One year later, Shajing Province.
The summer day blazed with its fiery ardor. The incessant chorus of cicadas weaved through the humid air, blending with the distant laughter of children at play and the hushed chatters of passersby. Under the sweltering embrace of the scorching heat, droplets of sweat trickled down Ye Qiu's neck and drenched the back of her shirt, relentless despite how many times she wiped them away.
The plastic bags in her hand crinkled with every step she took as she maneuvered her way through the complicated alleys with familiarity, avoiding all the CCTVs along the street with graceful reflex.
Soon after, she arrived at a duplex house nestled within the tapestry of flourishing greenery. After looking left and right and making sure that nobody was around, she pressed her face close to the door where the iris scanner was. In the next second, the door opened with a soft click and she entered, calling out, "Everyone, snack is here!"
