Opening the door, Xia Lu saw Xia Lu standing at the doorway. Zhang Ma was overjoyed, "Madam, you've returned!" During her absence, Zhang Ma still hadn't changed how she addressed her, still calling her Madam.
Xia Lu peered inside and asked, "Is Zhou Mingchen here?"
"The master went to exercise. You know, on Saturdays he always likes to stay at the gym." Zhang Ma hurriedly invited her inside, "Come in, I just made some ginseng soup."
Although Zhou Mingchen loved to go out for exercise on Saturday mornings, he generally returned before lunch. Now it was already past two, and he wasn't home yet. Could it be that his habits had really changed after she left? Xia Lu silently wondered.
As she was thinking, Zhang Ma brought a bowl of hot ginseng soup from the kitchen, "I've noticed the master's complexion hasn't been great lately, certainly due to overwork weakening his body. He needs to nourish himself, so I specifically stewed this fine ginseng soup. Your timing is perfect, madam."
