There is no one else in the kitchen, and Liu Mingyan will feel anyone approach before they enter. They are alone, here. She unties her veil, tucking it into her sleeve with a practiced motion. She lets her gaze run over Nina's face—her lovely eyes, the line of her nose—then drop to her full mouth. She leans in, slow, closing the distance between them—and reaches past Nina, to take a spoonful of what she is cooking. "We must find some dessert, then, once we have finished this." She sips from the spoon.

It's—water. Entirely unflavored, hot water. Not even salted. She endeavors to keep up her smooth, flirtatious expression, but without her veil she is—less than perfectly successful.