Zhuo Yuqing just exited from the pantry and ran into two female colleagues. They usually had a decent relationship with her, neither particularly close nor distant, always greeting each other warmly when they met.
Just as Zhuo Yuqing was about to exchange pleasantries, the two women merely nodded politely at her and walked away, their demeanor very much giving off the impression that they wanted to distance themselves from her.
Zhuo Yuqing felt uncomfortable about this. These people believed some rumor without even verifying it with her, and she had no idea how they might embellish the story behind her back, acting as if they knew the truth.
Not long after, Zhuo Yuqing saw Tong Bi surrounded by three or four people, heads together whispering about something. Someone seemed to have noticed Zhuo Yuqing and immediately made a shushing gesture. Though their eyes were not directly on her, Zhuo Yuqing knew they must be talking about her.
