Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 63 - Two Blueprints

63: Chapter 63: Two Blueprints

63 -63: Two Blueprints

“What’s going on, what’s going on, you look a bit off,” Lu Yi had just finished speaking when she saw Gu Fan quickly pocket the key, swiftly look around to make sure no one was nearby, and then hide it.

“Let’s go,” Gu Fan simply said, then walked away nonchalantly leaving the palace, leaving Lu Yi perplexed.

Upon encountering Jie, who was taking photos outside, Gu Fan immediately asked, “Were there any other people around just now?”

Jie shrugged, “It’s almost closing time, most people have left.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan simply nodded, rushed to regroup with everyone and leave the area without showing any signs of discovery.

Du Jun said cheerily, “Well, I guess that wraps up today.

Although we didn’t find anything, at least we still have time to figure out where to go tomorrow.”

It wasn’t until they were outside, and Gu Fan confirmed they were alone, that he gathered everyone together to share his recent discovery.

“Really?

Pure fluke and you struck gold!” Many people were incredulous, Du Jun being the most skeptical, “Gu Fan, don’t mess around.

You found some kind of secret switch, things are getting more outrageous.”

Here, Lu Yi confirmed he also saw it.

He saw Gu Fan trying to unlock the mechanism with a key.

It was almost successful, but Gu Fan had stopped halfway.

Lin Xi shook her head, “Gu Fan, you secretively hid the key from all of us, how could you!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan was taken aback.

Lin Xi was clear in her implication.

It was fine to hide it from the others, but it was crossing the line to hide it from her–did she not merit trust?

Not just Lin Xi, but nearly everyone present thought so, and they all glared at Gu Fan, who, under all the stares, quickly changed the subject: “We will discuss the key later.

The problem now is that this key really can open that mechanism, but there are too many people in the museum, and I wouldn’t dare unlock it, so I had to stop halfway.”

Su Hui pondered, “So you’re saying you’ll wait until there are fewer people to unlock it.

In that case, we would have to sneak in after-hours.”

Lu Yi also expressed concern, “Yeah, it won’t be good if we get caught.

We’ll be scolded by our parents, and by our teachers.”

With these concerns, Gu Fan felt a bit uncertain.

If they got caught, it would be hard to explain, moreover, everyone was a novice, the odds of getting caught were high.

But it was a rare opportunity to find this place and a slightest clue, should they just give it up?

Just when everyone was at their wits’ end, they saw that the museum staff had hung a sign at the entrance.

There would be a large-scale cultural dance exhibition showcasing foreign culture that night.

It was the first such event and a rare occasion the museum would be open at night, and everyone was welcomed to buy tickets and return.

“Can’t believe this coincidence,” they all were surprised, but disregarding that, Gu Fan saw this as an opportunity to overturn the situation and discover more clues.

So after discussing, they went back to eat and rest, to recharge before embarking for the museum again.

They weren’t there to watch the cultural performance.

Instead, they planned to sneak back into the palace full of murals while everyone else was distracted by the event.

As per the plan, Su Hui, Lin Xi, and Du Jun would attend the performance and stand by as backup, their location as close to the palace entrance as possible, to watch for anything suspicious.

Jie would break down the iron chain outside the palace and then stand guard; Gu Fan, Xia Yue, and Lu Yi would sneak in, attempting to quickly unlock the mechanism, find out what’s inside, and then hurry out.

All started smoothly.

Gu Fan found the secret compartment easily and opened it.

He inserted the key, turned it, and activated the mechanism.

The sound of the mechanism activating was clearly audible again; the door in the mural slowly opened.

As it turns out, this was an invisible door blending with the mural, a detail that no one had detected, truly a testament of the meticulous design of whoever built this.

After the door opened, a dark staircase leading downward revealed itself.

The pitch-black space gave off an eerie feeling, sending chills down the spine.

Xia Yue couldn’t help but say, “Where does this lead to, should we really go down?”

Gu Fan took a deep breath: “Lu Yi, take care of the key and watch from above.

Xia Yue and I will go in.

Be careful on your own.”

Lu Yi agreed readily.

He understood Gu Fan’s meaning.

There had to be someone trustworthy outside to aid them if needed.

But Xia Yue was still a bit scared: “How about I wait for you guys above?

I feel…”

“What are you scared of?

You’re not going in alone.

I’m going with you.” Having said this, Gu Fan raised his flashlight and started going down the stairs.

“Go on, don’t be a coward.” Lu Yi handed Xia Yue the flashlight, giving him a meaningful look as if to say, “You’re not really that scared, are you?”

Xia Yue didn’t want to appear weak, and with Gu Fan having already gone down, he took the flashlight, mustered his courage and started descending.

Luckily, Gu Fan was paving the way; otherwise, he would have been too scared to proceed.

He didn’t know where Gu Fan got his courage from.

The two continued to descend.

There weren’t many steps, but their progress was slow.

The eerie feeling in the gloomy environment was spine-chilling.

“Gu Fan, slow down, wait for me…” Xia Yue called out softly as he walked, but Gu Fan, ahead of him, seemed not to hear and kept moving, evidently faster than Xia Yue.

Unable to hold back, Xia Yue started to complain: “Aren’t you the least bit scared?

And why did I agree to come down with you?”

At this, Gu Fan stopped, turned around and sternly glanced at Xia Yue before questioning: “Do you know why I came down here?

I’ve never been to the secret room.

I could have stayed safe without worrying about disappearing next.

Everything I’m doing now is for you all.

I’m taking this risk for you.”

Xia Yue felt insulted and immediately retorted: “Don’t make yourself sound so noble.

You’re doing all this for Lin Xi.”

At that, Gu Fan smirked: “Precisely, I’m doing it for Lin Xi.

But it also affects all of you.

So now answer my previous question, why are you here, why are you following Du Jun, flanking him on each side?

Aren’t you here to help?”

“I…” Xia Yue understood Gu Fan’s implication, and he suddenly felt sour, grinding his teeth in hatred: “I know I’ve been flattering Du Jun all along, and you guys look down on me for it.

But I don’t care.

I know what I want, and you guys cannot give it to me nor can you help me achieve it.

Hence, I don’t need to mind your opinions.”

Gu Fan sighed: “Do you really think flattering Du Jun will earn you his protection?

With your accomplishments and efforts, you can establish a career for yourself even without Du Jun.”

Xia Yue scoffed back: “That sounds nice.

Do you think it’s easy out there, that a steady job with a little higher income is enough?

What I want, an ordinary person may not achieve even after toiling for over a decade.

My family is poor, unable to support me significantly, which means I need to struggle much longer, ten or even twenty years.

I don’t want to waste so much time; I don’t want to be a late bloomer.

So, I want to take a shortcut, and Du Jun is my shortcut.”

After hearing this, Gu Fan understood.

Xia Yue’s impoverished background ignited his resolve to seek change.

And this change was not merely pulling himself out of poverty but achieving prosperity.

He yearned for sudden wealth, for a decade less of struggle.

His family lacked resources, so he sought them out.

Du Jun was the best resource he’d found.

“Have you ever experienced poverty, Gu Fan?

Have you ever been looked down upon because you were too poor?

You haven’t, you haven’t, so you have no right to judge me.” Xia Yue rebuked Gu Fan righteously.

Gu Fan was silent for a while before responding: “Everyone’s life is unique; no one has experienced another’s life.

According to your logic, no one has the right to criticize anyone.

What I do know is that there are many people in this world facing poverty and wanting to change their situation, not just you.

But not everyone chooses to do the same things you do.”

Xia Yue was infuriated, glaring at Gu Fan: “No wonder Du Jun loathes you.

Now I get it.

Gu Fan, you are truly annoying…”

“Thank you for the compliment.

You must be furious right now, which means you’re probably less afraid.

Let’s continue then,” Gu Fan said, turning around to keep moving downwards, seemingly unaffected as if the argument had never happened.

Xia Yue stood there stunned.

He realized that Gu Fan had said all that to provoke him—only anger could effectively drive out fear, giving him the courage to go on.

Finally, he saw something ordinary about Gu Fan.

He started to understand why Gu Fan was such a leader, why people were willing to join him, why a beauty like Lin Xi would choose Gu Fan.

He also understood why Du Jun, a privileged rich-kid, was so envious of ordinary-bred Gu Fan.

Putting aside the family backgrounds, Du Jun was no match for Gu Fan.

Xia Yue couldn’t help wondering what kind of upbringing Gu Fan had to become who he was today.

Despite similar backgrounds, everyone was unique.

What made the difference?

Was it parental guidance, early social interactions, or engaging experiences during childhood.