The revelation hit like a thunderclap, leaving the trio momentarily stunned. Wei's mind raced as he processed Mei's words. The pawnshop itself—**their sanctuary, their supposed haven**—was now marked on Ming's map.
"We need to search the shop, *now,*" Wei said, his voice edged with urgency. His eyes darted to Kai, whose unease was impossible to ignore.
Kai held up his hands defensively. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I've got nothing to hide."
"Then you won't mind helping us," Wei shot back, already moving toward the back room.
Mei and Kai followed closely, the tension between them palpable. Mei clutched the map tightly, her eyes scanning every shadow, every creak in the dimly lit shop.
"Where do we even start?" she whispered.
"Anywhere someone could hide something—or themselves," Wei replied. His tone was clipped, his focus unwavering.
