Chapter 22: After

The flat was empty and dark when they got back, and neither of them turned on the light.

Mei had gone to drink with Lin Jie, who had cried in the lobby and then been given a free beer by everybody.

Tang Yu dropped her laptop bag by the door.

It was the first time in two weeks that her hands were completely still.

"It is over," Jiang Lü said.

"It's over."

"He sat down."

"On the stage. In front of everyone."

"I did not know a man could sit down so slowly."

Tang Yu began to laugh, and found that it came out wet.

She leaned against the doorframe with her hand over her eyes.

"I was so scared," she said. "I've been so scared for days, and I didn't let myself say it."

"I know. I could hear your pulse."

"You could not."

"I could. It was very loud." Jiang Lü crossed the room in two steps. "You are allowed to stop now."

Tang Yu let her hand fall.

She stepped into her arms.

They stood like that for a long time, in the dark, with the traffic far below.

Jiang Lü's palm lay flat between her shoulder blades.

"Come to bed," she said.

"Is that a question?"

"It is a request."

"Yes."

Tang Yu pulled her down onto the quilt with the green robe still on.

They did not rush it.

She undid the clasp, and then the knot.

Then she simply lay with her cheek against the bare skin of Jiang Lü's stomach and listened to her breathe.

Jiang Lü's hand moved in her hair.

"You are very tired," she said.

"I'm fine."

"It is fine. It is not fine."

"Don't."

"Let me."

She sat up and drew Tang Yu's hoodie off, and then everything under it.

Her hands were as unhurried as they had been over the soup.

She laid her down and covered her with her own warmth.

For a while they only kissed.

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