SU YUQI couldn't manage to say a word; the old man rambled on without pause, seemingly unaware that she might have something to say. He shifted his cane, his free hand flailing slightly, before his face brightened with sudden realization.
"Oh! Speaking of which," he began, his voice picking up speed. "The strangest thing happened just a moment ago. I was wandering about, as I mentioned—you know, trying to find the blasted lavatory—but then I saw them! Red footprints, clear as the nose on my face, leading right to this door." He jabbed the air with his cane as if to emphasize the spot. "Bright red, one after the other, and I thought to myself, 'Well, now that's peculiar!' Seemed only right to follow, don't you think? Thought I might find someone in need of help. So I opened the door, and, well—" He laughed nervously, gesturing toward her. "That's when I nearly bowled you over, young man!"
