The door opened cautiously, leaving only a narrow crack. From where Bo Yi was hiding, he could not see the person who had opened it. He could only see Qiqi's Mom glance warily from side to side after it opened. Once she was certain no one was around, she quickly slipped inside.
Bang. The door shut again.
Bo Yi stepped out from behind the corner. Although he could not follow her inside, he refused to give up. He crept over to the door and carefully pressed his ear against it.
Thanks to the apartment building's terrible soundproofing, he actually managed to make out a few faint snippets:
"Wise woman," came Qiqi's Mom's voice. "This is the 'heavenly spirit essence' I collected last night."
"Why is there so little..." An elderly woman's voice sounded displeased. It was unusually rough and hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against stone, or the strained creaking of worn-out bellows. Outside the door, Bo Yi slowly furrowed his brow.
"This little isn't nearly enough!"
"Oh, please don't be upset, wise woman..." This was the first time Bo Yi had ever heard Qiqi's Mom speak in such a slightly ingratiating tone. "I really only had one night..."
"I didn't dare... too obviously. If they found out..."
"Last night, I almost..."
The elderly voice scolded her. "Why are you being so timid! Haven't you already decided to..."
Qiqi's Mom faltered. "But after all..."
Bo Yi could not help pressing his ear more tightly against the door.
Strange. For some reason, hissing and sizzling noises had suddenly started coming from the room, making the voices much harder to hear. Much of the conversation reached him in broken, indistinct fragments.
"Later, I'll definitely get more... Then..."
The elderly voice gave a snort, sounding as though she was agreeing with great reluctance. "Fine,