Perhaps not directly. Perhaps it was through Liang Wei and Ma Shun or through those little remarks she scattered like crumbs. Captain Lu this. Supplies that. Military-looking men. Ability users. Safety. Food.
A clever person did not need to say all the words. They only needed to place enough bait in greedy mouths and voila, a catch.
Tang Li Yue turned toward the outer building.
Lu Chengran's gaze followed.
Bai Ruolan was standing at the doorway, hands clasped in front of her. She had been watching the patrol return. When she saw Tang Li Yue look at her, she lowered her eyes.
Too late. She was always too late.
Tang Li Yue walked toward her.
The courtyard quieted.
Bai Ruolan looked up with that same pale, wounded face. "Li Yue?"
Tang Li Yue smiled.
"Come."
Bai Ruolan stiffened. "Where?"
"We have to talk."
"I still have work—"
"Now."
One absolute word that didn't accept other responses. Bai Ruolan looked toward Lu Chengran. This made Tang Li Yue's smile fade.
