After leaving the municipal building, Mo Shian did not return directly to his office.
"The test kitchen is ready," he told Xia Weiwei as Uncle Fu drove them toward Pearl Street. "The nutrition and food-development teams are evaluating the first recipes today."
"Can we go there?"
"That is where we are going."
Weiwei looked at him.
"You had already planned this."
"I knew you would want to see the testing."
The new Pearl Street mall occupied an entire city block.
Although construction was almost complete, the building remained closed to the public. Workers were installing signs, testing escalators, arranging stores, and completing final safety inspections.
Uncle Fu drove into an underground entrance reserved for staff and contractors.
Joel was waiting near the elevator.
"Boss, Young Madam."
"Has testing begun?" Mo Shian asked.
"Yes. The team started with the drinks thirty minutes ago."
They took the elevator to the second floor.
