The afternoon opened up once Bai Qianlu arrived.
Whatever formality had been holding the room tended to dissolve around her. She was the kind of person who made formal situations feel optional, not by ignoring the structure but by moving through it at her own pace until everyone else relaxed into hers. Chairman Bai seemed to accept this with the equanimity of a man who had been watching it happen for decades.
The twins found their people immediately. Xuan settled close to Bai Qianlu and let her talk, which was his version of deciding someone was worth his full attention. Yilin stayed near Chairman Bai and asked him questions at intervals, and he answered each one with a patience that was clearly not extended to most people.
Feng Suyin sat at the corner of the courtyard with her tea and watched.
The bamboo along the walls made a soft sound in the wind. The light had gone golden.
