"I think I can see one of our lanterns," called Meili.
They were climbing back down the mountain. It was a steep rocky section of the walk, so they were single file. Meili stretched to pull the lantern from where it was lodged in a crevice on a stone ledge.
"Careful Meili," called Bai Li, looking back up at her.
As she grasped the lantern's handle, her foot slipped, and she started to tumble. She cried out in fear and Tricky barked, scrambling back up towards her.
She slid backwards a few feet before Bai Li managed to catch her. He shook his head in despair at her, looking down at her pretty face, now a few inches from his.
"I'm recalling some statement about 'I can look after myself' and 'Confucian fantasies harboured by men'?"
"It's not the time to make fun of me Bai Li, I've twisted my ankle," she said sadly.
"You haven't, have you? Let me take look."