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Mulan’seyessnappedopen.Scanningtheshoreline,shespottedHonghui.“Weneedtotalk!”heshoutedashetookoffhisownclothes.

PanicfilledMulan.Immediately,shetriedtosubmergeherbodywhilesimuaneouslyavertinghereyesfromHonghui.Heshedhisclothesquicklyandwithnoshame.

“Icameheretobealone—”Mulancalledout,splashingwaterasshetriedtomoveaway.Desperately,shelookedaroundforsomething,anything,tocoverherbody.

Honghuiignoredherprotest.Jumpingintothewater,heswamtowardher.“Whatwasthattoday?”hesaidashisarmsslicedthroughthewater.“Youwereincredible.”

“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit,”Mulansaid,turningsoherbackwastohim.

Stoppingafewfeetaway,Honghuitreadedwater.Helookedatherwithcuriosity.WhenMulandidn’tmakeamovetoturntowardhim,Honghuiswamaroundtofaceher.Butshemirroredhismovements,keepingherbacktohim.Hepressedonanyway.“Teachmehowyoudidit.Showme.”

Mulanshookherhead.“Leavemealone,”sherepeated.Thewordscameoutharsherthanshehadintended.ButHonghuiwasnotbothered.

“Why?”heasked.“What’swrongwithyou?Ithoughtwewerefriends.”