It was just past two in the afternoon, and we were currently tailing someone through the Walmart in the Tianping Commercial District. I don’t know why—I'm not some stalker or anything—but somehow, I always end up doing stalker-ish things.

“Ooh! Sis Fei just bought a huge chunk of beef—no, wait, it’s beef tendon and brisket! She packed it up and handed it off to little cousin Jing to carry!”

That’s right. Our targets were, of course, Huangfu Fei and Huangfu Jing—the pair who you don’t know whether to call father-daughter or sisters. We’d sent them out on an ‘errand’ to buy ingredients for dinner.

Our excuse was that the buffet food was terrible, and we begged Fei to go all-out and cook a proper dinner. The real goal? To awaken some warm, fuzzy father-daughter memories in Jing’s rebellious little heart. (Though, uh, apologies to the buffet chefs. The food was actually delicious…)

“Sis Fei is hesitating in front of the seafood section. Jing stuck her hand into the fish tank… oof, got splashed in the face by a fish!”

That running commentary was courtesy of Rinka, who had her phone out and was narrating everything like a livestream. This time, my partner-in-crime wasn’t that lovable idiot Xiao Lei.

After all, the more people involved, the riskier tailing becomes. Xiao Lei had gone with Aunt Huaying to wait in a nearby café—and was currently watching the whole thing via Rinka’s live feed.

I wanted to join the coffee break team too, but Rinka shot that down immediately. “Nope! Kai-chan, you’re the one who came up with this plan. That means you’re responsible for seeing it through!”

Honestly, the tailing wasn’t even that interesting. Jing was glued to Fei’s side, chatting nonstop, while Fei looked totally at a loss on how to respond. Her replies were vague and lukewarm at best.

Even from where I was following behind, I could feel how awkward the air between them was.

But soon, I realized what the real issue was: a generational gap. Fei has only been living as a 17-year-old girl for less than two months. Inside, she’s still a nearly 40-year-old man. She hadn’t spent any of those years with her daughter, so she was completely out of her depth when it came to teenage girl topics.

Still, when little cousin Jing timidly held up snacks and cakes to ask if she could put them in the cart, it did feel kind of heartwarming—almost like a real parent-child moment. I’ve never even had that kind of interaction with my own dad.

Eventually, the “father-daughter” duo finished their shopping without incident, and we followed them as they left Walmart.

To be honest, Rinka could’ve handled this tailing mission on her own—she was clearly having the time of her life. I was mostly just tagging along.

“So all we need to do now is get back to Aunt Huaying’s place before they do, right?”

“Nope—trouble, Kai-chan!” Rinka shook me out of my thoughts, her expression suddenly serious. “Little cousin Jing just vanished!”

Ugh. I jinxed it, didn’t I? That’s what I get for running my mouth.

I sighed. “Let’s split up and look. She probably didn’t get far.”

Rinka nodded and started checking the other side of the corridor.

I scanned the crowd but saw no sign of a skull-pin-wearing baseball cap. Jing’s only thirteen, so she’s short, and very easy to lose sight of in the weekend crowd. Still, how does a thirteen-year-old manage to get lost?

Fei was pacing nervously nearby, bags in hand, clearly looking as well. Then something seemed to click in her head—she pulled out her phone and made a call.

Or tried to, at least. The call was either dropped or instantly declined. But in the next moment, I heard a faint ringtone coming from a branching hallway.

Oh no, don’t tell me she went there?

The so-called “branch hallway” was kind of like a back alley inside malls—part of the buildings, but barely trafficked.

It was one of the many architectural leftovers from Tianping’s constant expansions. These random little offshoot corridors weren’t even marked on most maps. Some had gained popularity thanks to trendy stores, but most were… sketchy. You’d mostly find shady punks and street rats lurking around.

On the wall at the entrance to the corridor, there was a big poster plastered up:

[Top Secret! Never-Before-Seen Footage of Supernova Idol Lei Meow Meow’s Debut Performance—Available in Limited Quantities Now!]

Her debut performance? That must be that mini-concert during Lose Moonlit! I could even recognize the small stage in the background. That raw but electrifying show was Lei Meow Meow’s first step into idolhood—her official rebirth.

But… there was no official filming that day. Which meant this “footage” must’ve been pirated, snuck out by some people in the audience.

That’s illegal!

So that’s what lured Jing in? Don’t tell me she’s a Lei Meow Meow fan too?

Was the dyed-blonde hair also her influence…?

“Rinka, I haven’t found little Jing yet, but I found a clue. I heard her phone ringtone just now near one of the side corridors we passed earlier. There’s also a Lei Meow Meow poster at the entrance… though it’s pirated.”

“She does like Sis Meow Meow… but a side alley? That’s not a safe place…”

“She probably doesn’t know that—it’s not like she lives around here. I’ll go check inside. You let Sis Fei know, but, like… gently. Don’t freak her out.”

Most of the shops lining the alley were closed with shutters down. But one video store was open—and operating. That had to be the one selling the “Lei Meow Meow Debut Footage.”

Even though selling pirated recordings was shady as hell, if someone had a functioning store here, the area was probably not completely lawless. Still, I stayed alert—this kind of place gave me the creeps.

I stepped inside and pretended to browse the DVDs while scanning the space for any sign of Jing.

Not to be paranoid, but the clerk behind the counter looked super sketchy. Shifty eyes, greasy hair—the whole package.

Ew—did he just lick his lips at me?

Anyway, I circled the place and didn’t see her anywhere. And since she also rejected Fei’s call earlier… something really might’ve happened.

I quietly slipped back outside and pulled out my phone.

When it comes to navigating the underbelly of Tianping, there’s no better guide than the pompadour bearing, mask-wearing Lu Le. Unfortunately, I didn’t have his number.

So I called Lei Meow Meow instead.

“Hello~? Kai-chan?”

It was a soft, cheerful voice—not Lei Meow Meow.

“Ah, Sis Xi?”

There was surprise—or maybe excitement—on the other end. “Oh my, Kai-chan! That voice… you’ve turned into a girl too, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, long story. But there’s something more urgent—do you have Lu Le’s number?”

“Huh? Why do you need him?”

“Sis Fei’s daughter wandered into one of the sketchy back corridors here in Tianping and disappeared. I need someone who knows the area.”

Rinka and Fei had already gotten pretty close to Lei Meow Meow and Tian Xi at the girls campus. The four of them had even formed an alliance to mess with me. So they were more or less in the loop about Fei’s situation. I didn’t bother being vague.

“That sounds dangerous… but you called the right people. Where are you now?”

“Hard to explain exactly—it’s a side corridor near the Walmart exit. There’s a Lei Meow Meow poster for a pirated recording at the entrance.”

“What?! Pirated recording?!”

Sis Xi’s outrage came loud and clear.

Ah, her manager instincts kick in fast—but could we maybe focus on the missing child first?

“Ahem. I’ll let Lu Le know. We’ll come by too—my sister’s free today. She’s playing arcade games at the student council lounge.”

Whoa. That relationship escalated quickly—she’s casually calling her “sister” now?

…Wait. Student council lounge?

“Hold up—you two joined the student council?!”

“Only my sister did. I just tag along sometimes for fun.”

The student council… isn’t that Haitang’s turf? Please, please don’t let Lei Meow Meow spill anything unnecessary to her…

Actually, wait—they really do have arcade machines there?! What kind of corrupt student council is this?

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it, because suddenly—

A flurry of footsteps sounded behind me.

I turned instinctively to run, but someone grabbed my shoulder. Before I could react, a strip of cloth was shoved in my mouth, my wrists were bound, and a sack was thrown over my head.

They took my phone too. Next thing I knew, I was being hoisted like a sack of potatoes.

Wait—am I being kidnapped?!

SOMEONE HELP!