Ding!
With a crisp chime, the elevator reached its destination, and its metal doors slowly slid apart.
After putting her school uniform jacket back on, Huang Feng'er led Tang Wulin out of the elevator and headed down the corridor.
The corridor was brighter than the elevator. Strips of white light ran along the ceiling, illuminating its clean interior. Soul-guide indicator lights unique to the Spirit Pagoda were set into the walls on either side, their pale blue glow flowing slowly across the surface like water.
"Miss Feng'er, is there anything I can help you with?"
A smiling Spirit Pagoda attendant approached them.
She was a young woman in her early twenties, with her hair tied in a neat low ponytail. She wore the dark blue uniform issued to all Spirit Pagoda staff, with a small Service Badge pinned to her collar. Everything about her looked tidy and efficient.
The Spirit Pagoda required all its employees to wear uniforms at work.
Huang Feng'er was not wearing one now, which made her a customer. And since everyone knew her background was no ordinary one, the attendant was especially polite.
Her smile was warm and practiced, like a thin shell fixed to her face. She folded her hands in front of her and bowed slightly. Not a single detail was out of place.
"No, thank you."
Huang Feng'er gave a small wave to show she needed no help.
Her tone was polite but distant, as though she were facing a pane of glass polished too brightly and did not want to leave a mark on it.
"If you need anything, you can call me at any time."
The attendant showed no displeasure. Her smile held its practiced curve as she nodded and prepared to return to her post greeting customers.
"Wait."
Tang Wulin,