Xu Yi candidly recounted all the twists and turns of how he had met Director Yu. He didn't hide the poems that had dazzled Director Yu, either, and made sure to emphasize the story of how he'd dealt with Yuwen Tuo. Yi Bingwei listened, stunned. After a long while, she finally said, "I didn't expect you to have some conscience after all."
The coolness and wariness strangers showed one another came from not knowing each other. But the everyday details of someone's life could easily bring two people closer. Xu Yi had gone on and on about his interactions with Director Yu in hopes of drawing closer to Yi Bingwei and, at the same time, letting her understand him better.
He wasn't doing this because he harbored any improper thoughts about Yi Bingwei. He wanted to understand her, too. Only by learning about her past could he figure out once and for all whether she and Xuan Xuan were the same person. The two of them continued, asking and answering questions and occasionally sharing a drink. The mood was pleasant enough.
"You managed to subdue Yuwen Tuo. You really did Little Fish a huge favor. Come, let me toast you." Yi Bingwei was sincerely happy for her old friend. Xu Yi drained his cup, then steered the conversation toward Yi Bingwei. "May I ask how long you've known Director Yu? The two of you seem closer than ordinary friends."
"Of course. Little Fish and I have been through life and death together. We're best friends. Let me put it this way: there are only a few people in this world I care about, and Little Fish is the most important among them. Since you've done Little Fish a favor, I owe you one, too."
"Teacher, you're too kind. Since you