Yang Xiao spent the afternoon alone in his office when suddenly the telephone inside rang; it was Nalan Shuo calling, asking him to come to the office.
After Yang Xiao arrived, he found Nalan Shuo holding a brush, practicing calligraphy. The room was filled with the fragrance of ink. Seeing Yang Xiao come in, Nalan Shuo put down the brush, wiped his hands with a damp cloth, then gestured for him to sit down before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"You went to see Xi Menxiu?"
"I did," answered Yang Xiao.
"What did he say?"
"He's just being stubborn, but deep down he still understands your good intentions, Chief. He just can't come to terms with it right now," Yang Xiao replied calmly.