"We're back," said PD Xu Cui in his usual playful manner, and settled down like the conversation in the alcove had never happened. Su Wanyan sat a step behind him, and likewise, also sat down. The noise of children, spoons, and conversation rose around her at once and washed over her shoulders. It was louder and warmer than the narrow space between the buildings she'd just left. Her shoulders took a moment to catch up.
After settling herself, she turned first to Shen Guoxing out of habit, but her hand found Mo Xingxue's hand beneath the table's edge anyway. Her fingers closed. When Mo Xingxue drew her hand in as a reply, something in Su Wanyan's chest settled that had not fully settled on the walk back from the alcove. Her smile grew.
"So," she said, her gentle smile returning to her face. "What did I miss?"
Shen Guoxing turned towards her with all the dignity of a proper bulletin, holding up one small hand with her palm out.
