Lily's mind went blank for a moment, then like a marionette with pulled strings, she slowly raised her head to look at Jack.

Black clothes, tall and lean—could he be the one with Emma in the alley last night?

As Lily's eyes grew wider by the second, Jack continued casually chewing his gum, his expression unchanged. "Not talking means what exactly?"

"..." What could she possibly say? That not only had she enjoyed watching, but she'd even had an erotic dream about it?

The memory of that dream made Lily immediately lower her head again, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

Unfortunately, while no such escape appeared, his scorching gaze remained fixed on the top of her head.

Lily's fingertips clenched and unclenched. After enduring for ten seconds, she couldn't bear it any longer. "Um... what kind of cigarettes did you want?"

"Huh..." Jack laughed—a sound expelled through his nostrils.

Lily felt another wave of heat rush to her head. After waiting two seconds with no response from him, she swallowed hard and asked again: "What kind of cigarettes do you want?"

It wasn't that she enjoyed playing dumb; she genuinely had no idea how to respond!

Besides, this guy was beyond strange. Here she was, feeling mortified just for accidentally witnessing what happened, while he—an actual participant—had the audacity to question her about it?

Jack stared at the top of Lily's head, flipping the piece of gum between his fingers like a lighter trick before finally uttering two words: "Marlboro."

Moving mechanically, Lily reached for the cigarettes and placed them on the counter, then quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back. "Anything else?"

The dismissive tone in Lily's voice was unmistakable. Jack glanced at her sideways, then lowered his gaze as he unwrapped the cigarettes. He pulled one out, placed it between his teeth, grabbed a lighter from the display rack, and lit up. Taking a drag, he exhaled a cloud of smoke and said: "That's all."

Relieved, Lily turned and took two steps back to her wicker chair, sitting down and pretending to rummage through her backpack while her attention remained fixed on the man still standing at the counter.

Just as she was wondering why he hadn't left yet, Jack took another drag of his cigarette, replaced the lighter on the rack, and casually said two more words: "Thanks."

"???" Thanks? For what?

Lily looked up in confusion, but all she saw was his retreating back.

Her eyebrows knitted together involuntarily, and a strange sense of disappointment rose in her chest.

Moments later, the roar of a motorcycle engine rumbled to life. Lily's heart jumped, and she quickly averted her gaze from the storefront, only to notice the display cabinet she'd forgotten to close.

She put down her backpack and stood up, feeling utterly exasperated with herself. Just as she was about to close the cabinet, her hand froze mid-air, and she felt an urge to strangle herself.

She'd forgotten to collect payment again! For a pack of Marlboros and a stick of gum! Was this going to be the death of her?!

And why did she have the feeling that the last pack of Marlboros had also been taken by him...

Lily decided she would return the graphic novel to Emma that night. Ever since that book had come into her possession, she hadn't been herself, and now she was even losing money.

At 9:05 that evening, the petite Lily managed to squeeze onto the first bus after evening study hall.

She wanted to get back early, hoping to intercept Emma at the alley, especially since without her backpack, the book would be difficult to conceal.

But... was that really all there was to it? Hadn't she previously just tucked the small book into her waistband and covered it with her shirt? Why did she suddenly need her backpack as cover?

Lily tried to ignore the questioning voice in her head as she gripped the handrail, staring blankly out the window at the passing scenery. Her mind was filled with images of Jack chewing gum and asking if she'd enjoyed watching last night...

After getting off the bus, Lily walked briskly for five minutes. When she finally spotted the entrance to the alley, she checked the student watch on her wrist and quickened her pace even more.

Her hurried steps—almost a run—came to an abrupt halt as she turned into the alley. Lily's heart immediately leapt into her throat.

Jack, who had been leaning against the wall gazing at the sky, turned toward Lily. His expression was calm, showing neither surprise nor shock, as if he'd been expecting her all along.

Under his gaze, Lily felt the air around her suddenly become thick and sticky. The background noise seemed to disappear, as if she'd entered another dimension where even breathing became difficult.

Just as Lily felt she might suffocate, Jack finally lowered his eyes. He slowly straightened up, raised the half-smoked cigarette to his lips for another drag, then dropped it to the ground, grinding it out with his toe.

He turned and took two steps toward the motorcycle parked nearby, swung his leg over the seat, and only then looked back at Lily, quietly saying two words: "Get on."