Looking For The Girl

What went through a woman's mind?Hua Zhao had no clue, but he still had to figure that out—or at least enough knowledge to know where she was currently at right now. Though why did he even bother? He sighed as he leaned in the alley closeby the apartment. If the two people had inadvertently met in one place… what was the worst thing that could happen to Chan Lee? "If they found out—" He brushed the thought away before pinching the bridge of his nose. Hitting his head against the brick wall. He didn't want to think about it...Dealing with that fox spirit was one thing but it was more dangerous dealing with people. If they knew what was at stake, surely the man wouldn't be against using brutal methods. "Be it hanging, decapitation, shooting, boiling, drowning, electrocution, burning, buried alive, poisoning, dismemberment—"He smacked a hand against his face, he didn't even want to know why those came to mind. Hua Zhao placed his attention elsewhere. Where would she work? Did she tell anybody else? Perhaps she told one of her friends. He dug his hands into his pocket and pulled out his phone and dialled a number, he kept his gaze out—seeing a familiar figure leave the apartment.Was he really going to go out alone?What did he hope to accomplish by going out? Xue had less of a lead than he did right now. He should probably stop—Somebody picked up their phone and placed it in between their shoulder and head. "Yo, it's your favorite boy, Bo Ling! What's up Hua Zhao? Did something happen?" He heard another groan behind him. "Somebody is still resting.""How can you stay in bed all day, Wang Liquin? The sun is shining and the birds are singing." Bo Ling glanced over at their roommate still slumped over their bed. Seriously this guy was always down for the past year. He had been so chipper during their first year. "Oh, I wasn't talking to you Zhao. What happened?"Hua Zhao relayed the information over to him while he tried to look for his pair of sneakers. "She wasn't home?" He found the shoes underneath his bed and bit back a curse as he reached for it. "That sucks to hear… And you want me to go find her? I'm not the greatest detective in the world to hunt her down, dude." He rolled his eyes, standing up as he dug for some socks in his cabinet.If this guy didn't actually date Chan Lee or whatever, then this effort would all go down the drain for him. His friend was giving him creepy vibes now, looking for where the girl worked? That made him the guy who did the dirty work for his friend."I'll ask around." He snorted as he began to wear his sneakers. "Seriously, all the things I do for you, Hua Zhao.""So noisy." A thud was heard behind him, probably the guy burying his head in his pillows and hitting the wall instead.Bo Ling shook his head and held his phone. "I gotta go, I still need to head over to my tai chi session. And yes, it helps me better than studying at the dojo—that's more of my sister's thing. Gotta go, take care bro."Once the call was over, he sighed and pocketed his phone. "Looking for Chan Lee, that's actually harder than it looks. You only have a few possible people who could know." He turned back to the slumped figure on the bed, "Hey, Liquin, you don't happen to know of Chan Lee or her whereabouts?""No! Why are you asking me? I'm not even in the same major as you guys." The guy turned away from him. "Can't a man sleep in peace?""Geez, harsh much. You better get some exercise or something—at least pick up your old hobby, dude. It's starting to collect some dust." It wasn't that hard to start getting concerned with a person who you spent a good time with, Bo Ling sighed and moved out the door."Have a good day Bo Ling, hope you enjoy being coddled by the grannies."...Well, his roommate wasn't wrong.As Bo Ling arrived in the park, he could already spot some of the elderly doing some slow poses and movements. He was actually a bit late now, most of them come here around seven am but it was nearly one in the afternoon now. Thankfully with the plants all around their location, it was easy to practice underneath the shade of a blossoming tree.Overall, this park was a good destination when one tired of the sprawling buildings and noisy streets. He could hear the sound of songbirds in their cages, each one trying to outdo the other.He had stopped at a small convenience store and had carried a large eco-bag."Oh, look who's late to the tai chi session!" An old man stabbed a ceremonial sword in the air, striking a graceful pose as he did. "Slacking off boy?""Not at all, grandpa Peng." He pulled out a water bottle and respectfully offered it to the elderly gentleman. "Please have some refreshments, it's also important to keep yourself hydrated. When one is already feeling thirsty, they're already dehydrated by a glass of water or two.""Is that so? Some young sprout is lecturing an old dog like me?" He chuckled and accepted the bottle. "Grandma Ming-Na, take it easy please!" a familiar voice could be heard over the park.Bo Ling paused for a moment, the old man in front of him guffawed. "Come here to see our little missy?" They asked him with a knowing chuckle."No, I come here to exercise, grandpa." Bo Ling mustered his most serious expression—but alas the old man was resolute with their opinion. He cracked a grin, "Well, no offense, but it is pleasant seeing someone around my age.""And not some wrinkly ladies?""That's mean coming from you." Bo Ling chuckled. "Your wife would hit you if she heard that.""And that's why I practice far from her earshot. It helps that her hearing aid needs replacing." The old man chuckled. "Well, don't let this old fart keep you from making a move. Go on, young man."Bo Ling bowed his head and turned around the corner just in time to see Mei trying to assist her grandma into a wooden bench. They probably stretched too much, again."I can do this on my own, child!" The older lady complained.He cleared his throat. "Need a little assistance from this handsome young man?"The two ladies turned their attention to him, Grandma Ming-Na letting out a short chortle. "I'm able to manage on my own, dearie. Thank you for the offer." She finally managed to take a seat on their bench, the younger woman behind her let out a relieved sigh.He grinned and approached them, taking a seat beside the older lady as he pulled out two water bottles. "You've been working hard today eh, Grandma Ming?""Of course I am! There's no use sitting at home all day." The older lady snorted and accepted one of the cool drinks. She opened the bottle and took a sip, "Now this grandchild of mine could learn a thing or two. Mei here is too limp and ungraceful—she doesn't even want to practice with her granny.""Grandma, it's embarrassing to do it in public." Mei protested, her cheeks red.Bo Ling chuckled and handed her a bottle. "Nothing to be ashamed about, I think I'm getting checked out by the people here.""Yeah, wishing they were as limber and young as you." Grandma Ming-Na sighed and rubbed her wrists. "These bones creak and ache when you're older."Mei didn't say anything but it was obvious that she had a thought in her head. Why the heck would this guy want to be checked out by old folks? It was clear in her expression.He shrugged it off and stretched his arms for a bit. "Your grandchild should try working at sales or something—it might help her get over her embarrassment." He turned the conversation back to her granddaughter. "Hey Mei, isn't Chan Lee working? Why don't you join her?""You know I have my own duties." Mei gave him a pointed look, glancing at her grandma. "I think they're only looking for one employee too, at least according to what Suyin told me." It took a moment for her to notice something amiss. "Wait how did you—?""I'm Bo Ling." He chuckled and stood up, placing his eco-bag on the bench. "Mei, would you mind giving some water bottles to the other people here? I'm going for a quick jog to buy some snacks. Okay. Thanks. I'll be right back, Grandma Ming-Na~!"Before another protest could be heard, he sprinted away from the two ladies. He was fighting back the laughter in the back of his throat. Who would have known? He reached for his phone, automatically dialling his friend's number and pressing it to his ear.It took a few moments before a voice could be heard from the other side, he fought back a grin. "Hey, Zhao? I got good news. You'd be surprised when I tell you what I found out."