73 THIRD RAINBOW

"He's well. He told me he met with you, and apologized."

"Did he?" said Xiao Zhan, aware of the crowd taking mental note of their conversation, of eager, itching hands ready to post their encounter on social media. Throughout all of it, these few, lengthy minutes, Yibo's arm remained around his waist, a heavy comfort that soothed his worries away. "I was not aware."

"You don't accept it."

"I wasn't aware that an apology a year later could fix things." He lowered his voice, just enough the only bystander who'd heard his words was Director Lin, and Ji Li, who's presence became known in seconds, from his garish, bright orange shirt, and blue sunglasses that matched his khakis.

"Jason. You didn't tell me you were coming." "I had some spare time."

"And Xiao Zhan's here."