Volume One, Chapter Six: Triggering the Hidden Quest: The Health Mission

“Why take it off? It suits you perfectly, as if it was made just for you.”

Lu Yichen’s compliment left Chu Xueli torn. She truly liked the necklace, but it was far too valuable for her to accept.

She kept looking at herself through the camera, her gaze fixed on the necklace around her neck.

It was beautiful—truly stunning.

Just a necklace worth over a hundred thousand, yet it captivated her so completely.

Is this the world of indulgence and luxury?

It was intoxicating, but unfortunately, she wasn’t meant for it.

Saving up that much money would take her a long time, and even if she did have it, she wouldn’t dare spend it on a necklace.

In the end, Chu Xueli took off the necklace herself and placed it back in the box, politely refusing Lu Yichen’s gift.

“It’s too precious. I really can’t accept it.”

“Alright then. Next time, I’ll personally take you to pick out a gift.”

“Okay. Then, Brother Chen, please put it away quickly.”

Lu Yichen packed the necklace away in front of Chu Xueli just as their dishes were brought to the table. They ate while chatting about the experiences of the past few years.

When they finished, Chu Xueli excused herself to touch up her makeup, and after Lu Yichen acknowledged her, she left her seat.

Once she was gone, Lu Yichen secretly slipped the necklace box to the bottom of the shopping bag she was carrying, hiding it beneath other items.

He had ultimately given the necklace to her in secret. Even if she discovered it later, he could claim it was mistakenly placed there and then persuade her to keep it.

If she still refused, he would arrange another meeting to choose a gift she would accept.

After freshening up, Chu Xueli came out of the restroom, and the two left the restaurant.

“It’s getting late. Brother Chen, I’ll head home first. Let’s chat on WeChat.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yichen hailed a taxi, handed the shopping bag to Chu Xueli once she got in, then waved goodbye.

Not wanting to linger outside any longer, Lu Yichen took a cab home to sleep.

Back home, he collapsed onto his bed, staring at his bank balance on his phone with a barely contained smile.

After scrolling through his phone for a while, he drifted into a deep sleep.

…

Three hours later, Lu Yichen was roused by the faint sound of a WeChat notification. Groggy, he sat up, holding his head and muttering, “Ugh, why does my head hurt so much after waking up?”

Just as he reached for his phone, a system voice sounded.

[Hidden Task Activated: Health Task]

[Current detection shows host in low health condition. Issuing health improvement task.]

[Task Requirement: Increase body health level to over 70% within three months.]

[Task Rewards: For every 20% increase in health, receive one million reward and a mysterious bonus.]

[System Reminder: Once a hidden task is activated, refusal is not permitted. Failure to complete will result in forfeiture of all host rewards.]

“Damn! That’s so demanding!”

“But my health really does need attention. Otherwise, no matter how rich I get, I won’t have a life left to spend it!”

Accepting the task, a blue screen panel appeared before Lu Yichen’s eyes.

[Host Basic Information Statistics in Progress…]

[1%, 7%, 12%, 20%… 99%, 100%, Statistics Complete.]

[Name: Lu Yichen]

[Age: 28]

[Height: 185 cm]

[Weight: 75 kg]

[Strength: 20]

[Stamina: 25]

[Mentality: 35]

[Assets: None]

[Wealth: 789,606]

[Health Level: 30%]

All his stats appeared before him.

“What a terrible body…”

Seeing the figures, Lu Yichen couldn’t help but complain.

Since graduating from university, he had hardly exercised. He had a gym membership but never stepped foot inside.

He wasn’t even sure if the membership had expired or if the gym was still open.

Every day was spent sitting long hours in the office, eating takeout—either greasy and salty food or sugary drinks.

No wonder his health was so poor!

A health level of only 30% was already below standard.

If it dropped any further, he might risk sudden death at any moment.

He had to get in shape. Absolutely.

Even if this weren’t a hidden task, it was something he had to do.

This was an urgent matter!

Lu Yichen immediately searched online for suitable plans to improve his health, wary of making mistakes that could worsen his condition.

“Maybe hiring a nutritionist and a personal trainer would be better? I have the money now, and the consumption system will cover it. This is awesome.”

He opened his phone to look for nearby gyms with good reviews.

Five minutes later, he had bookmarked five gyms to visit when he had time, planning to get a membership and personal training sessions at one of them.

After handling this, he remembered he hadn’t checked his WeChat messages, though he already guessed who had messaged him.

Opening WeChat confirmed his suspicion: Chu Xueli.

Chu Xueli: “Brother Chen, that necklace is with me. Where are you? I can bring it over if you have time.”

Chu Xueli: “Or give me an address, and I’ll have it delivered.”

Lu Yichen: “No need to trouble yourself. Since the necklace ended up with you, it must want to be worn by you. Just keep it.”

Almost instantly, Chu Xueli replied.

Chu Xueli: “Brother Chen, don’t tell me you secretly put the necklace in my shopping bag while I was touching up my makeup?”

Lu Yichen: “You found out. Just keep it. I can’t wear necklaces, have no one to give it to, and can’t return it. If I hold onto it, it’s just wasted.”

Chu Xueli: “Alright, I’ll keep it then. Next time we meet, dinner’s on me. It’s a deal.”

Lu Yichen: “Okay, it’s settled.”

After a few more messages, the conversation ended. Lu Yichen then used the few ingredients left in his fridge to prepare a simple meal: stir-fried lettuce, boiled eggs, and whole wheat bread slices.

Those whole wheat bread slices had been bought by Qin Ruoyan long ago. Later, since she couldn’t finish them, they had been left untouched in the fridge.

Unexpectedly, now they were being eaten by him.

Lu Yichen didn’t dwell on this. After eating and resting briefly, he changed into workout clothes and stepped out.

According to his research, morning and evening runs were suitable for his current stage.

Having missed the morning run, he could only start with evening runs.

He arrived at the park downstairs, followed a video to do some stretches, and then began running.

He set a ten-kilometer goal on his phone, thinking that distance was no big deal and should be achievable.

But after running two or three kilometers, he realized he had overestimated himself. He was already gasping for breath and his heart was pounding wildly, making it hard to continue.

Still, he insisted on following through with his plan.

Even if he had to cut it down to five kilometers, he was determined to keep going and not stop.