The three men supported the gaunt man as they headed toward the Mist Shop. Although it was not far, they moved with extreme caution, as though afraid of drawing unwanted attention. The captain covered the man's mouth to prevent him from crying for help, while the other two gripped his arms firmly on either side and obscured his head, trying to make it look as though they were merely helping a drunk.
Pedestrians passed in twos and threes, some casting puzzled glances their way.
"Honestly, we finally get a chance to go out, and you get this drunk!" the captain deliberately complained loudly as he supported the man, his expression one of exaggerated exasperation and dismay.
Hearing this, the passersby who had been curious stopped looking. They exchanged a few quiet words, then turned and left. A few still looked doubtful, but after seeing the three plainclothes officers' sturdy builds, they chose not to investigate further and silently walked away.
Under this cover, the three successfully brought the struggling man into the Mist Shop. Whether any suspicious passersby would report them to the Relevant Authorities was no longer their concern. After all, they belonged to the same organization, so even if someone did report them, it would not cause much trouble.
Su Bai quietly brought up the rear, picking up the cup of fruit tea left outside the shop before unhurriedly closing the door. The instant it shut, the Mist Shop seemed completely sealed off from the outside, and the noise beyond could no longer penetrate.
Normally, once someone entered the Mist Shop, time would stop passing. Even if they stayed for a year, only a second would pass outside. But now, as the shopkeeper, Su Bai had the authority to control the flow of time, and he had synchronized