Wang Xiaoliang came down the stairs.
Wei Zijin took a few more steps, tears streaming down her face.
She reached out and cupped his face, looking at the left side, then the right. When her fingers touched his left cheek, he hissed.
"Does it hurt?"
"Yes."
"Your face is bruised... and your head's swollen too." Her hand moved up, touched the lump on his head, then drew back. "It really hurts here, doesn't it?"
Wang Xiaoliang didn't answer that question. He took Wei Zijin's hand and pressed it against his chest.
"It doesn't hurt here."
"Then where does it hurt?"
"My heart." Wang Xiaoliang looked at her red, swollen eyes. "Seeing you cry like this hurts my heart."
Wei Zijin froze for a moment. Tears still clung to her face, but the corners of her mouth lifted a little.
"Smooth talker."
She raised her hand and punched him lightly in the chest.
Wang Xiaoliang was wiping Wei Zijin's tears away with his hand.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
"Second Senior Brother."
Nuomi's voice came from the doorway, anger in her tone.
"If you dare scare us like that again, I'll kill you first. Just try me."
Before Wang Xiaoliang could open his mouth, Wei Zijin turned around.
"Nuomi, don't say things like that at New Year. Quick, spit three times to ward it off."
Nuomi laughed and spat three times in a row. "All right, all right, Zijin. My mistake."
She walked over, circled around to face Wang Xiaoliang, and stared at his face for two seconds.
"Shit, they really hit you hard. That handprint couldn't be more obvious."
Wei Zijin's heart ached for him again, and her fingers gently traced the edges of the bruise on his face.
There was another sound at the door.
Xiao Mo came in carrying