Following the address Amelia had provided, the five of them walked through several straight, slightly deserted streets before finally arriving at an ordinary-looking residential apartment. The area was mostly populated by families with students, and every now and then, they could see teenagers leaving school together—some clutching holographic textbooks, others lost in the virtual music world through their headphones.
The apartment's exterior was a bit worn, carrying the aura of everyday life, nothing particularly noteworthy. Yet, knowing that their next interaction would be with a seventeen-year-old high school girl, each of them quietly set aside a hint of seriousness, adopting a softer, more approachable demeanor.
"I think I should ring the doorbell," Lan Qihan said, pushing her glasses up. Her tone was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. As the only woman in the group, she naturally took on the role of the vanguard.
