your childhood sweetheart Li Weiwei only died a few days ago—her first ritual isn't even over… Is this really appropriate? How can you do this! You beast!"

Qingling, growing impatient, immediately began searching Wang Zikai's person, "Hand over your ID."

"Not—" Wang Zikai couldn't accept Qingling's forwardness and retorted, "Qingling, aren't you into girls? How did you end up getting involved with a man?"

"Gao Yang isn't any better! Think of your brother! He's rich, handsome, and romantic… I'm just as good as Gao Yang!"

"You have no brain," Qingling said as she pulled the ID out of Wang Zikai's pocket and then led Gao Yang back to the hotel. The two of them successfully registered at the front desk and entered the elevator as a pair.

Wang Zikai stood there, completely dumbfounded, his entire being in shock. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became: Why should it be that way?! I may be without a girlfriend, but that son of a gun Gao Yang must not get one before me!

He rushed over to the front desk, "Hey, which room did they get?"

"Sorry, that's the guest's privacy…"

Wang Zikai grabbed the chubby man's hair with a loud "thud" as he slammed his hand onto the desk, "If you babble another word, I'll make your private parts disappear immediately! Understand?"

"501! 501!"

"Give me room 601!"

"Yes, yes… Room will be ready immediately!"