48 Hours a Day

Chapter 662 Milktea is Soulless Without Pearls

The nearest bus stop at 102nd-Street was located about 700 meters away from the school’s east wing. There was an old commercial street called Shanghai Market, but it had nothing to do with Shanghai, just like the standardized Qilihe across the country.

Multitudes flocked to the Shanghai Market on Friday, and Zhang Heng chose to meet here because the crowd allowed him to avoid being recognized by someone he knew.

Since he was first to arrive at the rendezvous point, he bought three cups of milk tea at the shop next to him. “Are you on a date today?” A voice came from behind him.

“Can you guys just give me a break?” Zhang Heng took the receipt and sighed.

Zhang Heng knew who was standing behind him. Like the staircase incident, the college student had been waiting for him outside the school and followed him once Zhang Heng left. Since he did not take the initiative to speak, Zhang Heng had no intention to talk to him.

Who would be the one to break the silence first?

“One original milk tea, less sugar, no ice, thank you.” The college student took out his mobile phone, scanned the QR code with a smile, and paused, “This is how it works. To make sure the social system functions normally, some have to work harder than other people.”

“That is the truth.”

“Not to mention that we are in trouble now.”

“What’s the trouble? Humor me.” Zhang Heng moved aside, giving way to a young couple.

The college student followed Zhang Heng to the side, too, as they waited for their milk tea to be made.

“I thought we reached a consensus at the staircase that night? We should mind our own business. It isn’t right for us to stick our nose into each other’s business,” the college student said. “Isn’t peace something you humans always promote?”

“What then? If I do that, I’ll be giving you time to come up with something to screw me up,” replied Zhang Heng.

“That depends on your attitude.” The college student’s tone was ambiguous.

Zhang Heng glared at the college student. “Where is the original owner of this body? Did he not behave well enough? What happened to him? Did you kill him? Imprison him, or try to control his mind?”

Yet again, the college student flashed his signature smile. “He has a good attitude, but unfortunately, he wasn’t honest. He should have been glad that we treated him as a mental patient. After all, life is so stressful these days. Everyone complains that their work is tough and challenging. A lot of people wish that they could stay at home and play video games every day. He should have been contented with a life like that. Why did he have to go to the river, alone at night, and take something that did not belong to him? In the end, we had to retrieve it.”

After Zhang Heng heard what the college student said, he glared at him. About three seconds later, the young lady at the milk tea shop said, “No. 147, who is No. 147? Your three cups of milk tea are ready!”

Zhang Heng handed over the number ticket, took the milk tea, then looked toward the college student again. “Let me guess. The reason you guys killed the three kids was to find something? And you haven’t found it yet?”

The college student’s expression changed slightly.

“Don’t be too surprised that I know what’s going on right now. If you have already gotten the thing, you won’t be watching and following me all the time. Look at you. You are now working overtime.” Zhang Heng said, “Before you try to pull a fast one on me the next time, it’d be better if you spend more time composing a more believable story.”

The college student put away the smile on his face and said, “What happened at the parking lot earlier is a warning to you. If you don’t stop coming after us, it won’t be that simple the next time.”

“You’d better make sure you come up with something interesting to deal with me. Otherwise, it will be a boring game for me,” smirked Zhang Heng. He glanced at the milk tea shop and reminded the creature, “Your milk tea is ready. Let me give you a piece of advice for free as well. Well, if you want to pretend to be a human, you should learn a little bit more about our culture. Milk tea without pearls is just wrong.”

After that, Zhang Heng walked toward the bus station at 102nd-Street. Bai Qing and Chi Jia had just arrived, and they were looking for him in the crowd. Immediately, Zhang Heng waved to them, walked over, and handed them the milk tea he just bought.

The college student did not follow Zhang Heng again after that. He stayed at the milk tea shop, took his cup, inserted a straw into it, and took two sips from it. He then frowned and said to the lady in the milk tea shop, “Give me some pearls.”

“Ah, sorry, sir. I can’t add the pearls to a cup that’s sealed.”

“That’s very sweet of you,” Chi Jia said, “but I remember that you can’t bring drinks to the concert.”

“You are supposed to finish it before the concert starts. We still have an hour and a half left,” Zhang Heng said.

“Well, guess I’ll be having it now.” Chi Jia picked the strawberry milk tea.

Zhang Heng then handed the chocolate-flavored one to Bai Qing. He had bought milk tea for Bai Qing before, so he knew what flavor she fancied. At the same time, he received a message from Qin Zhen on WeChat.

“My friend is here as well. Let’s go there now. We can get something to eat if we arrive there early.”

“Okay.” Chi Jia and Zhang Heng were not familiar with each other. She was a very outgoing and active girl, never afraid to bring up a conversation with a stranger. And she could also speak eloquently when participating in a recitation contest with all the people looking at her below. On the contrary, Bai Qing, who sat next to Zhang Heng in the classroom, would usually talk to Zhang Heng from time to time. Tonight, though, she seemed a little quiet.

In order to save time, the three of them decided to walk a little further to get a taxi.

He glanced at the milk tea shop again and found that the college student was still standing there. He seemed to have paid for another cup of milk tea with pearls in it.

Chi Jia followed his gaze and asked, “Is there anyone you know over there?”

Bai Qing became nervous when she heard the question.

“No, I saw someone that looked like my former neighbor.”

As Zhang Heng opened the door and entered the passenger seat, he told the driver, “Please bring us to the old stadium.”

“Okay.” The taxi driver started the meter and changed gears skillfully while stepping on the pedal.

As the car accelerated, the college student and the milk tea shop gradually faded away in the rearview mirror.

Tonight, traffic was in gridlock outside the old stadium. There were cars everywhere, as well as buses that were impatiently honking away. Zhang Heng, Chi Jia, and Bai Qing had to get off the taxi 200 meters away from the old stadium and walk to their destination.

Along the way, they came across tons of GEM’s fans who were eager to watch the concert. At the same time, ticket resellers asked if the three had bought any tickets. Some of the more business-savvy vendors had quickly set up shop around the stadium, selling GEM’s merchandise.

People flooded the plaza outside the stadium.

Since Qin Zhen arrived first, he took the initiative to line up and buy glow sticks. After that, he went to the Burger King next to him to buy his dinner. People were lining all the way outside the restaurant. He would have to wait at least forty minutes to get his meal. And he could only order whatever that was left in the restaurant.