204 Whispers of Regret      

The door creaked open, revealing Xiaxia and Seraphina stepping back into the dining room. 

Xiaxia's face was a canvas of delight, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. The tension that had previously hung in the air had dissipated, replaced by an inexplicable sense of contentment.

Xin, who had been sitting at the table, glanced up, his eyes flickering between the two women. 

He noticed Xiaxia's radiant smile, a stark contrast to the stern expression she had worn earlier.

"What did you two talk about?" Xin inquired, his curiosity piqued by Xiaxia's sudden change in demeanor.

Seraphina's lips curled into a subtle smile, her eyes holding a mysterious glimmer. "Oh, just girl talk," she replied, her tone light and airy.

Xiaxia chimed in, her grin widening as she teased, "Secrets, you know. Girls' stuff."

Xin raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet slightly suspicious. "Girls' stuff, huh?" he echoed.