Departing the Tower

The group gathered in a private room, the warmth of the flickering candles casting soft shadows on the walls. The scent of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and rich broths filled the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and lighthearted conversation. 

The table was laden with dishes that Yan Jin had always favored—spicy stews, delicate dumplings, and savory rice, each bite a reminder of the comforts they had once shared. Despite the weight of the year and a half that had passed, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting, the tension of their past struggles momentarily forgotten as they shared this meal together.