Tang Feng stood where he was and did not move away.
"You haven't tended to your own wound yet."
"My wound is on my left arm."
"And you're cleaning my clothes first?"
"You shielded me from the blood just now."
Hu Liena looked up at him.
"So I'm going to wipe it off you."
When she reached the side of Tang Feng's neck, her fingers paused.
The cloth brushed lightly over his skin, removing the last trace of blood.
Tang Feng reached out and took the cloth.
"It's clean now."
"There's still a little."
Hu Liena pointed to the corner of her own mouth.
"Here."
Tang Feng looked at her.
Hu Liena did not hurry him. She simply stood there with her face tilted up.
Tang Feng raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
When his thumb touched her soft lip, Hu Liena's lashes fluttered.
She did not pull away.
"How about now?"
"It's clean."
"You said we'd celebrate once we got out."
"Mm."
"You remember?"
"I do."
Hu Liena stepped forward, her dark red hair brushing his arm.
"Then I've decided."
"What do you want?"
"To leave this place first."
"And then?"
"To find a room that doesn't smell of blood."
Tang Feng looked toward the exit ahead.
"All right."
"And a clean bed."
"All right."
"And I want you to stay with me."
"All right."
As he agreed to each request, the smile in Hu Liena's eyes grew clearer.
"You know I'm not finished?"
"You can keep going."
"I want a hot meal too."
"I'll arrange it once we're out."
"And clean water."
"All right."
"One last thing."
She caught Tang Feng by the collar and pulled him closer.
Light from the exit fell between them.
Hu Liena rose