The sun was setting. Outside the Geya Hotel, Sally was collecting sheets. She felt good as she smelled soap on them. "Boss, can I leave? I won't come back for dinner," she said to a woman sitting in a chair at the door, where she was embroidering a big golden bird.
The woman seemed to be in her forties and thin. She wore her black hair in a simple bun with a silver hairpin. She was plain-looking, but seemed very benign. She put down her work and looked up at Sally with a smile. "Sure. Don't stay out too late."
Sally smiled back. "I won't." She took the sheets inside, walked out of the door, and nodded at her boss. She took a look at her work and left.
She didn't get paid very much, but her boss was very good to her. She had provided her with food and accommodation for free. The food was bland, but she liked it bland. She liked Yangzhou fried rice much better, though.
