That night, in the largest private room of a luxurious restaurant in Heaven Dou City—
The carved wooden windows filtered in a warm yellow glow, making the dishes covering the table look even more enticing.
The amber-colored roast whole lamb glistened with oil, chilled fruit wine filled a crystal bowl, and even the ordinary greens had been arranged with the delicacy of works of art.
Liu Erlong sat in the seat of honor. Her usually somewhat aloof brows and eyes were filled with laughter, and she called out loudly,
"Come, come, don't be so reserved. Eat your fill!"
Her voice was as clear as a mountain stream, carrying a naturally hearty quality.
Everyone picked up their chopsticks. The light clinking of porcelain bowls mixed with the sounds of satisfied chewing, and the table immediately grew lively.
Flender raised his celadon wine cup. Fine beads of wine clung to its rim as he smiled at Liu Erlong.
"It's all thanks to Sister Erlong's generosity tonight. Otherwise, a bunch of roughnecks like us probably wouldn't have had the chance to taste something this good."
"Boss Flander, don't say that. You're making us strangers!"
Liu Erlong picked up the wine jug and flicked her wrist, filling Flender's cup again. The wine traced a silvery arc as it poured in.
"Back when the Golden Iron Triangle stood side by side, when did we ever lack meat to eat or wine to drink?"
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the other girls huddled together, their chopsticks switching back and forth between the sweet-and-sour fish and the candied fruit. Their chattering laughter sounded like a string of silver bells.
"This osmanthus cake is sweeter than the one in Suotuo City!"
"Look at this fish. All the bones have been removed!"
Their lively voices made the atmosphere in