Upon arriving at the restaurant, a subtle waft of spices and freshly cooked meat hit them, mingling with the hum of clinking glasses and chatter. The smell was inviting—too bad Zhu Yuan's mind was racing faster than her stomach could process it. Elias wasn't around yet, but then her phone buzzed.

"I've prepped a private meeting room for us, so just let the usher know," his text read.

Zhu kept her composure, but every step toward the private room felt like walking through molasses. It didn't help that the atmosphere outside was so lively—like she was in the middle of a vibrant street fair while internally navigating an emotional minefield.

They reached the private room where they had their first team dinner. Memories flooded back. Great, déjà vu again. She knocked twice. "Knock-knock." The door creaked open, and there he was. Elias, casually sitting with the relaxed confidence of someone who definitely didn't have to deal with rumors or rookie patrols.

He flashed them that easygoing smile, holding his tablet like it was an extension of himself. Why does he always look like he's about to close a business deal and not... whatever this is?

"Hey Zhu, Qingyi, Seth. How's your day?" he greeted, all friendly-like, as if they hadn't just been speculating whether he was a double agent an hour ago.

Seth didn't waste any time, rushing to his seat and practically melting into it. You could practically hear his internal thoughts as he sunk down, completely exhausted from his patrol. "It was an exhausting day," he muttered.

Elias chuckled. "Don't worry, my treat... again," he said with a sideways glance at Zhu, who was just pulling out her chair, trying to keep it cool.

Is that glance asking if I want to pay for dinner? Or is this his 'I know something you don't' face?

Is he charging me emotional interest on this free meal? Well... it's probably working.

She sat down, trying not to make it awkward. Professional, Zhu. Professional.

"Seems like you've got a lot of funds for this case, Agent Elias," Zhu Yuan retorted, adding extra weight to 'Agent' with a sarcasm sharp enough to slice through the room's tension.

Elias chuckled, trying to deflect. "Well... I'm obviously above your pay grade," he shot back with a smug look, leaning back like he'd just dropped the mic.

Zhu gave him the kind of side-eye that could cut through steel. Arms crossed, eyebrow raised.

The kind of look that makes you wonder if you've unknowingly stepped into a battlefield you are not prepared for. "Just... making sure you're not a double agent or something," she said, her tone as sweet as a cat toying with a cornered mouse.

Elias's face shifting from confident to a shade of awkward that could only be described as 'oh-no-I've-been-caught-at-the-wrong-party.' His smile faltered. "Come on, Captain, why would you say that?" he replied, his voice just a little too high-pitched to be convincing. You could almost see the internal panic: Does she know something? Is this the part where I get thrown under the bus?

Zhu didn't let up. "I'm one of the best NEPS officers in New Eridu. I know what's on people's minds," she added casually, flicking her head toward him, as if this conversation was just another casual dinner. But her words carried an edge that let him know she wasn't completely joking.

"Oh, she's definitely playing hard to get here, not that kind of hard to get, but the 'I'm totally in control of this conversation' kind."

Elias shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to muster up a comeback but coming up empty. Qingyi, glancing between them, was clearly enjoying the show. She'd never seen her Captain play this sort of mental chess before, and it was definitely more fun than their usual briefings. Yup, this is way better than paperwork, her amused grin said it all.

"Woah, it's getting really hot in here," Seth chimed in, half-joking but clearly feeling the tension. Qingyi gave him a let-Captain-talk look. His attempt at breaking the ice only made Elias chuckle nervously, as if the room had suddenly shrunk two sizes.

Elias, trying to steer the conversation back to safer ground, leaned forward with a disarming grin. "Let's just enjoy dinner first," he suggested, flashing a charming gaze directly at Zhu.

"Especially you, Captain, before you get hangry again and point a taser at me." He gave a little wink, clearly referencing the time he'd accidentally bumped into her during lunch. The memory was still fresh—and slightly traumatic—for him.

Zhu's face immediately flushed, her pout growing deeper. "Don't look at me like that! I'm not buying your charming gaze, Agent," she shot back, emphasizing 'Agent' like a playful jab. "Seriously? What does he think this is—a rom-com? I'm not falling for the whole 'I'm-so-charming' routine. But... why are my cheeks still red?"


She quickly glanced at Qingyi, who had been unusually quiet, silently observing the entire exchange with the kind of calm that suggests she's secretly enjoying the drama. "I've seen this movie before... and it's hilarious."

Zhu shifted in her seat, trying to regain her composure while Qingyi just watched, clearly entertained. Dinner and a show? Best case briefing ever.—

Their dinner finally arrived, but Zhu Yuan could hardly focus on the meal. She poked at her salad absentmindedly, her thoughts swirling. First, he invaded my apartment—well, okay, technically, that was a meeting with Phaethon, and we needed a spot, but still. Then this morning, he barged into the precinct without even a heads-up. What's next? He's going to show up at my parents' house for dinner? She sighed inwardly, then caught herself. Wait... why am I even thinking about that? She shook her head slightly, mentally swatting away the thought.

After everyone else had cleaned their plates, Elias leaned back, looking unusually at ease. "Alright, Cap, we'll wait for you to finish your meal. I'll tag along with Phaethon later to check out the new info."

Zhu froze mid-bite, her fork hovering halfway to her mouth. "Phaethon again?" she echoed, glancing at him, her face marked with thinly veiled concern. I already got info from Phaethon earlier... hope they don't spill that I've been digging around too. She bit her lip, eyes narrowing as she sized up Elias across the table.

"Yep," Elias said casually, stretching out in his chair like they were on a beach vacation. "They're waiting for us, so better chop-chop, Captain."

Zhu quickly shot a glance at Seth and Qingyi. Both of them seemed completely relaxed, faces blissfully content from their meal. Then she realized: Oh no...They're done with the dinner? her eyes widened slightly.

"Let's just get started, shall we?" she said hastily. "I'll handle the briefing. No need to—"

But Seth, ever the eager rookie, cut in, "Captain, that's not—"

Before he could finish, Qingyi quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him with an exaggerated warning look. She flashed her usual mischievous grin."

"What's with you, Qingyi?" Zhu asked, annoyed at the cryptic gesture.

Qingyi only grinned wider and leaned forward, waving her eyebrows dramatically, "We agreed earlier that we wouldn't talk during this meeting, remember?"

Zhu blinked, then scratched her chin, an awkward laugh bubbling up as she realized—Oh right, I did make them promise not to speak. Great. Now it's just me stuck with the interrogation...

Elias chuckled as he glanced at Zhu's retreating figure. "It's fine, Captain, I'll get a takeaway box for you if you want."

Zhu stopped in her tracks, turning sharply. "No, I'll handle it myself," she said, perhaps a little too hastily. With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Elias alone with Qingyi and Seth. The awkward silence that followed seemed to grow louder with every second.