Xu Kai prepared everything himself—wild vegetables simmering with mushrooms, the rabbit meat cut into tender pieces and grilled over the flame, and a bowl of rice warming gently at the edge of the pot.
Liora sat nearby, watching him with a growing sense of comfort in her chest—like this moment, quiet and shared, was something rare she didn't want to lose.
liora barely stopped smiling through the meal. Everything tasted better when eaten under the stars. She even offered him half of the soft, oddly sweet fruit she had saved.
He didn't say much, but his eyes lingered on her longer than usual.
After dinner, she helped him pack up, and when he yawned once—just once—she suggested he rest early.
"I'll just sort through some system stuff," she said casually. "Need to organize today's finds."
He gave her a brief nod, not questioning it.
