11:15 am.
He Ao's taxi stopped at the entrance of a narrow alley not far from the Research Institute.
After bidding farewell to the taxi driver, He Ao entered the alleyway.
The alley was dark and the road somewhat dilapidated, but it was short, and after walking only a few steps, He Ao saw the light shining from the exit up ahead.
His body quickly merged into this light.
At the exit of the alley, a black sedan was parked.
He Ao opened the passenger-side door and sat down inside.
"Are we leaving now?"
The person in the driver's seat threw He Ao a bag of clothes.
"Let's go."
He Ao leaned back in the passenger seat, squinting slightly.
The silent car gently hummed, slowly moving deeper into the street.
—
The black sedan traveled along a narrow, worn-out path, which seemed to have been long neglected, as the surface was visibly uneven.