When Han Ziyang had left ahead of the others as Jiang Chi and the others withdrew, he had already concealed his presence. Everyone's attention had been on Yu Sui, so no one had noticed him enter the Meeting Hall.
Now only Yu Sui and Nangong Ming remained in the Meeting Hall. The girl was still standing outside the entrance, not going in, with a distance between her and Nangong Ming that was neither near nor far.
Shadows cast by the ancient red maples outside the corridor fell across the girl, playing light and shade over her. With fewer people around, the oppressive aura Nangong Ming exuded seemed to lessen somewhat. His gaze upon Yu Sui, however, had become inscrutable.
Nangong Ming did not rush to ask what Sage Chang Gen had said to Yu Sui. Instead, he said, "You went to Taiyi and came back changed in many ways."
Yu Sui looked back at him in confusion. "Have I?"
Nangong Ming did not answer, but the girl smiled.
She had, indeed, changed.
Before, she had only reached the man's knees. She had to look up to see his face, and even then, she could not make out his eyes. The unknown brought fear and gave rise to needless imaginings.
Now she had grown up. From a distance that was neither near nor far, she could take in everything about the man and face him with composure.
Once the fear of the unknown took on a tangible shape, it was no longer invulnerable.
Yu Sui said, "Father, what do you think has changed about me?"
Nangong Ming said, "You never used to have the nerve to talk to me like this."
"I used to be afraid of you." Yu Sui blinked at him, her smiling face tilted up as she spoke