Peng Guoqing looked down at the cheque. His shoulders dropped, and he bent forward and wept. It was the release of a man who had carried something heavy for two weeks and could finally set it down.
"Thank you, Mr. Liu. Thank you."
Guiying placed a hand on his shoulder and helped him stand upright. He folded four bills into Peng Guoqing's free hand.
"There is no need for that display. Take this for your ride home tonight. Look after yourself as well as Xiao Mei, because she needs you healthy."
Peng Guoqing could not speak. He bowed once, deeply, and walked back to the car.
Guiying and Liuxian watched the tail lights disappear through the gates.
Guiying turned to Liuxian and held up two fingers, a centimeter apart.
"You were this close to sleeping in a hotel tonight."
He smiled in his usual pleasant way and walked into the house.
Liuxian stood in the driveway for a moment. He understood that it had not been a joke, so he followed Guiying inside.
