Read Chapter 28: — THE THING HE COULD NOT FAKE

Tang had imagined this reunion many times.

In most versions he said something brilliant.

Reality offered him nothing.

They walked beside the river.

Xiaoxi told him Su Shanhe was considering marriage. Tang told her Lin had become even more impossible. She asked about Beijing. He asked about rescue work.

Eventually silence became too deliberate.

Tang stopped.

“I used to think I could talk my way through anything.”

“You tried.”

“I was quite successful.”

“You impersonated an imperial officer and nearly got executed.”

“Success has many forms.”

She waited.

Tang took a breath.

“I don’t want to fake this part.”

The humour left his face.

“I love you. I don’t know where I’ll be sent next year. I don’t know whether I’ll become an officer or stay an operative. I don’t know whether I’ll live to be old. But I know I want you in the life I have, not the life I pretend I’ll have someday.”

Xiaoxi looked down at the river.

Then back at him.

“That was almost respectable.”

“Almost?”

“You still owe me for lying.”

“How long?”

She considered.

“A lifetime should be enough.”

Tang grinned.

This time she did not tell him not to.