Qinghe found Yan on the library steps with Gu He. Gu had returned a stack of books to the technical annex and was balancing one more volume on his knee. Wei stood a few steps above them, reading the notice for the next movement trial.
“Why do you smile when the effect turns out worse on paper than it feels?” Qinghe asked.
Yan looked up from the steps. “Does it?”
“The label lists a headache. You report that the pressure clears and your focus improves. You smile as soon as it happens.”
“I like being stronger. I like the extra energy after work. And I like being the person in the room who doesn’t fear a warning label.”
“Even when the warning sounds terrifying?”
“Especially then. It’s a thrill.”
Gu closed the book on his knee. “Enjoying it doesn’t mean you can skip a missing page.”
