The little restaurant was tucked away in an alley on the back street behind Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The wooden table bore plenty of marks accumulated over the years, and a circular soup stain left by the previous customers still remained on its surface.
The owner was a kindly, plump middle-aged man. When he saw Dugu Yan enter, he greeted her cheerfully. "Little Yan, you haven't been here in ages."
"I've been rather busy lately. The usual, boss: one serving of sauce-grilled ribs, two bowls of mushroom soup, and a plate of cured pork stir-fried with bamboo shoots." Dugu Yan rattled off the dishes as though counting her family treasures.
"Coming right up. Take a seat, and I'll get it started." The owner quickly cleaned their table, then turned and headed into the kitchen.
"And add a serving of fried little fish!" Dugu Yan turned to Lan Changsheng. "Senior Lan, the fish here are caught fresh and fried straightaway. They're especially delicious. Is there anything else you'd like?"
As she spoke, she picked up the menu beside her and handed it to Lan Changsheng.
Lan Changsheng shook his head. "That's already plenty."
"All right, boss, that's everything for now."
"You got it!"
Dugu Yan made her way with practiced ease to the table farther inside, pulled out a chair, and invited Lan Changsheng to sit. Then she went to the kitchen and brought out two bowls of hot tea. She clearly came here often.
Lan Changsheng looked around the restaurant. The lighting was not particularly bright, but it was warm and cozy. Strings of dried chilies and garlic hung in the corner, and the air carried the scent of cooking.
Lan Changsheng took his seat. "It seems you used to come here often. Did you always come alone?"
"Not always.