On the chair, out of the light, there was a dark figure making a small, controlled groan. Mei moved to the side of her elder son, who just stared at the fi gure and remained immobile. Without the little boy sleeping in her arms, she might have screamed as her normal reaction.
“Why are you still standing there? Didn’t you hear what I just said? Take the boys to bed. Then we talk!” The male voice became familiarly impatient. Mei obeyed.