Li Xian was taken aback, unable to understand why he would do that. Ji Xie, on the other hand, accepted the invitation without hesitation, turning the rest of the journey into a walk for three with a somewhat strange atmosphere.
As it happened, none of them were particularly talkative. Sandwiched between Lin Shiming and Ji Xie, Li Xian felt awkward whether he spoke or stayed silent. After a moment's hesitation, he chose to keep his head down and walk. It was only when a sudden announcement rang out through the Residential Community that he looked up:
"It is now two thirty in the afternoon. In light of last night's unexpected incident, the Residential Community's manager has decided to move the curfew forward to five in the afternoon. Please purchase all necessary supplies before then and return home before dark."
"Night and darkness are dangerous. Please make sure your doors and windows are closed, maintain a cheerful mood, and await the arrival of another day."
"We sincerely hope you will live to see tomorrow's sun."
Once the voice stopped, the background music gradually faded away as well. Only Li Xian and his two companions had stopped in the street, listening carefully to the announcement before resuming their walk. Every other resident remained indifferent.
Before looking away, Li Xian spotted a familiar figure among the hurried crowd.
"Wait for me a moment."
With that, he walked toward the man with the center-parted hair who had eaten Candy in the Convenience Store that morning.
Unlike the man in the cap, who had come to his senses and regained his fear as soon as he was brought to the white building's entrance, this player still wore a radiant smile that seemed entirely genuine. He fit in almost perfectly with the other residents. Had Li