Early the next morning.
Lu Changfeng opened his eyes and found an outer robe draped over him, carrying a faint orchid fragrance.
He paused for a moment, then recalled what had happened last night.
Lu Yuening's xun music, that "Reclusive World Melody," and finally the sound of her rising and walking toward the couch. He had closed his eyes not because he was truly sleepy, but because he did not want a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl to give herself away like this. What she wanted was to fly out of her cage, not trade it for another.
The morning light grew brighter.
Footsteps approached outside, stopped at his door, and hesitated for a moment before a soft knock came.
"Are you awake, sir? I made a few dishes. I hope they suit your taste."
Lu Changfeng rose and went over to open the door.
Lu Yuening stood outside with a red-lacquered food box. Today, she had changed into a pale yellow dress and redone her hair, looking a little more composed than yesterday.
Her gaze swept swiftly over Lu Changfeng's face. Seeing his expression unchanged, she relaxed slightly, lowered her eyes, and carried the food box inside, setting several small dishes and a bowl of congee on the table.
They were specialties of the Eastern Sea.
A plate of steamed sea fish, its snowy flesh garnished with ginger slivers; a plate of cold seaweed salad, translucent green and drizzled with sesame oil; a small dish of sauce-braised baby octopus, gleaming red; and a bowl of seafood congee, simmered thick, with several peeled shrimp floating on top.
The plates and bowls covered the table, a feast of color, fragrance, and flavor.
"Please enjoy, sir." Lu Yuening stepped back, her hands folded before her and her head slightly lowered, like a student