Cui Wanqiu arrived late, clutching her phone and typing as she walked. She still had work to finish.
She looked up and saw Ma Yuanyuan standing at the cafeteria entrance.
"Yuanyuan, have you eaten?"
"Yes."
Cui Wanqiu gave her another look but said nothing more, pointing into the cafeteria. "Come sit with me for a bit. Then we'll go to Luckin. I have something to tell you."
They went into the Second Mom Cafeteria. Ma Yuanyuan sat beside Cui Wanqiu, took out her phone, and swiped a couple of times to find the videos she had filmed. Usually, the more she watched them, the more engrossed she became. Today, they bored her no matter how she watched them.
Cui Wanqiu ate quickly and was out in under ten minutes. They cut through Anyang Snacks, grabbed a few bags of snacks along the way, and turned into Luckin.
It was full. Even the stools by the counter were occupied. It was hot, and everyone was there for the air-conditioning.
"Let's sit in the hotel lobby for a bit," Ma Yuanyuan said.
Cui Wanqiu had no objection.
Wang Xiaoliang used to work at the tea table in the corner of the lobby. A purple clay teapot and a full tea tray set sat on it. These days, Wang Xiaoliang rarely came over, so the spot was mostly empty.
They sat down. Ma Yuanyuan put her coffee on the tea table and tore open a bag of snacks.
"Auntie."
"Hmm?"
"What university did Mr. Wang graduate from?"
Cui Wanqiu's hand paused inside the snack bag. She looked up. "Are you still half asleep today? Your cousin and Mr. Wang were in the same graduating class at Jiang University, and you're asking me?"
Ma Yuanyuan gave a laugh. "I haven't been sleeping much lately.