"Director Cao, you're very busy." Director Li sighed, feeling he brought people at the wrong time.
"Director Li." A friendly voice responded from inside, "It's okay. Once I finish speaking, they'll leave."
With those words, the crowd squeezing inside the office dispersed with a "swish," like ministers dismissed by an emperor, hurriedly leaving the meeting place.
The moment the room emptied, the pressure on the Guoxie members suddenly rose. No one in the departing crowd engaged them in conversation, creating a noticeable sense of alienation and a hint of hostility.
Zhao Zhaowei and Zhang Desheng lingered at the doorway, pressing against the wall, trying to hear what those departing were saying.
Faint complaints echoed down the corridor:
"They are from Guoxie."
"Yes. Teacher Cheng mentioned newcomers would come today."
"So many have come, wanting to learn from our Teacher Cao? What right do they have?"
