By the time we returned to the camp, the night had grown deep, and the earlier tension had settled into quiet exhaustion as everyone went back to their places and began preparing to rest.
The fires burned low, and the camp was calmer.
I cleared a space to sleep and adjusted my things slowly, ignoring the dull pain in my leg.
Nearby, Aunt Han sat with Han Mei and Han Li, and they began talking about what had happened.
"Those two girls are truly wicked," Aunt Han said, her tone firm. "They went too far."
Han Mei frowned. "If Yan Mo had not stepped in, this would have ended badly."
Han Li nodded. "That was not anger. That was planned."
Liu Muyan sat close and agreed quietly. "What they did could have caused real harm."
Liu Ruyan said nothing, but she listened.
Around us, the villagers settled down, their voices lowering until the camp became quiet.
Then Han Li looked at me.
