Sixty Years Apart

The study door stood open. Ron sat behind the desk, holding a dip pen in his right hand as he wrote something on a document.

The moment Xina crossed the threshold, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over her vaguely familiar face.

It was like passing a tree by the roadside, glancing at it out of habit, then continuing on his way.

Whether that tree was tall or short, withered or flourishing, had nothing to do with him.

For someone who had once tried to treat Ron as a "research sample," being looked at that way by him was more despairing than being hated.

"Have a seat."

"Thank you, Professor Ralph."

Xina sat down on the sofa, her back straight, her knees together, her hands folded on her lap.

She summoned the opening remarks she had rehearsed countless times:

"Professor Ralph, first, please allow me, on behalf of the School of the Tree of Life, to extend our most sincere congratulations on your breakthrough to Archwizard."

The first line of the opening: offer praise, establish a friendly tone.

"Though it comes somewhat late, the school's respect has never been absent."

The second line: provide a dignified step down for decades of silence.

"My main purpose in coming this time is to have some preliminary communication with you, Professor, regarding neighborly coexistence within Little Chessboard."

The third line: bring out the official topic and guide the conversation onto safe tracks.

"The School of the Tree of Life has operated on the public server for many years. Toward newly joined colleagues, we have always upheld an attitude of openness and cooperation."

"The school hopes both sides can reach some basic consensus on resource use, ecological buffers, and other matters, to avoid unnecessary friction."

Her tone was gentle and smooth, her pacing