The city of Licheng is divided in half by the Lijiang River, and the residents refer to the areas as "Hedong" and "Hexi."

Hedong is the old town, home to the pedestrian street, renowned schools, the sports stadium, the museum, large shopping malls, and the financial center. Hexi is the newly developed area, focusing on tourist attractions. In recent years, it has developed rapidly, with real estate prices catching up to Hedong.

Licheng is divided into nine districts, with Gao Yang and Qing Ling living in District 5 of Hedong—Shanqing District.

The "Qingyang Bridge" is Licheng's first modern bridge, primarily connecting Shanqing District in Hedong with Feiyang District in Hexi.

This bridge has been around for decades. Compared to the bridges built later, it’s like an old man in his twilight years—worn out and long overdue for repairs, with few vehicles passing over it. However, after midnight, large trucks start crossing the bridge because it avoids a toll station, making it the first choice for long-distance freight.

Late at night, Gao Yang and Qing Ling arrived under the east end of the bridge. Overhead, trucks rumbled across the bumpy bridge deck, making a deafening noise.

Gao Yang was worried the bridge might collapse.

Qing Ling sat cross-legged on the riverbank, concentrating on searching for something.

The first note's content was:

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

Soon, Qing Ling opened her eyes. "Found it, it should be that thing."

Gao Yang wanted to ask what it was and where it was, but he didn’t want to appear ignorant, so he stayed silent.

Qing Ling walked down to the riverbank, extending her hands toward the river. Before long, she frowned.

"What’s wrong?" Gao Yang asked.

"The distance is a bit far. Come here and hold me."

"How should I hold you?"

"Have you seen the 'Titanic' poster?"Qing Ling said," Just like that."

"I got it!"

Gao Yang quickly embraced Qing Ling from behind, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. The river breeze carried the scent of her hair, a fragrance like swaying flowers.

Leaning forward, the girl in his arms brought her hands nearer to the river. Gao Yang's hold over Qing Ling grew more firm.

Ripples began to appear on the water's surface, growing increasingly intense.

"Whoosh—"

A rectangular iron box broke through the water, floating in mid-air.

Qing Ling gritted her teeth, pulling her hands back. The heavy iron box flew toward them.

Gao Yang strained to pull it in, like a tug-of-war. When Qing Ling's weight suddenly disappeared, he lost balance, falling backward with Qing Ling on top of him.

Qing Ling didn’t immediately get up; she lay on Gao Yang's chest, breathing heavily.

Gao Yang didn’t mind the delay. Honestly, it felt nice to have a beautiful girl lying on him.

"Aren’t metal abilities supposed to be powerful? Why do you seem... not so impressive?" Gao Yang asked carefully, choosing his words wisely.

"I just recently mastered it, the level is too low."

Qing Ling stood up, "I can currently sense metal up to 20 meters away, control metal up to 10 meters, and lift a maximum weight of 10 kilograms. That thing just now exceeded the limit."

Gao Yang took note: Even strong abilities depend on their level. A low-level strong ability might be less effective than a high-level weak ability.

Qing Ling walked to the iron box, took out a knife, and carefully cut through the thick waterproof tape, opening the box.

Gao Yang looked inside and was shocked.

Inside the iron box was a black sniper rifle, disassembled and neatly embedded in the case. Under the moonlight, the cold black metal parts emitted a dangerous yet alluring glow.

The system voice chimed in his head.

[Observe unfamiliar item? Cost: 1 luck point]

—Observe.

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

Gao Yang's heart sank: Looks like it's time to kill.

Even for Officer Huang, it wouldn’t be easy to get such a sniper rifle quickly. Clearly, he had been preparing for a long time, hiding it here, waiting for the right opportunity.

Qing Ling stared at the sniper rifle, lost in thought.

She took out a black bag from the iron box, covered the box, and looked at Gao Yang. "Put it on your back."

Gao Yang quickly picked up the heavy black bag and slung it over his shoulder.

Qing Ling opened the second note and stayed silent for a long time.

"What’s wrong?" Gao Yang asked.

"Where’s the hotel?" Qing Ling asked.

....

With their hands full, they had to walk, and it took them an hour to reach the Pink Hotel. It was a love hotel, with pink neon lights flickering on their faces and provocative cards scattered all over the floor.

"Are you sure?" Gao Yang swallowed, "Is it here?"

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

——Go to the Pink Hotel, a south-facing room on the fifth floor. Open the third note at six o'clock.

Gao Yang and Qing Ling walked into the hotel. 

The man at reception was a plump man in his late twenties, and he had a Jojo's face T-shirt on. His face was oily, and he had thin hair. He was playing a mobile game and asked,  "Anyone need a scope? Hey, help me up! Almost had it…"

Strange, shouldn't the front desk agent of a love hotel be a pretty girl? Gao Yang cast a glance about.

"Ahem," Gao Yang coughed twice, "We need a room."

The chubby man looked up at Gao Yang, "For one?"

"For two."

The chubby man put down his phone, his eyes fixed on Qing Ling behind Gao Yang, and his eyes widened. "Wow! Bro… you’re in for a treat tonight!"

Gao Yang felt awkward, "Do you have a south-facing room on the fifth floor available?"

The chubby man’s lewd smile showed a hint of envy, "Let me check… Ah, lucky you, we have one left—‘Mirror Flower, Water Moon’!"

"What?" Gao Yang didn’t understand.

"That’s the room name." The chubby man chuckled, "Automatic water bed, love chair, double bathtub, ceiling mirror, giving you the ultimate experience…"

"Alright, that room then." Gao Yang, blushing, took out his phone to scan the QR code.

"Okay, please show your ID."

Gao Yang froze; he forgot to bring it.

He looked back at Qing Ling, who shook her head.

"Bro, there’s nothing I can do." The chubby man looked helpless, "If it doesn’t work out, I can recommend an outdoor spot? Guaranteed excitement…"

Qing Ling, expressionless, turned and walked away.

Gao Yang thought she was angry and hurried after her.

As soon as they stepped outside, Qing Ling grabbed someone.

Gao Yang was shocked, "...Wang Zikai?"

Wang Zikai was on his way to fetch his automobile after suffering a series of defeats at the internet cafe when he was seized. He turned around and saw Qing Ling, his classmate.

Gao Yang then approached.

"Why are you two here, Gao Yang?" asked Wang Zikai, perplexed.

"Did you bring your ID?" Qing Ling asked directly, "Lend it to me."

Wang Zikai glanced at Qing Ling and Gao Yang before turning to face the love hotel that was behind them. Are you going to get a room?

Gao Yang gave a nod.

Wang Zikai was stunned, stepping back dramatically, "Oh my god! Oh my god…"

Though he always talked dirty, he was actually a virgin. He never doubted that his good buddy Gao Yang was also a virgin. Even though he liked to "matchmake" him with Li Weiwei, he never thought Gao Yang would really end up with someone.

Now, not only had Gao Yang ended his single life, but he was also about to lose his virginity tonight!

Wang Zikai was in shock.

"Gao Yang! Your childhood friend Li Weiwei just died a few days ago! Her memorial isn’t even over… Is this okay? Is this appropriate? You beast!"

Qing Ling, impatient, directly searched Wang Zikai, "Give me your ID."

"Wait…" Wang Zikai, seeing Qing Ling being so forward, couldn’t accept it. "Qing Ling, aren’t you supposed to be into girls? Why are you with a guy?"

"What’s so good about Gao Yang! Consider me! I’m rich, handsome, and romantic… How am I not better than Gao Yang?"

"You lack brains." Qing Ling pulled out Wang Zikai’s ID from his pocket, dragged Gao Yang back to the hotel, and they successfully checked in at the front desk, entering the elevator as a couple.

Wang Zikai stood there, dumbfounded. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got: Why? I might not have a girlfriend, but Gao Yang definitely can’t get one before me!

He rushed to the front desk, "Hey, what room did they take?"

"Sorry, that’s the guest’s privacy…"

Wang Zikai grabbed the chubby man’s hair and slammed his head onto the desk, "If you keep talking, I’ll make sure your private parts disappear! Got it?"

"501! 501!"

"Give me a room on 601!"

"Yes, yes… right away!"