10（2 / 2）

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,