It was already five in the late afternoon by the time Qiao Lian found Wang Lan, following the address that Auntie Li had given her.
The skies were darkening.
She looked at this tiny single-storey rented house before her and frowned deeply.
When Wang Lan had been working as a housekeeper in their home, she had never come across as this poor. This discovery was unexpected.
Lowering her gaze, Qiao Lian looked at the address to confirm that this was the correct house. Then she walked up and knocked on the door.
She waited for some time but no one came to the door.
Frowning, she was about to leave when a neighbour's door was suddenly opened. A middle-aged woman studied her with a suspicious gaze for a moment. She asked, "Who are you looking for?"
Qiao Lian paused and pointed at the door before her. "I'm looking for Wang Lan. May I know if she lives here?"
That woman frowned and replied, "That's right. Who are you?"