Tang Yin waited at the hotel, giddy and excited at the thought of seeing Damian, Gale, and Yu Hua again. Uncle Jian stood beside her as spotted the three men walking toward them.

  She waved, then ran forward, quickly engulfed in warm hugs and cheerful greetings. Yin noticed how all three had grown taller. Damian looked every bit the savvy businessman in his suit, wearing a cheeky grin. Gale still resembled a schor or professor — ink stains on his hands and sleeves, and gold-rimmed gsses perched on his nose.

  "How have you been?" she asked as they pulled apart, and both smiled.

  "We started a small business," Damian replied. "And we’re finally making money, so things are going well."

  "Rocky start?" she guessed.

  He shrugged. "A little. My stepmother’s been doing everything she can to make things difficult. But with Gale’s gadgets and Yu Hua’s designs, we’ve got a solid foundation. Her interference can only go so far. We’re almost through the rough patch."

  Tang Yin nodded. She figured starting a business was tough for anyone at first.

  "Yeah," Gale leaned against her shoulder. "Just wait — we’ll be millionaires soon."

  "I see, I see," Tang Yin grinned — only to have Damian ruffle her hair a moment ter.

  "Let’s go eat. Anything you and the honored Douluo would like?" Gale asked.

  Uncle Jian smiled. "Nothing in particur. I’m just here to keep my student safe."

  His words made the others pause. The three men exchanged a gnce, silently communicating.

  "Guys… I’m right here," she said, giving them a look.

  "We know," Yu Hua replied, patting her head before bowing respectfully to Uncle Jian. "Thank you for protecting her."

  "I know a pce," Damian offered. "Mao’s — a small restaurant serving local specialties. The food’s incredible. Though... I’m not sure if it’ll be up to your standards, Master Jian."

  "It’s been a while since I visited a small local pce," Uncle Jian said. "I’m looking forward to it."

  "Then let’s go!" Gale grabbed Tang Yin’s sleeve and led the way, while Yu Hua and Damian lingered behind. Chen Xin followed quietly, always watchful. Tang Yin ughed as Gale gave her a tour — first the theater, then favorite haunts he and Damian had discovered in Vast Sea City.

  They passed through markets and down a narrow alley that opened onto a wide street.

  "Welcome to the food quarters," Gale announced, stretching his arms.

  "I haven’t been to this part of the city before," Chen Xin remarked, looking around.

  "Not surprising — spirit masters from outside rarely come here," Yu Hua said as he moved through the crowd. People instinctively made way for him. It was subtle, but clear — Yu Hua was respected here.

  "There it is," Damian pointed, and they arrived at a modest eatery. Crooked wooden tables spilled onto the sidewalk, small stools clustered around them. Chen Xin smiled as he took in the sight, and Damian headed inside. Inside, rge pots brimmed with simmering food.

  Tang Yin followed and caught up just as Damian was about to pay.

  "I’ll pay," she offered.

  He shook his head. "Nope — you’re our guest." He nodded to the woman behind the counter, who handed him five ptes and gave him a friendly pat on the back, saying something Yin didn’t catch.

  Back outside, Damian handed out the ptes. "Madame says the chicken today’s especially good — they’ve been experimenting with new spices."

  Chen Xin eyed his pte skeptically.

  "Don’t worry, it might look rough, but the food’s amazing," Gale assured him. "Not what you’re used to, I guess, but really don't worry. Just follow Yu Hua — people always make space for him."

  "As marvelous as I am," Yu Hua said with a grin, leading the way inside. "Come on."

  Yin followed, with Chen Xin close behind, scanning the crowd and the food. The pce looked shady, but the smell was heavenly. And indeed, everyone parted to let Yu Hua through. He guided them through the best food combinations, and soon everyone had full ptes.

  Outside, Chen Xin ughed. "I can’t remember the st time I ate at a pce like this."

  They sat at one of the small tables.

  "It’ll get busier ter," Yu Hua expined. "Right now it’s people stocking up before the Arena fights. Later, it’s mostly the hungry fighters. We’re early — any ter and we’d never get a seat."

  "I see." Chen Xin tasted the food, and his eyes widened as he let out an appreciative hum. "You weren’t joking— this is excellent."

  Tang Yin was equally surprised. The fvors exploded on her tongue.

  "This is amazing," she said, eagerly sampling everything. The others smiled, and for a moment, they all ate in comfortable silence.

  "Master Jian," a voice called.

  They all looked up. Two members of the Seven Treasures stood nearby — unlike Chen Xin, they wore full cn regalia. They bowed deeply, drawing stares from nearby diners.

  Uncle Jian shook his head and waved them off. They obeyed, though the stares persisted. Tang Yin shifted uncomfortably.

  "Don’t worry," Uncle Jian told her. "But keep an eye on my food while I step away — I fear it may vanish."

  "Got it," Tang Yin nodded.

  "Wow… he’s surprisingly approachable for someone that important," Gale said. Yu Hua got up just as Damian murmured something to him with a nod.

  "He is," Yin agreed.

  Then she felt a tap on her foot under the table. She looked at Damian, puzzled.

  "Yes?"

  "Can you kidnap Yu Hua?" he asked seriously.

  She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

  "I mean, he won’t leave us. And you’re heading to Poseidon’s Court, right?"

  She nodded slowly. "Yeah…"

  "Then take him with you," Damian said. "He’s been giving all his earnings to us, working at the store, going to the Arena, putting his life on hold to take care of us. But he’s always dreamed of becoming a spirit master. We came to Vast Sea City for that reason — for him to go to Poseidon."

  "I can…" Tang Yin tilted her head. "But I don’t want to force him."

  "Yin," Gale cut in, gncing toward the door, "please. He won’t leave on his own. He keeps saying we’re not ready. But we are — and he’s not listening."

  "I can’t just kidnap him," Tang Yin insisted. "Maybe he’s happy with how things are."

  "He’s not," Damian said firmly.

  Just then, Yu Hua returned, and Uncle Jian resumed his seat. They ate, but the conversation lingered in Tang Yin’s mind.

  Yu Hua would do something like that — sacrifice his own future for theirs. And Damian and Gale wouldn’t have brought it up if it weren’t important.

  Still, forcing him wasn’t the answer. She had to ask him directly.

  She took one st bite of chicken and turned to him.

  "Hey, Yu Hua... want to come with me to Haishen?"