The monitor beeped steadily in the silence that followed. Ren Hao stared at the ceiling for a long time, and then he closed his eyes.
He didn't say yes, and he didn't have the strength for yes, but the rigid, calcified thing in his shoulders released, just slightly, just enough.
That thing had been braced against the whole world for so long that it had become structural, and its release was enough for tonight.
Liuxian checked his watch and slipped it back under his cuff.
"We should head home," he said. His voice was quiet but final, the kind that didn't invite negotiation. He looked at Ren Hao. "My people will take care of everything from here. You don't need to worry about anything tonight."
Ren Hao didn't respond, but his eyes followed Liuxian briefly before closing again.
Liuxian turned to Haiyan, who had been standing near the wall this entire time, still and silent, his hands clasped in front of him.
"Go home," Liuxian said. "Take tomorrow off as well."
