Liu Mingyan nearly lets him go. He reminds her of her least favorite kind of politician; always with a ready word and never a clear intent. But—she sighs. "Wait," she says. "You offered a fresh start, and I refused it; it was—unkind." She can almost hear Sha Hualing laughing at her; since when has she been kind? Gracious, yes, and occasionally merciful. She doubts that's the same. "I am struggling to socialize in a place where the power dynamics seem so—flattened, and I disliked the idea that you had some knowledge of me that I did not grant. I apologize."