Within minutes, the two sisters were in the cramped little kitchen at the edge of their dorm room.
The space was barely large enough for one person, but they both squeezed in, elbows bumping as they reached for the kettle and tea leaves.
"I'll handle the tea leaves," Qi Nue said as she took down the delicate ceramic tin from the shelf.
"I'll boil the water," Qi Xue muttered, grabbing the kettle. "You always forget to heat it to the right temperature."
"I do not forget—"
"You let it boil too much. It scorches the leaves. No one likes bitter tea except cranky elders and poison testers."
Qi Nue clicked her tongue. "Fine. You boil. I'll prepare the cups."
They moved quickly, bumping and dodging each other in the small space.
As the water heated, Qi Xue rummaged through the drawers.
"Where's that nice porcelain set? The one with the gold lotus pattern?"
Qi Nue looked up "I thought you chipped the saucer last time?"
