Lian Manman kept her head down, packing the dough into buns. Besides occasional scolding from Lady Zhou directed at one person or another, silence filled the room. When Lian Manman looked up, she caught the sympathetic and concerned glances from Lady Zhao and her daughter Lian Yeye. They cared for her but dared not show it. Lian Manman gave a slight smile to signal that they needn't worry about her.
Manman loved these buns, and since they had put in the work, they deserved their share. With the fuss that Lady Zhou had just made, she was certain to be petty and make difficulties over dividing the buns. Confronting Lady Zhou head-on wasn't a good strategy, but they were determined to get what they deserved, no matter who tried to stop them.
Excusing herself to relieve her bladder, Manman stepped out of the Upper Room.
The snow had already stopped outside, but the north wind blew even fiercer. The moment she stepped out the door, the wind slashed her face like a knife.