With summer arriving, the weather outside was just as stifling, no better than indoors.
But getting some fresh air was always more comfortable. At the very least, the slightly tense atmosphere eased considerably as the space opened up.
In the garden behind City Hall, Tang Shuang walked with her head lowered, silent and preoccupied, keeping parallel with Xu Shi.
She did not speak, and neither did Xu Shi. He was not the sort to feel awkward anyway. He barely paid much attention to Tang Shuang herself, instead looking at the garden before him with some emotion.
It felt less... refined than Feather Pen.
But that was only to be expected. If City Hall had been built more extravagantly than the conglomerates, then Night Sin City would truly have been turned upside down.
Just then, Tang Shuang suddenly seemed to make up her mind. She let out a long sigh, raised her head to look at him, and said seriously, "...Thank you, Xu Shi."
"Hmm?"
Her voice was quieter than a mosquito's buzz, and Xu Shi did not catch it at first.
"I said, thank you, Xu Shi."
Tang Shuang repeated herself, her eyes filled with sincerity.
Then she gave a somewhat self-mocking smile. "Do you think I'm being ungrateful? I accepted such a huge favor from you, yet I didn't show any gratitude. I almost argued with you just now, too..."
"If you put it that way, then I won't."
Xu Shi came back to himself and smiled. "As for owing me a favor... don't overthink it. It's just because you were suitable. To put it more coldly, we were simply each taking what we needed."
"Even if you say that, it's still an enormous favor to me."
Tang Shuang shook her head. "Other than joining a conglomerate, this is