Chapter 4: 0-4

The team leader was beside herself, saying how she cannot express her gratitude. As the restaurant owner wasn't at work, she asked Yu Qingyu to come back tomorrow, so that they can properly reward him for his help.

For now though, she offered him a free meal.

Yu Qingyu hasn't eaten anything since arriving to this world yet, so he was more than glad to accept. He took a seat and requested to be served whatever she'd recommend. He was not a picky eater. On the contrary, he enjoyed trying different cuisines.

Waiting for the meal, he finally had time to consult the system.

'520, I said that I'll come back tomorrow, but can I?'

[I can't see why not. You decide your own schedule.]

'But won't it be weird if I'll go to the city two days in a row? How often did Chen Rumin usually go?' Yu Qingyu pressed further. He might have received Chen Rumin's skills, but not his thoughts and memories. He still knew next to nothing about the guy, his behavior, and habits.

[It won't be weird. Chen Rumin used to go to Chuxi City very often. At least 3 times a week, but sometimes every day, depending on what he needed to do. Besides, even if you were to do anything unusual, Liu Wei wouldn't…]

'Alright, alright, I get it!' Yu Qingyu interrupted 520 with a deep frown on his face. How many times was the system going to remind him just how much Liu Wei trusted him? He already remembered it all too well!

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. At least the environment had a calming effect. Thanks to that, soon he was able to relax a bit.

'Rather than repeat yourself, you'd better tell me what Chen Rumin did in the city usually,' he addressed 520 again.

[I've just been trying to be helpful. I thought knowing that you don't need to worry about blowing your cover in front of Liu Wei would be reassuring.] 520 defended itself.

[As for what Chen Rumin did in the city, then it depended on the day. He often came here to trade. Sometimes he had to buy materials and parts for his projects. He got a lot of stuff from the ruins, but that wasn't always enough. He then sold his inventions. Of course, none of the good ones, as those were just for Liu Wei's use, but he needed to earn money somehow. He also occasionally picked up some random jobs. And he bought things such as clothes, groceries, etc for the base.]

As 520 continued explaining, Yu Qingyu's meal was finally served. He started eating, listening to the system's chatter in his mind.

As he took the first bite, his eyes brightened. The dish was delicious! It was light and refreshing, savory, with a tinge of some citrus fruit. He never tasted anything like that before. The cuisine has changed beyond recognition over the years.

A smile finally appeared on his face. He finally found at least one nice thing about this world.

'So I'll have to come here again, probably several times, to complete my mission? Now that doesn't sound too bad!'

[You could come here even if it had nothing to do with the mission. Hosts are free to enjoy their time in the worlds they enter however they like.] 520 interjected.

Yu Qingyu, however, didn't hear the system. He was currently actively ignoring it. He didn't want 520 to ruin his mood with its well-intended, but disheartening comments.

***

After the meal, he just wandered around the city for a while, to familiarize himself with the place a bit. He didn't bring anything to sell, and according to 520, there was nothing he needed to buy for now. Moreover, he would be back tomorrow anyway.

There was nothing special for him to do there, but he simply wanted to waste some time. He didn't feel like going back to the base just yet.

Eventually though, he had to return. He strolled back to his scooter, and unhurriedly left Chuxi City.

As he flew through the desert, nearing the hideout, a fight taking place on the ground caught his eye. A black-clad figure was battling several beasts much larger than itself.

The black-clad figure was, of course, Liu Wei.

Yu Qingyu involuntarily stopped to take a look.

Liu Wei jumped high in the air, made a quick spin, and delivered a powerful kick straight to one of the monsters' head. It flew at least 50 yards away from the impact, dead on the spot. Liu Wei lightly landed on the sand, and immediately landed another kick on the second monster attacking him, lifting yet another one with the telekinesis at the same time, and smashing it into the ruins nearby.

Then, using telekinesis again, he lifted a spear and tossed it at the beast the furthest away from him.

Just like that, in no time at all, the monsters were all defeated.

Liu Wei lifted his head, looking at Yu Qingyu, and smiled.

Yu Qingyu gulped loudly, his face pale. Liu Wei's smile was friendly, and somewhat charming, but he was just way too terrifying! Dressed all in black, and covered in monsters' blood, and with his eyes still cold and dark, he really did look like a villain. And what the hell was the deal with his strength? That was totally inhuman! Even with his current body, which was way stronger than his original one, Yu Qingyu would break like a twig!

Thankfully, Liu Wei hasn't noticed his reaction. He was busy loading the monster corpses into the back of the large vehicle he brought with him.

Yu Qingyu observed him lift the massive bodies with his telekinesis and toss them around as if it was nothing.

However, something else also caught his attention.

'Why is he wearing so much clothing? Isn't he hot?' He asked 520.

Wearing long sleeves to protect the skin from the sun was understandable, or even recommended, on the desert. However, Liu Wei's whole body was covered in a few layers of black clothes. Only his fingertips and face were visible. It seemed like going way too overboard.

[Liu Wei always tries to cover up his body as much as possible, to make sure that the scars are not visible.] 520 explained.

'Scars? What scars?' Yu Qingyu couldn't help but ask. He was a bit of a nosy person.

[From the infection. The disease caused by that virus left scars on the patients' bodies. Liu Wei, due to the severity of his infection, is covered in them.]

Yu Qingyu's face dropped. Once again, 520's words made him feel bad for the villain he needed to betray.