Fu Xifeng froze, her smile faltering as she turned to face Jiang Yue. Realization dawned on her that her words had slipped out a little too carelessly.
Jiang Xiu, feeling a sudden wave of tension, stiffened, her nerves catching as she looked between her sister and Fu Xifeng.
Jiang Yue turned to Yan Meixiu and Guan Ying, her voice steady. "How about you two head up first and get settled at the table? We'll be right behind you."
Yan Meixiu, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, nodded quietly, signaling for Guan Ying to head upstairs first. The pair made their way up to the second floor, leaving the two sisters and Fu Xifeng behind.
Jiang Yue stepped aside with deliberate calm, leading them to a secluded corner away from the flow of people on the stairs. She turned to Jiang Xiu, her expression serene, but there was a sharpness in her eyes. "What happened?"
