When the clock chimed, Xu Huo immediately looked at the decibel meter in the corner. 72.
"Don't worry. The Aliens won't show up." Wu Qiuyi laughed at how tense he looked. "Every few hours, a clock somewhere in town chimes. The sound usually exceeds 60 decibels, but it never attracts the Aliens."
They walked out onto the street. Sure enough, everything outside was peaceful.
Wu Qiuyi stepped onto the tracks. "Let's catch up to the bus first. These tracks lead to the town's East Gate, and it'll take until at least tomorrow for it to come back. If you don't want to spend the night here, we'd better hurry."
After walking along the tracks for a few steps, Xu Huo suddenly turned around, picked up a Doll from the ground, and hurled it at the Bell above the Clock Shop door.
The Doll's wailing and the Bell rang out at the same time. The noise definitely exceeded 60 decibels.
"Are you crazy?!" Wu Qiuyi lowered her voice as much as she could and grabbed Xu Huo by the shoulder. "Are you trying to get me killed?!"
Xu Huo pulled her hand away. "Calm down. The Aliens haven't appeared."
Wu Qiuyi froze. They were standing in the open street, with a clear view all around. They would have seen the Aliens coming from any direction, but none had appeared.
Xu Huo stepped over the toys scattered across the ground and walked back. Wu Qiuyi looked bewildered, but after a moment's hesitation, she followed him.
Back inside the Clock Shop, Xu Huo went to the clock that had chimed earlier and raised his voice. "I'd like to answer the riddle."
"Pleasant puzzle-solving time, pleasant Puzzle Solver, pleasant clock inspection. Please give your answer."
"Please repeat the question."
"Today's question is: How many