"Is this the place?"
Once they reached the stairwell entrance, Fei Xiao stopped instead.
She looked up at flight after flight of stairs. They wound upward along the wall, their end hidden beyond a corner, completely out of sight.
"Is doing a handstand here really okay?"
"What's wrong with it?"
Xia Luo threw an arm around her shoulders, her tone utterly matter-of-fact.
"This is the perfect chance to show them the results of our training."
Chen De looked around.
There were only a few of them in the stairwell, and it was quiet enough to hear every footstep clearly.
"There isn't even anyone here. How is this 'in public'?"
"It's quality, not quantity, that counts in an audience."
Xia Luo pointed at the others behind her.
"They're the judges."
Leaning against the wall, Lin Xi slowly raised her hand.
"This judge requests permission to score while seated."
"Granted."
Lin Xi immediately sat down on a step, looking as though she had finally found where she belonged.
Chen De glanced at her.
"What did the staff member say earlier?"
"He said it was fine as long as we didn't block the passage."
"What were his exact words?"
Lin Xi thought for a moment.
"His exact words were, 'Kids, don't run around in there.'"
"Does doing a handstand count as running around?"
"We're not running."
Chen De looked at her for two seconds, then said nothing more.
This kid's knack for splitting hairs had been getting more and more like a certain someone's lately.
Fei Xiao took off her jacket and handed it to Xia Luo.
"I'll try a few steps first."
"Don't just try a few."
Xia Luo took the jacket and draped it over her arm.
"You need to show them the full results of our training."
Fei Xiao said