"Thank you, too, for patiently listening to me complain all this time."
"I really put you out over the past few days."
"Thank you."
The young man thanked her again.
After a brief moment of surprise, Madam Xiao smiled.
"All right, once is enough for a thank-you."
"There's no need to say it so many times."
"You're making me embarrassed."
"I really didn't do much."
Seeing that the young man was about to speak again, Madam Xiao waved a hand. "I'll go get Xiao Xiao."
"Sit here and wait a moment."
"Oh, right. Would you like to order anything?"
Madam Xiao noticed the empty table.
Well, not exactly empty.
The young man had set a box on it.
This box...
"Is the painting inside?"
Madam Xiao had heard the gist of it from Xiao Xiao.
The young man froze, then nodded. "Yes, the painting's inside."
He wasn't surprised that Madam Xiao knew.
She had been the first person he'd confided in about this.
Student Xiao had also been found for him by Madam Xiao.
She should know what had happened since then.
"I accidentally pressed down on it yesterday, so I wanted to bring it over and have Student Xiao take a look."
Since Madam Xiao had brought up the painting, the young man stopped beating around the bush and explained the other reason he'd come to the teahouse besides thanking her.
He smiled sheepishly. "I was too careless."
"It should be fine, though."
"But I still can't quite stop worrying..."
He thought it would be better to let Student Xiao look at it in person.
Madam Xiao smiled knowingly. "Something this important deserves a little extra care."
"Wait here. I'll go get him."
Madam Xiao was about to turn around, then shook her head as if remembering something.