The control room was humming with the ark's propulsion systems as the ask cut through the black expanse of space in high speed.
Zhao Tian stood before the central console with one hand resting on the railing as he gazed outward.
The soft hiss of the sliding door broke his thoughts, and he turned slightly to look at Rei Wuyin entering the control room with a steaming cup of tea in her hand.
Zhao Tian's lips curved faintly "Ruyin."
Her gaze met his briefly before she offered a polite nod. "Mister Tian."
He chuckled dryly and accepted the tea she extended toward him "It just feels strange when you call me that," he said, giving her a sidelong glance.
"You can just call me by my name."
Her lips curved in a small smile, "Tian…" she murmured, as if testing how it felt to speak his name without formality.
"That's much better," he said with an approving nod before lifting the cup to his lips.
The rich, faintly floral aroma of the tea reached him before the warmth touched his tongue.
