Wang Xiaoliang carried Wei Zijin's enormous suitcase over at a brisk pace. The driver got out and opened the trunk for him.
"Thanks." Wang Xiaoliang set the suitcase securely inside.
Wei Zijin said nothing. She simply rose onto her toes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Stay safe," Wang Xiaoliang reminded her.
"I know." Wei Zijin opened the door and got in.
The driver and the long-haired photographer in the passenger seat both let out an exaggerated "Ooh!" in good-natured teasing.
The assistant in the back kept their head down the entire time, fingers swiping rapidly across their phone screen, seemingly oblivious to everything happening before them.
Wang Xiaoliang smiled at Wei Zijin, closed the door for her, and waved through the window.
The van slowly pulled away and merged into traffic.
He stood there until it had completely disappeared from view before turning around.
Zhou Qiang's Maybach was parked a short distance behind him, understated yet commanding.
Wang Xiaoliang hurried over, opened the passenger door, and got in.
The car pulled away smoothly. Zhou Qiang glanced at Wang Xiaoliang beside him. "My mother-in-law made dinner. Want to come have some?"
Li Lanxiang chimed in from the back seat. "Yes, Xiaoliang, come on. Join us."
Wang Xiaoliang shook his head.
"I'll pass. I need to check on the supermarkets. It's been several days, and I keep feeling uneasy."
Seeing his insistence, Zhou Qiang did not press him.
The car stopped at the school gate.
Wang Xiaoliang said goodbye to them, got out, and scanned the code on a shared bicycle by the roadside.
He swung onto it and pushed down on the pedals, sending the bicycle gliding lightly forward.
With the school on break, there were few people around campus.
He was not actually worried about how the