The evening stars reflected off the calm, sapphire waters of the Eastern Endless Ocean like scattered diamonds.
After three days of grand hotpot banquets down in the Undersea Crystal Capital, the [Rank 6 Gu Family Hot-Spring Cruise Ship] had risen back to the surface. It floated peacefully above the glowing rainbow reefs as warm lantern light spilled across its ten wooden decks.
Up on Deck Ten, a small campfire crackled inside a bronze brazier. The embers gave off a warm, sweet scent of burning fruit-wood and cinnamon.
Seven-year-old Jiang Tuntun sat cross-legged on a wooden stool, holding a long bamboo skewer. At the end of the skewer was a large, puffy white marshmallow, roasted to a perfect golden-brown blister.
“Blow on it first, Tuntun,” Gu Changsheng reminded her, sitting beside the brazier in his rocking chair with his sleeves rolled up. “Molten sugar stays hot longer than meat.”
“I know, Daddy!” Tuntun blew three quick puffs of air. “Fuff, fuff, fuff!”
She popped the entire warm marshmallow into her mouth. Her eyes widened, her cheeks expanding like a squirrel’s as sweet vanilla cream melted over her tongue.
“Mmmph! It tastes like sweet warm clouds!” Tuntun cheered, waving her empty skewer.
