After finishing those noodles, I had asked around the area about how everything was being funded.
There was only one answer: a good fellow, a lovely fellow, or a great kiddo.
How the hell am I supposed to go off of that?
The clues ended there.
No macarons in sight.
Wei didn't go into any of the houses, and only stood around the edge of the street.
During the hours it took me to get there, something must've happened that I missed.
He definitely met with a person... right?
I marked the area on my map and decided to head home for the day.
This festival was going to be up for the next couple of weeks, so I had time.
I just needed to be faster next time.
Meeting Wei's siblings was enough information for me, and night was approaching soon anyway.
You'd think after all that running around, I would build some endurance, but no, the way back was just as hard.
The food in my stomach hadn't even been properly digested yet, making the run even worse than before.
Finally, through many trials and tribulations, I arrived at the shopping center where Wei and I had been in the morning.
"... Hahh.... finally...! I'm... almost... there..."
I could feel people staring at me, but I didn't care.
All the shops surrounding the area were getting ready to close.
Lights were going out as people began to head home.
Checking the map, there was a shortcut I could take.
It was an alleyway that cut through a major street, leading me to another street that was closer to Grandma Guanhuai's house.
I quickly made my way through the small alleyway.
The cold breeze brushed against my hair, tickling my forehead.
While it did feel good, it was also quite ominous...
... After all, how many times have I gotten jumped here at night? Way too many times, that's what.
My spine shuddered at the thought, making me quicken my pace.
Before I knew it, I was out of the cramped alleyway and was out on the main roads once again.
A familiar set of stores appeared before me.
... Wait a second... wasn't this the place where Wei first tried to rob me?
Honestly, it had felt like such a distant memory despite it happening just weeks ago...
Geez, I can't believe I couldn't recognize the road's name; I seriously need a break.
But... if this is the place Wei was chasing me at, then...
I turned around, expecting an empty building with rusted bolts on the walls... but it wasn't there.
The closed skewer shop had been replaced.
New lights decorated the walls, with posters and a new sign hanging out in front.
The store wasn't closed yet, with the lights inside the store just barely illuminating the store sign, allowing me to read out the name of a dessert shop.
I'm not sure why I was so surprised.
It's been weeks; of course it was going to get replaced at some point.
"... huh... It's a dessert shop now."
I walked over to the store and went inside.
The second I opened the door, a door chime rang out, making a delicate dinging noise.
Looking around, the interior was about the same, but just more dessert-themed.
The place was practically empty, just like my first visit.
My eyes wandered over to the front desk.
A young lady was bent over, seemingly rummaging through some inventory.
Her back was turned towards me.
Brown hair that was neatly tied back. That's what caught my eye.
It felt like a stone was being pressed over my heart; breathing became harder, my mind almost nauseous.
It was like something came over me; I could barely get the words out of my mouth.
"... Hey... are you-"
Suddenly, she shot up, flustered.
"Ah, sorry! I didn't know you were here. What would you like to order?"
"..."
"Sir?"
"... Oh, no, that's... okay. I'm... just looking."
... It wasn't her.
I had seen wrong, like the moron that I was.
How could I have mistaken her for someone else?
I tried to control my expression, yet my eyebrows furrowed anyway.
"Um, sir, are you alright?"
"... Do you know anything about the previous owner of this establishment? Or maybe even a worker? I'm looking for a young girl with brown hair."
More words came spilling out of my mouth, but I stopped after looking at the girl's face.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but I have no idea about the previous owner."
"... No, that's okay. I'll leave now. Have a good night."
Wei and Grandma Guanhuai are probably both home already; I should pick up my pace.
***
The walk back was a blur.
Before I knew it, I was standing right at Grandma Guanhuai's front steps.
I placed the key into the keyhole, but before I could swing the door open myself, some force from the inside opened the door for me.
"Yer late for dinner!"
"... I am? Right, my bad, I was a little busy..."
"Didn't I tell ya te take the day off? Let me see ya, get over here!"
She pulled me over by the arm as I stumbled into the house.
A familiar set of glasses sat on her face.
They were silver, with a touch of oldness on them, pretty tacky if you asked me, but why do I feel like I've seen them before?
... Hmm.....
... Wait a second, I know where those glasses are from-!
I can't let her see my current Li-Liang status right now; she'll actually kill me!
I made a lunge for her glasses, yet somehow, her old age didn't translate to her movements... honestly, I should've seen that one coming.
Unable to balance myself after the lunge, I ended up crashing into the ground, palms out like an idiot.
She swiftly dodged and clicked her tongue, probably done with inspecting me.
"..."
"Um... Grandma Guanhuai...?"
"..."
I'm so screwed, aren't I?
"Seriously, I didn't mean to. I mean, I guess I had too much fun out with Wei today!"
"ALL THAT REST FOR YA TE JUST THROW IT ALL AWAY, EH? ALL THOSE POTIONS AND REST DAYS YA BRAT-!"
Her voice shook the entire house, and I instinctively threw my hands over my ears.
"WHERE THE HELL DID ALL YER LI-LIANG GO? IT AIN'T JUST GONNA FLY AWAY-!"
"I don't know!"
"AND WHERE'S THAT OTHER BRAT? YA SAID YOU WERE OUT WITH HIM, DIDN'T YA?"
"... Other brat? You mean Wei? I thought he got here before me...?"
I looked around the room and realized that Wei really was missing.
... What? Then where the hell did Wei go?
I wanted to reach for the Stingray in my pocket, but I couldn't let Grandma Guanhuai know I had something like that.
"The hell are ya looking around for? It's damn obvious that brat ain't here! Ya two trying ta skip dinner or what?"
"Nope, actually, speaking of dinner, I'm so hungry. What's for dinner?"
"Potatoes and..."
"... Um... what's for dinner...?"
"DID YA JUST TRY TE CHANGE THE SUBJECT?"
... Well, it was worth a try...
Her head snapped back at me as I could feel her saliva dot my face.
Of course, I refrained from saying what I actually thought.
That was how my night ended.