On the streets of Sixth Street, Anby, Cui Ji, and Soldier 11 stood side by side, looking at one another in an atmosphere of subtly awkward silence.
"Manager Wise was right. It's rare for us to get together, so let's go have a meal. What do you want to eat?"
After a long while, Cui Ji was ultimately the one to break the silence.
There was no other reason for it. The whole matter had started with Soldier 11 and Anby. Cui Ji had simply been an innocent victim, an unlucky soul dragged into it.
Besides, Anby and Soldier 11—those two were both tight-lipped. If they were left to speak for themselves, they might stand there until nightfall.
Anby spoke first. "Hamburgers."
Soldier 11 followed immediately. "Extra-spicy hamburgers."
Anby said, "Beef noodles."
Soldier 11 said, "Extra-spicy beef noodles."
Anby said, "Ethereals?"
Soldier 11 said, "Extra-spicy Ethereals."
Anby said, "..."
Soldier 11 said, "Extra-spicy..."
Watching the two compete even when they were arguing, Cui Ji's mouth twitched. She then made a reasonable suggestion. "How about... hot pot?"
Anby and Soldier 11 looked at each other, then nodded at the same time.
--
Inside the hot pot restaurant, steam billowed through the air. The spicy broth churned while the clear broth sat quietly.
After Anby and Cui Ji ordered the soup base and ingredients, they got up to buy hamburgers—after all, Anby's obsession with hamburgers could not be replaced by a single hot pot meal.
Soldier 11 was left alone to save their seats. Sitting by the window, she swept her gaze across the table.
They had ordered a split hot pot. She did not like the clear broth on the left. The chili oil broth on the right, however, was filled with floating chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. She liked that!
Soldier