15 years before... (1)

As they settled into a quiet corner of the restaurant, Chen Meili took a deep breath, steeling herself for the revelations she was about to make. "Whatever I'm about to share is based on what the previous receptionist at Velvet Shadows once confided in me. I can't vouch for its complete accuracy, but it's all I have," she cautioned, wanting to ensure that Wang Xiao wouldn't hold her to any potential discrepancies later.

Wang Xiao leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her, a silent agreement to proceed.

Chen Meili let out a sigh, unsure about the veracity of the information she was about to divulge.

She began, her words punctuated by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Velvet Shadows, as it stood today, had a rich history, its origins steeped in the annals of time.