188 The Pieces 11 (1/2)
Qing Qing arrived at the destination wearing a simple white dress and sensible shoes. She walked through the front door and her face lit up with joy when she saw Joann. She started to bounce towards her like the joy in her could not be contained and she needed the physical activity to help disperse the ball of joy within her.
Whenever she acted in this manner, Joann used to think how cute and innocent she was. But now that the veneer had fallen away, Joann realized how calculated Qing Qing's every move was. Joann had been paying attention to the entrance, waiting for Qing Qing to arrive.
Before the young woman entered the cafe and saw Joann, her footsteps were slow and determined and her face was frozen in a serious expression like she came with a purpose. However, the moment Qing Qing saw Joann, her demeanor shifted completely like she was taken over by a joyful spirit. There was an added bounce in her step and her facial muscle moved to take on the appearance of a disarming smile.
Joann could not help but be impressed by the young woman's acting skill. She didn't think she would be able to embody a character as fast as Qing Qing did, especially when the camera wasn't rolling.
Joann continued to observe Qing Qing and as much as it pained her to do so, she added a smile to her face because she did not want Qing Qing to know she had been exposed. She wanted to observe Qing Qing in her natural habitat to dissect how she had managed to slip under her detection for so long.
”Good morning, Sister Joann.” Joann did not respond because when Qing Qing reached Joann's table, Sylvia just so happened to walk out from the bathroom. Sylvia took the seat next to Joann naturally and she looked up at Qing Qing with a defiant look in her eyes.
Joann paid close attention to Qing Qing's expression when Sylvia joined her at the table. She was not going to let any detail escape from her eyes. Qing Qing's face turned from surprise to alarm, and then caution and finally returning to a charmed happiness.
'The woman is a natural actor.' thought Joann to herself.
”This is my daughter, Sylvia. Do you mind if she joins us?” Joann said, making the introduction.
Qing Qing flashed her pearly whites at Sylvia. ”Of course not.” Although in her mind, she was already coming up with schemes where she could make use of the daughter.
She extended a hand towards Sylvia. ”Nice to meet you, I'm Sister Joann's junior. You can call me Qing Qing.”
Sylvia let the young woman's hand hang in mid-air. She showed no sign of reaching towards it. The atmosphere slowly turned awkward. Just as Qing Qing thought about taking her hand back, Joann lectured her daughter, ”Sylvia, don't be rude.”
Sylvia could not understand why her mother was still acting so nice around the b*tch but since she was there to support her mother, she was going to do what she wanted. ”Fine,” Sylvia grumbled with dissatisfaction before she went ahead to grab Qing Qing's hand. Sylvia quickly pulled her hand away after a brief shake like Qing Qing's hand was something disgusting.