Xiao Man paused. For reasons she couldn't quite explain, she didn't turn to leave. Instead, she went ahead and took off her snow hat and scarf, holding them in her hand. The room was warm, so there was no need to be so bundled up.
A refined scent of tea floated in the air. The group gathered on the sofa paid no mind to the customer who had just entered, continuing their conversation uninterrupted. It seemed their deal was about to be finalized. Entertaining Bai Lihua and Wu Xiaowen was an eloquent, silver-tongued man in his middle years, who was likely the shop owner. A young shop assistant was wiping up spilled tea from the table. Some of it had splashed onto Wu Xiaowen's clothes, which was why Bai Lihua was dabbing at the spot with a handkerchief.
