The fish's stomach had swollen. It wasn't his turn to feed.
Zhou Xiangqun put down the fish urn and returned to the front yard. Devoid of romantic longings, his daily work proceeded smoothly and in an orderly fashion.
He saw Song Yanpei again. It was at his workplace.
Zhou Xiangqun lowered his eyes, intending to simply greet her as if he were just passing by.
The greeting was over.
Song Yanpei stood rooted to the spot, which surprised him a little, making him curious.
"Are you here for something?" he asked.
"I was just passing by and came to see you," she said.
Passing by where? Zhou Xiangqun didn't expose her, just nodded. After all, the roads in Beijing were laid out in a grid; one could always claim to be "passing by" on the way to somewhere.
She stepped forward and looked at Zhou Xiangqun candidly. "Hold my hand for a moment?"
Zhou Xiangqun stuffed his hands into his coat pockets, remaining silent.
