Chapter 68 – Looking for Someone

Whether running or throwing a punch, air resistance is a factor that can’t be ignored.

Lu Yuan could clearly feel it now.

His strength hadn’t changed. In fact, it might have even increased from before.

But the sound of his punches cutting through the air had noticeably weakened.

“My punching speed has increased, so my strength points should have gone up too!”

“My neural response time has also improved significantly!”

“If I can throw two punches for every one my opponent throws, no one of equal strength can be my match!”

Lu Yuan was a bit excited and couldn’t wait to test this out.

Speaking of which, it had been quite a while since he last visited the martial arts gym. After his strength points surpassed 13, he didn’t dare use the boxing power machine in the gym anymore.

He could only enter the Consciousness Space to test with the Ratman.

However, before testing, Lu Yuan picked up his mobile phone and took a quick look.

Three missed calls two from Lin Zhiqin and one from a familiar number that he hadn’t saved with any notes.

Lu Yuan stared at this number for a moment, his eyes flickering slightly, but he didn’t respond.

It was from the person who called but never spoke.

For the past few days, this number called nearly every day. Sometimes he would answer, sometimes he wouldn’t.

He was almost used to it.

He called Lin Zhiqin back and casually clicked the mouse to bring up the computer screen on his desk.

The screen displayed six surveillance feeds, with a few blue exclamation marks in the lower left corner.

Lu Yuan’s expression remained unchanged.

He had set the surveillance devices to a safety mode. If a stray cat or stray dog entered the monitored area, a blue exclamation mark would appear.

If a medium or large predator appeared, an ear-piercing alarm would sound.

Even if he was in Level 3 [absolute concentration] state, he would be immediately alerted.

And these surveillance devices with such features cost just over two hundred bucks, and the seller still made a profit. Can you believe it?

“The advancements in technology really have their benefits,” Lu Yuan couldn’t help but remark.

“What did you say? What benefits of technology?”

At that moment, a puzzled voice sounded in his ear.

Only then did Lu Yuan realize that his call to Lin Zhiqin had already connected.

“Nothing much, I wasn’t talking to you just now, Coach,” Lu Yuan quickly explained.

“Oh.”

Lin Zhiqin on the other end of the line didn’t press further. His deep voice followed immediately.

“Have you taken care of things at home?”

Lu Yuan had anticipated this question from Lin Zhiqin. He shook his head and replied, “Not yet. I still need to stay home for a while.”

The longer it went on, the less Lu Yuan dared to leave home even for a moment.

The Ratman lurking in the city sewers was like a ticking time bomb. No one knew when it might suddenly explode.

All Lu Yuan could do now was lie in wait.

And hope for good news from Ge Wenjun.

“What’s going on… can you tell me?”

“Coach…”

“Never mind if it’s inconvenient.”

Lin Zhiqin’s voice suddenly softened.

“You’ve made it to the repechage in Mosa. For every match you win from now on, there’s a ten-thousand-yuan prize. Also, there’s something I want to discuss with you…”

Lin Zhiqin paused, as if to emphasize, “It’s good news.”

Lu Yuan could hear the sincerity in Lin Zhiqin’s voice.

He figured that his sudden absence from the competition might have caused Lin Zhiqin some concern.

He was probably worried that Lu Yuan might suddenly decide to quit, ending their “agreement.”

This call was likely a mix of probing and “enticing” him to continue their partnership.

Unfortunately, Lu Yuan couldn’t explain his predicament.

He had considered asking Lin Zhiqin for help with the Ratman.

The problem was, how could he explain his ability to fend off the Ratman?

He couldn’t just attribute it to being a “martial arts genius” again.

The more he made Lin Zhiqin his [imaginary enemy] in the Consciousness Space, the more he realized how profound Lin Zhiqin’s martial arts prowess was.

Being suspected by someone like him would be far more troublesome than any revenge the Ratman might seek.

“I understand, Coach. As soon as I handle things at home, I’ll contact you immediately. It shouldn’t take long.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting.”

Lin Zhiqin hung up the phone.

Setting down his mobile phone, Lu Yuan stared at the surveillance feeds on the computer screen for a while.

Shaking his head, he quickly closed his eyes and entered the Consciousness Space.

Half an hour later, Lu Yuan, freshly showered and dressed in clean clothes, came down from the second floor.

He was carrying a thick stack of books.

“Grandfather, where’s Mom?”

Lu Yuan walked into the family’s Small Shop, surprised to see Lu Yueping sitting alone, peering at his mobile phone through a pair of reading glasses.

Hearing Lu Yuan’s voice, Lu Yueping looked up.

“She went to deliver some goods. She’ll be back soon.”

“Didn’t we agree that I’d handle those tasks? Why did she go by herself again?”

Lu Yuan pulled his mobile phone from his pocket, tapping quickly on the screen.

Since installing the surveillance devices, he had been trying to keep his family from going out too often, ensuring they stayed within the monitored range as much as possible.

But he couldn’t tie them down, just like Lu Xinghua. He left early and came back late every day without saying where he went.

The more this happened, the more Lu Yuan felt powerless in dealing with the situation.

“The place isn’t far, and there wasn’t much to deliver.”

Lu Yueping replied, then called Lu Yuan over, “Xiao Yuan, come here. I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

Lu Yuan set the books aside and walked over.

Lu Yueping showed him his mobile phone.

“Do you recognize this person?”

Lu Yuan saw a round-faced, bald, short, and chubby middle-aged man on the screen.

“He looks familiar.”

Lu Yuan thought for a moment, realizing this man had visited their Small Shop a few times and seemed to be a friend of Lu Xinghua.

With his exceptional memory, recalling such details wasn’t difficult.

“Oh.”

Lu Yueping nodded and then dropped a bombshell.

“He’s the one who owes our family money. I’ve seen your dad staring at this man’s photo and smoking in frustration, making dozens of voice calls to him every day.”

“This photo…”

“It’s this man’s chat avatar.”

“You went through Dad’s mobile phone?!”

Lu Yuan was startled.

Lu Yueping waved dismissively, looking casual. “He’s my son. What’s wrong with me looking at his mobile phone?”

“Nothing. As long as you’re happy.”

“Xiao Yuan, I need you to do me a favor.”

Lu Yueping finally revealed his true purpose for calling Lu Yuan over.

“These days, you can find people online, right? Upload the photo and let others help us locate him. We can offer a bit of money to thank them later. I see your dad getting anxious and upset about this every day. We need to think of ways to help him.”

Listening to Lu Yueping, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Dad already tried that method a long time ago. Where do you think he gets the leads for his daily searches? But there are a lot of people online now, and many scammers too. Be careful not to get scammed. It’s best to download an anti-fraud app on your mobile phone.”

As Lu Yuan was explaining this to Lu Yueping, his mobile phone suddenly rang.

He pulled it out and saw that the person he had arranged to meet had arrived.