Though the school was nestled in a remote mountain area, it only took Zhang Shaoqing about half an hour to drive them to a bustling night market district nearby.

The car stopped amidst a vibrant area filled with neon signs for bars and KTVs, their colorful lights nearly blinding, while faint music thumped in the background. The smoky aroma of barbecue wafted from street vendors, adding to the lively atmosphere.

However, since it was still afternoon, the streets were relatively quiet. Many shops hadn’t even opened yet, and the place felt a little desolate.

“It’ll get lively later tonight,” Zhang …