Chapter 10 - Hu Yifei's Curiosity

Chapter 10: Hu Yifei’s Curiosity

For two straight days of training, Chen Yuze felt it was about time to check things out. Delaying any further wouldn’t do any good! After finally getting a system, he couldn’t just abandon it, he had to at least take a look.

Ye Shangqiu stepped onto the rooftop again…

“You’re finally here. Seems you’ve been keeping secrets from us. I knew something was off with you these past few days. If you’re facing trouble, just say it. What’s the point of hiding in a corner crying? Are you even a man?”

Before Chen Yuze could react, he saw Hu Yifei sitting on the rooftop chair, staring at him. Despite her rough-around-the-edges demeanor, Hu Yifei was surprisingly observant. She had noticed Chen Yuze coming up to the rooftop every day lately, clearly hiding something, probably some kind of trouble.

So, she had come early today to see what was really going on. And sure enough, it didn’t take long for Chen Yuze to show up.

“Yifei? What are you doing here?” Chen Yuze stared at the domineering Hu Yifei in surprise. He hadn’t understood a word of what she’d just said, since when was he crying?

Hu Yifei stood up, placing a hand on Chen Yuze’s shoulder and squeezing slightly. “How long are you going to keep hiding it from me? I could tell something was weighing on you these past few days. What kind of setback made you come up to the rooftop? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of jumping.”

“What are you talking about? This is just work prep!” Chen Yuze immediately realized Hu Yifei had probably spun some wild scenario in her head. If this kept up, she’d probably call a psychologist on him.

Hu Yifei glanced around suspiciously. “Your work prep involves sneaking onto the rooftop to peep? What’s so interesting here? Wait, are there girls changing clothes across the way? Where? Let me see!”

“No! What kind of person do you take me for?” Chen Yuze declared righteously.

Hu Yifei pulled out his binoculars. “Then explain why you brought these. I’ve met plenty of guys like you, putting on a gentlemanly act while secretly being a total pervert! Don’t think I haven’t noticed you eyeing Wanyu with that weird look!”

Chen Yuze felt like even the Yellow River couldn’t wash away his shame now. Sure, he’d looked at Lin Wanyu,but only because she was decked out in designer brands! He’d been waiting to see how long it would take for the others to figure out her identity, but so far, none of them had caught on.

Chen Yuze glanced at Hu Yifei, then pointed at the black-and-white striped broom closet across the way. “Everyone has their secrets, and I’m no exception. But if you really want to know, why not come with me and see? All my secrets are behind that door.”

“That shabby door holds your secrets? You’re not a murderer or something, are you? Is that where you hide the bodies?” Hu Yifei narrowed her eyes at Chen Yuze before suddenly gasping and hugging herself. “Wait—are you trying to lure me in there to do something to me? You creep!”

“Overthinking much? Could I even take you in a fight?”

“Who knows what you’ve set up in there? A beauty like me—it wouldn’t be strange if you tried anything. After all, deep down, I’m still just a delicate girl.” Hu Yifei put on an exaggerated fragile act, batting her eyelashes like some damsel in distress. If Chen Yuze didn’t know her actual combat skills, he might’ve believed it.

“Hah. Can’t be bothered arguing with you.” Chen Yuze realized there was no point explaining—the more he tried, the wilder Hu Yifei’s imagination would get.

He walked to the edge of the rooftop, then glanced back at her. “Fine, there are things I haven’t told you. But my secret is behind that door. Whether you follow or not is up to you. Just know I’d never hurt any of you. I’ll give you five minutes.”

With that, Chen Yuze stepped forward, slowly making his way to the broom closet door. He looked back once more at Hu Yifei before opening the door and stepping inside.

Hu Yifei watched him disappear behind the door—a door she knew all too well. Zhan Bo had always wanted to see what was inside. Every summer, she and Lu Zhan Bo would come up to challenge it, but Zhan Bo had never dared to take that step. Now, Chen Yuze was telling her that all his secrets lay beyond it. She hesitated.

Inside, Chen Yuze checked his watch. Whether Hu Yifei came or not, he would begin his first mission in five minutes. In his hand materialized the Tomb Raiding Jade Token—the world’s invitation to explore its wonders. He couldn’t refuse.

Right now, he only had this one token, with no points or anything else. If he didn’t go now, he might never get another chance to see other worlds. He had no idea if the system would issue him another token, or when. These past few days, he’d realized the tokens had an expiration date.

Ten and a half minutes passed. Seeing the door remained shut, Chen Yuze sighed. “Guess she’s not coming. Oh well, I wasn’t expecting much anyway.”

He reached into his spatial backpack, pulling out the system-issued trench coat and preparing to take out his dagger.

“Creak—”

Just then, the door opened. Hu Yifei stood there, utterly baffled—because she had just watched a dagger materialize in Chen Yuze’s hand. And his clothes had changed too.

“Uh… you came after all?”

“Are you a magician? Wait—an alien? Is this your spaceship?” Hu Yifei scanned the room. It was just a broom closet! Was Chen Yuze some kind of broom spirit? No way—supernatural beings weren’t allowed post-1949!

“Could you close the door?” Chen Yuze had barely finished speaking when he saw Hu Yifei’s suspicious glare. Right—she was still a girl, and here he was, holding a knife in a cramped space.

He tossed the dagger to her. This was his gamble—betting that Hu Yifei wouldn’t expose his secret, even if she refused to team up.

Hu Yifei caught the dagger, testing its weight. Real steel. She stepped inside and shut the door, eyeing Chen Yuze warily.

“Welcome to the Dimensional Elevator.” Chen Yuze placed the jade token into a slot, and several panels flickered to life.

“So it is your spaceship! But couldn’t you clean it up a little? Ran out of fuel? Can’t go home?” Hu Yifei stared at the panels in amazement, scrutinizing Chen Yuze as if searching for some hidden switch.