As night fell, Xiaoyao and Fangfeng Bei returned to the shell boat and continued on their journey toward Baili. Ever since the upsetting events of the day, Xiaoyao had remained downcast, listless, and uncharacteristically quiet.
Fangfeng Bei helped her unfasten her outer skirt until she was left only in her undergarments, then pulled her close against his chest. She leaned into him, lost in thought. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he lowered his head to press a kiss to her brow and asked softly, "Why haven't you said a word this whole time? Are you tired?"
"Were you always bullied like that when you were little?"
Chapter 158