After everyone had eaten their fill, the table did not become quiet immediately. Instead, the sound of light conversation slowly replaced the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
Master Fu wiped his hands gently before looking toward Mr. An.
"You mentioned earlier that you have been here for some time," he said calmly. "How long has it been?"
Mr. An nodded and answered without hesitation.
"It has been two years."
Those words made a few people pause.
Fu Tong leaned back slightly and let out a soft whistle.
"Two years? That means you already understand this place very well," he said.
An Li smiled from the side.
"Understand is a big word," she said. "Let us just say we have learned how to survive."
Madame An gave a small nod.
"When we first came here, it was very difficult," she said. "We did not know how things worked, and we trusted people too easily."
"We were cheated many times," An Li added openly, not looking embarrassed at all. "Especially in the market."
