After returning to school, I didn’t think much about what had happened. I just kept doing my thing—playing games, eating, and living carefree. Life didn’t seem all that complicated. But then, the weekend came around, and a week later, Li Shanshan gave me a call.

“Hey, Chen Hui? Are you free today? Let’s go to the zoo.”

Her voice sounded bright and cheerful, and I couldn’t help but grin. When a pretty girl invites you out, how can you possibly say no? I replied, “Sure, I’m in.”

“Great! Let’s meet at the zoo entrance at noon. Don’t flake on me!” She hung up before I could say anything else.

By the time I checked the clock, it was already 10 a.m. My buddy Brother Xiang and the others had gone out to an internet café. I threw on a black T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans before heading out.

After over an hour-long bus ride, I reached the zoo entrance around 11:30. Being a holiday, the place was packed with people. With nothing better to do, I squatted near the gate and waited.

Time dragged on. By 12:10, I was still waiting, and there was no sign of Li Shanshan anywhere. I scanned the crowd. Could it be? Did she stand me up?

Suddenly, two hands covered my eyes from behind, and a sweet fragrance wafted through the air.

“Guess who?” came a playful voice from behind me.

“Is it Li Shanshan the Heroine?” I chuckled.

With a bounce, Li Shanshan jumped in front of me. “Ding-ding-ding! Correct!” she said with a grin.

When I saw her, I realized why I didn’t recognize her at first glance. She looked like a completely different person! Li Shanshan was wearing a black T-shirt too, with a cute Ahri the Nine-tail Fox from League of Legends design on it, paired with dark blue jeans that showed off her legs.

She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but compared to her pale face from a few days ago, it was like she had swapped faces.

“Surprised by how gorgeous I look?” she teased, grinning from ear to ear.

“Definitely wasn’t expecting that,” I laughed. “But what’s the deal? You were all broody a few days ago, and now you’re in such a good mood. Did you get back together with your boyfriend?”

Li Shanshan didn’t even flinch as she grabbed my hand and started leading me into the zoo. “Of course not! A lady’s word is her bond. When I say it’s over, it’s over. Though, he’s trying to win me back. Why? Want to take your shot at me while you’ve got the chance? Maybe if I’m feeling generous, I’ll say yes!”

“Yeah, right. Your dad would kill me,” I shot back, knowing she was just joking.

Both of us were dressed in black shirts and jeans, and with her holding my hand, we probably looked like a couple from a distance.

The little rascal dragged me all around the zoo. Honestly, walking around with a pretty girl feels great. No other way to describe it—it’s just awesome.

I couldn’t help but notice the envious and jealous looks from the other guys around us. Even though I knew Li Shanshan wasn’t my girlfriend, my little ego felt totally satisfied.

She had me walking for three straight hours. My legs felt like jelly by the time she finally decided we should take a break at a bubble tea shop.

“You’re so weak!” Li Shanshan teased, giving me a disapproving look.

I rubbed my thighs and shook my head, baffled at how she wasn’t tired after all that walking. Maybe it was her good mood giving her all that energy.

As I sipped my bubble tea, I glanced around. The shop was nearly empty. I decided to ask, “Li Shanshan, what’s the deal with you and that Ye Yu? Spill it.”

“That blockhead?” she said, shaking her head. “He’s not a bad person, though.” And with that, she began to explain.

Turns out, the story wasn’t all that complicated. Ye Yu’s dad was a wealthy businessman who had been friends with Li Shanshan’s father since forever. They practically grew up together, so it was only natural for their parents to want them to be a couple.

With the whole boy likes girl, girl likes boy setup, and their families being a perfect match, it seemed like the ideal romance everyone envied.

Things took a turn, though. Li Shanshan’s dad wanted to send her abroad for a few years to study, turning her into a proper “sea turtle” (a Chinese term for overseas returnees). Ye Yu, despite being young, was already working in his dad’s company and couldn’t go with her. Li Shanshan wasn’t having it. She threw a tantrum and ran away from home.

Her extremity even surprised me. Ye Yu tried to talk her out of it several times, but she held a grudge because he refused to go abroad with her. That’s when that scene in the internet café happened.

I shook my head. “That’s kind of unreasonable. Your dad and even Ye Yu were just looking out for you. You’re overreacting.”

“Pfft. My life, my rules. I’m not letting anyone dictate my choices. Life’s way too boring if you just follow your parents’ plans all the time.” She huffed and then smiled smugly. “And look at me now! I’ve won the battle. They let me stay and study at the Foreign Language Academy.”

“By the way, stick around and help me shop later. I need a pack mule!” She burst into an unrestrained laugh.

I nodded, amused by her liveliness. But then, I got this sudden bad feeling. Could there be ghosts nearby? I glanced around but didn’t see any ominous signs.

“Li Shanshan, you should head home. I just remembered something urgent.” I stood up abruptly, not waiting for her reaction, and bolted outside.

Once out, I scanned my surroundings. There were only animals around—no way ghosts would be here. Then, I felt a vibration in my pocket. Looking down, I saw it was the jade pendant with Menma’s seal.

I’d completely forgotten about Menma! I hadn’t burned incense for her in ages. Could she be angry?

I ducked into a quiet corner and whispered to the pendant, “Menma, what’s wrong?”

“That person who killed me is nearby. Catch him, quickly!” Her icy voice sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced around and said, “With all these people in the zoo, how am I supposed to know who it is?”

“I don’t know. I just feel the urge for revenge when he’s close. Let me out so I can find him myself.”

“No way. Think harder. Any distinguishing features?” I quickly shook my head. The sun was blazing today. Even a vengeful ghost like her would evaporate under this heat. Plus, if she went on a rampage, it’d be chaos.

“He has a snake tattoo under his left ear. I remember seeing it when he was teaching us,” she said.

I frowned. Another snake tattoo? Could he be connected to the person who harmed Menma?

Before I could investigate further, someone screamed from the direction of the bubble tea shop.

“KIDNAPPING! Someone’s been kidnapped!”

I turned and saw three masked men carrying Li Shanshan, her upper body stuffed into a burlap sack.

Damn it. Just when I was trying to help Menma, kidnappers had to show up. Screw it—Li Shanshan’s alive. I can deal with Menma’s revenge later. If something happens to Li Shanshan, it’s game over.

I bolted after them. People were yelling for the men to stop and put the girl down, but nobody actually stepped up to stop them. If just one person had blocked their way, I might’ve been able to catch up. But everyone stayed back.

By the time we reached the zoo gate, even the guards were pretending not to see anything. I was only five meters behind them, but those men were ridiculously fast, even carrying someone. I was already exhausted from walking earlier. As I reached the gate, they jumped into a van and sped off.

“Call the police! Now!” I yelled at a nearby woman before frantically dialing Brother Xiang.

“Brother Xiang, Li Shanshan’s been kidnapped! Quickly, figure out where she’s being taken!” I shouted into the phone.

“What? Damn it! How the hell am I supposed to do that without her birthdate? Are you at the zoo? Stay there—we’re coming!” he barked back.