For the next hour and a half, the three sat around the table.
Zhao Yan was in high spirits. As he urged them to drink, he spoke of the trivial details of his life along the border these past few years. Whenever he mentioned the shifting winds and clouds of the capital back then, he could not help but sigh with emotion.
Su Yueli spoke little. Most of the time, she merely listened in silence, occasionally taking a small sip of the fiery clear wine.
An hour and a half later, the two jars of old wine had run dry.
A faint flush tinged Su Yueli's cheeks, and a light, hazy drunkenness rose in her mind.
She waved her hand, stopping Zhao Yan as he prepared to fetch more wine.
"Let us stop here for today."
Su Yueli rose to her feet, her white dress gently swaying. Her tone was calm. "I cannot hold my liquor very well. If I drink any more, I will be drunk."
Seeing this, Zhao Yan did not insist. He hurriedly rose as well and respectfully saw her off. "In that case, Zhao shall not force the matter. To share a drink with Miss Yueli today has truly been one of life's greatest pleasures!"
The three walked all the way to the gates of the residence.
Su Yueli turned to Zhao Yan and Gu Chen, who stood behind him, then cupped her hands. "Farewell."
"Take care, Miss Yueli!" Zhao Yan returned the gesture.
Gu Chen also bowed respectfully. "Take care, Miss."
Su Yueli did not linger. With a flicker of her figure, she transformed into a streak of white light and tore through the air, vanishing above the clouds in an instant.
Standing before the gates, Zhao Yan raised his head to watch her receding