The party was finally over. The chatter and laughter that had filled the air all evening were now replaced by a quiet, contented murmur as guests began to leave.
Mr. and Mrs. Feng were the last to go, lingering on the front porch, engaged in animated conversation with Senior Mr. Qin.
The three of them seemed to get along famously, their laughter ringing out into the chilly night. Stacy stood a little distance away by the car, wrapped in a soft cotton wool shawl Mr. Qin had handed her earlier.
The night air was brisk, and she was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Despite his busy schedule, he always found time to care for her needs, a quality she deeply appreciated, though she often reminded herself that his actions were merely part of their contractual agreement and nothing more.
Stacy and Mr. Qin maintained a respectful distance, standing about a meter apart. The space between them spoke volumes about the nature of their relationship.