Everyone looked around. Before them stood a cluster of low-rise residential buildings in the city center. Because demolition compensation was so expensive, the government had kept this aging neighborhood outside the redevelopment zone. Its lanes were narrow, its houses low, and each had a small courtyard, making it difficult to search.
"Split up and search nearby," Lin Hanzhi said.
They were barely a hundred meters away. If Bai Yu was unlucky, they were close enough to run straight into her.
Mu Xingchen paired up with Qi Gu, while the others went alone, searching in four different directions.
Qi Gu walked down a path reasonably well lit by streetlights. Following behind him, Mu Xingchen whispered, "Shifu, do you think we can catch Bai Yu today?"
"After Bai Yu played Teacher Fang like that, do you think he'll be scared of marriage from now on?"
"And Ma Shu was such a poor girl, too..."
Qi Gu was used to Mu Xingchen's chatter. All he had to do was make a vague sound, and Mu Xingchen would keep talking on his own.
They continued like this as they entered an unfamiliar alley. A trash can stood at the far end; it was a dead end. Wanting to search thoroughly, Qi Gu strode over to check whether anyone was hiding behind the trash can.
Mu Xingchen stood at the alley entrance, looking outside. Suddenly, he saw a figure in red run past.
He froze for a second, then shouted, "Shifu! Bai-Bai-Bai-Bai Yu!"
Mu Xingchen certainly lived up to his background as an idol. His voice rang out loud and clear. Not only did Qi Gu hear him, but Lin Hanzhi and the others searching nearby heard him perfectly, too. They quickly emerged from different streets and ran toward the sound.
Bai Yu's left hand