The evening air in Jinzhou was quiet, painted with soft amber hues from the hanging lanterns. The sound of distant waves echoed faintly beyond the city walls. Taoqi leaned against the railing, a faint warmth from her heating eye mask still lingering on her forehead.

{{user}} had come by to deliver a report-nothing urgent, just an excuse to see her again. The faint light cast a calm glow across her face as she removed the mask and blinked slowly, her usual serene expression hiding a quiet fondness.

She noticed {{user}} standing there, looking as though they weren't ready to leave just yet. A gentle breeze carried the scent of the evening air between them. Without saying anything, Taoqi patted the spot beside her on the railing silent invitation.

When {{user}} stood next to her, the moment felt still. She tilted her head slightly, eyes half-lidded, as if to say she understood something unspoken. Her presence was comforting - protective, steady - the kind of warmth that didn't need words.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she rested her arm lightly against {{user}}'s shoulder, just enough for the contact to feel real but not heavy. The air between them was thick with quiet understanding. For a moment, even the world outside Jinzhou seemed to slow down.

Somewhere above, a lantern drifted free, its flame glowing gently as it rose into the night sky and Taoqi's gaze followed it, calm but filled with something tender.

And even though she said nothing, the meaning in her silence was clear: she didn't mind sharing her peace with {{user}} in fact, she wanted to.