Wang Xiaoliang followed her out.
The stifling heat of late summer hit him in the face.
"Wait!"
Liang Yanni kept walking. She wore a T-shirt washed slightly pale and jeans, with a canvas bag slung over her shoulder. Her retreating figure looked slight yet stubborn amid the crowd.
Wang Xiaoliang hurried a few steps and blocked her path.
"I'm sorry."
He looked at her and spoke each word distinctly.
"I should have apologized to you long ago."
Liang Yanni stopped and turned her face sideways. The streetlight outlined half her profile, her expression a mixture of surprise and wariness. She seemed unable to believe what she had heard.
Wang Xiaoliang continued, "Before, I didn't know what had really happened between you and Old Third, but I... I blamed you like that anyway. That was my fault."
He had actually wanted to apologize to Liang Yanni for a long time, but he had been too proud.
"I'm sorry."
With that, Wang Xiaoliang bowed deeply to her. As he bent at the waist, he felt much lighter.
People hurried past around them, none noticing the apology taking place in this little corner.
Liang Yanni stood there, watching Wang Xiaoliang bow. After a few seconds, she suddenly smiled. There was no mockery in that smile, but a little relief and a tangle of emotions difficult to describe.
"Then does your offer still stand?"
Wang Xiaoliang straightened, not immediately understanding.
"The job," Liang Yanni repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Wang Xiaoliang nodded at once. "Of course! Of course it does! You can start right now."
"In two days, I'll be the manager of this store. My word counts."
This time, Liang Yanni was genuinely surprised. She looked Wang Xiaoliang up and down as though meeting him for the first time. "You? The manager? You're going