Chapter 23: Sneak Shot Club, Family Mobilization

Dusk. The chirping of cicadas. A dim sky.

The graffiti on the exterior red brick walls was gradually obscured by the descending night. Inside the old apartment building, warm orange lights illuminated the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows.

The news anchor had just broadcasted two breaking news reports. Immediately after, Ke Mingwei, Xia Zili, and Xia Ningzhi simultaneously made up excuses to slip away.

The three of them looked at each other in dismay.

From Ke Mingqing's perspective, they looked like robots that had suddenly triggered their underlying protocols. It made him want to laugh, but he had to force himself to hold it in.

"Could your excuses be any lamer?" he thought. "Do you think everyone in this family is a muggle with an IQ under 80?"

Ke Mingwei turned his head slightly, shooting a surprised look at the two sisters. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, he asked in a muffled voice, "You're going out at this hour? Wenna is almost done cooking."