The leisure boat was larger than Meng Bai had expected. It had a wide wooden deck, soft cushions placed near a low table, and even silk curtains hanging from carved pillars. Two men stood at the back, holding long oars. Their faces were calm, almost blank.
Seeing that there were other people present made Meng Bai relax a little.
'At least we are not alone,' he thought.
The girl in white smiled and said, "Please, sit. The center of the lake has the best view."
The girl in gray turned to the boatmen. "Row us to the middle."
The two men did not speak. They simply nodded and began to row. The boat glided smoothly across the water, leaving gentle ripples behind.
Meng Bai sat on one of the cushions while the three girls sat around him. Lantern light reflected softly on their faces.
For a while, the talk was simple and easy.
The girl in purple asked, "What kind of food do you like most?"
