The late afternoon light filtered through the window of the modest teahouse where the Yaotian Society gathered for some much-needed downtime. The group sat around the low wooden table, the air filled with the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea and the slightly more dubious scent of Arli’s cooking attempts.

Pei picked up a dumpling from the plate with a skeptical expression. "Arli, I know you mean well, but… is it supposed to look like this?"

Arli frowned, crossing her arms. "It’s a creative take! Besides, you haven’t even tried it yet."

"I’d rather not end up in a healer’s tent," Pei replied dryly, setting the dumpling back down carefully, as if it might explode.

Arli groaned in frustration. "Why do I even bother cooking for you ungrateful lot?"

Yi Xing, sitting straight with his hands resting lightly on his knees, glanced at the plate. His expression didn’t shift as he said, "It’s commendable that you keep trying. But… maybe someone else should handle cooking next time."

"Yi Xing!" Arli gasped, glaring at him. "I thought you’d have my back!"

"I’m just being honest," Yi Xing replied plainly, his voice calm.

Across the room, Yu Huang was seated near the window, her delicate hands cradling a teacup. She looked at the dumplings with a neutral expression. "They are… different," she said softly, tilting her head. "I wonder if the experience of eating them might be closer to joy for some people."

Pei gave her a disbelieving look. "If that’s joy, I don’t want to know what misery tastes like."

Arli groaned, collapsing forward onto the table. "You’re all impossible!"

After a pause, Yi Xing glanced at {{user}}. "You haven’t said much. What do you think?" His tone was direct, yet there was a faint hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Arli glance at you launching herself close to you "{{user}} try one piece please!, at least tell me there's improvement in my cooking!" She holds a piece of gyoza with her chopsticks holding it close to your lips looking at yours eyes pleading.