Maybe because the other person was acting too weird, Hu Ming headed into the alley.

He hadn’t gone far before he saw women lined along the alley walls, caked in makeup and wearing skimpy outfits.

Some wore student uniforms. Some had backless gowns and high heels. A few smoked and joked with each other.

As Hu Ming passed, one stepped up to make a sale. He raised a hand and stopped her.

“No need.”

At those words, not just her, the others beside her let out a sigh and stepped back to their spots.

Hu Ming kept walking in. Finally, he reached the end of the alley.

A shabby little shop glowed with light. It didn’t even have a sign.

Hard to imagine what business it did.

There was a fresh footprint at the door, like someone had just stepped there.

Hu Ming walked inside.

The moment he crossed the threshold, the sight stunned him.

Shelves filled the place. On the shelves sat figurines, merch, and books of all kinds.

The boxes looked spotless, like someone had carefully arranged them.

Looking at it all, a line from the internet popped into his head—“a place only true otaku can find.”

Stuff here was cheaper than the specialty stores outside. The selection was even broader.

You could even dig up items that had been discontinued.

For people who truly loved anime, this place wasn’t just a blessing. It was heaven.

It made sense the shop was hidden in a place like this. No wonder few found it.

The street girls outside alone would scare off a lot of folks.

Hu Ming scanned the room. Suddenly, he locked onto someone in black standing in the corner.

She held a paper bag. Then she turned and headed straight for the door.

It was like she didn’t see him and walked right into him.

“Ah!”

A muffled grunt slipped out. Hu Ming instantly caught the voice.

She was a girl.

She stumbled back two steps. Clearly, she hadn’t expected anyone at the door.

She apologized as she lifted her head and looked at him.

Hu Ming caught a hint of panic in her eyes.

She clutched the paper bag tight and kept her gaze fixed on him.

“S-sorry.”

Hu Ming’s eyes stayed flat as he met her gaze.

Something felt off.

If she was just here to buy things, why this nervous? And what was with the outfit? Wrapped head to toe in black—what was she trying to do?

Suddenly, a thought hit him. His face showed a flash of realization.

He raised his brows, about to speak—when the girl reacted like she’d seen a ghost and slapped a hand over his mouth.

She put her other index finger to her own lips and lowered her voice.

“Shh! Don’t make a sound. Let’s talk outside!”

She looked like a thief. But the owner looked relaxed, and Hu Ming dropped that idea.

It was just the two of them in the shop. She was already at the door. If she hadn’t paid, the owner would’ve called her back.

The girl tugged him outside, then nervously glanced behind them. After confirming no one was there, she finally let out a breath.

She wore sunglasses and a mask over her mouth. With the black clothes, she was black from head to toe.

It only made her pale skin stand out more.

Hu Ming could even catch a faint, clean scent from her.

She took off her glasses and looked at him seriously.

“So, you want a signature? Where should I sign? On your clothes?”

Staring at her, Hu Ming froze for a second. A thought flashed by—was this girl not all there?

Seeing him not react, her eyes showed a troubled look under the mask.

She’d snuck out. If she went back late, she’d get lectured.

She got anxious, even stomped a little.

“Hurry up! You recognized me, right? Don’t just space out!”

Hearing that, Hu Ming realized she might be someone special.

But he really didn’t know her.

“Uh, sorry. Who are you?”

He sounded a bit helpless. He sighed at her, watching her go from anxious to surprised.

She honestly hadn’t expected it. It was all her own overthinking.

“When you opened your mouth just now, wasn’t it because you recognized me?”

“I just wanted to say sorry for bumping into you. And I’m not that interested in who you are.”

Hu Ming waved a hand. He wasn’t in the mood to chat nonsense.

He stepped out, planning to leave the alley and head home. But she moved first, blocking his way.

“You really didn’t recognize me? You’re not gonna post online that I came here, are you?!”

“My god. I feel like I ran into a ghost. If you’re that narcissistic, just look in a mirror and you’ll be fine.” Hu Ming sighed, helpless. She didn’t seem convinced.

She pulled off her mask and revealed her face.

In that instant, Hu Ming was stunned.

Under the mask were clear, bright eyes, arched brows, long lashes trembling slightly, flawless pale skin with a soft blush, and lips like rose petals.

Even among the goddess-tier stars in showbiz, she’d rank high.

Seeing his dazed look, the girl’s mouth curled into a smug smile.

She planted her hands on her hips. Her brows all but jumped to her hairline.

“Hehe. Now you know who I am, right? I can give you an autograph!”

“...Uh.” Hu Ming blinked and tilted his head a little. “Sorry. You’re really beautiful, but I still don’t know who you are.”

The words dropped, and both of them fell silent.

They stared at each other, like time had stalled.

Xia Xiaoxi was about to lose it. The guy in front of her was driving her crazy.

He looked like a high schooler. And she was super popular among high schoolers. Yet he didn’t even know her name, and acted like he wanted to avoid her.

For the first time, she felt like she’d failed as an idol.

The paper bag almost slipped from her hands. Inside were her favorite pieces of merch—stuff she’d spent ages hunting down, digging up addresses from various groups.

But now, none of it felt important.

Right now, she just wanted to find a hole and bury herself.