Interlude: Such a Gentle Night-Thanks to Generous Reader Zhúo Zhúo Zhúo for Becoming an Alliance Master

The night was gentle, and the sky dome stretched vast and wide like a lingering melody.

As hot pot steamed away inside The Cabin, it drifted beneath the same night sky that hung over Beijing.

In a manor, Hua Ling, wearing gloves and moving with light steps, happily carried a large clay pot out from the kitchen.

"The fish soup is ready! The fish soup is ready! Sheng-jie, Sheng-jie, come try it!"

On the very day she had returned to Beijing, Hua Ling had dragged her home on the grounds that she absolutely needed rest.

Sitting at the dining table, Ye Sheng looked at the fragrant fish soup steaming before her.

"You should rest properly after just getting back. Stop thinking about Bureau matters."

"Sheng-jie, hurry and taste the fish soup I made! How is it?"

Hua Ling sat down across from her and urged her on cheerfully. Hearing her words, Ye Sheng ladled out a bowl of milky-white soup.

As Ye Sheng tasted the liquid that entered her mouth, its fresh, rich flavor spread through her.

There was also a warmth that went beyond anything her taste buds could feel.

"Mhm, it's delicious, Xiao Ling."

"Hehe, right? I specifically went looking for this recipe! I simmered it over low heat for ages!"

Hearing Ye Sheng's gentle, smiling praise, Hua Ling smiled as she propped her face up with both hands.

At that moment, listening to Hua Ling chatter endlessly about all sorts of things, feeling the warmth of the fish soup spread from her throat into her chest, the exhaustion from disaster relief in the torrential rain seemed to slowly fade away.

The day had ended, and on a quiet evening with nothing to do, they sat across from one another and ate dinner like this.

A familiar feeling