
Even with just a faint whiff, Nie Ziyi could tell these dance shoes' scent was not to be underestimated. She took out a sealed bag and stuffed the dance shoes inside. She continued searching the closet and, from several unlocked cabinets, unearthed a considerable number of socks: no-show socks, athletic socks, long cotton socks, short silk stockings. Without exception, they were all stained yellow and black from friction with the dance shoes and the soak of foot sweat. Nie Ziyi, suppressing her nausea, tossed pair after pair of socks into the plastic bag, preparing for the evening.

