The heavy metal gates opened silently, like a giant beast opening its maw to welcome distinguished guests.
The light inside the hall was somewhat dim, starkly contrasting the brightness of the streets in Stone City.
Thick stone walls blocked out the exterior light, and only 9 primitive-looking metal lamps hanging high above emitted a pale yellow glow, illuminating the main area of the hall.
The space was incredibly vast, with thick stone pillars supporting the weight of the structure beneath the high dome, creating a strong sense of both oppression and security.
The floor was paved with massive stone slabs, polished smooth and flat, yet still showing the traces of time.
The walls were decorated with rugged murals depicting scenes related to wilderness survival and combat, a style that was primal and full of strength.
The furnishings of the hall were extremely sparse, perhaps even rudimentary.
A massive stone table sat in the center, surrounded by a few sturdy stone chairs.
Files and maps were piled on the stone table, showing that this was a place for handling official business.
The entire hall lacked any unnecessary decoration, everything appearing practical and efficient, filled with the pragmatism of post-apocalyptic survival.
***
Ye Lan led Mu Xi through the empty hall toward a room at the far end.
The door was open, and a woman in a black tactical outfit stood at the entrance with her back to them, seemingly gazing into the distance.
Hearing their footsteps, the woman turned around, a warm, radiant smile immediately blooming on her face.
“Ye Lan! You’re finally here! I thought I’d never see you again!”
The woman’s voice was bright and full of vitality, like the scorching sun in the wilderness, instantly dispelling the stifling air inside the hall.
She hurried over, threw her arms around Ye Lan, and patted her back firmly, her movements bold and powerful.
“Nan Qiao, long time no see.” Ye Lan responded with a smile, patting Nan Qiao on the shoulder with a hint of the joy of reunion in her tone.
Nan Qiao let go of Ye Lan, her gaze immediately shifting to Mu Xi, who was standing beside her, a flash of admiration and curiosity crossing her eyes.
“This must be… Miss Mu Xi? She is truly as beautiful and moving as the rumors suggest.”
Nan Qiao’s gaze lingered on Mu Xi for a few seconds before she reached out and enthusiastically took Mu Xi’s hand.
“Welcome to Stone City. I am Nan Qiao, the Lord of this city.”
Nan Qiao had a short, capable haircut, sharp facial features, and eyes that were keen and full of vitality.
Every gesture she made carried an air of heroism.
Her skin was a healthy wheat color, and she wore a well-fitted black tactical suit that accentuated her agile and upright frame.
It blended perfectly with the rugged style of Stone City, and she radiated an aura of strength and confidence from head to toe.
Her smile was highly infectious, making one feel involuntarily drawn in by her warmth.
“Hello.” Mu Xi responded with some reserve, her voice soft and slightly raspy, a sharp contrast to Nan Qiao’s enthusiasm.
She quietly hid behind Ye Lan, observing the legendary Lord of Stone City with curious yet slightly uneasy eyes.
“Ye Lan, it’s great that you made it back alive!” Nan Qiao looked at Ye Lan again, her tone sincere and agitated.
“I thought… Well, never mind. It’s enough that you’re back! Enough! Quickly, come in, I’ve already prepared a welcoming banquet to properly celebrate for you!”
Nan Qiao enthusiastically pulled Ye Lan and Mu Xi into the room, her hearty laughter echoing through the hall, driving away the oppression and heaviness brought by the post-apocalyptic wilderness.
***
The room was brighter than the outside, though the light sources were still hanging metal lamps, just more numerous and providing more light.
In the center of the room sat another massive stone table, covered with a rough but clean linen tablecloth and filled with food and ceramic tableware.
Deep, hearty stews steamed, and there were root vegetables of unknown names and loaves of coarse bread.
The portions were generous, filled with the solid, wilderness style.
Large slabs of roasted meat emitted a charred fragrance, the color enticing.
The air was thick with the scent of food and a faint, oily metallic smell, combining into the unique atmosphere of Stone City.
Nan Qiao enthusiastically pushed the two into the chairs beside the stone table.
“Sit, sit! You must be starving after traveling for so long!”
She sat down herself with a bold posture and picked up a ceramic wine jug from the table.
“This is something special I’ve kept, brewed from berries found in the wasteland. It’s got a real kick! We won’t stop until we’re drunk today!”
She expertly filled the ceramic cups in front of Ye Lan and Mu Xi with a deep red liquid; the wine was fragrant, carrying a hint of wild sweetness.
Just as Nan Qiao prepared to raise her glass to call for her subordinates to bring more wine, Ye Lan’s hand touched Mu Xi’s under the table.
Mu Xi was looking curiously at the food on the table, and upon feeling the touch, she immediately turned to look at Ye Lan.
Ye Lan’s expression was calm, her lips moving silently to deliver a few words: ‘Do not eat, do not drink, do not move.’
The curiosity in Mu Xi’s eyes instantly faded, replaced by complete trust.
Without the slightest hesitation, she gave a nearly imperceptible nod, then sat quietly with her gaze lowered, no longer looking at anything on the table, as if the alluring food and drink did not exist.
Nan Qiao raised her own glass, all smiles.
“Come! Ye Lan, Miss Mu Xi! I’ll toast you both first! From now on, this is your home!”
Ye Lan raised her hand and gently pressed it over the rim of her cup.
“Nan Qiao, I’m sorry. We just went through a brutal battle and our bodies haven’t fully recovered. We can’t drink alcohol for the time being.” Her voice was calm, with no discernable emotion.
Nan Qiao’s motion of raising her glass paused for a moment.
Her smile remained, but there was something extra in her eyes.
She put down her glass, her tone becoming even more warm, “Oh, look at my memory! You should get some rest. That’s perfect! Just settle down in Stone City from now on and don’t go anywhere! It’s not safe outside. My place might be simple, but it is absolutely secure. With me here, no one dares to touch you.”
The words sounded full of goodwill, but the phrase “don’t go anywhere” acted like invisible chains, gently settling upon the two of them.
Nan Qiao picked up a piece of roasted meat and began to eat in large bites, calling out vaguely, “Eat! Don’t be polite! Taste my cook’s craft; though it’s not as refined as what you’re used to, it’ll keep you full!”
She pointed to the stew and said, “This is made from roots dug up in the frozen snow of the wasteland. It’s very nourishing!”
Ye Lan still did not move and said, “We aren’t hungry for now.”
Nan Qiao’s chewing slowed.
She put down the meat, wiped the corner of her mouth, and swept her gaze between Ye Lan and Mu Xi, finally landing on Ye Lan’s face before suddenly bursting into loud laughter.
“I say, Ye Lan, you’re so cautious. Could it be that you suspect I did something to the food?”
She laughed so hard she swayed, as if she had heard a ridiculous joke, but her sharp eyes never left Ye Lan.
She slammed her hand on the table and said, “If you’re worried, fine! I’ll call someone over right now and have them taste every dish in front of you! That’ll satisfy you, right?”
Before Ye Lan could respond, Mu Xi, who had been silent and still, suddenly spoke.
Her voice was very soft, with a distinct rasp, yet exceptionally clear: “No need to taste it.”
Both Nan Qiao and Ye Lan looked at her.
Mu Xi lifted her head, looking at Nan Qiao with eyes that were clean and direct: “Regardless of whether there is anything in it or not, I only eat things that Ye Lan makes for me. Nothing else.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the room seemed to freeze for an instant.
Even the metal lamp hanging high above seemed to react to the atmosphere, flickering at an inopportune moment with a faint, buzzing sound.
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