After Fang Chuning was fully dressed, he walked around the screen and came out. Xie Jue was sitting by the warm couch, the window slightly opened, allowing the morning light to fall upon the bookshelf near the couch and cast a faint glow onto his face. His usually distant and cold features appeared lively and warm amidst the soft light. Beside the warm couch was a small stove with a pot of water boiling on it. At the center of the couch was a tea set, reminiscent of the arrangements in their tent back in Ningzhou.
Back in the Ningzhou Military Camp, he and Xie Jue shared a tent. Their tent, larger than those of ordinary soldiers, was laid over with a layer of animal hide carpet—an arrangement reflecting Xie Jue's penchant for cleanliness. Beyond the sleeping bed, there was also a warm resting couch near the bookshelf, where the two would often pass the time brewing tea or playing chess.
