"It was faster."
"It was also airborne."
Lili laughed.
Bai Li looked at the little girl. "Do you want it to fly?"
"Yes."
Yan Cijin pointed at Bai Li. "No."
Bai Li smiled. "Fine."
Lili pouted.
"We'll make it float better," Bai Li said.
That was how another half hour disappeared.
Bai Li adjusted the bottom of the toy boat with a little bit of plastic
and foam. Yan Cijin held the parts while Bai Li worked. Lili supervised
from the table. Mother Yan occasionally looked in from the kitchen.
When they tested it in a basin of water, the tiny boat stayed upright.
Lili clapped.
"It works!"
Bai Li smiled. "Of course."
Yan Cijin nodded. "Good job."
Bai Li looked at her. "Was that praise?"
"Maybe."
"I'll remember it."
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late."
Lili looked at both of them and smiled.
Those were the easy days.
Not safe days.
Easy days.
There was a difference.
The building could still lose power. Water could still become a problem.
