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Mulan bit back a laugh.</p>

A green onion?</p>

She wondered what this Li Li would think if she heard such a comparison.</p>

“Ling is a romantic!” Cricket said, apparently more impressed than Mulan at Ling’s choice of words.</p>

Ling smiled dreamily. “Li Li inspires me,” he went on. “Her eyes are like morning dewdrops, her hair like distant mountains, darkened by black clouds—”</p>

Just when Mulan thought she couldn’t take another simile, Yao banged his hand on the table, interrupting Ling. “I like my women buxom!” he said, letting out a loud, booming laugh. Around him, other soldiers voiced their agreement. “With strong, wide hips!” he added.</p>

Mulan cringed.</p>

Is this the way men talk about women?</p>

The thought made her stomach, which had already soured at the first taste of the awful food provided, turn over. It had never occurred to her that men would have such little respect for their future wives. She had always been taught to think highly and speak proudly of the man she would someday marry. Of all men, really. Yet here, only the “romantic” seemed to have the courtesy to speak kindly of the opposite sex. Even Cricket, whom Mulan had thought was a decent man, was now taking part.</p>

“I like kissing women with cherry red lips,” he said, smiling at the men around him in the hopes of getting the same reaction Yao had received.</p>

“Then your mother must have cherry red lips,” Yao teased, “because she’s the only woman that’s ever kissed you!” The other soldiers snickered and Yao’s smile grew broader.</p>

“I don’t care what she looks like—” Po started to say.</p>

Thinking that the other soldier was defending women and was going to say something nice, Mulan shot up. “I agree!” she said.</p>

But Po’s next words made her instantly regret her action. “I just care what she cooks like!”</p>

Mulan’s face fell. Turning her attention back to her unappetizing meal, she was surprised when she heard her name. “Tell us, Hua Jun,” Honghui said, calling out to her from across the table. He had been watching her, trying to read her reaction to the room and the comments. Deciding to push her, he went on. “Tell us. What’s your ideal woman?” Once again, the room filled with noise as the other soldiers voiced their encouragement. “Yes!” they shouted. “Tell us!”</p>

Mulan was mortified. She met Honghui’s probing gaze and her eyes narrowed. She knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to get a rise out of her. But she wouldn’t let him. She paused, collecting her thoughts before answering. “I guess,” she said, making sure to keep her voice deep and steady, “my ideal woman is courageous.”</p>

The room grew silent. The men looked at each other, confused. They were all dumbfounded and disappointed. Except Honghui. He seemed interested by the answer.</p>

Stubbornly, Mulan went on, knowing that even as she did, she was once again making herself stand out. But she didn’t care. She wanted to show them that women were more than just objects. “And she has a sense of humor.” Some of the men laughed. “She’s also smart!” Now everyone was laughing. Everyone except Honghui.</p>

“But what’s she look like?” Cricket pressed.</p>

Mulan shook her head. “That’s not the point.”</p>

“Courageous, funny, smart,” Yao repeated. “Hua Jun’s not describing a woman, he’s describing a man! He’s describing me!”</p>

As the room erupted in laughter, Mulan sank back down in her seat. What was the point? It was like trying to talk to a bunch of animals. But as she lifted her head, she was surprised to see Honghui smiling at her. He winked. Then, turning to Yao, he called out, “Courageous, funny, smart? No, that’s not you, Yao. That’s definitely not you.”</p>

The joke was now at Yao’s expense, and the attention drifted from Mulan. Taking the opportunity, she slipped away. But not before giving Honghui a small, grateful smile.</p>

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