C14 Chapter 14

“Sure, this artifact is important,” Chen Rui said, still puzzled, “but if it’s something a delivery service could handle, why do we have to travel all the way out there ourselves?”

“That’s not the main issue,” Chen Xin said after thinking for a moment. “I think the professor’s hiding something from us.”

“What makes you say that?” Shi Dian and Chen Rui both turned to Chen Xin.

“Think about it,” Chen Xin said, laying it out carefully. “First, we just happened to run into him at the museum. Then he let you see that mysterious statue he was researching all by himself. After that, he asked you to track down the stolen artifact. And now he wants you to bring it to the States. Doesn’t that feel like a connected chain?”

“Hold on—‘you’?” Chen Rui corrected her. “It’s ‘we.’ You’ve been involved the whole time too.”

“No,” Chen Xin said. “His real target is you two. I’m just along for the ride. If he’d only invited the two of you, his intentions would’ve been way too obvious.”

Shi Dian stayed quiet. Chen Xin’s reasoning made a lot of sense. Looking back, everything did feel like a path the professor had laid out in advance. He was definitely keeping something from them.

“I think this trip to the U.S. is necessary,” Shi Dian said after a moment. “First, if the professor is hiding something, we need answers. Second, if he’s been orchestrating all of this, then the U.S. is obviously a key piece. We might be able to solve more of the puzzle once we’re there.”

“Of course, I’m not saying it won’t be dangerous,” Shi Dian added, then glanced at Chen Rui. That part was clearly meant for him. “You don’t have to force yourself to go.”

“I’m definitely going,” Chen Rui said without hesitation. “No classes, a free plane ticket, and a trip? I’d be crazy to pass that up.”

“Heh, then I’m going too,” Chen Xin said with a grin. “The more people we have, the better. Besides, I’ve never been to the U.S.”

“You guys…” Shi Dian’s expression shifted from surprise, to happiness, and finally to something like genuine emotion.

They didn’t waste any time. The next day, all three submitted leave requests to the school. Their reason was the same: they’d been invited by Professor Feng to visit the United States for academic observation and study. After the administration confirmed it with the professor over a long-distance call, they signed off without hesitation. It wasn’t every day a student earned Professor Feng’s recognition—this was an honor for the whole school.

So the three of them, having successfully gotten time off, headed to the airport together on the third day.

“Bro, why do you have more luggage than I do?” Chen Xin couldn’t help teasing the moment she saw Chen Rui. “Look at Shi Dian—he’s got like half of what you’re bringing!”

“Hey, this is all stuff you need for everyday life and travel, okay?” Chen Rui shot back. “What’s the big deal? It’s not like I have to carry it.”

“Heh. Alright, let’s go—we’re almost out of time,” Shi Dian said, taking the lead toward the ticket checkpoint.

But as soon as the attendant saw their tickets, they were guided to a different boarding entrance.

“Your tickets are special, so you won’t need to go through security. Please come this way,” the staff member said politely.

“Okay, thanks,” Shi Dian replied with a nod, then followed the directions down a corridor.

Once they finally boarded, they realized it was just a regular passenger plane—only the three of them were exempt from screening.

“What do we do? I’m so nervous,” Chen Xin said, thrilled—it was her first time flying.

“What do you mean, ‘what do we do’?” Chen Rui snapped. “Just sit still and buckle your seat belt!”

“Heh, didn’t know you actually knew what you were doing,” Shi Dian said with a laugh.

“Of course I do,” Chen Rui said, instantly smug. “I’ve seen enough to know the drill.”

Before long, the plane lifted off smoothly. Shi Dian cradled the box holding the treasure and leaned back in his seat, watching the clouds drift past the window, thinking to himself, *I wonder what’s going to happen next.*