Chapter 11: Officer, I Have Something to Report

Yunding Tower.

Stairwell.

Shen He ascended the steps one by one, and with each floor he climbed, his progress in exploring the Tier-2 Beast Lair increased incrementally.

The building had sixty-six floors in total, combining offices, commerce, culture, and entertainment—a comprehensive architectural complex. Any company able to operate here was well-known in the Central Plains.

His ascent went unhindered; even the iron door at the rooftop was unlocked, allowing visitors to enjoy the view—or, occasionally, to take a reckless leap. After all, people today faced tremendous pressure: longing to buy homes and cars, to marry and settle down in the city. Without family support, all that was left was to fight tooth and nail in the urban jungle. Most had little resilience; when trouble struck, collapse came easily.

Fortunately, suicides at Yunding Tower were rare—perhaps one every several years—so the rooftop had not been sealed off.

Shen He pushed open the top-floor iron door and walked to the nearby railing, gazing down. It was dizzyingly high; a jump would certainly be fatal.

He stretched by the railing, breathing in the fresh air, his thoughts returning to the task of exploring the Tier-2 Beast Lair. Even now, at the very top, he was still just shy of completion. It seemed he would have to visit the underground parking lot next.

At that moment, he suddenly felt arms wrap tightly around his waist, yanking him backward with considerable force. Caught off guard, Shen He stumbled back two steps.

Turning his head in confusion, he saw Liu Qingqing bent over, clutching him fiercely and shouting, “I knew something was off with you today—taking the stairs for exercise? Who are you trying to fool?”

“Old classmate, if you’re thinking of ending it all and jumping from here... Life is beautiful! Think of your family and friends, and the meaning of your hard work.”

“If you dare to die, why not dare to live?”

Shen He was speechless, exasperation writ large on his face. He twisted around and carefully pried her hands off.

Liu Qingqing, eyes closed, kept mumbling “No, don’t!” as if he were some kind of villain.

He rapped her on the forehead with his free hand and sighed, “Who told you I was here to jump? I just wanted to enjoy the view.”

She opened her eyes at that, suspicion in her gaze. “Enjoying the view? With your upper body hanging out over the railing? Do you know how high this is? Sixty-six floors! One strong gust and you’d be gone. Are you lying to me?”

Shen He simply pulled out his phone and showed her his account balance.

Over two million in savings.

For a young man who’d only been working for three years since graduation, this was extraordinary—a rare thing indeed. Even Liu Qingqing, who worked in investment banking, didn’t have that much saved. With that kind of money at his age, it was hard to believe he was dissatisfied with life.

Seeing this, Liu Qingqing awkwardly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, still, be careful. The wind up here really is strong.”

Shen He grinned. “Don’t worry, old classmate—I value my life more than anyone.”

She blushed. “Alright, I’m off to work. You’d better hurry down, or you’ll be late clocking in.”

With that, she turned and ran off.

Shen He put away his phone and followed her down.

Inside the elevator, Liu Qingqing’s blush faded a little. She glanced at the floor he’d selected. “Why are you going to the basement?”

The basement was the parking garage. With afternoon work about to start, heading there now meant certain tardiness.

Shen He smiled. “I quit. Suddenly realized I’d never really explored the place I’d worked at for three years, so I thought I’d take a look at every floor before finding a new job.”

Liu Qingqing didn’t know how to respond. As she stepped out of the elevator, she said, “Then I wish you luck in finding a job you love, and a brilliant future.”

“If you strike it rich, don’t forget your old friends.”

Shen He waved. “Rest assured, I could never forget the person who saved my life.”

Blushing again, Liu Qingqing hurried away.

Soon, the elevator reached the basement. As Shen He stepped out, the doors of another elevator opened across the way.

Out came Wang Long and Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu looked displeased, swearing, “That punk Shen has tipped someone off. In two days at most, the higher-ups will send people to investigate.”

“I told you to deal with him—is this your idea of handling things?”

“Getting me out of the way—how does that help you? Or is your sister planning to divorce me?”

Wang Long hurried to explain, “It’s a misunderstanding, brother-in-law. I didn’t know those guys would be so slow. They promised they’d act by tomorrow at the latest. We’ll set up Shen, pin everything on him. He did take two million from the company. As long as we deny everything and record a few incriminating videos, he’ll take the fall, and the higher-ups won’t bother you.”

“Those guys realized they were slow, so they even found a girl to apologize.”

Zhao Hu jabbed a finger at Wang Long’s nose. “Do you know what time it is, and you’re still thinking about girls? Can’t you focus?”

Wang Long scratched his head. “But they said it took ages to find such a decent woman with such a contrasting image.”

Zhao Hu stopped in his tracks. “Call them. Bring her to the hotel right now.”

Wang Long’s eyes widened. “In broad daylight?”

Zhao Hu slapped him. “So what if it’s daytime? I’m furious.”

Wang Long quickly nodded and rushed off to make the call.

Standing in the corner, Shen He listened to their conversation, watched Zhao Hu get into his car, and thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Once Wang Long finished his call, he too hurried to the car and drove off toward the hotel.

Shen He left the basement as well.

The moment he stepped out of Yunding Tower, his exploration of the Tier-2 Beast Lair was complete.

[Task: Explore Tier-2 Beast Lair, complete.]

[Daily Task Two progress increased by 55%.]

[Current progress: 70%.]

Shen He read the floating lines of text before him and breathed a long sigh of relief. Then he hailed a taxi and asked the driver to take him to the hotel Wang Long had mentioned.

When he arrived, he paid the fare and waited in a corner near the entrance.

Soon enough, the same group of fools who’d set the trap in the alley arrived by car. The door opened, and a woman with the air of a respectable wife, dressed in a pencil skirt, stepped out and headed straight for the hotel.

Shen He grinned.

When those idiots got out and hurried after her, his eyes lit up. He’d thought they were just delivering someone, but now it looked like a classic “honey trap” setup.

He slipped over to their car and found the door unlocked. Someone had even left a phone inside—how careless. If a thief came by, they’d lose a phone for sure.

Fortunately, he was an honest man.

Shen He picked up the phone and made a call. “Officer, I’d like to report a crime…”