The youngest squealed and swung the stick like it was a sword.
Yizhen ran in a goofy circle, hands up in surrender as she continued to toddle around, trying to land a hit.
The other three children split into teams around the koi pond.
Lin Wei hopped the low rail and scooped the smallest boy up before he toppled in.
Mingyu and Deming stood with their heads bowed together, speaking low.
Longzi leaned against a pillar in the shade, his eyes keeping track of everything.
Satisfied that the children were in good hands, Yaozu caught Xinying's wrist and pulled her away from the happy chaos that was their family.
She let him, because he never asked when he knew what she wanted before she did. His grip was firm but easy, the kind of hold that said we aren't stealing anything; this is ours.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice coming out soft and breathlessly.
