Licheng is split in half by the Li River, which locals call the "East Bank" and the "West Bank."
The East Bank is the old part of town, home to the pedestrian streets, top schools, gymnasiums, museums, big malls, and the financial center. The West Bank is the newer, rapidly developing district focused on tourism. In recent years, housing prices there have been catching up with those on the East Bank.
Licheng is divided into nine zones. Gaoyang and Qingling live in Zone 5 of the East Bank—Shanqing District.
"Qingyang Bridge" is the first modern bridge in Licheng. It connects Shanqing District on the East Bank to Feiyang District on the West Bank.
The bridge has been around for decades. Compared to newer bridges, it's like an old man on his last legs—dilapidated and long neglected. Few vehicles use it during the day. But after midnight, heavy trucks start crossing, as it offers a toll-free route, making it a favorite for long-haul transport.
Late at night, Gaoyang and Qingling arrived under the eastern end of the bridge. Trucks rumbled overhead, their tires thudding on the uneven surface, making a thunderous noise.
Gaoyang worried the bridge might collapse.
Qingling sat cross-legged on the riverbank, focusing intently.
The first note had said:
—Qingyang Bridge, east end. Use your [metal] ability to find something.
Soon, Qingling opened her eyes. "Found it. That should be it."
Gaoyang wanted to ask what it was and where, but he held back to avoid sounding dumb, so he just stood by in silence.
Qingling stepped down from the embankment, raised her hands toward the river, but quickly frowned.
"What's wrong?" Gaoyang asked.
"It's a bit far. Come here and hold me."
"Hold you how?"
"Seen Titanic? That poster."
"I get it!"
Gaoyang quickly moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. A breeze from the river carried the scent of her hair—like swaying flowers.
The girl in his arms leaned forward, stretching her hands toward the river. Gaoyang instinctively tightened his grip.
Ripples formed on the water, growing more intense.
"Splash—"
A rectangular metal box burst from the water and floated in midair.
Qingling gritted her teeth and pulled her hands back hard. The heavy metal box flew toward them.
Gaoyang tensed, pulling with all his strength. As Qingling's weight suddenly left his arms, he lost balance and fell backward with her landing on top of him.
Qingling didn't get up right away. She lay on his chest, breathing heavily.
Gaoyang didn't mind. Being pinned by a pretty girl wasn't so bad.
"Didn't you say metal ability is strong? Why did it seem... underwhelming?" he asked, choosing his words carefully to avoid offending her.
"I only just awakened it. My level's still low."
Qingling stood up and dusted herself off. "Right now, my metal-sense range maxes out at 20 meters. Control range is 10 meters. Max weight is 10 kilograms. That thing exceeded my limit."
Gaoyang made a mental note: no matter how strong the power, it's still limited by level. A strong ability at a low level might be weaker than a high-level weak one.
Qingling approached the metal box, took out a knife, and carefully cut through the thick waterproof tape, opening it with caution.
Gaoyang came closer—and was shocked.
Inside was a black sniper rifle, disassembled and neatly packed. Under the moonlight, the sleek black metal components gleamed with a dangerous allure.
His system voice chimed in:
[Observe unfamiliar object? Cost: 1 Luck Point.]
—Observe.
[M82A1 Semi-Automatic Anti-Material Rifle. 12.7mm ammo. Magazine capacity: 10 rounds. Effective range: 1800 meters. Weight: 14 kg.]
Gaoyang's heart sank. Looks like they were going to kill someone.
Even for Officer Huang, this kind of rifle wasn't something you could get easily. He must've prepared it long ago and hidden it here, waiting for the right moment.
Qingling stared at the sniper rifle, deep in thought.
She pulled out a carry bag from the box and packed the rifle inside. Looking at Gaoyang, she said, "Carry it."
Gaoyang quickly moved over, hoisted the heavy black bag onto his shoulder.
Qingling opened the second note but said nothing for a long while.
"What is it?" Gaoyang asked.
"Where's the hotel?" she replied.
...
Carrying the rifle meant they had to walk. It took them an hour to reach the Pink Hotel—a love hotel. Pink neon lights flickered on their faces, and racy business cards littered the ground.
"You sure?" Gaoyang gulped. "It's this place?"
"See for yourself." Qingling handed him the second note:
—Go to the Pink Hotel. South-facing room on the 5th floor. Open the third note at 6:00.
They entered the hotel.
The front desk was manned by a chubby man in his late twenties, wearing a t-shirt with a JoJo character. His thinning hair was oily, and he was immersed in a mobile game. "Anyone need a scope? Hey hey, revive me! Almost had him…"
Gaoyang looked around: weird. Shouldn't love hotel front desks usually have cute girls?
"Ahem," Gaoyang coughed. "One room."
The chubby man glanced at Gaoyang, "Just one?"
"Two people."
The guy put down his phone and looked past Gaoyang—his eyes lit up when he saw Qingling. "Damn! Bro… scoring big tonight, huh?"
Gaoyang was embarrassed. "Fifth floor, south-facing room. Got one?"
The man smiled with envy. "Let me check… oh, lucky you. Only one left—'Mirage Moon'."
"What?" Gaoyang didn't get it.
"That's the room name." The man grinned. "Auto waterbed, love chair, double bathtub, ceiling mirror—premium experience…"
"Alright, that one." Gaoyang blushed and pulled out his phone.
"Okay, I'll need your ID."
Gaoyang froze—he'd forgotten it.
He looked at Qingling, who shook her head.
"Sorry, bro," the clerk said. "Nothing I can do. If you're up for something more exciting, I could recommend some outdoor spots…"
Qingling, expressionless, turned and walked out.
Gaoyang thought she was mad and rushed to follow her.
Just outside, he saw her grabbing someone.
Gaoyang was shocked: "...Wang Zikai?!"
Wang Zikai had just come out of a losing streak in an internet café. On his way to get his bike, he suddenly found himself grabbed by classmate Qingling.
Then Gaoyang showed up too.
Wang Zikai blinked. "Gaoyang, you guys... what are you doing here?"
"Got your ID?" Qingling asked bluntly. "We need it."
Wang Zikai looked at them, then at the love hotel behind them. "You two... are getting a room?"
Gaoyang nodded.
Wang Zikai was stunned. He stumbled back dramatically. "No way! No freaking way…"
Though he always talked dirty, he was actually a virgin. And he never doubted that his buddy Gaoyang was too. Sure, he always tried to set him up with Li Weiwei, but he never imagined Gaoyang would actually land someone.
Now it looked like not only was Gaoyang no longer single—he was about to lose his virginity tonight!
Wang Zikai was falling apart.
"Gaoyang! Your childhood sweetheart Li Weiwei just died a few days ago! It's not even the seventh day yet… And you're doing this? Have some decency, man!"
Qingling lost patience and began patting him down. "Give me your ID."
"Wait…" Wang Zikai was even more devastated at her assertiveness. "Qingling, I thought you were into girls?! How are you with him?!"
"What's so great about Gaoyang?! Look at me! I've got money, I'm handsome, I'm romantic… What do I lack compared to him?!"
"You lack brains." Qingling fished out his ID and dragged Gaoyang back to the hotel. They successfully checked in and stepped into the elevator.
Wang Zikai stood frozen, completely dumbfounded. The more he thought, the angrier he got: Fine, I can be single, but there's no way Gaoyang gets ahead of me!
He stormed to the front desk. "Hey! Which room are they in?!"
"Sorry, that's private…"
Wang Zikai grabbed the man's thinning hair and slammed his head on the desk. "One more word, and I'll make sure your private parts disappear—got it?!"
"Room 501! 501!"
"Book me a room. 601!"
"Yes, yes… right away!"