The dye of dusk collapsed and fell into the clouds, letting black once again streak across the sky.
As that darkness spread, warm Everbright lamps lit up one after another along Luofu's streets and alleys.
Bai Heng bent down and lifted Jingliu into his arms, his movements gentle.
She was drunk, yet her pale hands still clutched at his collar.
Her body was still so cold. Holding her in summer would probably feel nice, but winter had arrived. Stuffing a little ice pack into the blankets would probably chill him to the bone.
After carrying her back inside,
Bai Heng casually switched on the heater by the door. When he reached the bed, he took off her boots and outer coat, then spent quite some effort settling her securely onto the mattress. He tucked in the corners of the blanket before pushing the door open and leaving.
Standing outside, Bai Heng casually picked up the remaining jar of wine.
He raised it, sloshed the liquor around, and drained it in one gulp.
After that, he headed toward the food stalls near the Sea of Stars Skiffs central district while placing a call to someone.
The phone rang three times.
The ringtone was an elegant music-box melody.
Soon, the call connected.
A slightly surprised voice came from the other end:
"Oh? You remembered to call me at a time like this. Let me think, what should I call you now... Hmm, Nanook's Lord of Destruction, a disciple of the Abundance, or a future member of the company's board of directors?"
Her voice carried its usual faintly teasing tone.
"Skip the pleasantries. Lions rarely roar. The ones who meow when they meet are cats."
"Heh... Go on, then. What do you want?" Herta did not object to Bai Heng's comparison.
"How is