"You start counting at 'one', xiao Chao," Nie Huaisang said it gently, encouragingly. He could always be soft when needed and he knew that with Wen Chao, a careful mix of energies was necessary. "I know you can do it," he added therefore, even smiling a cheery smile.

Simply to reassure him that all was well. That he didn't have to think about this too hard or at all.