Lili shook her head. "No."
Yan Cijin called from the kitchen, "Don't encourage her."
Bai Li stood. "Too late."
She moved the chair three centimeters to the left.
Lili smiled. "Better."
Yan Cijin walked in. "You actually moved it."
"She was unhappy."
"You realize you're teaching her that every problem can be solved by
making me move furniture."
Bai Li nodded. "Useful lesson."
Yan Cijin gave her a look. "You are terrible."
Bai Li smiled. "You still like me."
The words slipped out naturally.
Both women stopped.
Lili looked up.
Mother Yan, fortunately, was not in the room.
Yan Cijin blinked. "Who said that?"
Bai Li pointed at herself. "Me."
"You cannot just say things like that."
"Why?"
Yan Cijin had no answer she could safely give.
Bai Li smiled at her for another second. Then she turned toward the
balcony. "The mint needs water."
Yan Cijin watched her leave.
"She does that on purpose," she whispered.
Lili looked at her. "Does what?"
