At dusk, "Dream of Glazed Glass" had reached its closing time, but today, no one was in a hurry to leave; instead, they stayed for a communal meal.
The simulated night sky on the ceiling was dotted with stars, and the slightly dark hall was illuminated with candle-like night lamps. The floor, swept spotlessly clean, reflected the warm yellow candlelight, hazy and beautiful.
Around the makeshift long table, waitresses sat chatting and laughing, with others weaving between them, bringing over freshly made dishes—roasted bass with steam rising off it, pastries, golden-brown sweet potato balls, and sizzling small cuts of lamb chops on an iron plate, among others.
"Save two pieces of steak for me!" With one hand holding a plate with a wine glass and the other clutching cookies, Tilan called out to a waitress near a distant table, in front of whom sat a just-served plate of steak, topped with red peppers and parsley that whetted the appetite.
