She followed him without argument.
The seating area was perfect, a small balcony overlooking an indoor garden with artificial sunlight streaming down. Lin Yue sat down and watched as Uriel unpacked the food.
Steaming dumplings in a bamboo basket. A whole roasted duck, already carved, with plum sauce on the side. Two cups of a deep purple liquid that fizzled slightly.
She grabbed a dumpling and bit into it.
Her eyes closed. Her entire body stilled.
It was perfect. The wrapper was thin and chewy, the filling savory and juicy, the dipping sauce tangy and slightly sweet. It tasted exactly like the dumplings from the little shop near her university, the one she used to go to with friends after late classes.
"Oh my god." she whispered.
Uriel watched her, something flickering in his gold eyes. "Good?"
She did not answer. She grabbed another dumpling. Then another. Then she reached for the duck, tearing off a piece of the crispy skin and moaning softly.
