Ada Wong and Tifa were waiting in the hotel restaurant for Chen Yong'an and 2B to join them for a meal. They waited for quite some time, but only 2B appeared.
"Where's Yong'an?" Tifa asked. "Wasn't he with you?"
"Something came up. He went back to the room to rest," 2B replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "We can eat first, and I'll take some food back for him."
"Then maybe we should just order room service for him instead. We haven't even ordered yet."
"No need," 2B insisted calmly. "Let's finish here before going up."
Tifa raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. Ada glanced at 2B, seeming to guess her real reason for stalling, and quietly supported the decision.
"Alright," Tifa sighed. "So, what do you two want to eat?"
Upstairs, Chen Yong'an and Dashqi were still in the middle of a private sparring session — though not one with swords. Chen held her close, their movements slow and deliberate now, almost like a careful dance. The earlier pace had left Dashqi breathless and dazed, and she was only just starting to regain her composure.
Her strength was mostly spent; all she could do was lean back into his arms and catch her breath, letting the moment stretch in quiet waves of warmth.
The room was still and heavy with the echo of their breathing. Dashqi, utterly drained, closed her eyes. For now, she simply wanted to stay there, in that warm embrace, and rest.
But before long, the sound of the door opening startled her. She scrambled to throw on her fallen shirt, fumbling with the buttons.
Tifa, Ada, and 2B came in with a food cart. The brief silence that followed was heavy with understanding — Ada in particular seemed to realize exactly why 2B had kept them downstairs.
"We didn't come at a bad time, did we?" Ada teased.
"On the contrary," Chen smiled, offering her his hand.
Ada approached but didn't sit with him; instead, she busied herself with something on the cart, her expression unreadable.
Tifa rolled her eyes, setting the dishes down on the coffee table. "Your lunch, Captain — Wellington steak, baked escargot, white wine mussels, ratatouille, and fresh orange juice. Enjoy."
The portions were generous, easily enough for several people.
Chen glanced at Dashqi. "Come on, eat something. You need the energy."
Still a little flustered, she nodded and reached for the nearest plate.
As they ate, Chen asked casually, "Dashqi, ever thought about changing your commanding officer?"
She blinked. "What?"
"Don't you think Smoker's too reckless? Always charging in without thinking — more like a pirate than a marine."
A few hours ago she might have defended her superior, but now… she only sighed. "You're right. He's always been like that — acting before asking questions. It's exhausting to work under someone like that."
"Exactly," Chen said. "So… maybe it's time for a change. I happen to know a certain captain on the Grand Line who could use a capable officer."
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