When they arrived at the address, Han Muzi got out of the car with Yan. The cab driver couldn’t help but advise them, “Are you really going in? Aren’t the two of you afraid? Why don’t you forget about entering that area? I’ll drive you back for free!”
Upon hearing that, Han Muzi glanced at the cab driver gratefully while answering, “Thank you, sir. But honestly, we are here to look for someone. It’s something urgent, and so we really have to go in.”
“Well, fine. In that case, you two be careful, please.”
“Thank you, sir. Have a safe drive!” Yan thanked the driver loudly while waving at him.
After that, Yan was about to enter the area when Han Muzi stopped her.
“What is it?”
Han Muzi started taking off her jacket at the side of the street.
Yan stared at her wide-eyed while asking her in shock, “M-Muzi, what are you doing?”
Han Muzi took her jacket off while signaling Yan to do the same. After that, Han Muzi crumpled the clothes she had on her.
“W-What are we doing?”
“This is a demolition area; how do you think they’ll treat us if we are dressed up like this?” Han Muzi asked while looking at Yan’s handbag. “Do you have some make-up remover with you?”
Yan nodded blankly. “Y-Yes, I do.”
“Give it to me.”
Yan immediately handed over a bottle of make-up remover, and then Han Muzi started removing her make-up straight away. The corners of Yan’s lips started twitching when she saw that, and she commented, “You really are going all out; you just went ahead and removed your make-up.”
Han Muzi had some light make-up on, and so it was not difficult having them removed. The two of them were bare-faced once they were done removing their make-up.
“I think this should do it. Let’s go.”
Hence, the two of them entered the area.
For a demolition area to exist for such a long time could only mean that the people within the area were tough. Hence, the two of them had to be extra careful once they got in there.
However, there was a downside to this area—it was difficult to locate the address.
Once Han Muzi and Yan entered the area, the two of them were still giving off a completely different vibe from the local people despite having their make-up removed. Thus, they attracted a lot of attention.
“Their gazes are so scary… We should be fine, right?” Yan felt goosebumps all over her body under everyone’s scrutiny. She tugged against Han Muzi’s sleeve instinctively.
“They are just looking at you; they can’t very well eat you up. Don’t be afraid.”
Compared to Yan, Han Muzi was much calmer, and she opened the folder to check the data. “There isn’t a house number as indicated on his address. I think we have to ask around where he lives.”
Yan’s eyes bulged in shock when she heard that.
“P-Pardon me? Are you suggesting we ask these people for directions? I know stares can’t swallow you up, but I have a feeling that we will be eaten up alive the moment we approach them.”
While Yan was still trembling in fear, Han Muzi had already made her way to a hunched-back old woman who was standing at the side of the street. Yan snapped back to reality and followed behind Han Muzi hastily.
Han Muzi flashed a kind smile at the old woman as she spoke with a gentle and friendly tone, “Good day to you. I’m wondering if you know Lin Zheng.”
From the beginning, the old woman was already shooting her cautious looks, but she immediately took a step back at the mention of ‘Lin Zheng’. She then shook her head hastily while answering her, “I don’t know him, I don’t know him. Stop asking me.”
Han Muzi was rendered speechless by her response.
Yan whispered softly in Han Muzi’s ear, “She obviously knows him.”
Upon hearing that, Han Muzi remained calm while smiling at the old woman. “Granny, please don’t be mistaken because we have no ill intentions. We are Lin Zheng’s colleagues, and we heard he had some problems with his family. Everyone at work is worried about him, and that is why my friend and I are representing the office to check on him.”
Upon hearing that Han Muzi said she was Lin Zheng’s colleague, the old woman let her guard down significantly. She gave Han Muzi and Yan a once-over before thinking to herself, These two look innocent and harmless enough. They shouldn’t be the kind of people who would harm others, I guess.
Hence, the old woman asked after drawing that conclusion, “Are you two really Lin Zheng’s colleagues?”
“Mm-hmm, it’s true. That is why we are rather worried for him.”
“Well… I’ll lead you to him, then.”
“Thank you.” Han Muzi thanked her and flashed her a grateful smile.
However, at that moment, a little boy barged out of the house suddenly while crying aloud, “Granny, don’t be fooled by those two. They aren’t Lin Zheng’s colleagues; they are just here to harm Lin Zheng.”
The old woman’s expression soured immediately when she heard that before she asked in fear, “Is that true?”
Han Muzi and Yan’s expressions changed drastically.
That young boy rushed over and blocked right in front of the old woman while shouting loudly, “Someone, help! These people are coming after Lin Zheng again! And they are even trying to bully Granny!”
The little boy’s voice was very loud, and it immediately attracted the attention of everyone around them.
The power of their unity was the reason they managed to persist and stay put without allowing the area to be demolished. People came rushing to them after the young boy’s screams.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you two youngsters ashamed of yourselves for bullying an old woman?”
“Are you looking for Lin Zheng? He no longer lives here. It’s best that you leave now; otherwise, you shouldn’t blame us if things get ugly.”
“You two look decent, but why are you serving those people? Do you enjoy being a lackey?”
Han Muzi realized that although the crowd in front of her was dressed modestly, they were unexpectedly harsh and hurtful with their words.
Han Muzi’s expression soured, but she didn’t try to explain herself.
On the other hand, Yan lost her cool when she heard them. She retorted loudly, “What are all of you implying? We aren’t bad people, and we weren’t bullying this old woman.”
“Nonsense!” the little boy charged to her front before shouting at the top of his voice. “I heard you scolding my granny just now!”
He sounded rude and fierce. Suddenly, he reached out and shoved Han Muzi away.
“Eh, Muzi!”
“Ah!”
Someone in the crowd cried out in surprise.
Han Muzi did not expect a little boy to be so strong, nor did she expect him to shove against her out of the blue. Hence, with her teetering on high heels, she lost her balance and fell backward onto the ground.
Due to the area they were at, there were wood chips and broken glass pieces all around them. Hence, Han Muzi’s hands pressed on some broken wood chips and glass pieces by accident, and she started bleeding immediately.
“You’re bleeding!” Yan’s eyes opened wide in shock when she saw that. She then crouched down hastily to help Han Muzi up while asking her, “Muzi, are you alright?”
The crowd exchanged sheepish looks when they saw what happened.
Yan was furious, and she bit her lower lip while scanning the crowd. “You have all gone overboard. I know that this is an eviction area, but it’s rather unreasonable for you to start beating people up with no good reason! Muzi, let me help you up. Let’s go to the hospital.”
Han Muzi stood up slowly with Yan’s help. Her palms were throbbing in pain, and her bottom stung as well.
“I’m fine,” Han Muzi replied while bearing the pain as she glanced at the crowd. “Everyone, we are honestly Lin Zheng’s colleagues, and we have no ill intentions at all. If you don’t believe me, we shall leave right now,” she explained.
“Hang on; you two are here looking for Lin Zheng, right? I’ll lead you there.” A young woman came forward suddenly.
