0-8

Once again, Yu Qingyu wandered around the city until late afternoon, mainly to drag the return to the base as late as possible.

'By the way, when Chen Rumin picked up any jobs, where did he say he was from? Are there many people living outside the city?' he asked 520.

[No, most people cannot survive outside on their own, not for long. Nobody lives there. Aside from Liu Wei and Chen Rumin, of course. When he was in the city, Chen Rumin usually pretended to be from the slums. Nobody cares to verify it.]

Yu Qingyu frowned. 'Then doesn't it raise any suspicions when he leaves and comes to the city?'

[No. People from the slums often go scavenge the ruins or attempt to hunt some smaller monsters out of desperation. The entrance to the city you've been going through is right next to the slums. Plenty of people leave through it on a daily basis, some return, the guards don't bother keeping track of it. In fact, even Liu Wei would probably be able to sneak in through there unnoticed, despite being labeled as a wanted criminal.]

'Huh, is the security so lax these days?'

[There has been no danger to the city in recent years. Even Liu Wei has been staying quiet, but that's because he was preparing to deal with them once and for all. He attempted multiple attacks on his own back in the day, but fighting on his own, he lost, due to being way too outnumbered. This time, however, he has Chen Rumin on his side, and other subordinates stationed within the city. Based on my predictions, he has a high chance of succeeding.]

'Is that so?' Yu Qingyu's face got darker. He didn't really want to hear about it, although being reminded that Liu Wei was a villain who planned to destroy the city did make him feel a bit more justified about his mission. But he still didn't hate it any less.

'But, if he could come in here unnoticed, then why doesn't he? Is it because he hates the city so much?'

[Yes, but also he cannot stay. Maybe he could hide in slums, but the conditions there are so terrible, that he's better off living outside, especially now that he had created the underground hideout together with Chen Rumin. If he ever went to any other areas of Chuxi City, he would be quickly discovered and attacked.]

Yu Qingyu sighed. 'Please tell me I won't get any more missions like that in the future.'

[I am sorry, but I don't have access to the contents of the future missions yet.] 520 explained.

Letting yet another sigh, Yu Qingyu ended the conversation with the system. It was getting late and he needed to go back soon, but first, he stopped by a restaurant. He didn't want to eat the watery stew for dinner again, plus it also allowed him to avoid Liu Wei's company. After returning to the base, he could just go straight to his room, and everything would be fine.

***

However, he was bound to run into him sooner or later.

The next morning, he asked the system to wake him up at the time Chen Rumin normally would. And when he went to the kitchen for breakfast, Liu Wei was already there.

Yu Qingyu was planning to spend the day at the base for a change, and test his abilities. He received a message from Li Hangu, inviting him for a meeting in a week, where his skills and knowledge would be tested. To make sure that everything goes smoothly, he needed to be prepared.

It was quite a relief, as he was worried scheduling the meeting with such an important person might take much longer, and he didn't have much time. It seems that 520's suggestion to approach Li Hangu through his wife was an excellent idea.

Liu Wei was preparing breakfast, some sort of yellowish porridge. Unlike the stew, it didn't seem watery at all, but didn't look any more appetizing. Yu Qingyu stopped himself from sighing in disappointment, and took a seat by the table.

"Are you feeling any better now?" Liu Wei asked, putting a bowl with the food in front of him.

"Hm… A bit better, I think…" Yu Qingyu grabbed the spoon and started eating. He hasn't really given a thought to how to act in front of Liu Wei. On one side, acting sick could be used as an explanation for any of his odd behavior, but on the other, he didn't want to make Liu Wei worried. Even though that was a bit hypocritical, considering that he was about to sell him off to the city council.

"That's good then." Liu Wei smiled at Yu Qingyu.

They continued the meal in silence. Liu Wei finished first, and got up, putting the dishes in a machine that seemed to be some sort of futuristic dishwasher.

"You're going to the city again today?"

Yu Qingyu shook his head in response. "No, I'm staying in the base all day."

"Good. I was about to say yesterday, that you should just stay at home. Even if you had something you needed to do, your health is more important." Liu Wei lectured Yu Qingyu, ruffling his hair, before leaving the room.

Left alone, Yu Qingyu slumped in his seat. Staring at the bowl of the flavorless porridge in front of him, he raised his hand, touching his messed-up hair.

'520… Is there no way to convince Liu Wei to give up on the attack?'

[That would be difficult… Liu Wei has been dreaming of having his revenge for years, after all.]

'Does it mean it's impossible?'

[Not necessarily. If you have any idea how you can achieve it, then you are free to try.]

Yu Qingyu's face brightened.

But as soon as it did, it immediately dropped again, as he heard what else 520 had to say.

[However, you must keep in mind that this won't lead to the completion of your mission. The only way for you to succeed is to lead to Liu Wei being captured by the city council. Or dead, eventually.]