A/N: I wrote this story back in 2008 when I was first branching into fanfiction. This is my first Mulan story, so even though it shares some similarities to "The Flowers of Spring" (which I was planning while I was writing this), there are some differences as well – it's not supposed to exist in quite the same universe. ;) I'm also not sure this story "fits" the Mulan world perfectly – I was inspired to write this after watching Masterpiece Theatre's Jane Austen lineup, so it's sort of like Jane Austen meets ancient China – quite a combo! Anyway, I thought I'd share since I had some requests for more fics, hope you enjoy it!
Meet Your Matchmaker
Part One
I often felt sorry for Ling. I know it's the truth that he brings it on himself – he could have been ten times less goofy, or listened more, or done something more than he usually did, but I still pitied him. He was very pathetic.
Of course it hadn't always been that way. Right from the first moment I met him – when he thought I was Ping – he was already laughing his head off over the dumbest things and telling the most ridiculous and not exactly tasteful jokes. He was always botching the directions Shang gave him, because he was always in the middle of some prank. And he made things worse by talking about girls as if they were paintings, meant only for looking at (in fact, he had some old drawing tucked in his tunic the entire time he was in combat.)
Then when he found out I was a woman and came to my family's house, Ling really started getting annoying. And creepy. He would stare at me and "flirt" with me. It was a different side of him that was completely disturbing. I might be sitting talking to Yao about weight-lifting or to Chien-Po about lo mein, and out of the corner of my eye I would see Ling edging closer and closer, looking away as soon as I looked at him. It was then I realized what a mistake being kind to him was. That was the reason no girls were nice to him before.
Eventually I just had to yell at him. Sometimes it comes down to that with creepy guys like Ling. He was at my house one afternoon, doing that thing where he would pretend to be looking across the room, yet cutting looks at me whenever he thought he could. I had just had enough.
"Ling!" I said, exasperated, yet calmly as I could, "what are you looking at?"
"Looking at? Me? Come on Mulan, be serious," Ling laughed, getting even closer. I backed away. "Although, the view is…"
Oh, what disgusting foolishness.
"Stop staring at me, Ling, and stop flirting with me," I told him firmly. I noticed Chien-Po glancing at me in slight surprise. Yao was egging me on. I just kept talking. "It's annoying."
"I'm annoying?" Ling asked. "Where's your sense of hospitality, Mulan?"
I didn't have an answer for that, and I paused, rapidly trying to think one out. I hated to lose an argument once I started it. Fortunately, Mushu was always around, and right then he was pressed down against my collar. In a high-pitched, feminine-sounding voice he shouted, "Ling, if you don't want to seem like a donkey, quit acting like one."
I covered my mouth in embarrassment and grabbed at the giggling dragon behind my back. I would never have said that! But, oddly enough, it seemed to work. Ling's small eyes opened to their greatest capacity, and then he blinked.
"Gee, sorry, Mulan" he said, and quickly looked down at his feet. "I didn't know I was such a bother."
I was about to apologize, but I worried that would only make things worse and that he would sit next to me for the rest of my life. So I stayed quiet. That was about the extent of the conversation, and I don't think I'd been too mean to him. Still, it seemed like I had hurt him extremely. Surely he didn't really like me! And even if he did, I reasoned with myself, it was by my "good looks" only.
Which really showed what an idiot Ling was.
I decided to talk to Shang about it. He had been coming over unusually often since he had returned as a general. Baba never hesitated to invite him, because he loved discussing strategies and tactics. (I didn't know or use any tactics when I was a soldier, I just ran for my life and hoped for the best, which seemed to work.) It was a good thing Shang had been in the army, because based on his conversation skills and his gift giving alone (one time he actually brought a candle as a gift), he would have never stood a chance.
Lately, though, I would be daydreaming and realize that father wasn't discussing anything after all, and that one by one my family members had silently dropped out of the room, leaving me alone with Shang.
Carrying on a conversation with Shang is usually a bit troublesome. Shang sometimes gets tongue-tied and has a hard time saying what he means. Usually I just finished his sentence for him. Tonight, though, I planned to do all the talking myself.
"I think I hurt Ling's feelings today," I began diffidently.
Shang furrowed his eyebrows. "What was Ling doing here again?"
"He likes me," I said honestly. "I wish he didn't. It's not good for my self-esteem."
Shang laughed. "What did you do about it? I'm sure you had a solution."
"He was…called a donkey," I admitted, making a mental point to get back at Mushu. Shang looked amused.
"That'll work."
"It did, but he looked so upset! I know Ling is…very visually oriented," I said, tactfully, "but he's still human. He still deserves someone. Just not me!"
"Maybe. But I don't know if anybody deserves Ling."
"Yes they do! I'm sure there's some nice girl who would like him. There's someone out there for everyone, you know. It's fate."
"I'm not so sure about that."
I frowned at him. Shang was very levelheaded and critical, which I guess is a good thing, but it sometimes got on my nerves. He didn't have enough faith in fate – or in me. I was about to remind him that he and I met in the army when I was disguised as a boy, but I didn't want to sound presumptuous. I still didn't really know the level of Shang's affections. He's so darn reserved!
Anyway, my opinion showed, because Shang said arrogantly, "I'm sure you think could find a girl for Ling."
I scoffed. "Of course I could!"
"Prove it."
Uh…
"Well, Li Shang, I'm no matchmaker," I replied, haughtily, desperately trying to think of a way to change the subject.
"That you're certainly not," Shang replied, and he looked relieved. "But you joined the military. You saved China – twice. You defeated Shan Yu, the leader of the Huns. I'm sure matchmaking wouldn't be too difficult for you. Or is it?"
"No!" I stared at him for a moment. "I'm just…not good when it comes to 'affairs of the heart'." Shang seemed to be paying attention, so I went on. "It's just sometimes best not to meddle."
"Are you going to do it, or not?" he asked simply.
I sighed, even though I had to admit it sounded like an interesting experiment. "If I did…" I said slowly, "what would be in it for me?"
Shang looked out into space for a long time. "You'll get a gift from me," he answered eventually.
"Gee, thanks." I was thinking of the candle.
"It - it'll be a good one, trust me." Shang stared at me until he caught my eye, and his gaze was much more pleasant than Ling's gawking look. "If you can find a girl for Ling by the end of the week," Shang stated, "you'll win our bet."
"What do you win?" I asked suspiciously.
Shang considered this. "I guess I'll just get to see a very rare sight."
"And what's that?" I asked.
Shang smiled mischievously. "I guess I'll see you fail for once."
-X-
I wasn't planning on failing. "Failing" wasn't in my vocabulary. Apparently, it wasn't in Mushu's either. I decided it wasn't cheating to have Mushu along as a friend, but I should have known better than to ask for his help. Once the little cricket Grandma gave me had chirped him awake, Mushu was set for training.
"Okay, sport, here's how it's all goin' down. First we hit the jewelry vendors. All the girls shop there," Mushu said, studying his checklist. "If we don't find what we're looking for there, we'll move onto the bridge. It goes over a river and girls think that's so romantic."
"It is romantic," I informed him. He gave me a flat look.
"Suuuure. And if we still don't find what we're looking for, we'll go door to door. We're gonna have to hope for the best," he warned me. "Maybe nobody knows who Chuckles is."
I couldn't help but agree. Ling wasn't much. I wondered what he saw in his reflection – he seemed to think he was the epitome of manhood.
"Well as long as we find someone who's nice and will laugh at his jokes, I think he'll be set," I reasoned as I pulled back my hair, which had grown out again.
"Except she has to be drop dead gorgeous," Mushu said sarcastically. "Otherwise Ling won't even look at her. If you ask me, he should be happy if he gets anyone. A girl would be an idiot to be nice to Ling."
"Thank you, Mushu, that was very helpful."
"Aw, it's nothin'."
I did decide to follow Mushu's advice. It was true that most of the girls in town tended to flock around the jewelry vendors. (Personally, I didn't wear jewelry. I always ended up breaking it.) I noticed one girl right away. She was nice and tall – that would complement Ling's general lankiness – and she seemed to be all smiles – perfect for someone who thought he was as funny as Ling did. I edged my way over, picked up an impossibly delicate-looking necklace, quickly laid it down again for fear I would smash it, then turned casually to the girl.
"Do you like jewelry?" I asked nonchalantly.
She stared at me blankly.
So I never was good at small talk! Give me a break!
"Uh, I have this friend who always wants to buy me jewelry," I improvised. "You'd probably like him a lot…"
"You're Fa Mulan, aren't you?" she asked.
I didn't know whether to say yes or no. Most people didn't want their daughters to talk to me.
"Yes," I admitted, hoping that was the right answer.
"You're the one who just returned from "vacation" a few months ago, aren't you?"
"Yes," I sighed, bracing myself for the customary insult to come.
"And you always have gentlemen coming over, right?"
Now we were getting somewhere. "Yes, yes I do! Have you noticed them?"
"Mmm-hmm. There was the large one, and the shorter stocky one, and that other one."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "He's the one I was talking about!" I said excitedly. "I'm sure you'd like him."
"Oh, I already do," she admitted. "I don't live too far from where you live, and I see him come over almost every night."
"Yes, he's very…punctual."
"He always rides up on his horse," she continued dreamily.
I didn't remember Ling riding on a horse – he rode a mule once – but I figured the girl was just love-struck.
"And he's so tall," she went on, "and handsome."
Ling, handsome? She must have been the One.
"I heard someone say," she added confidentially, leaning in as if she were an old friend, "that he's a general in the army."
I was about to suggest she come and visit, but I choked instead, and glared at her. She was talking about Shang!
"Oh, you've got the wrong person," I said stiffly, turning sharply away. She gave me an equally critical look.
"You're not talking about the skinny one, are you?" Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "I wouldn't court him if you paid me!"
She looked thoroughly sickened, and stepped quickly away.
"Strike one," Mushu said.
"Who needed her anyway," I grumbled.
"You're just sore 'cause she likes Shang."
"How dare she like Shang," I grumbled some more.
"He is pretty handsome," Mushu said critically. "But more pretty-boy, y'know, not that rugged manliness like me."
"I guess it's time to go to the bridge," I sighed.
But the bridge, though very beautiful as it curved over the stretch of a blue stream, was not any more helpful. Neither was going door to door. It seemed everyone had seen Ling, and didn't like what they saw. One girl looked promising, but then Mushu exclaimed excitedly in his "manly baritone", and the girl looked at me like I'd grown another head and slammed the door.
By the afternoon, we returned to the village dejectedly, with no luck and no girl even considering Ling for a romance.
"I just don't understand," I insisted. "He's…nice."
"Then why don't you go date him?" Mushu said grumpily, kicking a stone into the street.
"He's not my type," I retorted.
"I'm hungry."
"Then go eat something."
"I'll get squashed by traffic," he threatened.
I groaned, picked him up, and bought him a moon cake at a pastry vendor's cart, hoping to shut him up. I sat on the stairs at the bather's and watched him eat it, growing more depressed every minute. There were tons of girls in the village. How was it possible that not one of them would give Ling a second chance?
I was pondering this when I saw a shadow drop over me. I looked up to see Nuan Huo, the young daughter of a rice farmer. Though they usually stayed on their farm just outside the village, every now and then they would sell their goods in the market. Today must have been one of those days.
"Hi Mulan. You look awfully tired," Nuan Huo said kindly, her round, sun-tanned face breaking into a wide and sympathetic smile. "And you look hungry. Would you like a rice cake? Free, of course." She extended her hand, and I took it and stood up. Nuan Huo was a very nice girl. She was one of the few who had never displayed any sense of distrust or suspicion when I returned from my six-month absence. She had even smiled at me that day I botched the matchmaking visit.
"I'm not having much luck today," I explained as she unwrapped a rice cake from her cart. "I was trying to be a "matchmaker" of sorts. I'm looking for a girl for one of my friends."
"Which friend?" She unwrapped a cake for herself and munched at it, looking interested.
I knew better than to even suggest she go with Ling, everyone was usually so disgusted, so I just said, "It's for my friend Ling. He's been kind of lonely since he returned from the war. But it seems he's a – ah – rare kind of guy."
"Is Ling the skinny one?" she asked, pushing her braid off her shoulder.
"Yeah."
"He's the one that's always telling jokes."
"Always," I agreed emphatically.
Nuan Huo licked a grain of salt off her finger. "I don't mind Ling."
My mouth dropped open. That was unexpected.
"You don't?"
"No! He's a little goofy, maybe, but that's okay." Nuan Huo dusted off her hands and began to restock her boxes of vegetables. "My father likes him well enough. You don't want someone who's serious all the time. At least, if you can help it."
"No, you don't," I said, dazedly. I swiped at my neck as Mushu gouged his little claw into it. I knew exactly what he was thinking. She was the One.
"Would you like to meet Ling?" I asked, hopefully.
She turned to me, a thoroughly frightened look in her eyes, and her face turned red. "Oh, I don't know Mulan. I'm not so – good with men like you are."
Like I said, she was very kind. "Listen, Nuan Huo, Ling is a very crazy kind of guy. Anybody can handle Ling as long as they can put up with some nonsense. There's nothing to be afraid of, I promise. Ling will like you!" Then I thought better. "But of course, that doesn't really matter if you don't like him."
Nuan Huo seemed to be debating the matter in her head as she played with the string of her wide-brimmed straw hat. "But I don't have any fancy clothes. And he's a soldier."
"Nuan Huo," I insisted, stunned at her unusual admiration of Ling. "You can borrow my jewelry – or what's left of it. And besides, I'll be there with you." She looked up at me then, and the frightened look turned to one of resolution.
"All right, Mulan," she nodded. "I trust you."
"That's excellent," I grinned. "I'll bring over my necklaces and earrings. Ling won't know what hit him!"
Nuan Huo waved to me as I waded a path through the crowd of shoppers, but I doubt she saw me grin to myself. Though for a completely different reason, Shang would be pretty surprised himself.
-X-
Nuan Huo would be coming over that afternoon, so I headed straight for my jewelry box and my mother's makeup-pots while Mushu disappeared in the yard with a cracker. I had collected all the necessary items and was on my way out when I smacked into a linen tunic and dropped the rouge pot.
"Oh – Mulan – I – "
"Shang?" I asked, looking up at him in confusion as I stooped to pick up the broken pieces. "What are you doing here?"
Shang looked stricken, as he always did when caught off guard. "Well I – you see, it's sort of – hard to – let me help you – um, I was meaning – " Shang bent over, stood up, rubbed his palms together, and blinked. At this point, Baba appeared in the doorway, making things worse.
"General Li? This is a surprise," he remarked.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir – Honorable Fa Zhou – I was just explaining to Pi – Mu – your daughter that I – " By now Shang's face had turned every color of the rainbow, gone from bright red to white, and was now a flushed cranberry. Father and I waited for him to go on, but he seemed to have forgotten how to speak. "I can't stay long I was just stopping by I hope you're doing well here's a candle have a nice day," he said all in a rush. He stopped, stared a minute, then turned away in apparently some sort of agony.
"He brought…another candle," Baba observed, looking at it curiously.
"Shang!" I called. "Come back tonight – I found a girl for Ling!" Shang turned and nodded, and I watched as he fumbled with the handles to the gate, kicked it when he thought no one was looking, and ducked out.
"I wonder what that was about," I murmured, wishing he had stayed at least long enough for me to gloat over my success. As there was no way of explaining it I shrugged, left Baba with the candle, and noted an odd look on his own face. But Father was always thinking about a lot of things, so I wasn't concerned. I had to find Mushu.
It always seemed Mushu was there when I didn't want him, and disappeared without word when I did, but I finally found him stomping through the front gate. Mushu wore his heart on his sleeve, and expected me at all times to ask what was wrong. Or else he brooded. So I said dutifully, "Mushu, you look upset."
He stopped stomping, looked up, and there was a genuine expression of emotion that surprised me. "Oh, you're just so – "
Mushu began to bawl.
"Mushu, tell me what's wrong!" I pleaded – I'd never seen this before. He threw back his head and howled. "Mushu, please, is Khan making fun of you again?"
"No," Mushu grunted, wiping his eyes on his arm. His eyes suddenly blazed. "I'll kill him! Yeah, that's what I'll do! I'll kill him! I'll get a big rock, and sneak in there at night, and in the morning, bye-bye birdie!"
"Who are you going to kill?" I demanded, shaking Mushu by his tiny shoulders. He looked up at me again, and his eyes filled with water.
"See Mulan, it's somethin' ya just don't – understand. I'll be fine. We guardians wear a heavy crown. Figuratively. Cause First Ancestor won't let me have one!"
Mushu, overcome by emotions of all kinds, threw himself on the ground. I picked his dramatically limp body up. "Well I expect you'll get over it," I told him firmly.
"I am broken," he informed me. "Just ask Cri-Kee. He knows what happened. He feels my pain."
"Cri-Kee doesn't know Chinese," I reminded Mushu as he slithered into my collar and sulked. I was beginning to wonder what on earth was wrong with everybody – first Shang, then Baba, and now Mushu.
It struck me that we would have no event if the lucky bachelor wasn't invited. I knew the gang often gathered at the local teahouse in the afternoon, and I didn't have any time to waste. But I wasn't exactly supposed to go there by myself. Women weren't allowed inside without a chaperone. I chewed on a strand of my hair, unsure. I had to do it somehow. I had promised Nuan Huo I would introduce her and besides, love might be at stake.
It always shocked me how many men found time to lounge at the teahouse. Ling, Yao and Chien-Po were kind of…lazy anyway, but most of the dozens of patrons were farmers and their occasional wives who should have had crops to get in. I got an ugly look from a few stragglers outside that made me wish I was Ping again, but I ignored it. I glanced at the front door; I would be seen if I tried to sneak in.
There was a large window on the side of the building. It was too high for me to look in, but there were several crates that I quickly climbed up on. When I looked through I could see the three seated, with Chien-Po eating everything in sight, Yao shooting daggers at anyone who looked his way, and Ling talking and gesturing animatedly. He was directly across from me. I waved my arms to try and catch his eye, but he was too absorbed in his story and the serving-girl to notice me. I knocked on the window loudly. That got the attention and odd stares of some, but not my friends. "Ling!" I yelled in despair. As a last resort, I decided to pull my shoe off and use that as a knocker. I balanced on one foot – I wobbled – picked up my other – lost my balance entirely – knocked over the crates, accidentally shouted, set three dogs howling, whacked my head on the fence, and brought all the customers in the teashop running outside to see what the ruckus was about.
Chien-Po walked serenely through the crowd, with Yao and Ling jogging and elbowing their way behind them.
"Gosh, Mulan, what's wrong?" Ling shouted, attracting more attention, as Chien-Po helped me up.
"Outta the way," Yao shouted. "Nothin' to see here!"
Of course that just made everyone look harder, and caused Ling to explode into giggles which he did a bad job of stifling. I glared at him.
"I was trying to get you," I hissed, chiding myself for drawing such a crowd when I was disliked enough as it was.
"Me? Why?"
"I found," I sputtered, "a girl who likes you." I might as well have added, 'That's a rarity, you know.'
One at a time the customers began dropping back into the teahouse. But the gang stayed behind.
"A girl? Really?" Ling actually seemed interested.
"Yes. Her name is Nuan Huo."
"How'd you manage that?" Yao demanded.
"She just…seemed to take a liking to Ling," I guessed. Ling scratched his head.
"Is she pretty?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Is. She. Pretty?"
"I don't know," I shook my head. "Why does that matter?"
"So I can, y'know, think of her in my head. What does she look like?" he pressed.
"She's, uh, shorter than I am, and her hair is long – she usually wears it in a braid – "
"What does her father do?"
"He's a farmer."
Ling stopped.
"Ling," Chien-Po scolded.
"Come on!" he whined. "You guys are trying to get me eternal happiness! Well I'll be super-happy if she's good-looking!"
"Ling, you're an idiot if you don't even give her a chance," I exclaimed.
"Just one chance," Chien-Po suggested. But Ling just stuck his hands in his pockets.
"A farmer's daughter? That's just not my type," he insisted, as if he had a type other than someone who would put up with him. "And I don't want to annoy someone I probably won't even like." I bristled as he brought back my own words. "Besides," he added, "I've got my eye on another girl."
"Whaddaya talking about? You mean – " Yao began, but Chien-Po elbowed him and looked slightly guilty, and I wondered if they knew who Ling was talking about.
"You don't know what you're missing, Ling," I argued, turning his own words on him. But it was true. Ling didn't know what was best for him. If he would only give the girl a chance! Nuan Huo was nice enough to be ugly and still attract suitors, but she wasn't! She just had a soft, natural prettiness about her. Unfortunately, she wasn't flashy enough to catch Ling's attention. Ling would be happily surprised if only he would listen.
"Thanks for thinking of me, Mulan, but don't worry," he chuckled. "I can get girls on my own. I mean, they're practically lining up at my door!" He patted my shoulder generously. I shrugged his bony hand off irritably. Success had been so close! The only obstacle was Ling's stubborn confidence.
Ling walked back into the teahouse. Yao and Ling stayed behind.
"He's a moron," Yao announced.
"He doesn't know what's best for him," Chien-Po sighed. "I am acquainted with Nuan Huo – her family makes delicious rice cakes," he added dreamily. "I believe Ling would find true happiness."
"He will like her," I vowed.
"But," Chien-Po went on cautiously, "I don't know if it's best to press it."
"I won't press it too much," I promised. "I'll just help Nuan Huo get his attention."
"It's kinda hard to get a moron's attention," Yao grunted.
"It is," I agreed. "But I can do it."
I knew I could.
-X-
The worst part was explaining it to Nuan Huo without telling an outright lie. Her poor little concerned face was awful when I told her he couldn't make it.
"Is he all right?" she asked quickly, with a look that made my heart sink.
"Oh, don't worry, he's fine," I assured her, looking at the flowers, the sky, anything other than her sincere face.
He was fine. Just an idiot.
"But I don't think he realizes how much you like him. Or how much he would like you. Ling's kind of like that."
"What can we do, do you think?" she asked.
"I don't…know."
We sat there thinking for about five minutes when I heard footsteps coming through the garden. All of a sudden I remembered – I had forgotten to explain to Shang. I excused myself to Nuan Huo then met him at the gate.
"Mulan?" he called. "Ah, there you are!"
"It looks like you're a little less nervous than you were this afternoon," I remarked, walking with him toward the stone bench.
"Yeah," he laughed, embarrassed. "You know how tongue-tied I get. Is that the girl?"
"It is," I said, "but I think I need more time. Ling needs a little…coaxing."
"He wasn't glad you had a date for him?" Shang exclaimed incredulously.
"No! He thinks he can get one himself." By this point we had reached the clearing where I had left Nuan Huo. She immediately stood and bowed, but I could see her studying Shang's feet.
"Shen Nuan Huo, I would like you to meet the honorable General Li Shang of the Imperial Army,." I recited. Not only was it etiquette, Shang also liked for people to know he was a general. Nuan Huo lifted her eyes hesitantly. "It's nice to meet you."
"I was explaining to Shang the troubles we were having," I sighed, plunking down on the bench. Shang sat in between us.
"Ling is a fool for not running to you," Shang said seriously, causing Nuan Huo to burst into nervous giggles.
"It's true!" I protested. "And he will. We just need to get his attention."
I left Shang to make small talk with Nuan Huo as I searched my mind for a solution. I positively refused to give Nuan Huo a makeover – if Ling finally agreed to meet her, but couldn't accept her real beauty, he didn't deserve her. I also didn't want to hurt Nuan Huo. I sullenly turned back to my friends, and then an Idea struck. Shang was nice enough to almost everyone. And Nuan Huo was so sweet she could talk to anyone with the most caring expression. I tried not to let them see me staring, but I pulled on Shang's sleeve. He politely excused himself, then followed me to an area out of hearing distance.
"What is it, Mulan?"
"I have a plan," I said. "Would you be willing to help me?"
He crossed his arms with a smile. "I don't think that was the bargain."
"You know your gift for the bet is nothing spectacular," I began.
"Yes it is!" Shang looked indignant. I tilted my head.
"Besides, we have to keep Nuan Huo's feelings in mind."
"I suppose. What do you want me to do?"
"We're going to make Ling jealous."
"And you want me…"
"To be the other man," I finished proudly. Shang looked at me oddly.
"You're going to try to make Ling think," he said slowly, "that Nuan Huo likes me?"
"Yes."
"And that I like Nuan Huo?"
"Yes."
Shang looked up in the trees with an expression that concerned me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I don't know, Mulan – I don't think it will be particularly believable."
I realized why he was hesitant. He was a general. He didn't want a young girl – me – to tell him what to do all the time. I backed down.
"You don't have to – if you don't want to," I offered.
But he suddenly looked more concerned that he wouldn't be able to play the other man.
"I'll do it," he said quickly.
I looked up at him gratefully, but not without a bit of confusion. "Thank you. It's for Nuan Huo, and – "
But Shang just looked anxious to end the conversation, so we did. For the rest of the visit, we each talked to Nuan Huo.
Not to each other.
