Hearthstone Tavern.
After leaving the Elder Council's assembly hall, Ausia came here.
To her, Hearthstone Tavern was like a safe harbor. When facing Luo Chuan, she even felt as though she were facing the Queen.
How should she put it? It was relaxing. She did not need to think about so many things.
She walked to the shelves and took a bottle of Cola. The crisp, icy liquid slid down her throat into her stomach, instantly clearing her mind considerably.
She looked around, her gaze settling on the counter area.
Ausia smiled and walked over.
Luo Chuan and Yao Ziyan sat facing each other, their expressions serious, looking as though they were confronting a formidable enemy.
Between them lay a board marked with crisscrossing lines. Black and white pieces occupied it, locked in a deadlock with neither side yielding an inch.
Ausia knew this board game.
It was called Gomoku. The rules were simple: whoever connected five pieces in a row, whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, won.
It was far simpler than Mahjong or Hearthstone Legends, easy to pick up and perfect for passing the time.
Since she had nothing better to do anyway, Ausia quietly watched from the side.
She did not know whether it was merely her imagination, but she always felt that the relationship between the owner and Yao Ziyan had changed somewhat over the past few days. It was not quite the same as before.
As for how it was different, she could not say. It simply felt that way.
Besides that, Yao Ziyan seemed rather busy these past few days.
She left Origin Mall early every day and returned at night.
According to Luo Chuan, Yao Ziyan was occupied with certain matters, though he did not say what they were.
Ausia felt they must be