Chapter 19: Entering the Unplanned Waterway

Day Three.

Inside the Zongyong Temple Police Station, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Song Xiangchen summarized the work report from the past two days.

“In the last two days, we apprehended eighteen pickpockets and twenty-six drug users. However, we still haven’t found the narcotics hidden by Tang Hongguang. Jiang Ying, have you discovered anything on your end?”

Lu Jiangying shook his head. “I had several colleagues accompany Tang Hongguang as he wandered around the Zongyong Temple Scenic Area. I observed discreetly, but no matter where Tang Hongguang went, his expression didn’t change noticeably. We can’t narrow down the area where he might be hiding the drugs.”

The other officers all kept their heads down, silent. The case was nearly an open-and-shut one, yet they were stuck. It was utterly perplexing.

Administrative Building.

Zhang Dongyi looked at the report from the manager of the Cave Diving Park, his face flushing with anger.

“You’re telling me, the tickets for the Cave Diving Park’s opening ceremony were oversold by 240%?”

The department head mumbled a defense, “Director, the park’s opening ceremony tickets were sold for a month, and only 40% were sold initially. In the last few days, we thought sales had stalled, so we didn’t manage it closely. But unexpectedly, three days ago, a huge wave of visitors came and bought all the remaining tickets.”

Zhang Dongyi gritted his teeth. “Did your ticketing software have a 240% redundancy setting?”

The department head shook his head. “We only set a 20% redundancy, but after the system sold out the first day, it automatically refreshed the next day and sold another 120% in tickets!”

Zhang Dongyi covered his forehead. “This extra 120% in tickets—are those real people or scalpers? How could that many tickets be sold in just one day?”

The department head timidly replied, “Real people. Our system only allows those who purchased tickets to leave reviews. All those 120% tickets were bought for just one person—Lu Xingzhou!”

He handed his tablet to Zhang Dongyi.

“Lu Xingzhou?”

Zhang Dongyi glanced at it. Half the reviews were from people eager to see Lu Xingzhou’s abs, the rest were hoping for some dramatic mishap involving him—just here for the spectacle.

Zhang Dongyi was torn between laughter and tears. He hadn’t expected that Lu Xingzhou, as a rising internet celebrity, wielded such influence.

“Looks like I’m about to be the star of that mishap.”

The department head anxiously asked, “Director, what should we do now? The Cave Diving Park is about to open!”

Zhang Dongyi wanted to slam the table and tell him to figure it out himself.

But if the problems weren’t resolved, he, as the scenic area’s manager, would face serious consequences.

The Zongyong Temple Scenic Area was a key project for the city, and this was a golden publicity opportunity. If he messed this up, his career would be over.

Even if it meant losing money today, he had to keep the visitors happy.

“First: immediately go to Zongyong Temple Pedestrian Street and bring some stalls to set up inside the Cave Diving Park. We must make it look lively.”

“Second: bring the acrobat troupe from the boat over to perform at the park.”

“Third: relocate the ticket checkpoints to the park’s main entrance and distribute welcome gift packs right there.”

The department head hesitated, “Director, but we only prepared 60% of the gift packs needed.”

Zhang Dongyi slammed the table. “There’s no time to worry about that! Start handing them out now. I’m calling for assistance from the county and city immediately. Today has to be bustling and impressive, understand? And no more dropping the ball—or else, you’ll regret it!”

The department head hurriedly agreed and rushed out.

Two hours later, the Cave Diving Park was packed with people.

The hall in the diving zone was filled to capacity; when seats ran out, temporary chairs were added, and when those weren’t enough, people stood.

Because the ticket checkpoints were at the main gate, not every visitor entered the diving center. Many shopped and watched performances outside, effectively dispersing the crowd.

After the synchronized swimming performance ended, it was time for Lu Xingzhou and four others to begin the cave diving.

The entire dive was underwater, invisible to the naked eye, so a large screen had been set up showing live footage from underwater cameras mounted on their helmets.

“Look! That’s the streamer!”

“Wearing that diving suit, the streamer’s physique is getting crazier by the day.”

“That suit is so tight; it must be soaked with his sweat. I wonder if it’ll be auctioned off—I’d definitely hang it in my bedroom to admire daily.”

“You’re getting a little too obsessed.”

After two days of diving training, Lu Xingzhou had fully adapted to the rhythm of underwater movement.

“During the official performance, follow me just like in practice,” Miss Mermaid, Chen Yuejiao, reminded before donning her oxygen mask.

Since Lu Xingzhou and Chen Yuejiao were the least experienced divers, they were placed in the middle of the group.

Lu Xingzhou signaled his understanding.

“Splash!”

“Splash!”

“Splash!”

The sound of diving echoed as the five entered the water. The river was crystal clear, and through the camera’s lens, they seemed to be floating in midair.

Especially Chen Yuejiao’s movements, graceful and rare in their fluidity and beauty.

This caused Lu Xingzhou’s livestream viewer count, already high, to spike again.

Because Lu Xingzhou swam directly behind Chen Yuejiao, those who were originally uninterested in him were now treated to quite the spectacle.

The five followed the prearranged route into the cave, conducting a promotional dive. An off-site commentator provided a synchronized narration.

Though the planned route was a circular waterway, the underwater cave was not stagnant—it extended outward through other channels, each marked with electronic “No Entry” signs.

Looking at these signs, Lu Xingzhou pondered how to complete his mission of entering an unplanned channel.

If he blatantly swam into a forbidden channel, the divers behind him would surely stop him.

But if he didn’t enter, he couldn’t fulfill the task.

Perhaps he could dive again alone after the performance—that was a good idea.

The thought gave him a headache.

As they swam, Lu Xingzhou noticed the current was stronger today, requiring more energy. Whether he could dive again was uncertain.

Just as they neared the exit, a sudden current appeared. Chen Yuejiao, who had been swimming ahead, suddenly vanished from sight.

Moments later, Lu Xingzhou realized she had been sucked into a right-side channel—the forbidden path.

Lu Xingzhou was stunned, then saw this as a perfect opportunity.

He quickly signaled the divers behind to report the situation and request reinforcements, then plunged into the unplanned channel.

[Mission Two: Enter an Unplanned Channel (Completed)]

[Reward: Affinity with Water (Activated)]

[Affinity with Water: The surrounding water becomes part of the body, allowing effortless movement even in rapid currents.]