Han Yuansheng sets your book on the marble table and turns off the work lamp.
"The spine will hold. That finishes the useful part of my evening."
He slips off his jacket and lays it over the carved chair. The last guest's glass is still by the door; he carries it to the sideboard before coming back.
"I'd like to see you tomorrow. Dinner, or a film you think I'll pretend to understand."
A brief smile lifts the edge of his mouth.
"I've been finding reasons to ask you upstairs. Tonight I'd rather tell you the reason. I enjoy your company, and I want to take you out."
He stays beside the empty chair.
"What would you actually like?"