But as she walked away, her heels clicking against the stone, her thoughts were already stirring, tomorrow's column would not be gentle.
When the restaurant finally emptied, Gu Xuelan returned to her private office. The lamplight flickered softly, illuminating the polished mahogany desk and the scattered newspaper proofs lying across it.
Her reflection shimmered faintly in the windowpane as she picked up a cigarette, tapping it once against the ashtray before lighting it.
"Bao burger..." she murmured with a trace of amusement, exhaling a thin wisp of smoke. "So that's what she's calling it now."
It had a different name in the recipe book.
From a small folder on the desk, she drew out a list of contacts, editors, columnists, printers and placed them neatly in a row.
She had already sent payments in advance.
By tomorrow morning, when Capital Daily hit the stands, her name would be the one on everyone's lips.
She stubbed out the cigarette, her red lips curving faintly.
