Thirty minutes later, Li Muyan pulled into the Li family compound. Five camo-painted armored SUVs squatted in the courtyard like wolves in tall grass.

She slid her sports car to the side and stepped out, her usual giggles sealed like a fan snapped shut. The doorway held over a dozen soldiers in green, straight as pines in windless snow.

She pushed the door open, and the living room opened like a stage lit at dusk. Her father, mother, and grandfather sat there like anchors against a rough tide.

“Dad, Mom, Grandpa, I’m here,” Li Muyan said, her voice steady as a drawn bow.

“Mm, right on time—come sit,” said her grandfather, Li Jingtian, a fond smile soft as spring rain. Near sixty, his features still cut like stone on a mountainside.

“Mm.” She nodded and sat by her mother, who gathered her in like a quilt warmed by the sun.

“Shoujing, I won’t belabor it—you know the weather’s turning,” Li Jingtian said, his words heavy as winter snow. “On this trip to the States, guard your life like fire in a night wind.”

“Don’t worry, Father,” Li Shoujing answered, calm as a leveled lake.

“Muyan, I’m sorry to pull you into this too,” Li Jingtian added, the apology a faint ripple under steel.

“It’s fine, Grandpa—this is mine to shoulder,” Li Muyan said with a smile bright as a lantern.

“Mm. There’s no other path,” he said, voice slow as a drumbeat. “Only you can stay at your father’s side. Your condition is the Li clan’s secret, and you are our springbud of hope. In our house, sons don’t outrank daughters—never.”

“Grandpa, I know,” she answered, certainty firm as packed earth.

“These years you kept watch by Ye Yiyi for the promise,” Li Jingtian went on, pride gleaming like frost. “I feared your edge had dulled, so I sent you to test yourself. I was wrong—my good granddaughter still cuts like a blade.”

“Heh, of course,” Li Muyan laughed, light as wind chimes under eaves.

“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t send you down this road,” he sighed, the sound old as falling leaves. “You’re a rare talent of our Li family, and a daughter besides. But we have no other road—come back whole.”

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll be fine,” she said, sure as sunrise.

“Good, good—then make ready,” Li Jingtian said, lifting his voice like a bell. “Zhang Yong!”

“General!” A tall young soldier strode in, salute sharp as a snapping flag.

“Notify the airport. Make ready,” Li Jingtian ordered, each word sharp as a whetted blade.

“Yes, sir!” Zhang Yong replied, his heels striking like flint.

“Shoujing, when you return, it’s my turn to retire...” Li Jingtian said, and in that breath he seemed to gray like frost on grass.

“It’s all right, Dad—you deserve some quiet days,” Li Shoujing said, stepping close like a windbreak.

“Hahaha, true enough—it’s time to pass the torch to the next spring,” Li Jingtian laughed, his chest ringing like a drum.

“Mom, my luggage’s in the car,” Li Muyan said, words quick as sparrows. “After we leave, have someone bring it in and stash it. Don’t let anything slip to Yiyi.”

“Don’t worry, my good girl,” her mother smiled, her hand smoothing her hair like a willow leaf.

After a short while, five military trucks rolled out of the Li compound, engines growling like thunder toward the military airfield.

That night, at Ye Yiyi’s home, the lights pooled like warm amber.

Tang Coco had cooked three dishes, steam curling up like mist over a pond, and the two women ate in quiet clinks.

“Coco...” Ye Yiyi set down her chopsticks, her fingers weaving together like vines before a hard climb.

“Mm?” Tang Coco looked up, wide-eyed and soft as a startled fawn.

“Um... tonight... maybe come to my room...” Ye Yiyi said, her words tiptoeing like cats.

“Pff—” The plea tangled on Ye Yiyi’s tongue, and Coco, caught off guard, sprayed a mouthful of rice back into her bowl like scattered hail.

She broke into a fit of coughing, her breath snagging like silk on a thorn.

“Ah—here, water!” Ye Yiyi thrust her cup over, the glass cool as a river pebble.

“Don’t—don’t get the wrong idea!” Ye Yiyi blurted, cheeks blooming like peach petals. “I used to share a bed with Muyan. Sometimes being alone is too dull, and I just want someone to talk to.”

“Uh... maybe don’t drop that at dinner... it’s lethal,” Tang Coco said after a sip, exasperation fluttering like a fan.

“If you mind, just... forget I said anything,” Ye Yiyi murmured, her voice shrinking like a tide.

“No, not at all—why would I mind?” Tang Coco said, amusement bubbling up like a spring at Yiyi’s nerves.

“Really?” Ye Yiyi asked, hope bright as a star.

“Mm.” Tang Coco nodded, the motion small as a leaf’s nod.

“Yay, great! I’ve wanted to sleep with you for ages—those dolls are so boring to hug,” Ye Yiyi burst out, happiness spilling like sunlight.

Exasperation pricked first, cool as sleet. So I’m just a life-sized doll, huh, she griped inwardly.

Heat sneaked in next, warm as spiced wine. Not a loss, honestly... it’s been a while since I touched a woman, she admitted to herself.

“Coco, what’re you thinking, smiling like that?” Ye Yiyi asked, curiosity tilting like a sparrow’s head.

“Ah? Ah? N-no, nothing,” Tang Coco said, shaking her head fast as a rattle.

“Right, Sister Yiyi, where exactly are we going tomorrow? You can tell me now,” she added, tossing the question out like a life ring.

“Mm... it’s not a secret,” Ye Yiyi said, voice even as a calm sea. “On the coast near Ninghai, there’s a newly built ocean park.”

“An ocean park? How did I not hear about that?” Tang Coco frowned, surprise popping like a bubble.

“Of course—Xu family built it,” Ye Yiyi said, the name dropping like a pebble into water. “First wave is invitation-only. No invite, no entry.”

“Hm? The Xu family? Don’t tell me...” Tang Coco’s mind flashed to a single name like lightning.

“Mm, yes—Xu Yinuo. She gave me the invitation,” Ye Yiyi confirmed, the truth clear as moonlight.

“Oh—got it... So we can’t bring just anyone? What about Xiaoxiao and the others?” Tang Coco asked, concern hovering like a moth.

“Don’t worry. One ticket lets you bring guests,” Ye Yiyi said with a smile soft as rain.

“Oh, good. I’ll tell Xiaoxiao and the rest to meet at our place tomorrow,” Tang Coco said, relief loosening like a knot.

“Mm, no problem. All right, I’m done eating,” Ye Yiyi said, setting her chopsticks down like closing a book.

“I’m done too. I’ll handle the dishes—Sister Yiyi, go upstairs and tidy the room,” Tang Coco said, rising like a released spring.

“Okay, I’ll straighten up,” Ye Yiyi said, and she walked toward the bedroom like a swan gliding into reeds.