Chun Xi and La Mei, who usually got along quite well with Hua Xiaomai, were very casual with their words and jokes. But within the small eatery, they clearly distinguished between who was the assistant and who was the boss. Seeing Hua Xiaomai speak up to stop them, they did indeed cease their idle chat, sitting up straight and ready to listen to what she had to say.
Hua Xiaomai didn't rush to speak, instead she lowered her head and pondered for a moment.
It was the anxious young peddler who came to buy food that noon who had suddenly given her the inspiration.