No! I can't understand where she went. In this city, she has nowhere to go besides me and Kai-Wen. And she never goes anywhere without telling me. Where should I even search for her now?
★★★
As Shi-Han walked away, Jun-Yu noticed that a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl was holding his hand with one hand while the other held a completely new bicycle. The bicycle had a light pink body with a soft pearl finish. The wheel rims shone with silver metallic gloss, and even the tires looked brand new.
The little girl looked very cute. She swayed the hand that was holding Jun-Yu's and pleaded—
Girl:– Brother, I just bought this bicycle. But I can only walk it around, I can't really ride it. Please teach me how to pedal the bicycle.
**As the girl spoke, the bicycle almost slipped from her hand. Jun-Yu quickly grabbed the bicycle in one swift motion while still holding the girl steady.
Jun-Yu:– Little sister, I haven't ridden a bicycle in a long time. First let me practice a little, then I'll teach you. You all push the bicycle from behind.
**Jun-Yu got onto the bicycle while the children pushed the rear tire from behind. Within a short time, Jun-Yu became skilled at riding again.
Meanwhile, inside the 3rd floor apartment, Shi-Han repeatedly tried calling Xiao-Tong after failing to reach her on the phone. She also called Kai-Wen several times. But Kai-Wen was busy playing basketball on a field; his phone kept ringing, yet he never picked up.
**Unable to find Xiao-Tong, Shi-Han became extremely restless inside. She could no longer sit quietly in her room. Wearing a white midi dress with puff sleeves, Shi-Han went out searching for Xiao-Tong.
Seeing Shi-Han walking over, Jun-Yu rode up to her and pressed the brakes on the bicycle. Then, holding one ear with his right hand like an adorable child, he said to Shi-Han—
Jun-Yu:– Miss Shankchunni, you got really angry because I called you Shankchunni in front of the whole apartment residents, right? I am sorry, Miss Shankchunni.
**Jun-Yu really was a little devil in disguise. Even while apologizing, he still called her Shankchunni. And the children were still swarming all around them. The moment Jun-Yu stopped the bicycle, the children rushed toward him. When Jun-Yu once again called Shi-Han "Shankchunni" in front of everyone, she glared at him angrily. It looked as if Shi-Han could burn Jun-Yu to ashes with the fire in her eyes.
Jun-Yu gave a fake smile.
Jun-Yu:– Sorry, Shi-Han. Alright, from now on I'll call you Shi-Han. And if your anger still doesn't go away, then come, let me take you for a bicycle ride.
**Shi-Han's heart was extremely restless. She had absolutely no desire to ride a bicycle right now. She tried to ignore Jun-Yu and walk away, but the girl who owned the bicycle assumed Jun-Yu and Shi-Han were lovers. And since Shi-Han seemed angry at Jun-Yu, the little girl grabbed Shi-Han's hand and pleaded—
"Big sister, please don't stay angry at brother. And please have some fun with us for a little while, then I'll know you're no longer angry at him."
**As soon as the girl said that, several other children surrounding them also began pleading with Shi-Han. Shi-Han could not refuse everyone's requests.
However, there was no back seat on the bicycle. The rear part was narrow and elegant, designed to cut through the wind. In front, there was a small beautiful cream-colored woven basket with pink ribbons hanging from its edges. Inside the basket, perhaps a few flower petals had drifted in. Around them floated colorful bubbles from the children's bubble guns in the air.
And amidst all of that, Shi-Han sat on the bicycle right in front of Jun-Yu's chest.
**Jun-Yu took several rounds around the apartment area with Shi-Han. By then, dusk was almost settling in. The residents of the apartment who knew Shi-Han and Jun-Yu covered their mouths and laughed seeing Jun-Yu's antics. But Jun-Yu did not care at all.
Jun-Yu's height was around 190 cm while Shi-Han's was 170 cm. Yet with Shi-Han sitting on the bicycle directly in front of Jun-Yu's chest, their heights almost seemed equal.
After some time, Shi-Han slightly turned her neck, and her crimson lips came directly beneath Jun-Yu's rosy lips. Jun-Yu's warm breath crashed directly against Shi-Han's lips. Whether because of his allergy or the heat of the sun, Jun-Yu's bright fair skin once again turned red with embarrassment.
It felt as though both of them were floating in an ocean of love.
Suddenly, Shi-Han whispered softly—
Shi-Han:– Jun-Yu, I still can't find any news about my friend Xiao-Tong. I need to go search for her. Please let me get down from the bicycle.
**Shi-Han's words broke Jun-Yu out of his trance. Regaining his composure slightly, he said—
Jun-Yu:– Alright, wait for me. I'm coming.
**Shi-Han did not understand what Jun-Yu meant. She got off the bicycle and walked outside the apartment. Standing beside the apartment, she waited for a taxi.
Suddenly, Jun-Yu ended Shi-Han's waiting by appearing before her in his green Convertible Ferrari Portofino M.
Since evening had only just fallen, Jun-Yu still kept the roof of the car open. Due to his allergy acting up today, he wore dark black sunglasses to protect his eyes from the dust particles flying in the wind.
**A green Convertible Ferrari Portofino M, a light pink T-shirt beneath a snow-white unbuttoned shirt, back-to-hair hairstyle, sunglasses on his eyes, and on his right hand the most expensive watch of the Patek Philippe brand — the Grandmaster Chime. Even Jun-Yu's lips were pink.
Shi-Han's loose hair fluttered gently in the wind.
Secretly, Shi-Han could not believe Jun-Yu's heroic entrance. It felt like either a dream or the shooting of some movie scene.
Jun-Yu:– I told you to wait for me, yet you walked away leaving me behind! Get in.
Shi-Han:– I'll go by taxi. I don't need your help.
**At Shi-Han's words, Jun-Yu laughed mockingly.
Jun-Yu:– Really? But I need this. You'll go out alone, then become the victim of some psycho killer or rapist in the middle of the night, and afterward I'll have to pay the price for it.
Shi-Han:– Oh hello, what do you mean you'll have to pay the price? Just because you saved me once from a psycho killer doesn't mean I can't protect myself. I know martial arts.
Jun-Yu:– You only know martial arts when it comes to beating me up. And if something happens to you, then my apartment's reputation will be ruined too. So stop arguing and get in.
★★★
At seven in the evening, Shi-Han and Jun-Yu arrived at Dachong Girls' Hostel. Boys were not allowed to enter the girls' hostel. Shi-Han got out of the car and tried to enter the hostel without saying anything to Jun-Yu. Leaning against the car, Jun-Yu buried his face in his phone.
After Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong filed a complaint against hostel supervisor Su-Miao on the day of the gaming tournament, she had banned Shi-Han from entering the hostel. So today, when Shi-Han arrived, Auntie Su-Miao refused to let her inside.
Su-Miao:– Hey girl, stop there. You don't have permission to enter. Tell me from here what you need.
Shi-Han:– Auntie, where is Xiao-Tong? I'll leave right after seeing her once.
Su-Miao:– Xiao-Tong left the hostel quite some time ago and still hasn't returned.
Shi-Han:– Do you know where she went? Did you ask her anything?
Su-Miao:– I asked, but your friend didn't answer me. She seemed very upset. I thought she went drinking alcohol with you.
**Those words hit Shi-Han hard. She frowned. But she did not get into an unnecessary argument with the auntie because her phone started ringing. Shi-Han answered the phone while walking back from the hostel gate.
**On the other side of the call was Kai-Wen. The moment Shi-Han picked up, Kai-Wen immediately said—
Kai-Wen:– You've called me so many times, Shi-Han. Don't you have any common sense? People can be busy or have work to do too.
**Shi-Han's mood worsened even more. She took a deep breath, controlled herself, and calmly asked—
Shi-Han:– Oh really, you had work? Then tell me, what work were you doing?
Kai-Wen:– Hey, why are you getting angry? I was playing basketball. Tell me why you called.
Shi-Han:– Is Xiao-Tong with you? She hasn't answered my calls since the afternoon. That's why I called you so many times.
**Without even thinking about his girlfriend's wellbeing, Kai-Wen answered normally—
Kai-Wen:– No! Xiao-Tong isn't with me. Alright, I'm hanging up. We'll talk later.
**Kai-Wen did not show even the slightest concern about Xiao-Tong, and that left Shi-Han quite shocked. She became deeply disappointed, and unknown fears started forming in her heart regarding Xiao-Tong.
Suddenly, Martial Master Mu-Lian's words flashed through her mind. Today, Mu-Lian had revealed Xiao-Tong's birth identity. Could it be that the Shuan Gang had discovered Xiao-Tong's identity and her…?
**The girl's hands and feet turned cold with fear. She could not think clearly about what to do. In this noisy yet restless evening city, people crowded every alleyway. In such a busy city filled with countless people, how could Shi-Han possibly find one girl?
**After the call with Kai-Wen ended, Shi-Han lifted her head to look for a taxi on the road. She had thought Jun-Yu probably left after dropping her off at the hostel.
But she saw that Jun-Yu was still waiting for her.
The moment Jun-Yu saw Shi-Han, he slipped his phone into his pocket and—
Jun-Yu:– Shi-Han, what happened? Why do you look so disturbed? Didn't you meet your friend?
Shi-Han:– No! I can't understand where she went. In this city, she has nowhere to go besides me and Kai-Wen. And she never goes anywhere without telling me. Where should I even search for her now?
Jun-Yu:– Did you talk to Kai-Wen?
Shi-Han:– Just now. But Xiao-Tong isn't with him either. Jun-Yu, can I ask you something? If you're free, will you stay by my side for a while?
Jun-Yu:– There's no need to ask, Shi-Han. Neighbors help neighbors in times of trouble. Besides, I'm free right now anyway. By the way, give me your friend's contact number.
Shi-Han:– What will you do?
Jun-Yu:– You! I'm not a seventy-year-old old man that you'll keep saying "you" so formally and rot my ears. From now on, you'll speak to me casually. And I'm asking for her number because I want to start a relationship with your friend. So, are you giving it to me, or should I make things difficult?
**Jun-Yu's words ruined Shi-Han's mood again. She was boiling with anger. But this was not the time to show anger at this zombie. Right now, she needed Jun-Yu.
Shi-Han controlled herself, wrinkled her nose cutely, and said to Jun-Yu—
Shi-Han:– Mr. Zombie, please don't joke around right now. I'm not feeling good at all. My hands and feet are getting cold. My mind isn't working.
Jun-Yu scolded Shi-Han—
Jun-Yu:– Again with the formal "you"! My friend is a police officer in the Special Crime Branch. With his help, I'll track your friend's location. But…
**There's a Bengali proverb: "If your cheeks burn after eating betel leaves, you become afraid even of yogurt." Jun-Yu said it in such a serious tone that Shi-Han couldn't understand his real intention. She became afraid that Jun-Yu might make some terrible demand. Ever since the psycho killer incident, Shi-Han had found herself unable to trust any man.
Shi-Han:– But what? Why did you stop talking?
**Jun-Yu clenched his right hand into a fist and only extended his pinky finger toward her—
Jun-Yu:– We are friends. If you become friends with me, only then will I help you find your friend.
**Shi-Han never imagined Jun-Yu would say something like that. She hooked her own pinky finger with Jun-Yu's. Then she made a pinky promise—
Shi-Han:– Alright, Zombie, we are friends. As long as my heart keeps beating inside my body, I will remain your friend.
**After saying that, Shi-Han pinched Jun-Yu's hand. Jun-Yu slightly flinched and said—
Jun-Yu:– Ahhh, Shankchunni! Whether you become my friend or anything else, you'll never stop hitting me. I wonder when your hands and feet will finally gain control.
Shi-Han (smiling softly):– I pinched you because you're a zombie… and very serious.
**Saying that, Shi-Han got into the car. The lights of the nighttime city glittered like stars among the cherry blossom trees of Shanghai. Amid the bright city lights and the sound of car horns on the busy roads, the green-themed Ferrari Portofino M sped through the city.
Shi-Han held Jun-Yu's phone in her hands, her gaze fixed on it. Wherever Shi-Han told him to go, Jun-Yu drove in that direction.