I push open the door to the sunroom. Crossing the threshold, the flowers bombard me with their smell. I rub my nose as I look at the middle-aged man who is smiling at me.

He places his tea down and greets me, “At last, you finally decided to meet me for tea.”

I sit in front of him. “Harbin, I am a warrior now. Joining you to tea is…” I regard everything in the table and add, “… inappropriate.”

“Why? The generals partake in this activity.”

“I am not a general.”

“You will, soon.”

I scowl at him. “And I don’t know if I should thank you for that.”

“I’m...