At seven on Monday morning, Ma Yuanyuan arrived downstairs at Chengyou Company. She had asked Gu Junhao for leave, saying something had come up at home.
After parking, she did not go into the hotel lobby.
She went to the rear courtyard. Quite a few people were already having breakfast at Second Mom Cafeteria, and Li Shumei was wiping tables and clearing away bowls and chopsticks.
"Yuanyuan? Here so early to get another stamp?"
"Auntie Li, I'd like to buy some breakfast."
"Buy? Just sit here and help yourself to whatever you want."
Ma Yuanyuan asked for porridge, side dishes, and steamed buns.
She took out her phone to scan the payment code, but Li Shumei pressed her hand down.
"None of that with me. Breakfast and lunch are free for everyone at Chengyou. Lately I've been thinking about doing something in the evenings too, coming up with something different. Then all three meals will be free."
Ma Yuanyuan smiled and took a bite of her bun.
Li Shumei sat across from her, resting her elbows on the table. "What brings you here today? Still haven't finished handing over the files?"
Ma Yuanyuan murmured an assent and vaguely steered the conversation away.
"How are the pay and benefits over there? Now that Mr. Gu's struck out on his own, they should be better, right?"
"About the same as before." Ma Yuanyuan took a sip of porridge.
"That's all right, then."
"What about here?"
"About the same too."
Li Shumei said it was about the same, but the corners of her mouth curled up.
Ma Yuanyuan gave her a couple of extra looks. When did this woman get so tight-lipped? In the past, the moment you greeted her, she would start introducing prospective dates-or big bosses. She always had lists of