The woman's eyes sharpened, and for the first time, Zhenlan saw something other than exhaustion on her face. "Yes," she said. "I can build, fix, and do whatever else is needed. Probably better than any other man."
"Name?"
"Fang Lihua."
"Good." Zhenlan looked at Chenghai. "Remember her. She's coming with us. Rouxi will get along well with her." Chenghai nodded once. He didn't have anything to write names down on, but he could remember them.
The man with the pipe scowled. "You taking names now?"
"I am making a list," Zhenlan said. "That is different."
"It is really not."
"It is when mine gets people food... and a hot shower."
That got another reaction, smaller this time but more useful. The crowd was beginning to understand that he was not here to drag anyone forward. They would have to step forward themselves. That made the choice theirs, which meant the responsibility would be too.
