Night Market Stroll

Alice was covered in sweat, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. She decided to take another cold shower. Blanche took out a bowl of mung bean shaved ice from the refrigerator and fanned her with a fan, expressing concern, "These tiring tasks should be done by your big brother and your dad. Is that brat not planning to be a part of our family Once he enters the realm of tenderness, he never comes back."

Alice chuckled as she accepted the mung bean shaved ice. These tasks were nothing, and if she could do them herself, there was no need to rely on men.

Arnold followed her up and down without complaining. Atticus and Blanche either cooked or cleaned the house. The entire family was diligent, and there was no one slacking off.

As for Alexander, his head was almost turning into a grassland.

Being the elder brother who adored the original host, Alice didn't want Alexander to be exploited and squeezed by Beryl. She needed to find a way to bring him back.

Ever since the extreme heat arrived, time had flipped. Everyone, like owls, slept during the day and became active at night.

Alice saw a message in the homeowners' group saying that there was a night market nearby. She decided to check it out. Atticus and Blanche hadn't been out for a long time, so the whole family went together.

The night market street wasn't far from Serenity Springs and used to be a lively night market street before the calamity.

There were many stalls selling various items, and the only common point was that they didn't accept money. Some accepted cash, some required food in exchange, and others needed weapons such as knives and sticks.

Many people came out to explore the night market, and stall owners greeted passersby. Despite the different ways of 'payment,' there was a feeling of returning to the pre-apocalyptic era.

The food stalls were not operated by a single person. Several strong men surrounded them, holding knives, not hiding their fierce aura at all.

Of course, the deterrent effect was evident. Customers behaved properly, and no one dared to snatch anything.

The four of them walked around the night market, using gold to buy a variety of food items. They got a bag of ten kilograms of green beans, five kilograms of soybeans, a box of high-calcium milk, and a bag of soft bread.

Alice noticed someone selling fishing nets and paused for a moment. Finally, she walked over and asked the owner, "How much for the fishing net?" The owner looked at Alice with some joy and quickly replied, "Five kilograms of food, anything will do."

Alice took out half of the green beans, weighed them in her hand, and estimated before handing them to the owner. The owner swiftly took them and efficiently handed over the fishing net to Alice, surprised that it actually sold.

Noticing the puzzled looks from the others at home, Alice smiled and explained, "With the rising temperature, many river water levels are decreasing. Tomorrow, I plan to go fishing."

In the future, it would become increasingly difficult to buy supplies, so bringing back fish to freeze or making dried fish would be beneficial. Blanche's eyes lit up, "Alright, let's go together."

Arnold smirked, "I know a river with a lot of fish. Hopefully, it hasn't been overfished."

Atticus, with a grin, took the fishing net from Alice's hands, "How heavy is this? Dad will take care of it."

After a few more minutes of browsing, they decided to head home. The food stalls were crowded, and they didn't want to squeeze in during the hot day. They bought a few tools that might be useful for fishing and left.

Just as they walked a short distance, Alice sensed someone trailing them. Looking back, there was no one behind, and she couldn't even feel the person's hiding place.

Alice didn't like the feeling of being surveilled without control. The person seemed skilled at concealing themselves, clearly not an ordinary individual.

Arnold noticed Alice's unease and paused, "What's wrong?"

Alice explained in a lowered voice, and then continued, "You take Mom and Dad home first. I'll go and meet that person."

Judging by the person's tracking skills, it was highly likely they had a similar profession to Alice before she transmigrated—either an assassin or a mercenary for hire.

Arnold didn't agree and came up with a plan, "Let's lure him out first." They would pass through a narrow alley on their way home, a maze-like path that might confuse the person following them. 

As they approached the alley, Alice asked Atticus and Blanche, the couple, to go home first, saying they needed to rest for a while. Blanche, trusting as always, tenderly reminded, "Come back soon, don't stay outside for too long."

Once the couple's figures disappeared, Alice and Arnold walked into the alley at a leisurely pace. Soon enough, a shadow quietly followed them. 

Turning a few corners, the person suddenly realized that only Arnold was ahead, and Alice's whereabouts were unknown. He couldn't possibly lose someone he was tracking! 

About to catch up, he heard a subtle sound beside him. He sharply looked over, meeting the dark muzzle of a gun.

"Who are you? Why are you following us?" Alice dangerously narrowed her beautiful eyes, questioning in a cold tone.

"You could sense me?" The person raised an eyebrow in surprise.

At that moment, Arnold, alerted by the noise, walked over. Seeing the person Alice had at gunpoint, he expressed surprise and blurted out a name, "Bobby?"

Bobby chuckled, looking relaxed. "That's me. Can your sister put down the gun?"

Alice, hearing that they knew each other, slowly lowered the gun, looking puzzled at Arnold.

"I told you before, I have a friend working as a mercenary overseas. This is the guy." Arnold smirked.

Alice observed Bobby, a man about the same age as Arnold, with a handsome face, dark skin, and a rugged charm.

"Pleasure to meet you," Alice said, extending her hand with a touch of warmth in her tone.

Bobby hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook hands with her.