After more than an hour, the rush in the restaurant finally died down, leaving only two tables of customers still eating.
The kitchen staff quickly prepared their own meal and brought it out.
The food was set on the table, but neither Old Huang nor Que'er was anywhere to be seen. Lian'er went to Old Huang's room in the back courtyard to look for them.
But they weren't there.
Just as Gu Fei was about to suggest saving some food for them, Old Huang stumbled in through the door, looking completely devastated.
"Mr. Huang, it's time to eat," Gu Fei called out to him quickly. "By the way, where's Que'er?"
Old Huang stared blankly, then tears suddenly streamed down his face. "She's gone... gone—"
Gu Fei was confused. "What's gone?"
Old Huang looked like he was both crying and laughing. "Que'er is gone—"
Gu Fei was shocked. "How could that be? She was perfectly fine. How could she suddenly be gone?"
