The speakers crackled with static and the opening bars of the national anthem blared out. Then a troupe of musicians came onstage to perform some patriotic songs and dances. Next a small orchestra made up of students played a Western piece, something classical. Finally came the real reason for the rally. A uniformed officer came to the microphone and began his speech.

“The Japanese bomb civilian targets to intimidate and demoralize.” The speaker’s words thundered through the open area, amplified to reach the far end of the field. “But this does not weaken our resolve.”

Lian thought of what they’d already seen, the tired and the homeless, the sick and the hopeless. Refugee centers short on food, shelter, and medicine. Old men and women sitting listlessly on straw mats. The woman who had given birth on the muddy banks of the Yangtze. When they saw her, the current was coaxing her unresisting body into its waters. None of those people had gone to war but it had devoured them just the same. So many deaths, rendered anonymous by the sheer number of victims.

“China is a vast land and our military takes advantage of this. Our government and armies move inland strategically. Not to retreat, but to force the Japanese to stretch their resources across greater and greater distances.”

Shao took her hand. “Your mother will be all right,” he whispered, giving it a squeeze.

She gave him a quick, uncertain smile but did not pull away. She felt her hand grow warm in his.

WHEN THE RALLY ended, most of the students milled about on the playing field, introducing themselves, mingling and exchanging stories.

“I want to stay for a while,” Meirong said to Lian. “Make some new friends from other schools and hear about their travels. It’s all good material for Minghua 123 News. Unless you want me to walk back with you?”

“No, no. You stay,” Lian said, glad to see her friend’s extroverted nature surfacing. “I’m a bit tired and I need to mend my blouse.” Lian didn’t want to make any more new friends. Nor did she want to remember how warm and protecting Shao’s hand had felt over hers. Because she was certain it meant more to her than it did to him.

Back at the boarding school, she stood for a few minutes beside the radiator in the dormitory’s entrance lobby to warm up. Sunset angled its way in the windows, casting long striped shadows through the staircase banister. Lian reluctantly moved away from the radiator and trudged up the stairs to the room she shared with three others. As soon as she entered she saw the envelope on her bed.

Come to my office at six o’clock this evening.