By the time the four of them sat down at the round table by the window, the sun outside had already climbed halfway into the sky, laying a thin golden sheen over the untouched dishes of pickles and side dishes on the table.
Gu Yuena naturally sat beside Tang Wulin. As she took her seat, her long silver-white hair brushed the back of the chair, stirring a faintly cool breeze.
Xu Youyou and Xie Mu sat opposite them, both sitting perfectly straight with their backs tense, as though they still had not fully adjusted to a place like this.
Tang Wulin pushed the bamboo chopstick holder toward the center of the table, poured several cups of warm tea, and set them down. He did not urge them, merely leaned back in his chair and watched the figures moving across the plaza outside the window.
About twenty minutes later, the curtain to the kitchen was lifted.
The plump chef emerged carrying a large tray. On it were four enormous bowls and two stacks of steamers. Billowing steam rose from the rims of the bowls and the gaps in the steamers, carrying a rich aroma of meat and refreshing herbs that spread across the table.
The first large bowl contained braised Iron Spine Bone meat. Every piece was as large as a child's fist, glossy with dark sauce, with tender, stewed tendons around the edges and a sheen from being soaked in the rich broth.
The second large bowl held an entire steamed Silverbone Fish. Shredded ginger and scallion segments were spread over its body, while faintly gleaming silver-white flesh showed beneath the scales, its distinctive soul beast meat texture clearly firm and dense.
There was also spiritual chicken stewed with mushrooms. The broth was clear, with a layer of pale golden