Edmund Wilson looked at Melody Sheffield, momentarily lost in thought.
The Melody of the past was someone whose biggest leisure activity was playing Mahjong, full of the aura of a common folk, never as serene and composed as she was now.
"When did you start getting so into the tea ceremony?" Edmund asked, flicking some ash from his cigarette.
"I met a tea ceremony master in Japan. Everyone knows the tea ceremony originated in CountryZ, yet Japan is world-renowned for it. My patriotic feelings got stirred, and I plan to delve into the tea ceremony from now on," Melody spoke half-truthfully, leaving Edmund unsure whether she was being serious or just chatting casually.
"Go on, what did you want to talk to me about?" Melody handed a cup filled with freshly brewed tea to Edmund.
Edmund picked up the tea cup and drank it all in one go, pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and spoke, "About Ruby Murphy four years ago…"
