Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 466 Ambiguity
The restaurant is hidden deep in the alleys of the old town, like a haven of peace in the bustling city.

Chen Xi was clearly a regular here. The owner, with a friendly smile, led them to a quiet private room by the window, where a few green bamboos sheltered the white walls and gray tiles.

When ordering, Chen Xi flipped through the menu, carefully avoiding raw, cold, spicy, and hard-to-digest options, and choosing more mild and nourishing dishes. She also whispered, "Please use less oil and less salt."

This quiet thoughtfulness, like a feather, gently brushed against Li Jingyi's heartstrings, stirring a subtle sweetness.

While waiting for the food to be served, the two chatted casually.

Li Jingyi shared anecdotes about her rehabilitation at the sanatorium, while Chen Xi enthusiastically described the wonders of the city, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

In such a relaxed environment, Chen Xi's gentle demeanor seemed especially comforting and natural.

However, when he occasionally falls silent, or when his gaze inadvertently falls on the small world outside the window, his quiet profile suddenly freezes into a sense of distance, always reminding Li Jingyi of that fleeting glimpse in the ward—a profound calm that seems to bear a weight unimaginable to ordinary people.

His hand, casually resting on the table, had distinct knuckles and prominent joints. Even in its relaxed state, it subtly exuded a restrained strength, unlike the hands of an ordinary office worker.

But whenever she spoke, his gaze would turn back like a warm current, and that focused gentleness would quickly replace all the gloom, making her feel that her previous associations were just her own imagination.

"The soup here is excellent; drinking more is good for your health," Chen Xi said, naturally picking up a soup ladle and serving her a bowl of rich, milky-white fish soup, with a few bright green scallions floating on the surface.

"Thank you." Li Jingyi took the white porcelain bowl, took small sips, and felt the warmth slide from the tip of her tongue into her stomach, then slowly spread to her limbs and bones.

She looked up at the enigmatic man opposite her: his meticulousness and reliability, and even the occasional, strangely calm demeanor like the deep sea, all gave her a sense of reassurance, mixed with a hint of curiosity to explore the truth.

Sharing life and death experiences and spending time together made the budding affection between them become clearer and more tangible, like tender buds quietly sprouting on branches in spring.

They tacitly enjoyed this closeness, not in a hurry to define it, letting the ambiguous feelings flow and linger naturally like a thin mist amidst the aroma of food and whispers.

Lunch drew to a close in a pleasant atmosphere.

The afternoon sun streamed through the exquisitely carved wooden window, casting warm, dappled light on the dark tabletop.

Chen Xi carefully scooped out the last half bowl of warm fish soup from the casserole and gently placed it in front of Li Jingyi: "Drink some more. You've just recovered from a serious illness, and this is the most nourishing thing for you."

She accepted it as instructed, took small sips, and felt a warm sensation in her stomach. Her heart was also soothed by this subtle and gentle care.

She gazed at Chen Xi again: his thoughtful gestures and the calmness that seemed to have been tempered by time and traversed countless mountains and rivers intertwined to create a complex and highly attractive unique temperament in him.

That hazy feeling, like the new green shoots quietly sprouting outside the window, grows clearer and stronger in the soil of my heart.

They maintained a tacit understanding, refraining from piercing this delicate veil, cherishing only the present moment of closeness, allowing this warm ambiguity to quietly ferment, settle, and flow amidst the faint aroma of tea and the lingering taste of food.

Stepping out of the private restaurant, the lazy afternoon sun warmly bathed me, bringing with it the leisurely feeling of spring.

It was still early, so Chen Xi turned her head and suggested gently, "It's still early, how about we go see a movie? Consider it... an extra treat to celebrate your newfound freedom?"

Li Jingyi's eyes lit up. Being able to enjoy such ordinary yet vibrant daily entertainment after recovering from a serious illness made her feel exceptionally happy. "Okay!" she readily agreed, her smile as bright as the sunshine at that moment. "It's been a long time since I've been to the movies, and I've been missing the taste of popcorn."

They chose a comfortable cinema in the city center with spacious seats to watch a well-received lighthearted sci-fi comedy.

The theater was dimly lit, with only the giant screen illuminating the dust particles in the air.

Chen Xi sank into the large, soft seat, trying to relax her body and immerse herself in the long-lost atmosphere of leisure.

Li Jingyi was quickly drawn in by the humorous plot, watching with great interest, occasionally covering her mouth and chuckling, leaning slightly forward.

In the fleeting moments when the screen light shifts between light and shadow, Li Jingyi's peripheral vision would always inadvertently sweep over Chen Xi beside her.

When the light briefly outlined the deep profile of his face, the tranquility that was hard to completely eliminate even in a relaxed state seemed to be amplified by the light and shadow. His eyes were focused on the screen, but that focus was not entirely on the plot; it was more like a habitual state of observation ingrained in his bones, with a hint of barely perceptible vigilance.

When the movie entered a tense interstellar battle scene filled with deafening explosions and intense chases, a huge sound effect roared and swept through the entire theater.

Li Jingyi suddenly felt that the air around her seemed to freeze for a moment, as if something dormant within her was unintentionally stirred by the sudden loud noise. Even the hand with distinct knuckles on the armrest tightened almost imperceptibly for a moment, its muscles taut, as fast as lightning, so fast that she almost thought it was an illusion caused by the light and shadow of the screen.

A thought struck her, and she instinctively pushed the bucket of popcorn, which smelled of butter, towards him, her fingertips almost touching the cool back of his hand. She asked softly, "Want some? It smells delicious."

Chen Xi seemed to pause for a moment before turning her head.

Under the ever-changing, flickering light and shadow of the screen, his eyes were momentarily profound, like a deep pool into which a stone has been thrown, but were immediately covered by a familiar, gentle smile.

He shook his head, his voice low and deliberately reassuring: "You eat, I'll just watch."

At that moment, his eyes seemed to hold only pure, gentle warmth belonging to the present moment, as if the tension and stagnation of the previous instant were merely an illusion amidst the interplay of light and shadow.

Li Jingyi's doubts were once again suppressed by this gentle appearance. She withdrew her gaze and re-immersed herself in the bizarre world of the movie. However, the curiosity she felt about this mysterious man was like a stone thrown into the center of a lake, and the ripples spread outwards, deepening even further.

The movie ended, and dusk settled.

The city's neon lights, like a cluster of stars awakening, gradually illuminated the streets.

The two walked out of the cinema side by side and merged into the bustling street. The subtle ripples in the cinema seemed to have been blown away by the warm evening breeze, and the air was filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, mixed with the smoky aroma of street food.

"Phew—it's been a long time since I've watched a movie so relaxed," Li Jingyi stretched her arms, a satisfied smile on her face, as if she had unloaded a heavy burden. "I feel like I've come back to life, and my blood is flowing faster."

"As long as you're happy." Chen Xi looked at her profile, which was illuminated by the neon lights and radiant with life, and felt a long-lost sense of peace flowing gently like a stream in his heart. "There will be many more opportunities in the future."

"Yes!" Li Jingyi nodded vigorously, full of anticipation for the future, her voice light and cheerful, "I'll go see the house tomorrow afternoon, I hope everything goes smoothly."

"Yes, I will." Chen Xi's tone was firm and steady, carrying an undeniable and reassuring power, as if as long as he said it, there would be no more obstacles ahead.

(End of this chapter)