On three sofas were seated two groups of people. The head of the household, Gongsun Ce, sat in the center of a single sofa, his face adorned with a business-like smile akin to that of a high-end department store clerk; nearby, Qin Qianbai focused intently on an antique vase on the TV cabinet, seemingly pondering the mysteries of the universe through gold and silver artifacts from 300 years ago; Alandia clasped her hands nervously on her knees, wanting to speak but unsure how to start, ended up joining Qin Qianbai in staring at the vase.
Mr. Gongsun's mom, reminiscent of an ancient constable on the hunt for thieves, darted her eyes among the three, her mind likely flickering with countless thoughts. Mr. Shiyu and his elder brother, seeing the situation turning grim, had the audacity to retreat to the courtyard to play dead. The house was silent and somber, a tension filled the air similar to a scene of internal interrogation and betrayal reckoning.
