Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
"Galen, are you heading out this early again today? Wait a moment—the breakfast will be ready soon."
"Sorry for the trouble, Ms. Cassandra."
It took less than ten minutes to get from Scarlet Waterfall Alley to The Goblin's Head That Jumps.
He Xi wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely finished Ms. Cassandra's two-item breakfast set: a bowl of Flavorful Wheat Soup, paired with... a grilled meat patty he was already getting tired of.
"Thank you for breakfast, Ms. Cassandra. Same as usual today—I probably won't be back for lunch."
"All right. Be careful on the way."
After He Xi left, Ms. Cassandra had just started clearing the dishes when she heard a faint sound from the stairs again.
A familiar hooded figure was tiptoeing down the stairs, looking as if she were afraid of being spotted.
Ms. Cassandra was a little surprised, but she was used to seeing her dressed like this.
"Zoya? Are you heading out early too? I'll get you a bowl of soup."
"No need. I'm not eating today."
Seeing that she felt that way, Ms. Cassandra didn't insist.
But her gaze passed over Zoya's thin, stealthy outfit, and she couldn't help reminding her, "It may get colder over the next couple of days. The wind is chilly in the mornings and evenings, so remember to wear a little more."
Zoya paused, seemingly not expecting the other woman to care about that.
She turned her head slightly and gave a small nod in Ms. Cassandra's direction, acknowledging her kindness.
Then she quickly disappeared through the courtyard gate.
Ms. Cassandra gazed at the empty entrance and shook her head helplessly. "How can that girl skip breakfast?"
Before she'd finished speaking, another series of quick footsteps came from the stairs.