After dinner, Xinhai cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks, then walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and stopped.
Outside, the moon had already risen, silver-white moonlight spilling across the sea and paving a shimmering silver road.
Far out on the water, the lights of other ships could occasionally be seen, scattered like stars upon the sea.
The sea breeze slipped in through the crack in the window, carrying a salty, damp scent as it stirred the sheer edge of the curtains.
Xinhai stood before the window, his gaze falling on the pale gold invitation resting on the desk.
Its pale gold cover gleamed subtly beneath the lights, while the gilded words "Dicolik Family · Night on the Sea" shimmered faintly.
At some point, Eevee had walked over to the desk and crouched on the chair, her large brown eyes fixed on the invitation.
"Vee?" (Xinhai, should we go?)
Hearing that, Xinhai opened the invitation. Inside, several lines were printed in elegant handwriting—
"Mr. Xinhai Bai Mu is cordially invited to attend the 'Dicolik Family · Night on the Sea' gala. Time: 8:00 PM Location: Sea Emperor · Banquet Hall"
"Vee!" Eevee jumped down from the chair and ran to Xinhai's feet, raising her little head. "Vee, vee!" (Xinhai, let's go take a look! There'll definitely be delicious food!)
Seeing her sparkling brown eyes, Xinhai could not help but laugh.
"You're only going for the food, aren't you?"
"Vee!" Eevee nodded righteously, her fluffy tail swaying gently behind her. "Vee, vee!" (There'll definitely be lots of delicious food at a gala! It'd be such a shame not to go!)
Charmander and Axew also came over. The two little ones raised their heads, four eyes staring at Xinhai in unison, their gazes full of anticipation.
"Char!" "Axew!" (We want to go take