After several bouts of spring rain, the stream had risen several pole-lengths.
The girl crouched beside the stream and washed her face with its clean water.
Every so often, she glanced at the man sitting on a rock.
Li Ping'an held Erhu and began to play at an unhurried pace.
The south was rainy. Of the few days Li Ping'an had spent here, nearly half had been rainy.
No wonder the poets and scholars who came here could always write verses mourning spring and grieving autumn.
With weather like this, it would be strange to be in a good mood.
The girl rubbed her feet, making the most of the time to rest.
She knew there was still a long way to go.
"Have something to eat."
Li Ping'an put away Erhu and handed the girl the flatbread in his hand.
The girl thanked him and ate in small bites.
After she finished, she tucked a small remaining piece inside her clothes.
Li Ping'an asked curiously, "Why hide it? We have enough food."
"Oh," the girl said. "I'm used to it."
Back at the Flowing Moon Pavilion, they made the abducted girls use every means they could to entertain the guests.
If they failed to meet their quotas, they were denied food and locked in a little dark room.
The girl had developed this habit, secretly hiding some food on her whenever she had a chance to eat.
That way, when she was locked in the little dark room, it would not be quite so unbearable.
"How old are you this year?"
"Thirteen."
Li Ping'an fell silent. She was even younger than he had guessed.
"Where's your home?"
"Ning River."
"What do your parents do?"
"My father's an official."
The girl was somewhat reserved along the way.
But after they