Chapter 4: Hello, Plumber (First Update—Please Recommend and Bookmark)
With the aid of the system, even merely learning a new skill was enough to fill anyone with hope for the future.
The future held promise!
As he reflected, Li Yi’an exited the system, and the woman’s voice drifted into his ears.
“God bless you for escaping. Thank God! If you hadn’t fled France, how could I have gotten this perfume?”
Staring at the man before her, Stana, who appeared polite on the surface, showed subtle changes in her gaze. Her delicate face stiffened slightly, and even her smile seemed somewhat forced.
He came from France?
Could that be true?
Who could be coming from France nowadays?
A spy!
The thought suddenly struck Stana’s heart, causing it to pound wildly.
“Would you like some coffee? I still have some here.”
Nervous beyond measure, Stana used the excuse to rise and head to the kitchen. Once inside, panic overwhelmed her, and she took several deep breaths.
“What should I do? What should I do? He... he’s a spy, a spy... I need to call the police, but the phone... the phone is in the living room!”
She paced back and forth in the kitchen. Just as she stood hesitating by the window, contemplating whether to jump out to escape, she noticed the neighbor across preparing dinner.
The neighbor’s open window brightened her eyes. Hastily, she grabbed a pen and some paper from near the cupboard, scribbled a message, sealed it in a small glass bottle, and tossed it out.
The bottle crashed inside, startling the woman preparing dinner. Turning her head, she spotted Stana halfway out the window, nervously gesturing for help.
...
Soon, the rich aroma of coffee filled the room.
“Thank you,” Li Yi’an said sincerely.
The woman handed him a cup of coffee. He took a sip. Bitter. He frowned involuntarily, about to complain about the harsh taste when the woman spoke.
“I’m sorry; there’s no sugar left at home.”
She smiled awkwardly, while her heart clenched tightly.
“Black coffee has its charm, and besides, it’s been a long time since I last had coffee. You know, ever since the war broke out, coffee became very scarce in France.”
Li Yi’an noticed nothing unusual about her. He suppressed the bitter taste, feigning enjoyment as he finished the cup. They chatted briefly.
From her, he learned that her husband was a senior employee at the North Borneo Company. She only knew that after the war began, he had joined the troops resisting the Japanese but had since disappeared without a trace.
“He’s probably still alive. Sometimes, no news isn’t necessarily bad news.”
Li Yi’an offered comforting words, but the woman shook her head.
“Let’s hope so! Enough of that. What are your plans next?”
Changing the subject, she asked. Li Yi’an set down his cup, pondered for a moment, and said,
“Madam, where can I rent a place to live?”
“Rent a place?”
She glanced at him, then at her watch. Why hadn’t the police arrived yet?
---
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
The sound brought a flicker of joy to the woman’s heart.
They’re here—the police have finally come!
Barely suppressing a smile, she quickly asked,
“Who is it?”
“Madam, I’m the plumber, Huck. Someone downstairs said your bathroom has a leak, so I came to check.”
A plumber?
As the woman rose to open the door, Li Yi’an noticed nothing suspicious.
The door opened, and two men dressed as workers entered. Li Yi’an thought he might be imagining it, but they seemed momentarily startled upon seeing him.
Trouble always finds the widow, he thought.
Before he could react, the two men silently separated as they neared the bathroom, then suddenly lunged at him.
At the moment he was tackled, Li Yi’an shouted,
“Help! There’s a robbery...”
...
A spy?
Captain Adam looked at the man cuffed before him and turned to ask,
“Have you ever seen the Germans send an Asian spy to Britain?”
As an officer in counterintelligence, Adam could hardly believe how these policemen kept catching “spies” who were never truly spies.
“Sir, I don’t know, but that lady reported suspicious activity through a neighbor. She said he came from France and is a spy. That’s why I called you,” the officer replied straightforwardly.
“From France?” Captain Adam asked skeptically.
“Did he have any identification?”
“No papers at all.”
“Then why was he in that woman’s home?”
Adam glanced at the ‘spy’ who was now asleep. Without asking, he knew why: a young, handsome man like him would attract many women’s invitations.
...
A strong, pungent fishy smell permeated the black bag over his head. How many people had worn this hood? The moment it was placed over Li Yi’an’s head, he almost choked.
But now, he had grown accustomed.
From the moment of capture, the ride in the vehicle, to now—handcuffed and seated on a chair—only one thought filled his mind:
Where am I?
---
Amid his confusion, Li Yi’an was certain of one thing: he was historically the unluckiest time traveler.
From France.
Identity unknown!
Spy!
These words combined meant one thing—he would soon be forced to time travel again.
Just then, footsteps approached, and the hood was abruptly removed. Squinting against the light, Li Yi’an quickly understood his situation.
Before him sat a table, behind which were two British men in military uniforms, one sporting a distinctive mustache.
They were soldiers!
His heart sank. Having watched many World War II films and read novels, he instantly grasped his predicament.
British military officers interrogating him—it meant they suspected him as a spy. Spies faced the gallows, no escape!
No trial even needed.
Heaven help him; it seemed he truly was about to time travel again.
What now?
The man with the mustache spoke.
“Alright, sir, do you have anything to say?”
“What? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Despite cold sweat breaking out on his back, Li Yi’an forced himself to remain calm and quickly activated his Psychology skill. This skill was essentially an ability to read people’s expressions and analyze their psychology, used primarily in negotiations to understand others’ intentions and make money.
Though just newly acquired and only at level 1, an entry-level skill with limited power, it still yielded one conclusion—the interrogators doubted him.
“Tell us, what is the purpose of your mission sent by the Germans?” the mustached officer asked.
Li Yi’an replied,
“Sir, I am Chinese. China is one of the Allies. Why would I help the Germans?”
When faced with accusations, the best response was to question back; this effectively unsettled the accuser’s stance.
Even at an entry level, psychology had its merits.
In fact, Captain Adam didn’t truly believe this man was sent by the Germans.
Yet, he was intrigued by how he had escaped from France.
Li Yi’an continued to counter-question,
“Sir, Chinese people look very different from Europeans. On the streets of London, I would easily attract attention. If you were the Germans, would you send an Asian spy to Britain?”
“Indeed, it’s unlikely. But who knows?” Lieutenant Adam smiled.
“Well then, perhaps you should first tell us how you escaped to Britain.”