Perhaps because of the odd behavior of that person, HuMing followed them into the alley.
Not far inside, HuMing noticed a group of women lining the alley, wearing bold makeup and eye-catching outfits.
There was quite a variety of attire among the group, ranging from school uniforms to elegant backless long dresses paired with high heels. Some were even smoking and sharing a laugh.
As HuMing passed by, someone approached, attempting to conduct business. However, Hu Ming intervened and stopped her.
"No need."
Upon hearing this, both the woman who approached and the other women nearby visibly deflated and returned to their original positions.
HuMing continued walking deeper into the alley, eventually reaching the end.
There, he saw a shabby shop with lights on but no sign. It was difficult to imagine what type of business took place inside.
Right outside the door lay a fresh footprint, as if someone had just stepped there.
HuMing stepped inside the shop.
Upon entering, he was stunned by the scene that unfolded before his eyes. The shop was brimming with shelves, showcasing an array of figurines, merchandise, and books. The boxes appeared immaculately arranged, devoid of any trace of dust.
As Hu Ming surveyed his surroundings, he suddenly recalled an online discussion about "Hidden gems that only true otakus can find"!
Things bought from these places were cheaper than those in specialty stores, and the variety might even be more comprehensive. Some items now discontinued could still be found here.
For true anime fans, such a place was not only a blessing but even a paradise!
Given its location, it was no surprise that finding such a shop was quite a challenge. The presence of the prostitutes outside had already discouraged many.
HuMing scanned the surroundings and noticed the person in black clothes in the corner.
The person was holding a paper bag and turned to walk straight towards the door but didn't notice HuMing and walked right into him.
"Ah!"
The person let out a muffled exclamation, and HuMing immediately discerned her gender.
It was a girl!
She took two steps back, clearly not expecting to see anyone standing at the door. As she apologized, she looked up at HuMing.
From her gaze, HuMing saw a hint of panic.
She tightly clutched the paper bag in her arms, her eyes fixed on HuMing, not daring to look away.
"S... Sorry about that."
Hu Ming maintained a poker face as he locked eyes with her. He found her appearance rather strange.
Was it really essential to feel so anxious about a simple purchase?
Furthermore, what was the reason behind her choice of attire, which seemed to be aimed at concealing something?
Suddenly, HuMing appeared to have a realisation, his face revealing a look of sudden understanding!
He was on the verge of saying something, but the other person, with a terrified expression, quickly moved to silence HuMing by placing a hand over his mouth!
She placed her other index finger over her mouth and then whispered,
"Shh! Don't make a sound. Let's talk outside!"
Her behavior was like that of a thief, but seeing the boss's leisurely demeanor, HuMing dismissed the thought.
After all, there were only two of them in the store, and the other had already gotten to the door. If she hadn't paid, she would have been detained by now.
The girl pulled HuMing outside the shop, and after nervously looking behind her and confirming that no one was there, she sighed in relief.
She wore sunglasses and a mask, and her black outfit blended her figure in the dark surroundings.
However, this only highlighted her fair skin, and HuMing could even smell a faint fragrance on her.
She took off her glasses, looked at HuMing seriously, and said,
"Come on, you want an autograph, don't you? Where should I sign? On your clothes?"
Staring at the girl in front of him, HuMing was initially stunned, then a thought crossed his mind: Could there be something wrong with this girl's head?
The girl, even under the mask, showed distress as she saw HuMing remain motionless. She had sneaked out, and if she returned late, she might be scolded!
Thinking of this, she stamped her foot in frustration and said,
"Hurry up! I know you recognized me, so don't just stand there!"
At this point, HuMing became aware that the other person's identity might be unusual.
But he really didn't recognize her!
"Uh, sorry, who are you?"
HuMing appeared somewhat at a loss, letting out a sigh as he observed the girl's expression shift from worry to astonishment.
The girl honestly didn't expect that she had overthought the situation!
"But you opened your mouth just now, wasn't it because you recognize who I am?"
"I just wanted to apologize for bumping into you. Besides, I'm not really interested in who you are."
HuMing dismissively waved his hand, uninterested in engaging with her.
As he attempted to exit the alley and return home, his path was unexpectedly obstructed by the girl.
"Do you really not recognize me? You're not going to post online that I was here later, are you?"
"Oh my god, I feel like I've met a ghost. If you're so narcissistic, you must be able to get by just looking in the mirror every day!"
HuMing sighed helplessly, but the girl appeared to be offended by his remarks.
She took off her mask, revealing her face.
At that moment, HuMing was stunned by her appearance.
Hidden behind her mask, her eyes sparkled with clarity and brightness, her brows gracefully arched, and her long eyelashes gently quivered.
Her flawless white skin had a subtle rosy glow, and her lips resembled delicate rose petals. These features set her apart, even in the presence of other celebrities.
Seeing HuMing's surprised expression, the girl's face broke into a proud smile.
She placed her hands on her hips, her brows arched as if she wanted them to reach her hairline.
"Hehe, now you know who I am, right? I can still give you an autograph now!"
"...Um."
HuMing blinked and tilted his head slightly.
"Sorry, although you're really beautiful, I still don't know who you are."
With these words, they both fell silent.
They stared at each other as if time stood still.
Xia XiaoXi was on the verge of losing her mind; this guy was driving her insane!
It was one thing that he looked like a high school student, but more importantly, she was pretty famous among high school students. Yet this guy not only didn't know her name but also seemed to want to avoid her!
For the first time, she felt like her role as an idol was a complete failure!
The paper bag in her hand was almost slipping, containing her favorite merchandise, which she had painstakingly tracked down from various groups.
But now, she felt that nothing mattered anymore.
Because she now felt so awkward that she wanted to find a hole to bury herself!