It was unknown how long it took before Tang Ya's heart-wrenching sobs gradually weakened.
Huo Yuhao gently patted her back, soothing her like a frightened kitten and using his calm emotions to pull her completely back from the brink of collapse.
This dark, cramped corner was indeed stifling, hardly a place for a proper conversation.
Huo Yuhao glanced at Tang Ya, whose eyes were still red and whose face was streaked with tears, then led her away from the dilapidated street corner.
The two wandered around nearby and casually found a restaurant that looked fairly clean and bright.
As they pushed open the door, the bustling everyday atmosphere and aroma of food within eased Tang Ya's tightly wound nerves a little further.
Huo Yuhao directly chose a secluded private room and skillfully beckoned over a waiter.
"Two servings of light signature dishes, and a pot of hot tea."
"Certainly, please wait a moment." The waiter briskly withdrew with the menu.
The private room immediately fell silent.
Tang Ya lowered her head, cupping the freshly poured teacup with both hands as wisps of steam rose from it. Like a wronged quail, she did not utter a word.
Seeing her so distraught, Huo Yuhao's ice-blue eyes showed little reaction.
He believed only in logic and causality, not tears.
"Sister Tang Ya, now that you've calmed down, can you tell me what exactly happened?" Huo Yuhao asked calmly, his tone gentle yet impossible to evade.
Tang Ya's body trembled slightly.
She raised her head and gave her junior disciple brother across from her a complicated look. He had remained terrifyingly calm throughout.
After a long silence, she finally began recounting that blood-soaked memory buried deep in her heart, one that hurt unbearably whenever she touched it.
"That was about ten years ago."
"One