(ー△ー;) Four Little Losers
"..."
When Annie spoke, the old woman remained unmoved, continuing with what she had been doing.
For quite a while!
It wasn't until Annie walked right up without the slightest hesitation, and Daiyu, Tanchun, Zijuan, and Xueyan nervously followed her into the room, that the old woman finally set down her teapot. Then she turned and glanced at the five of them.
Only then did Daiyu and the others get a good look at her.
She had an ordinary face, deep wrinkles, and cloudy eyes. She looked like any common old woman worn down by the struggle to make a living. There was nothing particularly remarkable about her, and she was dressed so plainly that she hardly seemed like the "boss" some immortal had just addressed.
And yet her gaze was unusual.
Especially when it swept over Annie and then fell upon Daiyu, Tanchun, Zijuan, and Xueyan, who had entered right behind her. For an instant, the old woman's cloudy eyes seemed to flash with a razor-sharp, terrifying glint, like an eagle's.
Though it vanished in a flash, Daiyu and Tanchun both felt their hearts tighten. They nearly drew their swords.
Fortunately, the old woman showed no obvious displeasure or wariness, much less any intention of attacking. Her gaze simply passed over them.
Then, without responding to Annie's cheerful greeting, she waved a hand and gave the waiter waiting by the door a slight nod.
"Yes!"
"I'll take my leave, then."
Understanding the signal, the waiter immediately bowed and backed out. He even gently closed the door behind him, shutting off the room from the outside.
Only then did the old woman—the elderly woman who seemed to own the restaurant—turn her attention back to Annie. For the first time, she also let her gaze rest briefly