The door to the office was open. The man inside came around the desk and held his hand out. Shao’s father was extremely handsome, and the family resemblance was very strong: a lean, square jaw and high forehead. Lian gave him the letter. He opened the sheet and frowned.

“This letter isn’t in my son’s handwriting,” he said.

“Sparrow wrote it because he was too ill to sit up,” Lian replied. “But he’s on the mend now and quite safe at your house in Wen-chou.”

Liu Sanmu looked up from the letter. “Well, at least he’s seen a doctor. And Sparrow is with him. But why did you all leave Minghua University?”

“He left because he’s worried about his mother,” she said, “and I left because I need you to save my friend.”

SHAO’S FATHER PACED up behind his desk, looking out the window. Lian fidgeted in the chair across, taking a gulp every so often from the glass of chrysanthemum tea he had poured for her.

“One of the challenges is identifying just the right person,” he said, turning to Lian. “I don’t have any contacts who can pull strings with the Juntong.”

Lian understood. The indispensable connections nurtured by families for personal and business advantage ran on the exchange of favors. Shao’s father didn’t know anyone at the Juntong who owed him a favor. Or else he did but was unwilling to spend the favor on her, a girl whose family could offer nothing in return. If only Shao were here, pleading Meirong’s case to his father.

“Mr. Liu, it was Shao who suggested asking you for help,” she began.

He held his hand up. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. I need to find someone who knows the right person. Leave it with me.”

“Thank you so much,” Lian said. “Please convince the authorities in Changsha that Yee Meirong is just young and idealistic. She rushes in without thinking. But now she’s had a scare and she’ll know better. Please do whatever you can, Mr. Liu. I’ve heard terrible things about those reeducation camps.”

“Well, my son risked his life to help get you to Shanghai so it must be important to him,” he said. His expression softened. “Don’t worry, I’ll look into this. My family does have some influence, Miss Hu. It’s only a matter of finding the right contact. Your friend will be released as long as she hasn’t done or said anything rash in the meantime.”

That was exactly what worried Lian and she bit her lip. Meirong could be so very outspoken. But all she said was, “Whatever you can do for her, I’m in your debt, Mr. Liu.”