The middle-aged man's words seemed to carry a hint of dissatisfaction. Ahqing, hearing this, didn't dare to join the conversation readily, nor did she have much to say.
Compared to this place, she of course preferred the Imperial Capital. Even though it was shrouded in smog, despite the traffic congestion, even though human warmth was lacking, and even if the society was full of deceitful schemes...
But it was still better than here.
For a while, a terrifying silence fell between the two, wordless and each lost in their own thoughts.
A gentle breeze passed by, cooling their bodies that had been warmed by the sun, and slowly broke the icy atmosphere.
The middle-aged man smiled faintly, breaking the silence.
"What, too scared to talk now? Ahqing, you're just too cautious. I was only joking just now," he said.
Ahqing laughed dryly a couple of times, unwilling to continue the conversation.
