The Rhode Hotel restaurant was dim and quiet, the kind of establishment that understood privacy as a service.
Dia An was already seated when Liuxian arrived. She was composed, well dressed, and looked exactly like what she was, a woman from a good family who had been told she was going to marry Liu Liuxian and had arranged her expectations accordingly.
She looked up when he approached, her expression brightening pleasantly.
Liuxian sat down.
"Dia An. Thank you for agreeing to meet."
"Of course." she said. "I've been waiting for this conversation for a while."
"I know." he said. "I apologize for how long it took."
A server appeared, poured water, and disappeared without a word.
Dia An looked at him directly. "Did you call me here to settle me? I waited for you at the civil affairs bureau for five hours that day." she said.
"My apologies." Liuxian said. "I'll compensate you for that.."
