The crowd on the village path had already dispersed, and by this time, not a single customer remained in the shop, with the room empty and deserted. As soon as she stepped through the door, she saw Zhou Yunyun sitting at a table, her eyes as red as a rabbit's, head hanging low, sobbing. Chun Xi and La Mei were standing by, both leaning in and speaking softly in an attempt to console her, but evidently, those reassuring words were of no use.
Master Tan and Wang Zhanrui also came out of the kitchen but didn't head their way; instead, they just stood at the doorway, arms crossed. One with a stern face and furrowed brows, the other leaning against the doorframe, head drooping, his expression unclear.
Hua Xiaomai surveyed the room, guessing that the commotion at noon was likely related to her Daoxiang Garden, and almost certainly involved Zhou Yunyun. She walked over, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said softly, "What's happened?"
