"It's fine, Sister Hua," Fang Lin said. He knew that he'd made the most complaints about their living conditions while they traveled but after seeing the brutality of the Pit, he saw the value in a place that was out of the way where they would be left alone. "As long as it's safe, that's what matters most. I can even add a few formations once we get there."
"That would be very welcome," Wu Ling said, gently touching the young scholar's shoulder with the tips of his fingers and flashing him a warm smile. "You've worked hard to keep us safe for much of this trip, I'm sorry to make it harder by attracting trouble."
"No, it's fine," Fang Lin said, his face heating as he looked away from Wu Ling's enchanting visage. He had to remind himself, yet again, that the face he saw was just the result of Wu Ling's artistry and talents at makeup and that 'Sister' Hua was really 'Brother' Wu. He shouldn't feel so flustered just because another man had touched his shoulder!
