Knock, knock-knock.
After knocking in a steady rhythm, Bane did not push the door open. He stood outside and waited.
Although this was a restaurant, the thought of why he had come made Bane naturally mind his manners.
"Come in."
A few seconds later, Qin Ran's voice came from inside.
Bane immediately pushed the door open and entered.
"Good evening, Luo Yan."
With an air of easy familiarity-or, rather, shamelessness-Bane sidled up to the counter.
As always, Qin Ran sat on a stool with a newspaper in his hands. The television beside him was still playing the evening news. The only difference was the extra cup of plain tea by his hand.
Mimosa had brewed it.
After buying some tea leaves and a tea set that afternoon, Mimosa had eagerly tried brewing tea for Qin Ran.
Mimosa was proficient in Cooking, and no slouch at making tea either.
Under Mimosa's care, ordinary tea leaves took on a different character.
The tea was not particularly bitter on the tongue. It was rich and mellow, with a sweet aftertaste.
Qin Ran lifted his cup and took a sip, and the corners of his mouth rose involuntarily.
Already pleased by the partial recovery of his strength, he felt even better now.
Having been through something similar before, Qin Ran had fully adjusted to his partially unsealed body after giving himself a full day to adapt.
He could now bring out one hundred percent of the strength his current body offered.
For someone like Qin Ran,
great strength was essential.
But control over that strength was even more essential.
No matter how powerful it was, Qin Ran had no use for strength he could not control.
More importantly, recovering some of his strength had given him more options for dealing with the dungeon world