Love Apartment: Tomb Raiding System

Chapter 16: Chen Yuze’s Backup Plan

“Alright, are we going to look for my sister and Yuze or not?” Zhanbo couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly steered the conversation back on track. He also felt that Teacher Zeng was dragging things out too much. Besides, he had a decent impression of Yuze—after all, Zhanbo had an adventurous spirit, though his actual ability to adventure was another matter.

Chen Meijia was reminded of the issue and turned to Zhanbo. “Did you call Yuze? If they’ve reached their destination, he might actually pick up! Then we’d know if they eloped or not. Relax, they’re grown-ups, they won’t get lost, and no one’s going to kidnap them.”

“Makes sense. I’ll try.” Zhanbo picked up his phone again but then froze, not making another move, as if lost in thought.

“What are you doing? Call him already. Are you trying to dial with telepathy?” Lü Ziqiao couldn’t take it anymore and urged him on.

Zhanbo turned to the others with a blank look. “I just realized… I don’t actually have Yuze’s number. Does anyone know it? Someone else should call him.”

“Seriously?!” The group collectively slumped back onto the couch. If there was no number, why didn’t he say so earlier? They’d waited all this time for nothing, thinking Zhanbo had some useful lead. Turns out he just didn’t have the number—what a waste of time.

“Bro, you didn’t have his number and you didn’t say so? Did you think you could divine it or suddenly remember it?” Lü Ziqiao shoved Zhanbo aside and took his seat.

“Didn’t you say you called Yuze before? How come you don’t have his number?” Wan Yu asked Zhanbo, who was now sitting beside her. She remembered him saying earlier, while recounting the story, that he’d called both of them and couldn’t reach either—which was why everyone had gathered here.

Zhanbo looked at her sheepishly. “I assumed. Since my sister’s phone was off, and if they really eloped, then Yuze’s phone should be off too. Isn’t that logical?”

“Hey, that’s called spreading false orders, you know? That’s a beheading offense.” Wan Yu shot him a glare. This guy had convinced everyone they’d eloped from the start, and now they’d all been led astray by his nonsense.

Zhanbo handed the phone to Lü Ziqiao, who rolled his eyes and pulled out his knockoff smartphone. “In this world, there’s a thing called a phone—”

“You don’t need mine to interfere?”

“That seat’s uncomfortable anyway.” As he spoke, Ziqiao pulled up Yuze’s number and waved it in front of everyone. “Phelps-approved waterproof phone—knockoffs are the best.”

He dialed Chen Yuze’s number and put it on speaker. A clear automated voice responded: “Beep… beep… Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off—”

Ziqiao hung up. “Well, they’re really missing now.”

“So what do we do? Should we call the police?” Zhanbo clutched his phone hesitantly.

“Let’s wait a bit. We can’t bother the police with everything, okay?” Meijia thought for a moment, then looked toward Yuze’s room on the second floor. “Did you guys actually check Yuze’s room properly? Or was that another one of your guesses?”

Zhanbo lowered his head. No need to explain—they all knew. This kid had clearly imagined the whole thing. His brain was beyond saving.

“I knocked, but there was no response!” Zhanbo defended himself, still clinging to the idea that he wasn’t entirely hopeless.

“Alright, genius, if they really left, of course you wouldn’t hear anything. This isn’t a horror movie—what do you think this is, the Haunted Temple from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio?” Teacher Zeng teased, seizing the chance to get back at Zhanbo for earlier.

The group hurried upstairs. Meijia reached out to push the door open, but Zhanbo stopped her. “Wait, Meijia, if Yuze isn’t here, isn’t it rude to just barge in?”

“And what do you suggest? Knock and wait for someone to answer? Or call and ask for Yuze’s permission first?” Meijia sighed. This kid had clearly studied himself into oblivion.

“Good idea! I agree!” Zhanbo nodded enthusiastically.

“Get out of here! If we could reach them, would we need to break in, genius?” Teacher Zeng pushed past everyone, went straight to Yuze’s door, and gave it a shove. It swung open effortlessly, leaving everyone stunned. This meant Yuze had expected they might come—he’d left it unlocked on purpose. Clearly, he’d planned ahead.

The group shot Zhanbo a collective look of disdain. So much for being a top-tier overseas graduate—he hadn’t even noticed something this obvious. Seems like all his brainpower went into books and Transformers.

They slowly stepped into Chen Yuze’s room. Each resident had decorated their own space, so the style varied. Yuze’s room was neat and tidy, unlike Teacher Zeng’s, which was littered with junk food and takeout boxes.

There was a desk, a bookshelf filled with volumes, and a section nearby with various tools neatly arranged. Weapons were, of course, present—mostly blades and other cold steel, with an emphasis on daggers.

As they scanned the room, Wan Yu spotted an envelope on the desk with a line of writing: “To the Residents of Love Apartment.” It was clearly a message left for them.

“Look! There’s a letter from Yuze!” Wan Yu called out. The others rushed over and stared at the envelope. After a moment of hesitation, Wan Yu picked it up and carefully opened it.

“To everyone at Love Apartment,

By the time you read this, I’ve probably already left. Don’t worry—I don’t have some terminal illness, and I’m not lost. I’ve just gone to start my mission. Apologies, but the timeline was tight. I likely didn’t have time to say goodbye this morning, so I hope you find this letter instead.

This trip involves some minor risks. I originally wanted to bring you all along, but there wasn’t enough time to prepare, so I had to go alone. The details are classified, so I can’t share them. But I should be back in a few days, I’ll bring gifts! Oh, and if anyone disappears along with me, don’t be alarmed. It’s probably just a timing issue. Whatever you’re thinking, I promise it’s not that!”