“I’ve never tried teaching anyone before,” I said. “But you’re a natural.”

Her face was glowing with a sheen of sweat as she used the towel, a smile playing on the corners of her lips. “I’m going to have to visit you more often.”

My mouth dropped for a moment before I laughed too. “You’re welcome to anytime.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” she said and stretched her arms overhead, as if unable to contain her energy.

I hoped so.

It almost seemed too easy.

Daiyu gave me a casual hug when she left soon after, and her scent, citrusy and floral, lingered on my skin. I spent the next thirty minutes casting knives against the circular target set on the nonclimbing wall, veering wide at first, like some half-assed amateur. My arm was unsteady, my concentration shot. I kept retrieving and throwing, lost in a focused rhythm, until I began hitting the bull’s-eye over and over again.

The weight of the blade—the feel of the cool hilt in my hand—was reassuring and familiar.

It was what I needed.

This was the only thing that made sense to me right now, in this moment and within this world.

CHΔPTER SEVEN

Three days later, Xiao Huang personally delivered a long silver box to my door.

“What’s this?” I asked.

He shrugged, then grinned so wide you would have thought I had tipped him a thousand yuan. “Have a nice day, sir,” he said and touched the edge of his black cap, nodding once.

Perplexed, I pulled off the purple velvet ribbon and opened the box. Three white calla lilies were tucked inside, so perfect I touched a petal, wondering if it was real. It was—the flower cool and smooth. They weren’t in season, but yous could grow most things in a greenhouse or have them flown in. A rectangular silver envelope rested at the bottom of the box with no name on it. I immediately thought of Daiyu. Was this some mistake? The card inside featured a traditional Chinese brush painting, a single pine tree perched on a rocky ledge, its needles laden with snow.

I opened the card. It was an invitation, the characters written in a hand well versed in Chinese calligraphy:

You are cordially invited to a gala hosted by Jin Daiyu at the Jin residence. There will be a silent auction and all proceeds benefit the Children’s Foundation. A 50,000 NT donation to attend is appreciated.

The invitation gave the details of the party, noting that it was a black-tie affair. On the top corner, the characters written quickly but in an elegant hand, was a personal note from Daiyu:

I had such a great time the other day. I hope you can make the party. Would love to see you.
xxo