“Politicsand Legislative Commissioner… So what?!
Se Caiwas still brooding from his dressing down but he knew he had to keep his eyeson the prize.
Thecommercial building was so big, he didn’t believe it only had one entrance.
Unexpectedly,after he b.u.t.tered up the building manager, he successfully got the manager toreveal to him the location of the building’s back stairwell!
Thesteel door creaked heavily as it opened into a gaping maw.
It wasobvious that staircase didn’t see regular use. The air inside was stale and itreeked of mildew.
It beliedthe commercial building’s long history. Even though the front was remodeledmany times, the stairwell had been left to its own device and it showed.
“Thisstaircase is the building’s original fire escape. It led straight to level 33,the rooftop. Are you sure you want to do this? There’s 33 floors’ worth ofclimbing and many of the lights had fallen into disrepair. It’s very easy toslip and fall. Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get you a flashlight…”
Themanager said kindly, noting the camera equipment that was weighing Se Cai down.
“Thankyou but I need to go asap. Also, a kind reminder, blatant disregard of abuilding’s fire escape is a fineable offense…”
Se Caiadmonished lightly to repay the manager’s kindness.
“Oh.There’s no need to worry about that, our boss has some contacts over at thefire department. We’ve never been fined…”
“Then,could you help me take care of my tripod. I’ll come back to get it later!”
Beforethe manager could reply, Se Cai shoved the tripod into his hands and jogged upthe stairs.
He knewit was going to be a long slog but since the front entrance was blocked bypolice, this was the only way available to reach the news.
To getthis news, Se Cai had given it his all.
Unbeknownstto Se Cai, acquiring the Eye for News system had gradually changed him. Hestarted to show true pa.s.sion for his work, for the pursuit of truth!
“F*ck,this place sure is dark. Thank G.o.d for my enhanced vision!”
Se Caiobserved after he had ran past several floors.
Themanager was right, more than a few lights in the stairwell was broken. Thewhole place was shrouded in darkness.
It was thenthat Se Cai found out the system had also granted him night-vision. Then again,it was after all to be expected since it was a common feature in mostcam-recorder.
However,able to see in the dark and able to climb up 33 floors were 2 distinct things.
Se Cai’sphysical was considered fit since as a reporter, he had to spent most of thedays running from one news source to the next.
Despitethat, this wasn’t easy for him either. After about 20 floors, the small cameraaround his neck started to feel like a dumbbell.
“d.a.m.n,I might have overestimated myself…”
Se Cairemarked breathlessly as he slumped to the floor.
Hesucked in a deep breath and picked himself up again. A mysterious force waspushing him forward, urging him to hold on.
“Chances like this come once in alifetime. I mustn’t let this slip away!”
“Thisis all to revenge against the Blue Sky Rehab that wanted to take your hand. SeCai, you have to keep going or that day will never come!”
“Stayfocused… For the sake of News Point!”
Se Caikept feeding himself encouragement. After an interminable time, finally heglimpsed a ray of light in the dark. It was the skylight! He had reached the 33rdlevel!
Beforehe could rejoice though, cruel reality hit Se Cai like a brick to the face.
Thewisps of light that streamed down from the dusty skylight revealed a heavy lockthat prevented Se Cai’s way forward.
“F*ckme! Why that manager didn’t mention there’s still a locked door!”
Se Caiswore as his blood boiled.
Hecalmed down enough to realize it was unrealistic to go back down for the keysthen. He leaned into the wall and looked around.
Hiseyes eventually fell upon an air duct that was on the wall.
The airduct was about 10 meters off the ground and was wide enough for a grown man tofit through. With his enhanced hearing, Se Cai could pick up strands of rushed conversationscoming from its other end. It should lead him directly to actual scene.
“WhenG.o.d closes a door, he opens a window, well, an air duct.”
Se Caigathered himself and leaped to grab at its edge.
Thankfully,the air duct was of the older model that didn’t have an operating fan or elseSe Cai wouldn’t have been able to get through.
A thicklayer of dust covered every surface of the duct. Se Cai crawled purposefullythrough the darkness, staining his clothes and face along the way.
Hisdetermination though held firm. This was all for the news that he wanted!
“I seeit!”
Se Caiyelped in delight when he saw the duct was reaching an end.
Theother end of the duct was parallel to the rooftop’s floor. The aluminumcovering had long since rusted away, leaving behind a huge hole. It had howeverprovided Se Cai with the best vantage point to take in everything that washappening on the roof.
Se Caicheered silently, the spot was 100 times better than he had expected. Thejumper was literally 5 meters away from where he was, but thanks to the shadowinside the air duct, Se Cai was perfectly hidden from all prying eyes.
“Phew,thank G.o.d all that effort wasn’t wasted!”
If thepolice had let him through, he wouldn’t end up with such a valuable spotbecause there was no way police would allow him such close proximity to thejumper for fear of agitating him.
Inother words, the rejection had accidentally led Se Cai to a better outcome!