Soaked to the skin, Xuan Wen carried Gao Ming on her back as they trudged through the mud along a long road through the night.
"Why don't I carry you instead?"
"We're almost there."
The torrential rain lashed their bodies. Against the boundless darkness, they were insignificant, and the light in their hands seemed liable to go out at any moment.
A long while later, Xuan Wen wheeled an electric scooter out from behind a tree at a fork in the road. She patted the rear seat. "Hurry!"
"I didn't think this was how you'd take me home." Gao Ming climbed on and gripped the handles on the backrest tightly with both hands. "People from the shadow world ride electric scooters too?"
"The road's blocked. Larger vehicles can't get through." Xuan Wen spat out the rainwater in her mouth and stared at Gao Ming. "Forget it. Give me the raincoat, then tuck yourself under the back."
"Okay. Whatever you say."
After handing over the raincoat, Gao Ming lifted its back hem like a child and covered his head.
"Rain's leaking onto your back."
"I can feel it!"
Bumping along the whole way, Xuan Wen took Gao Ming through the shadow-shrouded outskirts and into the lightless city.
The city seemed dead, without a trace of life. It was as though the two of them were the only people left in the world.
Around midnight, Xuan Wen brought Gao Ming back to Lijing Apartments. She panted heavily, looking as though the trip had half killed her.
"Why don't you come upstairs for a bit? I'll get you some clean clothes." Gao Ming caught Xuan Wen's arm. "Nobody's home right now, but my parents might bring back a lot of cake later. There's no way we can finish it all."
"Is this your