Mulanstoppedinhertracks.
Amomentlater,someonebumpedintoher.
Turning,Mulanbitbackagroan.ItwasCricket.AndwithhimwasLongwei.Theyreturnedhergaze,eyebrowsraised.Butbeforeanyofthemcouldspeak,thelargerconscriptthathadbeenbullyingthemearlierappeared.He,likealmosteveryoneelse,wasnearlynaked.Ashespottedtheyoungerconscripts,ahugesmilespreadoverhisface.Foramoment,italmostlookedasthoughheweregenuinelyhappytoseeCricketandLongwei,liketheywerelong-lostfriends.Butthenhegrabbedthembothinaheadlockandpulledthemintothegrowingruckuscausedbytherowdyconscripts.
Desperatetogetasfarfromthechaosasshecould,Mulanonceagaintriedtogettotheemptysleepingplatform.Butitseemedfatewasnotonherside,forjustasshereachedit,hereyesmovedupandlockedonHonghui.Thehandsomeconscriptwasstandingnexttohisfriend,amanMulanrecalledanotherconscriptcallingPo.
“Lookwho’shere,”Posaid,nudgingHonghui.
Foramoment,MulanhadaflashofhopethatmaybeHonghuiwouldhaveforgottenabouttheirearlierinteractionandbereadytomoveon.
Butthentheconscriptlookedoverather.Hisexpressiondarkened.
Ornot,