Knock, knock, knock. A knock came at the door. Cynthia set down her cup, puzzled, unable to think who it might be. She stood and said to Liu Qing, "I'll get it!"
Liu Qing nodded and continued chatting with Max and May while Cynthia went to the door. When she opened it and saw her visitor, delight spread across her face, though she could not help glancing behind Caitlin.
"Miss Cynthia, sorry to drop in unannounced!" Caitlin said with reserved courtesy. Noticing Cynthia's wandering gaze, she added, "He didn't come with me!"
"Caitlin, I should have realized you'd be staying here too. Come in! It's been so long since we last saw each other. We have to catch up properly!" Cynthia felt a little relieved. Right now, she really was afraid A Hen would show up and clash with Liu Qing again. As she ushered Caitlin inside, she called out, "Liu Qing, Caitlin's here!"
When Liu Qing heard Cynthia say it was Caitlin, A Hen's figure immediately sprang to mind. Although he had told Cynthia he did not mind, he knew without looking in a mirror that his expression must have been off. But when he saw only Cynthia and Caitlin, his expression naturally returned to normal. He stood and said, "Miss Caitlin, welcome!"
"I thought you might be so unhappy to see me that you'd throw me out!" Caitlin said, looking relieved.
"Uh, you certainly know how to joke, Miss Caitlin!" Liu Qing was momentarily at a loss.
"You know I'm joking, so don't take it to heart!" Caitlin covered her mouth and giggled.
"Miss Caitlin, I never imagined you could be so... so..." Liu Qing thought for a moment but could not find the right word.
"Did you think I was terribly stuffy?!" Caitlin countered. Then, noticing May